V-Rag Magazine #41 - Jancember 2012-2013

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It's the triumphant return of our favourite pint-sized pop princess (yes we are playing favourites) Kylie Minogue! With a new live album and tour, Miss Minogue talks about her 25 years in the music business and what we can expect in the next 25 years! Also in this 3rd annual Jancember double edition, superstar DJ Junior Vasquez reminisces about the good old days of the ballroom house circuit, adult film director Chi Chi LaRue turns his attention to music, and your own preview to the 11th Annual Dine Out Vancouver festival. Remember to keep an eye out for our V-Rag Best of 2012 supplement in January, highlighting all the best interviews of the year. Happy Holidays! V Editor & Art Director

Cole Johnston • cole@v-rag.com Editorial staff

Jason Goodwin Joan-E Cole Johnston Christopher Monk Mumbles Pop Trash Addict Mike Raul Pacheco Matt Roy Michael Venus Printed by

East Van Graphics Publisher

Cole Johnston Design

Art & Photography

William Baker Justyna Bien Jon Christiansen Bill Douthart Kylie.com Kim Lachapelle MTV Canada Chantal Regnault Pierre Simard Tourism Vancouver Cover Photo by

William Baker Coutesy of Kylie.com

Copy deadline for the February issue is Jan. 22. Ad space is available until Jan. 25 and can be booked by calling 604831-8179 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

1167 Davie street Vancouver

www.pumpjackpub.com

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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 Š 2012 Cole Johnston Design.

www.v-rag.com

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kylie minogue

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chi chi larue

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holiday gift guide

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v-map

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junior vasquez

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1g5g

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dine out vancouver

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health & wellness

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film:notes

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music:notes

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joan-e's rag

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calendar of events

Oh yes we did! For the second year in a row, Kylie shares the latest with us!

The queen of adult film, both gay and straight, plus she's a DJ now!

Stuck for a gift for that special someone? We've got a few ideas here!

Don't get lost on the streets of Vancity, find everything here!

The pioneer of club music himself takes us back to the ballroom scene.

Meet MTV star and this month's gay, Max Claude!

In its 11th year, January is the month to see what the city has on its plate.

The best eating tips to start your New Years' resolution off right.

Going Down in LaLa Land and Holy Motors reviewed.

Apparatjik & Lowel, Joshua James and Tegan & Sara reviewed.

Joan-E is gettin' er done and so should you!

Vancouver's most comprehensive guide, now with more sleigh bells!

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photos by william baker, courtesy of kylie.com

features

by cole johnston

How did the Anti-Tour and The Abbey Road Sessions come about?

Truth be told, it was a complete indulgence. I loved doing it. The idea behind the Anti Tour came from people asking me how I would top the Aphrodite tour. I thought the best option was to go completely the other way.

I've been wanting to go that direction for years, and on my last few tours I've included little bits of this idea, reworking my songs completely. It's just so much fun. I think the process first started in my tours around ’98. I'm not counting the very early days, as I really had no clue what I was doing. "Lucky" is the song what really kick started the process, I did it as a torch song. I think it was because I was so embarrassed that I hadn't come to terms with doing it in its original form again.

Me and Steve Anderson, my music producer for many years, started formulating a plan back then. Now I feel like I'm kind of owning the songs, seeing what else new we could do with them. The Abbey Road Sessions just gave us all the opportunity to fully ‘go there’. But don't worry, I'll be getting back to the dance floor next year.

With a staggering 51 singles,

v-rag magazine #41 11 albums and 25 years of work, what's the process like for deciding which songs make it on the album?

jancember 2012/13

I

seriously doubt I even need to introduce this pop princess.

After all, she's celebrating 25 years on the charts with K25 and her latest album of re-worked singles from the past 3 decades. Kylie Minogue's The Abbey Road Sessions brings together an incredible career of work, which appears to show no signs of slowing down. 2012 saw a full tour, two feature films, a fashion book of 25 years of designer styles and a new album for the 44-year-old starlet. Check out her new single "Flower", it's pure pop bliss. Oh, and if you haven't been paying attention the last 4 years, V-Rag is team Kylie all the way. We're over the moon to feature Kylie Minogue for the second year in a row! What better Christmas gift could we think of?

