V-Rag Magazine #17 - Movember 2010

V a n R a g a z i n e

V-rag

vancouver's gay arts + culture rag

Robyn

Buck Angel Rick R. Reed Charlie David Kim Kuzma Art for Life Movember www.v-rag.com

movember 2010 issue 17

What makes you, you?

Scottie Dunn Being part of a progressive community that takes pride in feeling and looking good Connecting to friends, family, music and the latest fashions from around the world Having access to things that let me capture and share moments of my life

Mobility, Photography, Entertainment, Accessories and Style.

Bring yourself to Davie & Howe.

ThisIsCaya.ca

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V a n R a g a z i n e

movember 2010

04 editor's note

Another star-studded edition!

06 buck angel

We get personal with the man with a pussy

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robyn

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charlie david

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rick r. reed

OMG! It's our Swedish pop hero!

Chats with us about brand new Shadowlands

The Stephen King of gay horror fiction

20 the third kind Winter Berries

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wasted thoughts

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movember 2010

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calendar of events

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joan-e's rag

I was called a faggot on the skytrain

What kind of mo are you this month?

The city's most comprehensive calendar

Helping things get better

cotton around town 27 Perhaps not her favourite month, but...

art for life 28

Giving never felt (or looked) so good

live on stage 31

Terry Costa interviews Kim Kuzma

wayoutwest 33

Download MobileTag and let's get started!

film:notes 34

Paranormal Activity 2, Eating Out 3

music:notes 35

Willow, Cudi, Melissa, Reba, & Cheryl

king of his castle 36

Meet Charlie David, our newest columnist

events & nightlife 42

Weekly events & barhopping guide

v-map 44

Don't get lost! Find everything here

dj mkw 46

q&a: A modern day renaissance man

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vanragazine #17

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With over 15,000 monthly readers, V-Rag Magazine is Vancouver's largest monthly gay & lesbian publication.

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Editor's

Note

I gotta say, I'm pretty excited for this month's issue of V-Rag. One of my favourite pop icons (and hopefully your's too) is featured in our special Movember edition. Swedish singing sensation Robyn chats about her trilogy of albums and her upcoming Vancouver performance! This is the big time!

That's not the only superstar gracing the pages of V-Rag this month... Transgendered porn legend Buck Angel answered our questions about being known as "the man with the pussy", and local performer Kim Kuzma talks to Terry Costa about her bid to appear on Ellen. On the literary tip, the Stephen King of gay horror, Rick R. Reed, gets spooky with us, and Canadian hottie Charlie David explains his new direction in Shadowlands.

We'd also like to welcome Charlie to the V-Rag team as our newest writer, look for his monthly travel column starting next month.

On a more serious note, Joan-E and Rob Easton address the topic on everyone's mind these days, gay bullying. We're proud to be a sponsor of Out in Schools, an organization that does so much to help solve this problem every day. Be safe! V

@vanragazine Editor & Art Director Cole Johnston • cole@v-rag.com Sales Manager Skipp Johnson • skipp@v-rag.com Editorial Contributors John Britton Miss Cotton Rob Easton Rob Farrow Frank Giansante Jen Hill Joan-E Cole Johnston Justin Meisner Matt Roy Michael Venus Printed by East Van Graphics

Publisher Cole Johnston Design Art & Photography Taylor Ross Alexander Mark Berry Brian Boulton Gaetano Fasciana Nicholas Jang Rankin Wendy Sexsmith UKMCBO Photography Austin Young Cover Photo by Rankin

Copy deadline for the Jancember issue is Nov. 22. Ad space is available until Nov. 24 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.

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www.v-rag.com

OUT! AND ABOUT

A COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO BULLYING Out in Schools wishes to thank each and every one of you who made a difference by supporting OUT! and about on Oct. 23rd.

A special thanks to our Community partners and sponsors who participated in this first annual event and donated so generously!

La Brasserie

560 Club

Munch Restaurant

Canvas Lounge

The Fountainhead Pub

Numbers Cabaret

Caya Store

J Lounge

Pacific Sun Co.

Celebrities Nightclub

The Junction

Pumpjack Pub

The Corner Suite

Mine:Stylesourse

Spruce Body Lab

. . and . others Find out more at

www.outinschools.com

sponsored by Xtra!

V-Rag, PINQ.ca and www.cargocollective.com/tylerpentland

& East Van graphics

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Buck Angel photos by mark berry and austin young

by Michael Venus

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B

eing known as the "man with a pussy" is a pretty interesting claim to fame, especially for a former high fashion editorial model. Born biologically female, Buck Angel has since transitioned into the beefy stud of a man we see before us.

From single-handedly creating his own place in gay porn history, to marrying his longtime girlfriend, Buck has turned gender norms on their head and carved his very own niche market; not to mention being an instrumental player on the GLBT political scene. I had the ultimate honour of interviewing this groundbreaking porn legend and FTM sex symbol & poster child. Buck lets us into his world and gives us a glimpse of what it's like to be such a unique individual. For helping change the world of porn and perception, we should all be grateful to Buck Angel. I know I was over the moon to be doing this interview.

You are the self proclaimed "man with a pussy"!

What is the best thing about being you?

That always sounds so funny to me. But yes I am. I would say that the best thing about being me is being so free and comfortable in my body. The fact that I can now say, "I am a man with a pussy" has to be one of the most amazing things about my growth as a person. Being able to accept something about my physical self that I always hated and wanted to actually kill myself for has now become a tool of power!

What have you been doing as of late? Projects?

Wow, where do I start? Ok I'm a super duper workaholic and have the tendency to start way too many things at once. So I have had to learn to find a couple of projects and just focus on them. I'm now working a documentary I have

been shooting about transmen and sexuality.

It's been really cool meeting so many guys and listening to their stories. I am also working on a project with a company in Toronto. I can't let the cat out of the bag just yet, but it will be super huge and will finally take me to the next level, which I have been working toward. Also I'm working on a "reality show" but not like the ones you see now. It will be much more educational and real. One of my other focuses is getting into education and speaking. This is something I feel that I am good at and it can really move me in another direction.

Tell the readers how you got into the porn industry and created a niche for yourself.

I was actually working in the adult business behind the camera when I got the idea to start doing this. I was also the webmaster for a transsexual woman's website when I realized that there were no FTM websites in porn. To me that was crazy. If you don't already know, there are tons of transsexual MTF porn girls, but there was no one like me at the time. I realized I stumbled onto something that could be pretty big. So that's when I opened up a website and just started shooting me having sex. I was not well received initially, in fact I was basically laughed at and told I was disgusting. In the porn industry! Can you imagine? But I kept on going because I knew I had something important to share. I always remember the people who stood by me and the ones who laughed..I think to myself, 'who's laughing now?'

You are a symbol of freedom and have changed the perception of gender and sexuality. Describe your diverse audience and fan base.

Thanks so much! It feels very powerful and great to hear that. When I started out, I just

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was making porn. I had no intention or idea how much I was going to change so many things. I also had no idea who was going to be the consumer of my product. So I made three different films: one with all women, one with all men, and one with both. The film with all men sold the best and I learned that gay men make up the bulk of my fans. Who would have guessed that? To this day they are my number one fanbase and consumers, but the women are a close second now!

I believe sexuality (and gender) are both fluid. Would you consider yourself bi-sexual?

I believe that too. Too bad more people don't believe that because I swear it would be a different, more friendly world if we did. I actually like to simply call myself "sexual" in the sense that I enjoy and am attracted to people, not so much to gender. I like people's energy – that's really what turns me on.

Who are your top three dream people you would love to make a porn with?

Well, I'm really into using non-porn stars in lots of my films. I like that look of 'realness.'

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I am casting for a new film that will be geared toward women, as they have been asking me to make a film of me fucking only women. So for that film I am casting some of my favorite girls: TS-Vanity, TS-Bailey Jay, and I am looking to see if I can get Dylan Ryan. One girl who I have always wanted to make a film with is Belladonna. I think that would probably be one of the nastiest scenes ever filmed.

You are a real trail blazer and seem to carve your own path. What is your driving force?

I think the driving force for me was the self acceptance and finally realizing that I did not care what the world thought about me.

I wanted to finally be happy and comfortable in my body. To be able to walk around in life not caring about what others thought is very powerful for me. I felt a change in the way people interacted with me because of this attitude. I also want to be able to share this with others who have always felt the same way I did – help them to become strong individuals. This power really has no words. It actually makes me get sort of

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The trans movement has come such a long way in even the last ten years. What are some of the more profound changes you have witnessed?

Well, for one thing, the huge growth just in the FTM community. I have also witnessed a bigger acceptance of me. In the beginning of my work, many FTMs really hated me. They sent me the most horrible, ugly emails. It was very strange. I have kept all those emails and will one day show them so you can see how this has changed. I think my work has finally helped them to realize that gender is more than what's between your legs. I think we were always taught that to be accepted with a sex change, we needed to get a "full" change, which included genital surgery. Many trans people have changed their minds about this.

