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CYMK Q_COVERstory From U-tah to Porn-Stah BlueDoorFlixxx.tv Porn Star Takes it Off for ‘The Express’ By John Bryson to Catholicism when I was young. So, I ended up going News Editor to Catholic school and really just felt like I was in some ome people take strange and intriguing roads to kind of time warp. I’m serious! They are way behind the get to where they are in life, and rising porn star times there. Sand model Sam Tyson is no exception. Calling life as a kid in Utah akin to “living in a So how did you get out of there? Hitchhike? time warp,” Tyson has lived in Los Angeles since Greyhound? 1997 and is one of the featured models on the new (laughing) I moved out to go to Gonzaga University website www.BlueDoorFlixxx.tv—an innovative in upstate Washington. Unfortunately, it was the same site where customers can rent high-quality, full- type of area I had just left behind in Utah. I started there screen erotic movies or scenes for home viewing in ’92, where I basically lived until relocating to LA in ’97. for as little as $5.99 per movie or $1.99 per scene. Tyson has been recognized by Instinct What did you do once you got there? online magazine as their best male XXX Well, I have worked a lot as a bartender at a local LA newcomer of the year, and will be featured in nightclub. It’s only been fairly recently that I decided to four films for various production companies in foray into modeling and acting in the adult industry. Bar the coming weeks. patrons would mention that I should go see so and so or To gain some perspective on this experience, this guy, and finally I did get in with a local photographer The Express caught up with Sam last week and asked who eventually helped me to get where I am now. him a few questions about his life, how he came to When I was younger, I was a bigger kid. After I came work in the erotic entertainment industry and his out and moved to LA, I definitely came into my own. I role in the new website: started working out and eating well, and I fed off the change. What will you be doing for the website? I’ve been asked to be a spokesperson So, not only will you be appearing on the website’s for the website and to serve as one of its videos as a feature model, but you will be traveling around feature models. It’s been fun working with promoting the website at various events? them so far, and I hope that relationship Yeah, that’s right. Hopefully I’ll be able to have an continues. impact on the website and help them market an attractive product. For those of us not lucky enough to experience it, what was growing up in Utah So, when will the website be available? like? It’s available now! They’ve got categories for every I often felt like a stranger in my own house. type of guy, and the selection—especially since Bjorn My father was Mormon, but converted us all videos are being used—is awesome! Photo: Raymond Vino © 2002 Blue Door Productions, Inc.
Q2 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • December 16, 2002
CYMK Q_MOVIEreview 8 Women: Watch the Fur Fly French Murder Mystery Is Delightful By Mary Damiano women quickly realize that the person Arts & Entertainment Editor responsible must be among them. As There’s a genre of movies called chick accusations and suspicions fly back and flicks, movies that you go to with your forth, enter the eighth woman, Pierrette girlfriends, kick back, chow down on popcorn (Fanny Ardant), Marcel’s sister, who has her and cry or reminisce about what it means to own secrets and agenda. be a girl, or get all empowered and want to When Pierrette arrives, the fun really kick some bad guy butt. Chick flick classics begins. The audience is treated to cat fights, include Sleepless in Seattle for crying, Little soap opera worthy secret revelations, girl- Darlings for reminiscing and Thelma and Louise for butt- kicking. Even though the new French film 8 Women features an entirely female cast, it is not a chick flick. It is a film for the woman in all of us. The French film, which boasts a stellar cast featuring beautiful, doesn’t-seem-to-age Catherine Deneuve, is a valentine to women and their special Photo by Jean-Claude Moireau dramas. It’s clear that out director Francois Ozon loves women, in Virginie Ledoyen, Danielle Darrieux, Fanny spite of, or rather, because of, Ardant, Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, their underhanded, scheming, Emmanuelle Beart and Ludivine Sagnier manipulative and secretive ways. on-girl action—in short, a wild ride through It’s Christmas time in the 1950s, at a grand the many dramas of being a woman. Plus, house in the country. Luzon, (Virginie there are these really cool and quirky musical Ledoyen) has just returned home from school numbers that seem to come out of nowhere. for the holidays. Her mother, Gaby (Catherine Each character gets her own moment in the Deneuve), sister Catherine (Ludivine Sagnier) spotlight and reveals something about and grandmother Mamy (Danielle Darrieux) are herself through song. thrilled to see her. Her spinster aunt, Augustine What’s really great about 8 Women is (Isabelle Huppert), could care less. All the ladies that each character is fully drawn—a real in the house are attended to by their servants, flesh and blood woman. There are no family fixture Chanel (Firmine Richard) and the cardboard cutouts, just fully realized, maid who is a young double for Gaby, Louise complicated women. (Enanuelle Beart.) The cast is excellent, and the script is Suzon’s homecoming is going well until clever and original. 