We had a period where we rehearsed and we literally just tried things out, that's how we discovered which songs would work. Some songs there were two versions of, some we tried and they weren't different enough. It was really a process of elimination, taking into account a lot of factors.

Any tracks that you really wish had made it onto the final album?

"Breathe"! That song was one of the first reasons this album came about. We were on tour and we did an acoustic version of "Breathe" in a dressing room and uploaded it for fans, and they went nuts for it. Stripping away the production, the costumes, and the programming and all of that, and just having a real vocal connection. I really wish we could have had that on the album.

Speaking of the 25 years (K25), that's almost unheard of for a pop star to have that kind of staying power. Do you find your fan base is changing in terms of demographics?

Well, I don't feel that old, and it doesn't seem like it should make a difference at all, but in the last year I've had to consider my age more. I mean, if you look at pop radio now, the audience target is a different generation to me. More of my fans are in a different age group, although I do have fans in all age groups. With The Abbey Road Sessions, I think I'm really showing a more mature, classy side. Don't get me wrong, as I said I love the dance floor and that's a very relevant part of me too. But like they say, 50 is the new 40, and 40 is the new 30.

2012 saw you in roles in two films, Jack And Diane and Holy Motors (one of my favourite films this year).

Is acting something you're hoping to get back into?

features

Throughout my career I've loved to be able to do something different. When I saw the script for Jack And Diane, I loved it. Wish I could have been in more of the film (haha), but obviously if you're promoting an album full-on, and doing a six-month tour around the world, there is no space to do anything else. But the very small part I have in Jack And Diane, and then as you mentioned, the role in Holy Motors, they've just reignited something that's always been hanging around. It was so rewarding to do Holy Motors, and the response around the world has just been overwhelming. And to work with someone like Leos Carax, it's very exciting. Of course I'd love to do more.

You say there's no time but on top of every-

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thing, you've put a fashion book out too?!

Oh, putting that together with William [Baker] was actually a lot harder than making this album. Putting together material from the last 25 years is tough, and of course it’s all got to be on different formats, transparencies, negatives, even floppy discs that nobody can actually read anymore haha. It was a nightmare, but so worth it, it looks great. Such a wide diversity of looks, including the fashion disasters over the years haha.

You had the opportunity to work with Nick Cave again on the new version of "Where The Wild Roses Grow". How was that? Are there any other artists you'd like to collaborate with in the future?

v-rag magazine #41 work after the new year?

I have to ask this last question for the fans.

What's next? After such an ambitious 2012, are you planning a break or going back to

Kylie: The Abbey Road Sessions is available on iTunes. The Kylie/Fashion book (Thames & Hudson) is available at all fine book merchants. www.kylie.com

jancember 2012/13

I have to say, I was on tenterhooks waiting to see if he'd say yes to being on the album, and I was absolutely over the moon when he did. As I've said many times, I'd love to work with Brandon Flowers. I love The Killers.

Or perhaps Jonsi of Sigur Ros, I still love that album and have it on all the time.

I won't lie, I do have days where I want to completely throw it in and retire. And I will be taking a break, there won't be a K26 haha.

But after that I would like to get back on it and do something even more different. V

features

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v-rag magazine #41 jancember 2012/13

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photo courtesy of jon christiansen

features

v-rag magazine #41

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When it comes to legendary American drag superstars, the fabulous Chi Chi LaRue is right up at the top of the list. Chi Chi has built an empire in the queer world as the leader of the porn industry. Not just pigeonholed in gay film, LaRue has branched out to direct many straight titles as well. This glamourpuss business woman is also a world class DJ and hilarious personality. If there's a superstar drag personality to rival RuPaul or Lady Bunny, Chi Chi LaRue is it! I had a wonderful opportunity to chat with her and ask about her secrets to succex!

How did you first get into the porn business and what is the secret for building your huge empire?