You have inspired so many people to be themselves, who inspires you?

My wife! Without her I would not be here. She is so amazing, has the most amazing energy, and has taught me sooooo much. More than any other person in the world. She is my everything! I cannot tell you how lucky I am to have a partner like her. We are definitely soul mates.

Any words of wisdom for trans kids wanting to break into showbiz?

Yes: just always remember to do it because you really want to, not because you have to.

Also it's a tough business to work in so you cannot take things personally. Always follow your heart.

What can we expect to see in the near future from Buck Angel?

Oh, so much! Things are really going to be amazing for me in 2011. Thank you so much for interviewing me for your magazine. I hope to be visiting your town next year, so keep a lookout for me. Woof! V We'll definitely be looking out for Buck Angel in Vancouver! Until then, check out his site www.buckangel.com

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emotional when I think about it. It's kind of hard to explain, but through that power I have learned it is something that will help to change the world; I am sure of it.

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photos courtesy of konichiwa records and rankin

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Robyn

by Cole Johnston

S

weden has been a veritable breeding ground for pop music heavyweights since the very beginning of... well, pop music. From the very early sounds of ABBA and Blue Swede to the later music of Roxette and Neneh Cherry in the 80s. Ace of Base and the Cardigans ruled the 1990s, but it wasn't until this decade that Swedish pop turned electro and absolutely blew up. The Knife, Eric Prydz, Alcazar, Peter Bjorn & John, Basshunter, Kleerup... The Queen of them all is Robyn.

Robin Miriam Carlsson was a huge success at a very early age, and everyone probably remembers the Denniz Pop-produced album Robyn Is Here. It spawned three hit singles in the late 1990s, "Do You Know (What It Takes)", "Do You Really Want Me" and the theme to all high school dances, "Show Me Love".

So when Robyn returned to the music scene after an almostdecade long absence in North America, many people didn't put two and two together. Afterall, this is a very different Robyn from the cute 17-year-old we saw back in the day. The new Robyn is a dancefloor diva, collaborating with club royalty like Rรถyksopp, Basement Jaxx, Diplo, and Chritian Falk. It was this mature electro-pop sound that forced her from major label Jive Records, prompting her to start her own Konichiwa Records.

"What I used to do earlier on in my career, it's still very dear to me," she explains. It's nice to see there's no bitterness over the label split, and she goes on to say that "it's not something I try to separate myself from. On the contrary, it's actually something that's making still a lot of sense with what I'm doing now.

Being brought up in that tradition of pop music, around people like Denniz Pop and Max Martin, who were a part of actually a thing before they started having hits with Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys, they were doing things like working with Dr. Alban and Leila K and artists that I used to listen to as a kid. To me, it's all come together full-circle."

One would imagine that Robyn's former label would be kicking themselves right now, however. Since rejecting her album Robyn, and forcing her to go independent, the LP has received 3 Swedish Grammys including Best Album, Best Writer, and Best Pop Female, along with international critical praise. She even caught the attention of the Queen of Pop herself Madonna, and Robyn supported her Sticky & Sweet Tour all over Europe in 2008. Not bad for a self-made pop starlette.

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Why we love

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Madonna wasn't the only one to see greatness in this blonde indie popper. Robyn performed "Hyperballad" to a stunned Bjork earlier this year, who later congratulated her on reviving her classic in such an innovative way. Pink counts herself among her fans, as does friend and collaborator Snoop Dogg.

"He's a really nice guy, he's very smart," she says of Snoop. "He loves music, and I think that's what we connected on. We hooked [up] in L.A. a couple years ago after I did a remix version of 'Sexual Eruption.' We just talked about music and really clicked and decided to get into the studio together."

Snoop Dogg appears on her latest album, Body Talk Pt. 2, the second in a planned trilogy of studio albums. So why go from no new material since 2006 to three albums in one year? Well, Robyn's touring schedule kept her pretty busy to say the least. "Not being able to make another album in five years was a little depressing to me," she remembers. "So I started thinking about a way to deal with this and the solution of releasing the album in parts. I found it really interesting to do that, both for myself but also for my listeners. I think a lot of people consume

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music in a different way than before. It's not an unusual thought anymore that you can release an album in a new format. It's also a way of keeping it fresh because once these songs are done, they are released. Y'know, I think it's a logical solution and I'm really excited about going forward and working in this new way..."

Not to say she regrets any of her time on tour. "I still thought it was an interesting and amazing experience all the way up until the end because of the audience that I was able to connect to both in the UK and in the States and Germany and Austria as well - it's been a fantastic period."

It's an innovative way to juggle the intensity of a touring schedule with the creativity of recording new material. If it weren't for this trilogy of Body Talk albums, Vancouver might not have been lucky enough to host Robyn at Venue on November 19th. This will be her first visit to our rainy city and she couldn't be more excited for it. After a summer tour with Kelis in the US, Canada had always been next on her agenda.

Her latest single "Dancing On My Own" has become a massive club anthem here, and has even been climbing the Top 40 charts. We

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Robyn's Body Talk Pt. 1 & 2 are both available now on iTunes. Body Talk Pt. 3 will be released November 22nd in Canada and the US. See her out live at Venue Friday, November 19th (if you can find a ticket to the sold-out show). www.robyn.com

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asked her about the success of the single and what her preoccupation is with sad melancholy dance songs. Afterall, her two biggest hits from the last album, "Be Mine" and "With Every Heartbeat", were tragic tales of love gone wrong set to thumping club beats.

"Well, I think I'm always going to be obsessed with that contrast between happy and sad," she tells us. "For me, 'Dancing On My Own' for example... even though I've definitely been in that situation... she's not a victim this girl. She's in this club dealing with what she's feeling and even though he's not there dancing with her, she's gonna dance on her own and let off some steam and be in touch with herself. It just felt like a natural continuation of 'With Every Heartbeat'."

In natural storytelling sequence, her forthcoming single "Indestructible" from Body Talk Pt. 3, is all about redemption and learning to love again after the pain of heartbreak.

The video was just released, and it's pretty awesome. Check out how fashionable tubes with coloured liquid can really be. Take that, meat dress! The single is a dance version of an acoustic track from Body Talk Pt. 2, and we're predicting this is what propels her to superstardom. Afterall, if Madonna is a fan, North America can't be too far behind.

The new album is being released later this month. But don't call the Body Talk trilogy EPs, Robyn is emphatic that these are three full length albums. "If you go back an look at the length of albums, like twenty or thirty years ago, they were never more than ten songs. So for me, they are all albums - there are eight songs on each album. It's also a way to keep myself in the studio while I'm touring!"

We sure are glad she decided to do it this way so we could get the chance to see Robyn live in Vancouver. Last year she won a Swedish Grammy for Best Live Act, a prize she attributed to Madonna's helping hand. Still at this stage in her rise to pop superstardom, she remains modest and one of the sweetest personalities in the music industry.

And that's why we love Robyn. V

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Charlie

David

by Cole Johnston

R

eaders of V-Rag will probably remember our interview with Canadian man-of-all-trades, Charlie David, 6 months ago. Not only is he a prolific actor, having appeared in Dante's Cove and Ugly Betty, he's also a travel host (Logo's Bump!), screenwriter (Mulligans), model and public speaker. If you thought those were more jobs than one man could master, then you need to read his latest book, Shadowlands. Add accomplished author to the list! This latest collection of short stories delves deep into the dark, violent, frightening and often erotic world of desire, sexual corruption and hopelessness.

It's a challenging but incredibly rewarding read that we're recommending to anyone with a taste for something substantial.

It's been 6 months since we last chatted with you. What have you been getting yourself into since then?

I spent four of the last six months in Africa. I was doing some touring through Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, S. Africa and Namibia. My focus was on sustainable tourism in Africa and the opportunity to pair luxury travel with monitoring iconic species like the cheetah and leopard and putting more land under wildlife. I definitely had some up close encounters as I was able to walk with rehabilitated lion and cheetah in the wild. It was incredible. The last two months I spent shooting a new film, Judas Kiss (www.judaskissmovie. com) in Seattle and promoting a new French film in Quebec – 2 Frogs dans l’Ouest (www.2frogs. ca) which we shot across Canada and primarily in Whistler last year. Both films provided new challenges for me. In Judas Kiss I had to sing which was terrifying and I was the Art Director for 2 Frogs which stretched me in new ways. Also, I've been promoting my new book, Shadowlands.

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Shadowlands is a very different tone for you; what prompted you to explore the darker side of fiction?