8 Women is a shoo-in for her father, Marcel, who has been in his room an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film. resting, is found with a knife. The phone lines Don’t miss this classy, delightful film. 8 are cut, and they are snowed in, and the Women means eight times the fun. From Housewives to Lovers Lesbian Documentary Screened at West Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival By Tony Plakas Board of Education in 1987 for domestic partner Palm Beach Correspondent benefits and $1 million. When she won the Over 300 people watched a screening of suit in 1994, city of New York employees were the 55-minute lesbian documentary, Every granted domestic partner benefits. Today, Room in the House, on Monday, Dec. 9, at the Ruthie and Conie live “happily ever after” in Carefree Theater in West Palm Beach. The film, Brooklyn and West Palm Beach. made possible in part by the generosity of The festival was presented at the Carefree Beulah and Jack Friedman, was shown as part of the 13th annual Palm Beach County Jewish Film Festival, which took place Dec. 5- 15. The documentary follows two very funny, rather traditional housewives who turn their lives upside down as they discover passion, politics and each other. Both Beth and Connie came from working-class Jewish backgrounds in the 1950s, and Beth and Connie in ‘Every Room in the House’ followed the path that many women took: They got married and raised Theatre by the Jewish Arts Foundation. The families. Living in a New York development Carefree is known throughout Palm Beach called Contello Towers, referred to as the County as one of the oldest movie houses Jewish Ghetto, they met in 1958 and became and a favorite venue among West Palm Beach friends. locals. It has seating for up to 750 people and But in this case, the story takes a twist is a frequent site for art film screenings, acoustic when they leave their husbands for other guitarists, reggae bands and other live women, each other. For Connie, it was performers. liberating; for Ruthie, wrenching. As a teacher To find out more about the West Palm in the New York City schools nearing Beach’s Jewish Film Festival, visit their web retirement, Ruthie sued the New York City page at www.palmbeachjewishfilm.org.
www.ExpressGayNews.com • December 16, 2002 Q3
CYMK Q_CONCERTreview Lambda Delights with Holiday Concert Handbell Choir adds a Festive Touch
Lambda Chorale Women Photo by Steven Shires
Lambda Chorale Men Photo by Steven Shires By Mary Damiano a festive sound to the singers’ soaring vocals. Arts & Entertainment Editor The performers, wearing crisp white gloves, The sights of the season and the sounds also performed several solos, including “Ode of the season came together Saturday, Dec. to Joy” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.” 7, as Lambda Chorale presented its annual In the second half of the show, Lambda holiday concert at the First Congregational eschewed their formal garb for more whimsical Church in Fort Lauderdale. attire—gay apparel, as the song says—Santa The church provided the perfect setting hats and antlers, red and green sweaters, for Lambda’s holiday songs. The walls and blinking stars and shirts depicting holiday windows were festooned with wreaths, scenes. candles, holly and lights, making for a warm They added their own brand of comedy and cozy concert. with “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas,” Lambda Chorale’s musical selections ran in which singers in pajamas and slippers sang, the gamut from little-heard Renaissance danced and did a soft shoe routine with giant carols to modern favorites, with a piece from candy canes. The performers wore a variety Handel’s Messiah and the theme from A of playful slippers, including the Grinch, Homer Charlie Brown Christmas tossed into the Simpson, Garfield and Scooby Doo, giving the mix. illusion that each animated character and its Artistic Director Randy Leonard twin was dancing across the church. encouraged audience participation during the If the concert had a flaw, it would be show. Lambda members fanned out through that it was too much of a good thing. The the church, and the audience sang along to show featured 30 separate pieces plus two favorites, including “Deck the Halls” and audience sing-alongs and spanned nearly “Jingle Bells.” three hours. In the future, Lambda would Lambda was accompanied by the First better serve its fans and itself by streamlining Congregational Church Handbell Choir, under the show and leaving the audience wanting the direction of Lu Anne Leone, which added more rather than glancing at their watches.