I started in 1986 when I moved to LA from Minnesota. It was something I really wanted to get into, so I just basically did it! My secret is to be kind, trust your gut, surround yourself with good people, and to be yourself.

Who have been your favourite actors to work with so far?

Oh, there are so many to choose from!

Johnny Hazzard, Dean Monroe, Blake Riley, Doug Jeffries, Filippo Romano, Ken Ryker, the list goes on.

What have been some of your most noted career highlights?

One just happened actually. I was asked to DJ a huge party for Elton John and his husband David Furnish. The many

jancember 2012/13

by michael venus

accolades from the porn world are great, but that one is awesome! Oh, and I also have a store in West Hollywood, which was always a highlight for me.

Speaking of DJing, we've learned that you've recently taken that up professionally. When did you become a DJ and what kind of music do you play?

It's been about 6 solid years now. I play fun music with actual words in them!

Haha. Pop, dance. You know the Britney's the GaGa's. Dance!

What is your mantra and main inspiration for life and work?

One day at a time! I'd have to say my main inspiration is my friends and family.

What are some of your future projects?

I'm in London right now shooting my new film, as yet untitled. I'm also working on a fantastic, amazing new sex toy line, which is very exciting.

Words of wisdom?

Be sweet because bitter comes back to bite you in the ass!

Where can people learn more about you and your work?

People can either tweet me @djchichilarue, or check out my blog at www.

ChiChiLaRue.com. V www.safesexishotsex.com www.chichilarue.com www.twitter.com/djchichilarue

photo by pierre simard

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v-rag magazine #41

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photos by bill douthart

features

Where were you when voguing was first starting out in New York City?

I was at the Sound Factory when voguing came around. I used to play very long sessions there. I was making "bitch tracks" like "Work This Pussy" and "Dub Break" – tracks made to battle to, vogue to.

The performer Kevin Aviance was the big motivator of voguing at Sound Factory.

People like RuPaul used to be waiting in line when I got there. Early in the morning, maybe two or three hours before the club would close, the voguers would start to battle.

You mentioned "bitch tracks" Can you explain what those are exactly?

Bitch tracks are like "Oh! Bitch, that ain't fair", or "I'll push you down backwards" – I did a ton of them. Anything that had that particular voguing beat, that wasn't fast – usually had a sample like Loleatta Holloway, or maybe not a vocal, just tracky – a part of "Love Is The Message" or "Dr. Love".

Anything that had a steady

v-rag magazine #41 beat and point marks so that they can dip or pop – it couldn't just be flowy or deep house. But anything made specifically for voguers, it was amazing to see voguers catch the points (holding a pose).

jancember 2012/13

V

oguing grew out of the drag queen ritual of throwing 'shade', or subtly insulting another drag queen, and can be traced back to the early 1970s. It gained more mainstream notoriety with the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, and then famously from Madonna's hit single "Vogue".

And the man at the centre of the voguing and house ballroom scene of New York City? House music pioneer and legend Junior Vasquez of course. So who better to guide us through the history of gay culture and house music in the 1980s than one of its founders? And just in time for Junior Vasquez's latest DJ mix , Voguing from Souljazz Records. Junior is responsible for some of the most successful club tracks of all time, remixing the likes of Cher, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Pet Shop Boys and Kristine W. This is a true superstar.

What would you say your favourite memories are from that magical time?

I would say Arena at the Palladium was when voguing really peaked, because Arena was such an amazing room that was specifically built for me – I'd do the whole party. It was just a normal thing during this period. Voguing was peaking and it was dramatic. When it was voguing time, the lights would be up, the ball would come down, they'd battle, do costume changes – the dressing room was under the DJ booth – and battle again. All the gay boys and the girls would just watch and be mesmerized.

And what was your influence on the voguing scene?

Where do you think you brought it once it came to your attention?

I felt I brought it out of the real voguing houses and took it to more of a dance arena. And it wasn't voguing in the traditional way – more display. It wasn't so much the dips and pops and the spins. It was more runway, more like "elbows out when you pass each other", and giving shady looks, etc. The voguers made it more into a dance form. But it was still voguing, because it still had the point.