As a storyteller I’m not sure why different stories emerge from our psyche when they do but I imagine it happens as we mature into the ability to tell them. The stories in Shadowlands surprised me a lot of the time to be frank. They are more violent, sexual, and dangerously emotive than anything I’ve worked on before. The journey I took in writing these stories was rather cathartic. Dealing with death, physical and emotional abuse, new love and lust can be exhaustive whether dealing with fiction or fact. For the characters in my stories there is no fiction, it’s all real and I have to take the rollercoaster with them.

Where do you draw inspiration from for this latest collection of stories? Do any of them have a personal connection?

Readers have always asked if my first two books, Mulligans and Boy Midflight were drawn from reality and though bits and pieces of those were inspired, it really is now with Shadowlands that I feel my soul is being laid out on the psychiatric table for examination. Like the title implies the book is drawn from the darkness that resides

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The cover of Shadowlands features Vancouver's own Gay Top Model contestants, as did your last book. Where did the Charlie David – Gay Top Model connection come from?

I love Vancouver. Having been fortunate enough to zip around the globe extensively I can say confidently that it is one of the most beautiful and wonderful cities to live. And the boys ain’t half bad either… I’ve known Terry Costa for a few years now and I think what he’s doing with Gay Top Model creates a great sense of community and gives back to the community – two initiatives I’m very much in favour of. I’ve lived in Vancouver on and off over the past ten years and I thought it was fitting to use local talent for the cover of a local author’s books. We really do have an amazing community here and supporting the artists within it only strengthens us. We have two of the best villages in Canada – Davie Street and Commercial Drive. We have to remember to support places like Little Sisters which has become not only an institution in the city but a defender of our rights and freedoms on a federal level. So do them and yourself a favour – skip the online shopping and buy your next book from your teammates.

Do you think the new digital age is encouraging a younger audience to read more, or do you feel it's actually doing the opposite?

I think new media and the digital age is fracturing many aspects of our society but not breaking it. New technology like eBook readers are exciting a new generation and I hope will widen an audience – not limit it. There will always be those who enjoy the tangible nature of holding a paper book, I’m one of those and enjoy my library. I also find it extremely practical to use my Kindle while travelling and instead of carrying a bag full of books, save a few trees and read newspapers, magazines and eBooks in a digital format. I believe the new world has a place

and practicality for both – the important part is wider and wider availability of our stories.

Which authors do you look up to?

I’ve always loved Anne Rice and Christopher Rice which may give some insight into my creating a book like Shadowlands. I read a lot of metaphysics, quantum physics, geopolitics and spirituality. I also think there are tremendously exciting trends happening in comics.

Artists like Patrick Fillion from our community are definitely guilty pleasures.

Dare I ask, what's next on the agenda for Charlie David?

The next six months have me traveling a lot with our 5th season of Bump. We have wonderful new destinations in Asia, Europe, and South America this year. Come Spring I’ll be on the film festival circuit with Judas Kiss and 2 Frogs and have a new play going up in New York. Hopefully around that I’ll get some more writing done! V Charlie David's Shadowlands is available now in print and on e-book. Look out for his upcoming monthly travel column starting next month in V-Rag! www.charliedavid.com

TopDesert 5 Island Books

Charlie

David

1.

C an I take an encyclopedia? I don’t know how long I’ll be there…

2. Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice 3. Photobook of Taylor Lautner from Twilight series… Team Jacob!!

4. Ship building book 5. A notebook – to write!

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within me and in fact within all of us. It’s not an evil place, simply a necessary vantage point from which to gain perspective. My characters hurt, they bleed as they pine for their unrequited loves, they shake their fists in fury at G-D and they are always searching for the intangible other that they believe will make them complete.

Shadowlands doesn’t define me anymore than a glossy and spirited episode of Bump defines me.

Both are honest and real parts of who I am.

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Rick R.

Reed I

f one were to rate the great gay horror writers of our time, Rick R. Reed would definitely be up there along with Douglas Clegg and Clive Barker.

He's been called the "Stephen King of gay horror" by Unzipped Magazine, and Dark Scribe Magazine went so far as to call him "an established brand – perhaps the most reliable contemporary author for [cross over] thrillers."

With over twenty books in print, the Seattle native should be a household name among the Vancouver gay community. And if he's not,

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by Justin Meisner get to know him! His stories are sexy, scary and always entertaining from start to finish.

We had a chance to speak with Rick about his inspirations, his dark side and what's on the horizon for him as a writer.

You've been described as the Stephen King of gay horror, is this a title you wear proudly?

I don’t wear it as proudly as my sash for Miss White Trash 1983, but yes, I do wear it proudly.

I’m sure I wear it with the same pride as Mr. King wears the title of “The Rick Reed of straight horror”. Seriously, I have been reading

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Growing up in a small-town, how did this influence your storytelling?

Although I didn’t realize it at the time, but probably having less to do than I might have in an urban environment may have helped nurture my imagination and develop my creativity. I know I grew up kind of an insular kid, either lost in my own world or in a world created by books.

From an early age you displayed an interest in storytelling; was your interest in horror and the macabre also from youth?

Oh yes. I was glued to the TV constantly as a child, watching Dark Shadows and cheap B-horror on Chiller Theater out of Pittsburgh.

I have always loved horror and the things that lurk in the dark; they fascinate me and that’s a fascination that’s never died through the years.

What from your childhood ignited/inspired this interest in the dark side?

Ah, that’s probably a question for a psychoanalyst who has spent years with me. Who knows? I might hazard a guess and say something like horror and the dark side have to do with monsters and outcasts… creatures who were perceived as different. You see where I’m going with this?

As an author who writes openly about gay characters, what set-backs or struggles, if any, have you faced in terms of getting your work printed, published or noticed?

Gay fiction is its own little niche market and I realize I could have greater commercial or crossover appeal if I wrote horror/suspense/romance stories about straight people (and their allies!), but that doesn’t interest me. While the fame and fortune might not be as great as they might be if I wrote about straight characters, the personal satisfaction is extremely rewarding. I want to write about “my” people in all their different shapes, sizes, and forms.

Writing for small gay presses has allowed me to do that and has given me tremendous creative freedom.

Your work often involves elements of horror and romance; what is it about this two seem-

ingly polar opposite themes that blends so well together?

Horror and love are polar opposites?! Who knew? At least in most of my relationships, there has often been a blend of the two, but that’s just me. Actually, I think the two genres are quite complementary. For example, look at the physical manifestation of fear and of love: racing heart, trembling hands, quickening of breath, maybe a little sweat. Look at how both horror and fear can make us cling to the one next to us. They’re more alike than you might at first imagine. Besides, a good love story can be an integral part of almost any other genre.

With the digital era changing the way the world gets it's information and long-standing industries like print media left to re-evaluate how they produce their products, from newspapers to books, where do you see the future of this medium and how do you feel about it?

To me, it seems we’re heading increasingly away from paper and toward electronic means of reading and delivery of information. I have watched, over the past couple of years, the bulk of the money I earn from royalties switch

TopDesert 5 Island Books

Rick R.

Reed

1.

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

2. In a Shallow Grave by James Purdy 3. A Dark-Adapted Eye by Ruth Rendell (writing as Barbara Vine)

4. Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith 5. The Complete Stories by Flannery O'Connor

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Stephen King since I was a kid, so it’s an honour to be associated in any way with arguably the most successful author of our time.

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over from coming from print to coming from ebooks, so I know the times are changing.

Personally, I got a Kindle a couple of Christmases ago and I was one of those people who always said he loved the feel, the smell, the experience of reading a “real” book. This year, I’ve told friends and family not to buy me print books as presents because I no longer prefer to read print books — I like my Kindle better.

In the end, a book is about ideas, a story, the connection between an author’s imagination and a reader. Books — whether print or electronic — are really just a delivery system. The real magic occurs when the words become real in a reader’s mind.

The upcoming generations of children, teens and young adults of today seem to have less of a drive and desire to read as the generations before them; why do you think this is and what will it take to get young people reading again?

I don’t know if I accept the statement that young people don’t read as much. Anecdotally, I have many young people in my life who adore books and who can’t get enough. And then there are those who don’t want to touch one. I kind of think it’s always been this way.

I don’t know that “young people” ever really stopped reading, so I’m not sure how to get them reading “again.”

Do you feel having gay literature plays an important role in enticing young gay and lesbian teens to read?

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I do. I think we all want to read, somewhat,

about ourselves — what’s in our hearts, our lives, what matters to us. Gay fiction gives young gay readers a chance to experience a world where there are people like themselves, a world they may currently lack. I know when I was growing up, I thought there was only one gay person in town — my mother’s flamboyant hairdresser. When I stumbled across a copy of Patricia Nell Warren’s The Front Runner in high school, it was eye-opening, because it smashed my perceptions about what gay men could be and that people might actually write a love story about two men.

What is the importance of maintaining and preserving "gay literature"?

It’s our culture. As much as some people may want to see assimilation, it’s important to have a record of from where we’ve come. It’s important to show how gay people are different from straights and even more important to show how we’re alike.