Q4 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • December 16, 2002
CYMK Q_CONCERTreview SoBe Gay Chorus Wows with Holiday Show ‘Moulin Scrooge’ Presents Singers at Their Best By Mary Damiano funny Cesar Taboada displaying his five gold Art & Entertainment Editor rings. The South Beach Gay Men’s Chorus Adrian Williams led the chorus and the presented a nightclub style holiday show audience in a spirited, hand-clapping “Put a Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 and 14, featuring Little Love in Your Heart.” Ed Guedes songs, personal reminiscences and— performed a heartfelt solo of “Grown-up yikes—a real live girl. Christmas List.” Moulin Scrooge brought the Christmas Performer David Leddick sang an and Hanukkah spirit to Level this past elegant medley of “Mad About the Boy” and weekend in a show that showcased the “Bye, Bye, Baby,” and delivered a nice speech chorus at their musical best, although on love, and that love is what the holidays sometimes the talent was overshadowed by are all about. the other distractions. With all the good stuff that the South The show began with a video montage Beach Gay Men’s Chorus has to offer, it’s a of the group’s history. The chorus took the shame the show was plagued by overkill. stage to perform a rousing rendition of the The problem with Moulin Scrooge was Auntie Mame Broadway classic “We Need a all the rock show trappings—a light show, Little Christmas.” booming speakers so loud The show was divided into Christmas they often distorted the Past, Christmas Present and Christmas sound, strobe lights Future. Chorus members read stories and video screens from their own personal holiday splashing the memories. The memories were then concert onto the walls illustrated by a song that fit the story. of the club. The disco This gave the show a nice personal ball may have added a touch, though the stories that when festive, fun touch, on too long slowed down the show. but the non-stop Real-girl Bambi La Fleur was a flurry of lights it refreshing respite from the usual whirled around drag numbers. La Fleur is blessed the audience was with a style that combines just the enough to give right amount of breathiness with anyone a the ability to belt out a song, as headache. The she did with the sexy “Santa South Beach Gay Baby.” Men’s Chorus is Another highlight was the too good to get nods to Hanukhah, with the chorus bogged down in all presenting a fun number called this glitz. “Ocho Kandelas,” and member Listening to Marc Levin reading a wonderful David Vance sing “O Jewish take-off on “Twas the Holy Night” is a divine Night Before Christmas” called experience all by itself, “The Night Before Hanukkah.” and it doesn’t need The real showstopper was flashing lights and a “The Twelve Days of disco ball as Christmas”—which was accompaniment. more like the 12 gays of Christmas—and featured a very
If you want to have a fun sing-along at your holiday fete, try doing the 12 Days of Christmas, SoBe Gay Chorus-style, which ends up something like this: On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…12 muscles training, 11 divas singing, 10 slaves to punish, 9 carat diamond, 8 make-up mirrors, 7 days of cruising, 6 weeks of rehab, 5 gold rings, 4 Prada shirts, 3 Billy Dolls, 2 Pug dogs and a huge house on Brickell Key
www.ExpressGayNews.com • December 16, 2002 Q5
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CYMK Q_THEATERreview A Romp in the Swamp Sol Gives Shakespeare the New Orleans Treatment By Mary Damiano the audience to use its imagination. Arts & Entertainment Editor The plot is typical Shakespeare, all Only the Sol Theater could set As You mistaken identity and disguises and family Like It in New Orleans, with the Bard’s words intrigue. The play is all funny and frothy, as spoken in a gumbo of accents. a series of events force nearly all of the main This is Shakespeare for everyone— characters from New Orleans into the Bayou people who like Shakespeare and those who