Did you have a following of voguers that would come to Sound Factory and Arena specifically for your sets?

The voguers came from all the houses, but it was mainly the Xtravaganzas. The Xtravas and the Aviances. Kevin was an Aviance, I was Xtravaganza like Jose and Luis, who often battled on the floor. The House of Dupree also came, but a lot of them stayed in the main voguing ballrooms, battling in

features gowns and bathing suits and that kind of thing. But that was very strict, that goes way back.

Which brings us to one of your biggest records, "X"...

"X" was a song I created for the House of Xtravaganza. It became their theme song. When I played it, they knew it was time to vogue. It was a personalized song in honour of all the houses, but especially the Xtravas. The majority of vogue tracks I played were ones I created. I just had the pulse in me.

You're known for personalizing your DJ sets that way, your own creations, loops and vocal snippets. How did you let the crowd know it was time to vogue?

I would play a voiceover which would announce: "The dance floor is now open – drag queens take your mark!" Voguers then knew it was time and they began to battle. It was incredible. It would take 45 minutes, and then I would just go back in to the regular music and then close out. We had contests, voguing balls. And then it took off when Madonna caught on to the whole thing.

Speaking of Madonna, it's widely discussed that you were the one who introduced her to voguing; is that true?

I was working with her at that time and she would come to the Sound Factory, come upstairs to the DJ booth, grab a bottle of orange juice and sit down on the speaker in front of me and watch the voguers. That's

20

how she got Jose and Luis Xtravaganza to work with her as dancers. Sound Factory had already been going two or three years at this time, and we were already battling with the voguers when she got wind of it all.

Your 20 All-Time Top Voguing Tracks?

Inner Life – "Moment of My Life" Masters At Work – "The Ha Dance" Ellis D – "Just Like a Queen" Cheryl Lynn – "Got To Be Real" Loose Joints – "Is It All Over My Face" Armand Van Helden – "The Witch Doktor" Raze – "Break 4 Love" First Choice – "Let No Man Put Asunder" 2 Body's – "Body Drill" Diana Ross – "Love Hangover" George Kranz – "Din Daa Daa" Junior Vasquez – "X" MFSB – "Love Is The Message" Kevin Aviance – "Cunty" First Choice – "Love Thang" Malcolm McLaren – "Deep In Vogue" Nitro Deluxe – "This Brutal House" Salsoul Orchestra – "Ooh I Love It (Love Break)" Ellis D – "Dub Break" First Choice – "Dr. Love" V Want to own all of these classic tracks plus an exclusive Junior Vasquez DJ mix? Of course you do. Junior's Voguing and the House Ballroom Scene of New York City 1989-92 is out now on Souljazz Records. A deluxe 200 page book is also available, featuring photography by Chantal Regnault, vividly capturing the wild years of the voguing scene. www.souljazzrecords.co.uk www.myspace.com/officialjuniorvasquez

jancember 2012/13

photos by chantal regnault

v-rag magazine #41

entertainment

photo courtesy of mtv canada

max claude

by michael venus eet this month's star of 1 girl 5 gays just in time for the holiday season.

Its MTV hottie Max Claude!

What is your fave fashion must for winter?

You can never have too many scarves!

I like to wear my big red knitted scarf for the month of December to get everyone in the spirit.

What is your reality TV guilty pleasure?

I love, love, love, The Real Housewives of Vancouver and I don't care who knows it! I only started tuning in because they finally made a Canadian version. Now it's time for Toronto!

Who on the show is the best under pressure?

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Michael Yerxa. He's impeccable with his words and always thinks before he speaks.

I don't think he'll ever say something that he would later on regret. Can't say the same for myself!

Biggest turn on?

My biggest turn on would have to be a clean cut man in a perfectly tailored, 3 piece designer suit. Preferably navy, but I can let that last one slide.

What's on your list for Santa?

Well, what do you get the boy that has everything? Santa probably knows the answer; I just hope he doesn't think I've been too naughty...