What are you working on right now?

I am writing a novella called How I Met My Man, which will be published next year by Amber Allure, the GLBT imprint of Amber Quill Press. It's a story about stalking, murder, an all-gay male masquerade party, finding the "one", and how people aren't always who you think they are.

Out on the Net is released November 14 from Amber Quill Press. Head into Little Sisters for a selection of Rick R. Reed's gay horror novels. www.rickrreed.com

receive 25% off any dirty fukker underwear during the month of november

1238 Davie Street_ 604.669.1753_

www.littlesisters.ca

vanragazine #17

the

photo by taylor ross alexander

THIRD KIND

by Justin Meisner

W

hen the seasons change and the inevitable end of another summer comes to a close more than the weather can seem different. For example, habits and routines alter; your favorite patio for sangria on Saturday afternoon becomes your favorite pub for a pint after work on Friday night. Sundays spent brunching and beaching are now spent channel-surfing while letting all your natural body hair grow back. And most importantly there is the almost ritualistic dance that come winter gay men have done for centuries... pack away the flip-flops and dust off the boots.

But other than the historic overhaul of one's wardrobe, I've come to realize that something else happens to gay men come this time of year... they "maternate". Imagine, if you will, a beautiful black bear who has spent the summer months frolicking through the forest, eating wild berries, taking dips in the water, and showing off his shiny fur coat to the other bears. But when winter comes every bear knows this is not the time to be frolicking in the snow, gnawing at dead tree twigs and basically looking like a jackass. So they fill up, hunker down and hibernate.

For many gay men, summer is a time to be unnaturally tanned, unnaturally hairless, unnaturally shirtless and blissfully single. As long as the sun is out there are no serious commitments to be had; come on, this is summer! Look at all the berries! But just like those flip-flops, boardshorts (who am I kidding you Speedo loving freaks) and overpriced Ray Ban's, our summer flings get packed away too.

It's really rather fascinating, once you've been made aware of this phenomenon of maternating. Come October it sometimes feels like musical chairs as all the queens race to find their one last fling, the final fling of summer which will grow to become their winter romance. And whether this

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winter romance becomes long-term or just until allergy season returns, you renew your membership at the gym and suddenly realize you're feeling smothered (and no, it couldn't just be the ten pounds you put on over Christmas).

Maybe it's the emotional aspect of the holidays and so many of them one right after the other during the winter months that takes a toll on our already overtly neurotic psyches. I mean, who seriously wants to risk not having a kiss on New Year's Eve or a blow-job on Valentine's Day... even if you do hate the person you're getting it from by the time the particular holiday rolls around.

Or maybe we're just so fucking exhausted from all the work it takes to be a queen of summer, the constant trips to the gym, the disgusting grey protein shakes. With winter comes the liberating realization one can still get laid without having to appear gratuitously shirtless in a public setting at least three times a week; it's just going to be with the same dude.

But you see, I've never been one for nature; that whole Planet Earth thing flew right over my head. So I am not trained in this ritualistic act of maternating as so many others around me seem to be. It's not that I don't want a New Year's kiss, or a Valentine's Day blow-job; I want all those things and I'll get them too, God-willing, without gaining any weight or resenting anyone come April. That's because I'm not some naturist, stocking up on fresh fruit. I'm perfectly content spending the next few months picking up mine from the frozen food aisle. V www.houseofeugene.blogspot.com

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WASTED thoughts

by Rob Easton

“So what if I am. You got a problem with that?” I said trying to remain calm.

“Fucking faggot. I will fuck you up!” he cuts, as his posture gets aggressive.

But I stood my ground. "I'd like to see you try,” I say, “I'm bigger, smarter, better looking, and generally a better person than you. And even if you were stupid enough to try anything there are about two dozen witnesses that will back me up in saying you are a moron."

He mumbled his way through a few more insults trying to sound tough, repeating his “fucking faggot” line.

Morons by their very nature have little intelligent thought to share.

I shared with him a blank stare and he eventually stopped.

Uncomfortable, he left the train two stations from where we started.

I’d like to say I won, but really he wasn’t listening. I could say I taught him a lesson: he was fucked with the wrong faggot that evening, but really, I was fucking with him.

Afterward, I wondered if I could have prevented this ugly exchange by an attempt at better understanding. I am not weak and clearly proved that to him.

Did I need to prove a point? Why didn’t I help this fool by telling him his phone wouldn’t work in the underground tunnel?

Anyway, I encourage you to stand your ground but please be careful. He could have pulled a gun, a knife, or god knows what. Please stay safe kids. I’ll try to do better too. V

movember 2010 Issue 17

W

aiting for the SkyTrain on my way home from a choir gig (Check us out: www.chorleoni.org), I stood on the crowded platform, responding to a Facebook message on my phone. A guy in his mid 20s, maybe 5’10”, with dark hair and brown skin came up to me.

“Dude! Can I use your phone? I gotta see if I can get a ride,” he said about 8 inches away from my face. He was already close to striking out. One, I hate close talkers, his boozy breath overpowering me as I tried to hide my irritation. Strike two, he broke an unwritten rule.

My phone is mine. Yours is yours. Only people without a common grasp of social morays and norms ask a stranger to borrow their phone.

However, I did have some empathy for him. I too have been drunk in an unfamiliar place without the ability to find my friends. I could relate so I said, “OK, just give me a second. I’m just writing a message. I’ll let you use my phone when I’m done.”

“My phone doesn’t work.” He continued, shoving his phone at me long enough to see that in fact it was a phone but little else, “See!” “Cool man, just gimme a sec. I’ll be done shortly.” I didn’t like him already, but I was truthfully going let him use my phone.

He took about five paces away and walked back.

“Dude, let me use your phone!” he demanded, “I’m stuck and don’t have a ride home.”

“Man! Gimme a second!” I said, noticeably irritated now, “I’m still writing my message! When I’m done, I’ll let you use my phone. Just be patient.”

“My faggot friends won’t pick me up,” he continued, not listening.

Strike three! He’s not using my phone, I decided. Now angry, I could hardly finish my Facebook message anymore.

The train pulled into the station.

“Izzzis fer Surrey? Izzis fer Surrey?” he asked me slurred.

“Yes, it is.” Apparently drunk people can’t read either, I thought.

We both got on the train and he asked to use my phone again. This time I paused and looked at him. “I would like to be compassionate to your situation, but I’m afraid I don’t let anyone who calls his friends faggots use my phone. Sorry.”

“Well maybe you’re a faggot!”

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vanragazine #17

movember

by Matt Roy

R Nov. 1

Movember Kick-Off Party SFU Vancouver

Nov. 19

Le Movember Show @ Ayden Gallery

Nov. 25 High Society: Movember Edition

@ ginger62 Nov. 30 Doolin's Movember Party

@ Doolin's Irish Pub Dec. 2

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Vancouver Gala Parté @ Fortune Sound Club

emember, remember, the first of November!

It’s that time again, when we need to shed our beards or our razors to don a dirty stache and talk about prostates.

Movember is upon us, and its bigger and better than ever. I spoke with Alan Bedingfield, head of the Vancouver Movember Commitee, and he gave me some insight into a fundraising campaign that has, in a very short time, grown insanely fast.

It’s hard to believe that an idea surmised over beers became a phenomenal worldwide event. Movember’s roots (or shall we say it’s lip fuzz) go back to 2003, in Melbourne, where now CEO Adam Garone and some friends decided to bring back the illustrious '80s “Mo”, and (perhaps to avoid all the pointing and laughing) they decided to do it in the name of men’s health and raise some money for research. It’s seven years later and Movember is now the largest fundraiser for

V-rag

prostate cancer research, raising to date over one hundred million dollars.

It’s not surprising really. Movember is the perfect combination of competitive camaraderie and goofy tomfoolery, two things men can’t resist. And, as Alan notes, it’s not strenuous: “You don’t have to train for a run.

You don’t have to learn how to swing a golf club. All you need to do is sit back relax and let your Mo do the work for you.”

The numbers are impressive. In Canada, participants jumped from about two thousand in 2007 to over thirty-five thousand last year.

So don’t be timid about rocking a Mo. “People think that shaving their beard or growing a Mo for a month is the most drastic thing going but it is only a month. There are tens of thousands of men doing it this year. Mo Bros are not alone. The first week is always the most awkward but when you get in to week two and walk down the street you will notice just how many guys are growing. It becomes

a conversation point.”

Alan stresses that Movember is, above all things, about discussing men’s health: “men are so apathetic to our causes that we don’t talk about them. If Movember encourages one uncle, father, brother or friend to get checked out this year, then the tens of thousands of Mo’s grown across Canada have done their jobs. It is about getting checked up and saving lives.” Guys have that funny habit of not talking about things, especially if that “thing” happens to be nestled in their butts.

Even gay men, who are generally more fond of their prostates, probably aren’t thinking about some of the scary numbers surrounding prostates. According to statistics, men are 35% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than a woman is to be diagnosed with breast cancer; and every sixteen minutes a man dies of prostate cancer.

Clearly, we need to be a little more open about our health. This is where the Mo comes in. The rules for Movember are simple: on November 1st, shear off any facial hair you may have; you need to start clean shaven for this. Then for the entire month, you have to let it grow. It becomes the “little hairy ribbon” that you wear proudly. And when people ask you what’s up with the stache, you can tell them it’s about prostates, about getting them checked early and often. If you’re cool enough to already have a sexy Mo, Alan suggests becoming a “MoMentor”, someone who can support family and friends who are Mo growing for the first time.

With the rise of social media, it’s also easier than ever to be involved in this campaign.

“Movember.com has a wealth of information and social tie-ins. You can create your own MoSpace page as well as share information directly to your personal Facebook and Twitter accounts.”

And of course, the big cocern is what type of Mo to grow: “The Tom Selleck look is always popular, as is the Fu Manchu.” But then again, it really depends on how much sprouts on your lip and how fast. So grow what you can, or donate what you can. Men’s prostates depend on it. V Movember lasts all month, so start growing that stache right now! For more information and full Vancouver event listings, go to http://ca.movember.com.

movember 2010 Issue 17

What kind of Mo are you?

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movember 2010

This month's artwork: Wendy Sexsmith is a Vancouver-based visual artist who made her debut at the 2009 Eastside Culture Crawl, following it with this year's Queer Arts Festival. This piece, entitled Funny Bunny Playboy, is up for auction at this year's Art for Life (see page 28). www.artforlife.net. http://vancouverfoundationsmallarts.ca/wendy-sexsmith

Tops & Bottoms @ J Lounge

Industry Night @ Junction Pub

15

3sum in the Loft @ Numbers

Brandon Flowers @ The Commodore

22

Hip-Hop Karaoke @ Fortune

Monday Madness @ 1181

29

Industry Night @ Score on Davie

Live Jazz Mondays @ Capone's

Becoming Boylesque @ The Chicken Coop

DJ Sam McCooey @ Oasis

14

Sunday Kegger @ The PumpJack

Ozzy Osbourne @ Rogers Arena

21

Do Me Sundays @ J Lounge

Blonde Redhead @ The Commodore

28

Numbers Idol @ Numbers

Apocalypstic @ The Cobalt

Tuesdays at Celebs @ Celebrities

KT Tunstall @ The Commodore

Wild Wednesdays @ 1181

17

Jujubee @ Celebrities

HerShe Bar @ Red Room

10

Gorillaz @ Rogers Arena

Kate Nash @ The Commodore

3

Wednesday

Tuesdays at Celebrities @ Celebrities

Movember Party @ Doolin's Irish Pub

30

Glee Tuesdays @ Junction Pub

DJ Tim @ Numbers

23

Toolbox Wednesdays @ The PumpJack

Dollicious Wednesdays @ Celebrities

24

House of Style Midweek Crisis @ Joseph Richards Club @ Oasis

Karaoke Tuesdays @ Oasis

16

Chill @ 1181

Glee Tuesdays @ J Lounge

9

Haunted @ The Narrow

8

2

Movember Kick Off @ SFU

Tuesday

1

Monday

7

Sunday

Felix Da Housecat @ Celebrities

Fag Fridays @ Oasis

26

Robyn @ Venue

VML HARD Leather Ball @ Five Sixty

19

VML Leather Night @ Numbers

Roger Sanchez @ Celebrities

12

SPIT @ The Anza Club

Dirty South @ Celebrities

5

Friday

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

Billy Connolly @ Queen E. Theatre

Drag Idol @ Junction Pub

25

Hard Candy @ Celebrities

Mo Ska Show @ Railway Club

18

DJ Spinna @ Post Modern Bar

Latin Night @ Oasis

11

Cocky @ 1181

Josh Ritter @ The Commodore

4

Thursday

Queer Bash @ The Cobalt

Saturday Night Drama @ Celebrities

27

The DeMask Ball @ The Storyeum

Ultra Nate @ Celebrities

20

POW: House & Bounce @ The Cobalt

Art for Life @ Five Sixty

13

Prairie Fairies Fowl @ Hellenic Centre

ATFC @ ginger62

6

Saturday

vanragazine #17

Joan-E's

photos by nicholas jang www.double-take2.ca

Rag

helping things get better

F

or many of us, as a result of the shocking string of recent teen suicides in the US, the issue of bullying, particularly of gay youth, is at the forefront of our thoughts. We have watched Ellen, Benji Madden, Hillary Clinton and others give heart felt messages. We have joined groups online and clicked "like" to many worthy causes across North America. We have attended vigils and proudly worn purple in solidarity. Now that we have done all of this, what can we really do to help perceived or identifying LGBTQ youth here in British Columbia? One answer is, you can support Out in Schools.

We are very fortunate that in our Province there is a great organization already doing wonderful work in our schools. Since 2004, Out in Schools has been bringing interactive workshops to schools throughout B.C. – workshops that not only help provide support to gay and questioning youth, but that also directly engage bullies and would-be bullies to help them understand the impact, and potential consequences, of their actions. They also help educate teachers and unite students through anti-homophobia film projects. During the 2009/2010 school year, Out in Schools delivered more than 55 workshops and reached over 6,200 students, not only in Metro Vancouver, but also in communities where there are few, if any, LGBTQ resources, including the Interior, the Kootenays, Vancouver Island, the Central Coast and the Gulf Islands. By bringing queer films to local high schools to facilitate discussion with youth on bullying, homophobia and stereotypes, they give youth

26

a safe space to explore these issues. They aim to increase understanding through education to combat the issues threatening the safety of our classrooms for all students.

This unique and vital program is run through Out on Screen, which produces Vancouvers Queer Film Festival. As such, Out in Schools is able to access office space, supplies and much needed volunteers so that the Out on Screen budget goes directly to bringing the program to as many of our youth as possible.

There are a variety of things you can do to get involved. You can, of course donate money. You can also buy tickets to Out on Screen and Out in Schools events or attend club nights and events that give proceeds to Out in Schools. You can also volunteer! Volunteers are our community's greatest assets and their hard work and dedication saves hundreds of thousands of dollars every year that go directly back into the community. Please go to www.outinscools.com to find out what you can do to help. V Check out more of Joan-E's Rag on www.v-rag.com or www.pinq.ca

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27

around town!

S

o it’s November; not my favourite month but luckily there are some rad things going on to brighten this month up! For one, it's the international month of prostate awareness, Movember. Which means it's time to grow out your moustache and party all month for a great cause!

Tuesdays are now full of glamour and decadence with Jr Kidz Presenting The House of Style at Joseph Richards Nightclub with DJs Riot and Jef Leppard… And special performances by Quanah Style and guests! They're channeling the Blitz Kids and NYC’s Studio 54.

It is not a mirage; Fridays at The Oasis are extremely off the hook – busy! Fag Friday is the new hot night brought to you by DJ Adam Dreaddy and Joan-E! Could it be the next big night in Vancouver nightlife?

Vancity gets HARD on Friday November 19th at Club Five Sixty. Brought to you by Vancouver Men in Leather and Priape, this event celebrates all things male and sexual.

The downstairs bathroom bar is transformed into a dungeon/playspace where Michael Venus will be spinning dark rock, industrial and retro. Upstairs sexi Nick Bertossi plays the

soundtrack to a fetish fashion extravaganza sure to titillate. The next day is full of glitter with the DeMask Ball at Storyeum brought to you by The House of LaDouche and many others. The mutimedia extravaganza is a full on BALL with contests; walk off, prizes and performances galore. Not since the Opulence Ball has Vancouver seen so much glamour!

Not to be missed, especially with the Michael Venus photo exhibit "Icons and Demigods" on display. Later that night at Five Sexual marks the return of NYC legend DJ Honey Dijon for a fabulously hot set.

On Sunday December 5th, a variety of high profile Vancouver queer personalities and entities join forces to bring you Soir Noir, a fundraiser for A Loving Spoonful and The Vancouver Food Bank. The variety show boasts talent like hostess Symone, The Ryan Steele Show, Morgan Brayton, and many other superstars! Stay tuned here for details.

Wishing you all a bright November! Ciao xo, Miss Cotton. V Check out the all new House of Venus website www.houseofvenus.com

vanragazine #17

Art For

Life

by Jen Hill

artwork by brian boulton

I

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n a city full of takers (bitter much?), there are few more fabulous opportunities to feel the warm fuzzy of giving like the Friends for Life Art for Life Fine Art Auction.

Each November since 1993, the “Little Charity that Does” throws the biggest, best, and most boisterous art auction this side of NdotYdot. No jokes, this isn’t your Granddaddy’s auction (however, it might be your future Sugar Daddy’s, so dust off the Prada).