Plans for NYE? I'm already in the city I've always wanted to be in, so all I need is my friends in my favourite club, Buddies in Bad Times, to ring in the New Year. I’m so excited to see my favourite drag queen and good friend Cassandra Moore perform.

You might know her, she performed for Vancouver Pride. Girl knows how to bring a show! V New episodes of 1 girl 5 gays air every Friday at 8pm and 11pm on MTV Canada. www.mtv.ca www.logotv.com

E

photo courtesy of tourism vancouver

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The Dine Out Vancouver Festival presented by American Express and produced by Tourism Vancouver is Canada's largest annual celebration of eating out, attracting tens of thousands of local and visiting food enthusiasts to experience the city's exceptionally diverse collection of restaurants.

Running since 2002, the festival gives diners the opportunity to select from restaurants offering unique three (or more) course prix-fix meals at $18, $28 or $38 per person, many complemented by the Wines of British Columbia. Restaurant menus will be revealed and reservations open on January 7. Over the 17 days of the festival, a delicious schedule of culinary events allows festivalgoers to enjoy unique culinary experiences not normally available throughout the rest of

the year. These can include guided dining adventures, culinary and cocktail tours, cooking classes and demonstrations, debates, guest lectures, wine tastings, street food markets and more! Key events include returning favourites such as Street Food City, Plated & Paired at the Public Market, Secret Supper Soirée and Act I, Eat 1, as well as brand-new additions like The Grape Debate (a lively wine debate with B.C. wine tastings), Tea Cocktails & Tapas (tea-infused cocktail class paired with tasty tapas), and an experiential Speaker Series at Edible Canada on Granville Island (taste cheese, wine, beer, bitters and more under the guidance of a local expert).

Prix-fix hotel room rates at $78, $108, and $138 per room per night and a host of dining packages complete the festival experience giving visitors (and locals) that want a true ‘night on the town', attractive accommodation options for the duration of their festival stay.

Whatever your craving is, the Dine Out Vancouver Festival satisfies! In the postChristmas blues, there's no better time to celebrate Vancouver's amazing culinary scene during this most delicious time of the year! Cheers! V Dine Out Vancouver runs Jan. 18-Feb. 3. www.dineoutvancouver.com

health

A

dmit it, the Christmas season is when you throw out all your rules and good eating habits, and a week later you're making New Year's resolutions that you'll diet for the next 3 months straight. But really... Isn't that just plain nuts (and I'm not talking Christmas nuts)?

Now I'm not suggesting that you don't indulge in the turkey, stuffing and gravy that comes with the ho-ho-hos of December. Hell, I'll be putting extra gravy on

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1. Fruits and Vegetables : We should all be eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Which really isn't all that hard considering an apple or medium-sized vegetable counts as one!

2. W ater Water Everywhere : Did you know that not drinking enough of it can actually slow down your metabolism and make you gain weight? Plus, sodas and sugar drinks are full of empty calories.

3. Eating B efore B ed: Eating fatty foods before bed will slow down the emptying of the stomach, exacerbating indigestion.

So if you need a bedtime snack, make it a piece of fresh fruit instead.

4. Big Bad Meals : Three big meals per day isn't the norm anymore, try having six smaller meals spread throughout.

5. The Myth of Dieting : The body's first reaction to starvation is weight gain via the storage of fat. This is why most diets don't work in the long run. Just eat healthy, in moderation, get regular activity and the pounds will drop off.

photo by pierre simard

by christopher monk

everything for a week! But there are some healthy and easy ways to managing your December and January without the guilt and subsequent diet mania that ensues.

I've put together 5 simple steps that don't take any pleasure away from the holiday season. By eating in moderation (do you really need to go back for that third plate of mashed potatoes this year?), eating smartly (because brussel sprouts really do make a Christmas dinner) and making informed decisions, you won't have to torture yourself with the latest fad diet to help fulfil your resolutions.