This is Vancouver’s premiere night of who’s who, and who’s going home with what...or whom (pick me!).

And if art isn’t your bag, there is much to entertain (beyond the thrill of watching your neighbour drop 18K in 18 seconds on canvas and oil). From the start of the evening to the bidding climax there is something for everyone. You’ll be hard pressed to find those antiquarian knick-knacks from the Antiques’ Road Show anywhere near Art for Life.

Building on this year’s signature artist Brian Boulton’s Mikey@20.b, 2010, Art for Life is taking art to the Skate Park with hip performances and edgy themes. Transforming Club Five Sixty into a VIP event for those in know, the bubbles will flow, and the best art in the city will be up for grabs. Canapés prepared by Vancouver’s famous chef Louis Gervais (former executive chef of the Sutton Place Hotel), live music, performance art, and a dessert gala are all just the decadent foundation of a night of art-gasmic opportunities. A silent auction rife with divine deals from Vancouver’s cutting edge artists (Let it be known, I will tear the arm of anyone who outbids me for Wendy Sexsmith’s Funny Bunny Playboy - $350?!? A-MAY-ZING!), and hot items for your holiday shopping, it really is a one stop shop of fantastic-ness.

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Art for Life is Saturday November 13th @ Five Sixty Club - 560 Seymour Street (between Dunsmuir and Pender), Valet parking available for $10. VIP Reception with live auction artists 5:00 pm. Dessert Gala 6:00 pm.

Live Art Auction 7:00 pm.

After Party @ Five Sixty Club 10:00 pm. www.artforlife.net

movember 2010 Issue 17

Once you’ve tasted, and toasted, and torn through your projected holiday bonus, the evening has only just begun because after 10 pm, guests are invited to dance and enjoy the rest of the evening from Five Sixty’s exclusive Art For Life VIP Lounge. Girl loves the VIP. There are few charities that are so beloved as Friends for Life. That little house on Barclay Street has done so much for so long to help so many… it really is quite humbling.

Quietly residing at the Diamond Centre for Living, Friends for Life has been an unsung hero of the West End for more than 17 years. They provide over 1,800 lifeaffirming appointments each month to more than 1,700 members with life-threatening illness, like HIV/AIDS and cancer, as well as support to their families and caregivers.

Think about it. That little house on Barclay Street has been the emotional and physical support for hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters over the years. Art for Life is their biggest and most important event.

It funds their programs and is the financial foundation on which the entire organization rests. Art for Life is an opportunity for all of us to connect to the community and give back to those who need it most.

Friends For Life has more than 50 programs and services designed to promote healing while lessening anxiety, isolation, and the need for institutional support. Programs include Nutrition and Social Support, Individual Counseling, Group Support, Massage and Bodywork Therapy, a Resource Library, Practical Workshops on a wide variety of topics and in-home care for individuals in the more debilitating stages of illness.

For those in our community who need love and support, Friends for Life is there to help, and all their services are completely free.

They are, and hopefully always will be, our Friends for Life.

So get out there and buy some sexy art you tart! V

29

We cordially invite you to the

Nutcracker Party for Kids An exclusive family event at the +Õii Ê â>LiÌ Ê/ i>ÌÀiÊÌ ÃÊ `>ÞÊÃi>à tÊ / ÕÀÃ`>Þ]Ê iVi LiÀÊÎä]ÊÓä£äÊ

at 1:00 to 5:00 PM (2 PM showtime) À `>Þ]Ê iVi LiÀÊΣ]ÊÓä£äÊ

at 1:00 - 5:00 PM (2 PM showtime)

SCHEDULE:

1:00 – 2:00 PM

>ÌÊ iV Ê> `Ê > ÞÊ* Ì ÃÊ

2:00 – 2:45 PM

Treat your family members or employees and their children to a magical performance of Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. After the show, enjoy a back stage tour of the areas only accessed by dancers and stage crew. See where the dancers put on their make-up & costumes, and see how the technicians place the props & stage lights. Return to the VIP Lounge for complimentary refreshments and let your children take photos with a ballet dancer. Leave the theatre with a gift and family memories which will last a lifetime!

YOUR CORPORATE PACKAGE INCLUDES: UÊ xäÊÌ V iÌÃÊv ÀÊÌ iÊ ÕÌVÀ>V iÀÊ«iÀv À > ViÊ UÊ Ê «« ÀÌÕ ÌÞÊv ÀÊÞ ÕÀÊ `ÃÊÌ Ê« ÃiÊÜ Ì Ê>Êv> ÀÞÊ ÀÊ toy soldier for photos UÊ Ê «« ÀÌÕ ÌÞÊv ÀÊÞ ÕÀÊ `ÃÊÌ Ê LÌ> Ê>ÕÌ }À>« ÃÊ from the dancers UÊ ÊiÝV Õà ÛiÊL>V ÃÌ>}iÊÌ ÕÀÊ>vÌiÀÊÌ iÊ«iÀv À > Vi UÊ « i Ì>ÀÞÊV vvii]ÊÌi>]Ê Õ ViÊ> `ÊV iÃÊ ÊÌ iÊ VIP Lounge UÊ > Ã

ÕÌVÀ>V iÀÊ£ÃÌÊ > v / , -- " Ê

3:00 – 3:45 PM ÕÌVÀ>V iÀÊÓ `Ê > v

4:00 – 4:20 PM Backstage Tour

4:20 – 5:30 PM Dancers, Autographs, Photos, Balloons

For more information and to book your Nutcracker Holiday Party please contact Marc Smith of Amuse Consulting by phone 604-687-6335 or email: marc@amuseconsulting.ca

V-rag

31 movember 2010 Issue 17

LIVE ON

STAGE

photo by gaetano fasciana

K

im Kuzma was ready to live her life on stage, at the ripe age of eight, when the Prince George Choir asked her, the youngest of the singers, to do a solo. She may remember an even earlier occurrence when she played Snoppy in grade two, but it was that choir performance that gave her the strength to kept singing until today.

“Personally witnessing people moved by an honest moment, the sound of their laughter… that my friend is a drug. And I am hooked.” And we sure are glad she’s hooked and have no problems in keep feeding this diva, in all greatest senses. Kuzma is an exciting live performer that amongst her many shows from Scotland to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta, Vancouver is still one of her favourite places to perform and call home.

She’s performed side by side with great international names such as Sandra Bernhard, Lea Delaria and Alan Cumming at the Highline Ballroom in New York, yet it is with her gays she feels best.

Kuzma’s Sagittarian ways keeps her singing with great passion and sincerity, with a comedic flare, no matter what audiences she’s presented with. Her young spirit and vivacity can be, in return, a drug for us too. She reels you in and definitely takes you on a journey, no matter if singing one of her original songs or a classic hit.

Traveling and singing at different venues is not what one calls a glamorous life, yet Kuzma is always beyond glamorous when doing it. Meeting new people is one of her favourite things. “To hear someone else's version of what one of my songs means to them is

really intriguing. I've performed some of my songs hundreds of times but they're always new to someone who is hearing them for the first time in a new town and I love that freshness,” explains Kuzma, adding that she’s heard a lot of crazy stories from fans, yet she is “honoured that they feel safe talking.”

One of her latest missions is to meet Ellen Degenerous and we can all help by going to Facebook and joining the 'Get Kim Kuzma to sing 'I Am Alive' live on Ellen!' group.

She’s inspiring, exciting and always glamorous; and her talent can only truly be experienced live.

If you have not had such a priviledge yet, make sure to catch one of her shows. Failing that, visit www.kimkuzma.com to purchase her music. V Upcoming performances include a special appearance Nov 15th at Starry Night and a 7pm concert November 17th at J Lounge. www.kimkuzma.com

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33

WATCH: The War Boys Clip One www.tinyurl.com/vrag45

This is the first gay scene in The War Boys (2009).

After George (Brian J. Smith), falls into a patch of cactus, David (Benjamin Walker) helps him remove the spines from his butt. George starts to think that David is crossing some boundaries, but they were crossed a long time ago.

WATCH:Â The War Boys Clip Two www.tinyurl.com/vrag46

This is the second of two gay scenes in the movie The War Boys (2009) David (Benjamin Walker) and his best friend George (Brian J. Smith) have sex. Although some might think this as a sex scene, it is so sweet and tender that it's really a love scene.

WATCH: Emmerdale "The Crash" www.tinyurl.com/vrag48

Emmerdale is a UK nighttime soap. Aaron's first boyfriend Jackson wants to end it because of Aaron's violent ways and he told Aaron that he loved him and he didn't say anything back. A very emotional, tension filled and tragic scene. A MUST SEE. WATCH: I Love You Phillip Morris www.tinyurl.com/vrag47

Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor's gay love story finally gets a release date. I Love You Phillip Morris is the improbable but true story of a spectacularly charismatic conman's journey from small-town businessman to flamboyant white-collar criminal. In theaters Dec 4.

WATCH: Suprise Party by Craigery Morgan www.tinyurl.com/vrag49

The internets newest instant star! Twenty year old cutie Craigery Morgan from Orlando Florida does his best Kristen Wiig impression of the "Surprise Party" sketch from Saturday Night Live. This video went viral, with 2 million views in two days. www.craigerymorgan.com WATCH: "Somebody to Love Me" www.tinyurl.com/vrag50

Saam Farahmand directs the new video for Mark Ronson and 80s legend Boy George's new song. The video is a VHS recreation that looks like home video from 1982 . The world of a  Boy George lookalike in the hay day of the Culture Club. The song is on iTunes Dec 6.

movember 2010 Issue 17

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.

Visit www.wayoutwest.tv for more gay videos!

vanragazine #17

FILM:notes Paranormal Activity 2 D: Tod Williams

Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat D: Glenn Gaylord

Approach this sequel to last year’s megahit as you would a haunted house at the PNE; expect to scream a lot, laugh at yourself for it then move on and forget it until next year. If you do, you’ll have a blast.

The story’s the same; family sets up security cameras after break-in, only to discover burglars are the least of their worries. There’s a neat tie-in to the events of the first movie (this is a prequel) and the spooks have a bigger cast to mess with – including a toddler and a dog (both used to excellent effect).

There’s lots to criticize, of course, from the soap-opera performance of the father through to the laughably clichéd "hired help" (Latin American and therefore does nothing but waft incense, clutch her rosary beads and mumble to herself in Spanish. As Latinas do).

But as a crowd-baiting horror experience it rarely puts a foot wrong and, let’s be honest, this is why we’re here. The best elements of the first movie are played on exceptionally well, with endless silences and long static shots of nothing, kicking the suspense up to often unbearable levels. Sometimes there’s a "big jump" payoff, sometimes there isn’t, but the fun is in the drawnout anticipation. The "security camera" angle adds a different, unnerving narrative feel and the ratio of actual paranormal activity compared to the first movie is about 5:1 – with two big scares alone validating your ticket-spend. Slick, quick and mindless... and all the better for it.

Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat assumes that you've seen the other two films in this hugely successful gay trilogy. This time it centres around Tiffani, Casey, Zack and Ryan. Tiffani (the slut) and her fellow gay-dater Casey try to lure Zack using the sexy pictures of her straight hot boyfriend Ryan. Yea, pretty much... Eating Out 3 exploits the very nature of boy cinema; hot boys showing their goods (and beautiful goods at that).

Casey only starts to understand love through the quirky yet compassionate advice from his Aunt Helen (if you’ve been following the series, this is Kyle’s mom). If you were hoping to catch the original cast, I’m sorry to say you’ll only be seeing Rebekah Kochan (Tiffani) and Mink Stole (Aunt Helen). But I was happy to see that YouTube musical sensation (and very sexy) Chris Salvatore not only debuts his acting ability but delivers a solid performance in another sense of the term!

As a huge fan of Eating Out and Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds, I'm sad to say that the writing in this latest entry lacked the chemistry or humour the first two had. The only scene where I actually laughed out loud was when Zack (Chris Salvatore) was getting his ass waxed and blurted out an incoherent slur of pain. Not much to recommend an entire film on I'm afraid.

Hopefully the writers of the series know when to take a bow and stop. Let's not see an Eating Out 4: Gastric Bypass.

by John Britton

34

by Frank Giansante

V-rag

35

Various Artists three singles

Reba McEntyre all the women i am

Cheryl Cole three words

Browsing through some recent releases, I’m not seeing anything I really want to spend ten to fifteen bucks on (I’m looking at you Taylor Swift).

Instead, I’ll review a few singles I came across.

I’m pretty certain the entire world has familiarized themselves with Willow and "Whip My Hair".

All I have to say is, Willow please please please take the millions you’ll make from this awful song and go to university.

Kid Cudi’s "Mr. Rager" just came out. And while I was a fan of his debut, "Mr. Rager" sounds too much like a tepid B-side.

I really hope there are some bigger surprises on his sophomore album when it’s released.

Melissa Etheridge and Crystal Bowersox: I had my suspicions about that girl. A live version of of "I Run for Life", which sounds like it was performed at some kind of cancer benefit, would be better if I could hear Crystal singing.

And running at 8:19, it’s five minutes too long.

It’s a sad month for singles, that’s for sure.

Many female entertainers who have passed the test of time are easily labeled a diva, but so few of them actually earned it. One that has earned it, who is too often overlooked, is the undisputed Queen of country music, Reba McEntyre.

And this, her twenty-sixth studio album, proves that Fancy isn't quite ready to let her red dress go to the Swifts and the Underwoods just yet.

This being her second release since going independent, and barely a year after the first, kicks off with the lead single, "Turn On the Radio" a pitch-perfect, campy country pop crossover that in the hands of a less seasoned starlet may have been lost to the radio graveyard, but not with McEntire's mastered vocals.

And for proof that sometimes it's the singer that actually makes the song, one listen to her cover of Beyonce's "If I Were A Boy" proves Ms. Knowles may know how to make single ladies dance but she hasn't quite mastered the art of thoughtfully telling their stories.

I’m sitting in my local coffee shop listening to "Promise This" on Cheryl Cole’s new album, Three Words, the debut from the Girls Aloud frontwoman.

People are staring at me but I don’t care, I must dance! In Ms. Cole’s music (for the most part), there’s a passion and longing that fits into the drum beat. Not since the shimmering soul of the disco era has something like this been done. OK – let’s give some credit to the Queen Madonna and her pet princess Britney Spears.

Most of the songs on the album have a very pop-soul sound to them. Although certain segmants start to blend together and border on the predictable, tracks like "Boys Like You" (featuring wil.i.am) and "Stand Up" are are easily some of the best pop songs Britain has produced in the last few years.

Boys, get ready to bounce.

Cheryl Cole will have you belting out the lyrics, sweating with your t-shirts twirling over your head and your pop sensabilities in a tizzy!

by Matt Roy

by Justin Meisner

by Frank Giansante

movember 2010 Issue 17

MUSIC:notes

King

Castle of His

meet our newest writer

Charlie David

Photography: UKMCBO Photography www.ukmcbo.com styling: Anthony Tran model: charlie david www.charliedavid.com

vanragazine #17

LISTINGS saturday nov. 6

Prairie Fairies Fowl Supper The 11th annual Prairie-style feast is now legendary in Vancouver. With proceeds benefiting the Fillmore Family Foundation, this year at the Hellenic Community Centre, 4500 Arbutus St. saturday nov. 13 Art for Life Become an instant art afficionado all while raising money for Friends for Life!

See page 28 for details.

Auction and afterparty both at Five Sixty. 560 Seymour.

42

POW: House & Bounce One half of the producers of the Queer Bash brings you this new homoganza with DJ Jef Leppard and friends.

The Cobalt, 917 Main friday nov. 19 Robyn She won't be dancing on her own tonight. The sold out show is our pick of the month! Venue, 881 Granville. saturday nov. 20 Ultra Nate Of course you know Ultra

20 Nate! The house diva who penned classics like "Free" is in Vancouver to provide some much needed glamour. Celebrities, 1022 Davie.

The DeMask Ball AKA The Most Epic Ball Vancouver Has Ever Seen. Work!

The Storyeum, 142 Water Diamond Rings w/ Humans This is one hot band that you NEED to see at the Biltmore, 395 Kingsway.

PUMPJACK

GRANVILLE ISLAND, HONEY LAGER, PALE ALE

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.