The main thing, and I'm going to sound like Jenny Craig saying this, is that you can eat the foods you love and still maintain a healthy weight. Happy & Healthy Holidays! V

January 2013 Sunday

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Tuesday wo rk – mo rn ing w/ reh ear sal spa ce e Kei th, Sté ph an

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cho res es s’m ore cho res sal ha ng pic tur ear oon Reh ern up aft Gro – , 9 am wo rk oon Yugo wo rk – aft ern supper + movie/ , Sn ow bu dd ies : Tim b: pu eGo? 2 pm, HIM Ho cke y @ or double bill / tee r Tim, eG o, Ra f un vol l na o eG ssio tt, Ma Mo m Pr ofe lin g ap pre cia tio n mi sc cho res 4 12 Co un sel 11 & Da d Hockey on TV: 10 l Gr ou p Re hea rsa 9 Roy, Raf, Keith res ear ch 8 rao ke – Ka , Pr act ice pm 7 oon Co ld Ca lls wo rk – aft ern oon arg hh?? NO !!! wo rk – aft ern 2 pm, HIM Ba che lor Bo y o l Ph na on Pr ofe ssio Ch ari ty Au cti 19 Co un sel lin g vol un tee r tim e 18 Hockey on TV: 17 ne Sn ow bu dd ies 16 Roy, Stépha stu dio 15 ----Pr act ice oon ern aft – wo rk Co ld Ca lls Pr act ice Din ne r @ Ra f’s: ies dd Sn ow bu résum é (w ho is Ph il???)

Matt 2 pm, HIM we eke nd : Yugo, l w/ 26 Pr ofe ssio na l Gr ou p Re hea rsa e an g ph 25 Co un sel lin Lor i, Kei th, Sté 24 : TV on Ho cke y 23 22 me wo rk – mo rn ing ne w bu s pa ss car po ol & p Sus hi 6 pm? 7? dro 4 f cut-of ck wo rk – mo rn ing ru n ind oor tra ad d stu dio

1 New Years Day pic tur es fro m fra mi ng

9 am, Int erview 2p m HIM Pr ofe ssio na l Co un sel lin g se 5 pm, Coffee Hou

Sn ow bu dd ies : Tim, eG o, Yu go nt ne tw ork ing eve or pre p wa lls, flo

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entertainment

going down in lala land

holy motors

Casper Andreas (Violet Tendencies, 2010) does it again. With Going Down in LaLa Land, Andreas demonstrates why he is one of the directorial forces to be reckoned with, not only in the queer film world, but cinematically speaking overall, in the indie circuit.

Going Down in LaLa Land is the story of your everyday, wholesome, beautiful young boy, Adam (the impossibly beautiful Adam Ludwinski), who shacks up with his best friend Candy (Allison Lane, also flawlessly perfect in her role) to save money while he attempts to “make it as an actor in Los Angeles”.

Adam, flawed as he is, can’t find a steady job until he finds a porn store that will give him a job as a production assistant. Casper Andreas in the role of Nick is your typical porn director who does his job powered by crystal meth and goes on sex-crazed binges for days at a time.

Andreas does an amazing job in his directorial role and makes all of us hate him in his role as Nick, the even-more-flawedporn-inducing new boyfriend of Adam.

Adam turns to, well, “turning tricks” to make a living, until he finds John (Michael Medico in a performance that really melts hearts as the closeted high-end actor who falls madly in love for rent-boy Adam).

Casper Andreas, you’ve made me addicted to your movies. Well done, buddy.

The DVD is available now at Amazon or from embrem.com/lalaland.

Designed to challenge and provoke more than to tell a narrative, Holy Motors might be about the lonely life of an actor, or the impossibility of ever knowing another person, or the impossibility of even knowing yourself. Or perhaps all three?

To be sure, it's an eye-popping showcase for Denis Lavant, who stars as Monsieur Oscar, a family man who leaves home for a series of "appointments". Each of Oscar's "appointments", it turns out, involves him using the back of his chauffeur-driven limo as a changing room, where makeup and costumes transform him into different characters: a primal madman in a green suit, a dying tycoon, a scarred hit man, a lover who meets a colleague (Kylie Minogue in a startlingly assured performance done mostly in French).

The 7 or 8 mini-films within Holy Motors riff on classic movie tropes – a tragic romance, a Beauty and the Beast horror story, a mob drama – and director Leo Carax makes even more pointed references to the movies with in-jokes and esoteric innuendos.

Carax is playing with our relationship to the movies. Is Oscar's name a reference to his character's "acting" performances? Is the title itself referring to the classic surrealist film Holy Mountain? Is the character Edith Scob plays the same as the one she played in Eyes Without A Face? It may not be for every taste, but Holy Motors is wholly mystifying, and a ride worth taking.

D: Casper Andreas

by Raul Pacheco (aka Hummingbird604)

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D: Leos Carax

by Jason Goodwin

v-rag magazine #41 jancember 2012/13

apparatjik & lowell

joshua james

tegan & sara

Apparatjik is the supergroup that consists of bassist Guy Berryman from Coldplay, keyboardist Magne Furuholmen from A-Ha, singer/guitarist Jonas Bjerre from Mew and producer Martin Terefe.

The band has released two studio albums in their 4 years together, and this latest one, is a collaboration with Canadian female singer Lowell who takes over vocals on all 7 tracks.

Continuing in the experimental yet melodic electronic vein as Apparatijik's previous releases, the mini-album If You Can, Solve This Jumble's biggest strength is indeed found in the gorgeous vocals supplied by their collaborator. Gone is the vocoder gadgetry that sometimes plagued the bands last 2 albums.

Instead, each song soars with its eclectic blend of keyboards, guitars, glitchy FX and some solid and beautiful singing.

Let’s be honest, December sucks. Winter rolls in, the holidays punch us in the face, and we’re left here sifting through “just in time for Christmas” best of albums trying to find something original to listen to. Thankfully I found Joshua James.

From the Top of Willamette Mountain is the perfect album for this blistery time of year: heavy lyrics set to medium paced folk rock that validates the winter blues but keeps us motivated enough to get through it. Aurally it maintains a high altitude feel, the vocals hovering just above our heads in angelic proclamation. And lyrically the album could have been exhumed from some turn of the century mining town that has long since been abandoned.

The whole album is bursting with nostalgia, and after all, isn’t nostalgia what the holidays are about? It’s the only explanation for all those damned greatest hits records.

"Closer" might not be the best song of 2012 but it's definitely in the running.

The irresistibly perky pop anthem has been burning up my iPod for months but I thought Tegan & Sara had decided against filming a video. The song was released in mid-September! Anyway, sanity has prevailed and Greg Kurstin's cutest production since Kylie's "Wow" now has a suitably fun video. That looks like it cost $10 and took ten minutes to film.

Whatever.

I'm just elated "Closer" is finally getting a commercial push. Our favourite lesbian twins get everything right. The chorus is pure bliss, their harmonies are perfection and those slinky synths were dragged kicking and screaming out of the '80s. If you haven't heard "Closer" on the radio yet, brace yourself for a career-best offering from the muchloved indie-pop legends.

Love this.

"If You Can, Solve This Jumble"

by Mumbles

"From the Top of Williamette..."

by Matt Roy

"Closer"

by Pop Trash Addict Mike

entertainment

Kylie Minogue RuPaul Dan Savage Jennifer Saunders CeCe Peniston The Maverick Men Dita Von Teese Sharon Needles Patrick Wolf Pam Ann On newsstands Jan. 2, 2013 www.v-rag.com

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v-rag magazine #41 december 2012 jancember 2012/13

L

ast week I once again put on my big boy pants and had my bi-annual HIV test.

It's always a scary notion, especially for someone like me who doesn't deal well with thoughts of "bad stuff". It's really easy to go the whole "out of sight out of mind" route . It's also far too easy to say 'well I've been careful, it couldn't happen to me'. The truth is it could.

The estimates on HIV infections within the gay community in Vancouver are staggering.

Condoms are great, but they are never 100%.

It's important to be tested every six months. I know that, but it's still hard. I am also the world's biggest needle sissy. Not even the biggest lollipop will assuage my completely childish fears.