FREE POOL

SUNDAY KEGGER

KARAOKE TUESDAYS

NUMBERS IDOL

PILSNER SPECIALS

Live Bands

TOOLBOX WEDNESDAYS: EVERY LAST WEDNESDAY

EVOLUTION

DJ SAM McCOOEY

DJ TIM

GLEE TUESDAYS

GLEE TUESDAYS

RED TRUCK LAGER & BEEFEATER HIGHBALLS

BINGO FOR LIFE & DOLLICIOUS

TUESDAYS AT CELEBRITIES

RUSSELL & TWISTED COOLERS SPECIALS

WILD WEDNESDAYS

Wednesdays

CHILL

Tuesdays

WELL LIQUOR SPECIALS

OASIS

NUMBERS

LICK

3SUM IN THE LOFT

INDUSTRY NIGHT

G80Z SUNDAYS

NUMBERS IDOL

Comedy Night: Tops & Bottoms

VILLAGE SUNDAYS: DRAG SHOW

J LOUNGE

JUNCTION

HOUSE WINE & BLUE

CAESARS & OKANAGAN SPRINGS SPECIALS

APOCALYPSTIC

CHEAP SUNDAYS

Mondays

FOUNTAINHEAD

FIVE SIXTY

THE COBALT

CELEBRITIES

1181

Sundays

HIGHBALLS & BUCKETS OF DOS EQUIS SPECIALS

ALL BEER, CIDERS & COOLERS ON SPECIAL

LATIN NIGHT

LATINO NIGHT

DRAG IDOL

MIXX ARTISTS

GROWERS CIDERS & KEITHS SPECIALS

HARD CANDY

COCKY

Thursdays

CANADIAN JUGS & JAGERBOMBS SPECIAL

RUSSELL CREAM SPECIALS

fag fridays

CORONA NIGHT

BLACK SATURDAY / SHOW YOUR STUFF

LIVE PIANO SATURDAYS LOLLIPOP EVERY 2ND SAT

SATURDAY DANCE PARTY

GRIND, NAWTYBOX, & MAN-UP ROTATING

BASELINES: EVERY 3RD FRIDAY DJ DREW

CONNECTION SATURDAYS

SULTRY SATURDAYS: SHOWS & DJs

GRANVILLE ISLAND & SMIRNOFF ICE SPECIALS

magic sessions mkw main room

RELEASE SATURDAYS

TIGHT

Saturdays

THE SOCIAL

FIXX FRIDAYS: SHOWS & DJs

KOKANEE & POLAR ICE VODKA HIGHBALLS

STEREOTYPE FRIDAYS

MUMBLES' MADHOUSE

Fridays

NIGHTLIFE IN VANCOUVER

V-rag

43

vanragazine #17

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 [R.I.P.] (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

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28

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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

Grace Gallery/The Narrow (1898 Main)

HARO

fro

Fals Yac

RAR D

ENGLISH TELUS BAY World of Science

BUR

VANIER PARK H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Maritime Museum Vancouver Museum

44

41

KS EE CR

E. 3RD AVE

43

14

E. 4TH AVE E. 5TH AVE

E. 5TH AVE

E. 7TH AVE

E. 14TH AVE E. 15TH AVE E. 16TH AVE

9

E. 11TH AVE

22

GUELPH

E. 10TH AVE

MAIN

QUEBEC

ONTARIO

MANITOBA

COLUMBIA

ALBERTA

YUKON

21

FRASER

SCOTIA

E. 6TH AVE

ST. GEORGE

MAIN

MAIN

ID E

CAMBIE

South Granville

LOST LAGOON

JERVIS

Gorg-O-Mish (695 Smithe)

ALBERNI

BUTE

Goldie’s (605 W. Pender)

13

Royal Centre

W. GEORGIA

WARD

12

Bentall Centre

MELVILLE

DER

EN W. P

PRINCE ED

ginger62 (1219 Granville)

CHILCO

11

DE ENA SEAWALL PROM BAYSHORE

RK CAUSEWAY Y PA NLE STA

CHILCO

Fountainhead Pub (1025 Davie)

ON DR IVE

Flaming Angels (4307 Main)

er at W

9 10

VA DO S COR STING HA W.

Coal Harbour Community Centre

Harbour Cruises

TO LIONS GATE BRIDGE, NORTH & WEST VANCOUVER, NANAIMO FERRIES AND WHISTLER

BROUGHTON

Five Sixty (560 Seymour)

RD

1300

8

W C

BRUNSWICK

Cranberries Spa (330 Robson)

H.M.C.S Discovery

COAL HARBOUR

1400

7

P

Im Ca Vancouv Conv C

BURRARD INLET

BROUGHTON

IPE LIN Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville) E

Royal Vancouver Yacht Club

SOPHIA

Club 23 West (23 West Cordova)

6

DEADMAN'S ISLAND

DRIVE SCE

5

14

44

STANLEY PARK

WATSON

Century House (432 Richards)

CARDERO

4

Vancouver Aquarium

NICOLA

Celebrities Nightclub (1022 Davie)

BIDWELL

BooLaLa (152 E. 2nd - North Van)

3

S Pa ss eaB en u ge s rF er ry

2

DENMAN

1181(1181 Davie)

GILFORD

1

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TIN G S

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BEATTY EXPO BLVD 100

CAMBIE

HAMILTON 300

400

MAINLAND

D

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HOMER

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TELUS World of Science OMNIMAX

FOX W

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GRANVILLE

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BR

HORNBY

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1200

20

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11

38

BE

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1100 DAVIE

25

500

600

700

800

NELSON

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CA

900

32

1000

26

7

Orpheum Theatre

SMITHE

Q

SKYTRAIN

B.C. Place Stadium TERRY

Ya l e t o w n

6

Downtown 40 13

RGIA GEO

GRIFFITHS WA

N

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G.M. Place

35

ROBSON

900

AI

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39

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Vancouver Playhouse

Queen The Elizabeth Theatre Pacific Bay Centre The Centre 700 Vancouver in Vancouver for the Centre Vancouver Vancouver Performing Arts Library Art Gallery

N

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EXP

DUNSMUIR

800

W .H AS

D

LV OB

AWARD-WINNING DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER CONDO SPECIALIST

SO

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Pacific Centre

600

W .P EN DE R

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500

A

W. PENDER

CK

Chinese Cultural Centre Museum and Archives

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

36

IE MB CA

4

BI

18

W. HASTINGS

12

AL

Steamclock

Harbour Centre

400

E.

ALE XAN DER PO W EL L CO RD O VA

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Waterfront The Station Landing

Gassy Jack Statue

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CA

Seabus Terminal

Waterfront Sinclair Centre Centre

a in n Ch ow T

CO

NT

RO

F TER WA

JA

45 movember 2010 Issue 17

2 TO NORTH VANCOUVER

M

max Theatre anada Place ver Trade & vention Centre

HA ST IN G S

V-rag

2N

E AV

www.blairsmith.ca 604.313.8732

HELPING YOU MAKE ALL THE RIGHT MOVES.

33

DRAKE 1300

3

FIC BLVD 1400 LOWER GRANVILLE

BEACH

GRANVILLE BRIDGE

se Creek cht Club

K

EE

BEACH

L

SE

FA

CR

CHARLESON PARK

JOHNSTON

GRANVILLE ISLAND

N

SO

LE

AR

CH

H

6T

E AV

Come as you are.

455 Abbott Street Vancouver

604.339.7874

18

dj MKW

Q&A

DJ MKW has been a popular DJ on the Vancouver gay scene for the past few years. His trademark of getting dancefloors going with the latest club remixes never gets in the way of throwing in a classic Janet or Kylie hit. Better known internationally for by his full name (Mark Kenneth Woods), the busy television, video and film maker has also been a club promoter and professor at SFU! We love DJs that witch things up... on and off the decks!

First DJ gig?

Electric Avenue at Lick with a certain Betti Forde.

Favourite gig(s)?

Probably this past Van Pride at the beach festival after the parade. Nothing quite like a thousand or so queers with their tits out, in their underwear, busting out to Kylie in the sun.

What kind of music do you play?

Indie pop, pop, electro, house, RnB and 90s. A real mixed bag. I don't like going out and feeling like I'm hearing the same song all night. So, for better or for worse, I like to mix it up.

Rock star moments?

DJs Are Not Rock Stars is the name of a label Alexander Technique and Princess Superstar created and Larry Tee now works on. I tend to agree with them. Although, ironically, they are all creating their own music too so they actually are rock stars. Or electro stars. Whatever. I've met all of them at various gigs so do those count as rock star moments?

46

photo by nicholas jang

vanragazine #17

DJ

TOP TEN

1. R obyn - "Indestructible" 2. T he Ting Tings - "Hands (Tommie Sunshine Mix)" 3. Kelis – "Scream (Russ Chimes Mix)" 4. Scissor Sisters – "Any Which Way (Keijet Mix) 5. The Ones – "Let's Celebrate" 6. J anelle Monae – "Tightrope" 7. D uck Sauce – "Barbara Streisand" 8. Kylie – "Get Outta My Way" 9. Crookers feat. Roisin Murphy – "Royal T" 10. F lorrie - "Call 911 (Fred Falke Mix)"

DJ nightmare?

I was playing at this club that didn't have much of a barrier between the DJ equipment and the dance floor. Some drunkard tried to get my attention from in front of the DJ booth to say the music was awesome and ended up spilling her drink all over the mixer. The mixer died within seconds and the music was no longer awesome. Party over.

Musical inspirations?

My favourite artists are those that experiment and push musical conventions without completely alienating their audience. Smart pop. Bjork, Roisin Murphy, MIA, The Knife, The Presets are all good examples.

Hobbies?

I've made a couple movies and TV shows. I suppose that means that DJing is actually the hobby!

Future plans?

Just, now and then, reminding everyone dancing to some awfully cool electro tracks that Spice Girls and S Club 7 did, in fact, rule at some point. It hasn't failed me yet. V www.markkennethwoods.com