We are fortunate that we live in a community where access to testing is everywhere, any time and completely free. Places like HIM (Health Initiative for Men) and many clinics will often see you right away or very soon. There is also a rapid test which can give you results immediately. I personally prefer the test that goes to the lab. It is still more definitive to me. The wait on that test is just about three days. True, those days are the longest three days that you will ever have, but again, it is important to be tested.

The HIV test thankfully came back

negative! Of course I am happy and relieved. I feel like a heavy burden has once again been lifted off my shoulders.

But what if the test had been positive? I realize that HIV is not what it was in the early '90s, or even 10 years ago. Most people are diagnosed and go on to live happy and productively without their lives being interrupted in serious ways. I know that I would have been diagnosed early and would have had options. I know that my brave friends in the poz community would have helped nurture me and would have shared their vast frame of reference with me. There are great non-profit organizations in Vancouver whose important work would have been valuable to me. I have my friends and family.

I know I would still be OK! There is still a ridiculous and way too tired stigma attached to AIDS. There is shame, blame, misinformation and ignorance. Even in our own community, guys online will ask each other if they are "clean" with regard to HIV/AIDS. It speaks volumes that we would infer that thousands of our own are "dirty" by virtue of their HIV status. Education, tolerance and love should be all the recipe we need to making this a non-issue one day.

Get tested! It's just better. For you and for your partner(s). If the result is negative, you will feel great. If the result is positive, you can start making the decisions and doing the things that will hopefully result in making HIV a manageable part of your life. A friend reminded me recently, "most outcomes are not nearly as scary as the fear of the unknown"!

December 1st is World AIDS Day, but let's keep talking about this all year! V Read more of Joan-E's Rag at www.v-rag.com

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Hott Smudge Industry Night Found Sunday junction Footage Fest

Babes of Burlesque

Cotton Candy Studio Ghibli shine

pacific Cinematheque

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Apocalypstick Timeline Tuesdays 8 Out in Schools Fashion Show Year Ann. the cobalt

Pink Elephant Thai celebrities

Quitting & Fake Tears

Unknown Pleasures

Edward Scissorhands

CoCo's 12th Xmas Show

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Women's Winter Faire

Blackout Night Festival of f212 Lights

An East Van Christmas

Lipstick Jungle Dressing on Absolutly Ginger62 the Side Xmas Dragulous Oasis

Junction

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Sunday Kegger

Truckerdisco: Christmas Hah, Bumhug!

Hershe Bar

Zomboy Fortune

Art Department

Gogol Bordello

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NYE 2013

Bingo For Life Lights Out Celebrities Party

Bang

Oasis

check our facebook page

Rapture: Genesis

Steamworks

Pressbox Vancouver

Endless Summer

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Kitty Nights

The Biltmore

Tops & Bottoms

2 For 1 Buddy Gossip Tuesdays 1181

Shen Yun

Lady Gaga

Bearracuda Portland

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Christmas Ball Industry Night PuSh Festival Russian Junction Community Center

vancouver

Karaoke

Hard Candy

Dine Out

vancouver

Shindig: Sissy Sock Hop

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PuSh Festival

Pinback Venue

Look Mummy, An Evening w/ Dean Brody I'm Dancing Oprah Winfrey The Vogue

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Toolbox Wednesday

Kastle

Heritage Hall

the PumpJack

Performance Works

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VanDusen Garden Fortune

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Oasis

vancouver

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Falconetti's

816 Club

Bar None

F212

celebrities

numbers

vinyl

the rio

Five Sixty

Queen Elizabeth Rogers Arena Theatre

celebrities

per'mnce works Rogers Arena

the PumpJack

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scarlet tapas

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Fortune

8 Hustla: End of Da World the cobalt

the Fountainhead

the commodore

The Waldorf

Rotture

the cobalt

All Time Low & Yellowcard

The Vogue photo: pierre simard assistant: david lambert retoucher: justyna bien stylist : catherine durocher hair & makeup: kim lachapelle

EVERY PERSON IS UNIQUE. Talk to your doctor.