Arden for a sexy frolic. don’t. Shakespeareophiles will get a kick out Jim Gibbons delivers another incredible of the update to 1927 New Orleans, and those performance. In Gibbons’ hands, Jaques the who thought they didn’t like Shakespeare philosopher is an introspective charmer. will be given a new perspective on his When Gibbons speaks his lines, they don’t Sarah Stewart does a great job with her a resilient troubadour. He is one of the timeless themes. sound like 400-year-old Elizabethan English. accent, and her lines and are convincing both highlights in this delightful production. In As You Like It, you can really see Through his genius, he turns the words into as a pretty flapper and a cocky boy. Arielle As You Like It runs through Dec. 29 at Robert Hooker’s direction. Though the fresh, relevant ideas that need no translation. Mance does another nice turn as a pampered the Sol Theatre, 1140 N. Flagler Dr., Fort setting has been updated, and the costumes Sebastian Montoya and Erynn Dalton princess willing to rough it to stay with her Lauderdale. Tickets are $20, general reflect that, the language and story are the provide a wonderful bit of comic relief in this best friend and cousin. admission; $15, seniors and $12 students. same. Hooker’s staging is what sets this comedy, as a street clown and a lusty goat Kevin Johnson is fabulous as Sylvius, Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8pm; production apart. herder. Dalton especially is hysterical, her a lovesick poet who puts Shakespeare’s Sunday at 7pm. For reservations and more The stage is almost bare, with a minimum pretty face smeared with dirt, making primal sonnets to finger-snapping rhythm. He struts information, call 954.525.6555 or visit of scenic backdrop, and props are few, urging animal noises as she pursues Montoya. across the stage, singing and snapping, like www.soltheatre.com.
Q_DININGguide Advertise_954-568-1880
Q8 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • December 16, 2002
CYMK Q_MOVIEreview Far From Heaven Is Far From the Original By Andy Zeffer embarrassment and frustration Entertainment Writer only drives him to drink further. The films of legendary 1950s Hollywood Things get more complicated when director Douglas Sirk (An Imitation of Life) Cathy seeks solace in her gentle influenced Director Todd Haynes in his latest black gardener Raymond, played project Far From Heaven, and this by Dennis Haysbert. It is only a inspiration is apparent in every detail of his matter of time before her latest effort. association with Raymond Haynes gets the 1950s down to meticulous becomes the talk of the town, and detail, from the furnishings, costumes, cars and Cathy finds herself ostracized. mannerisms. The sexual tension and racial There is an underlying feeling tension that Sirk dealt with is also tackled by of dread throughout Far From Haynes, albeit in a bolder manner more in Heaven. One can’t help wondering tune with the present day. throughout the film what these Juliane Moore, who worked with Haynes people can do. Where can they previously in Safe, stars as Cathy Whitaker, go? The civil rights movement has a beautiful Connecticut housewife who barely started. The birth of the gay seems to have it all—the perfect house, cute rights movement was still 12 years kids and a handsome corporate husband. away. However, all is not well in suburbia. Her Quaid portrays the tension husband Frank (Dennis Quaid in a and repression of a closeted gay breakthrough performance) is spending more man so perfectly it is almost and more nights away from home, due to a painful to watch. Moore is simply heavy workload. In the beginning of the film, touching as a fragile wife whose Cathy picks up Frank in jail supposedly for perfect world is falling apart. Juliane Moore, who worked with Haynes loitering. The matter is unraveled when one At times, the action is slow in previously in ‘Safe,’ stars as Cathy Whitaker. night she decides to drop off his dinner at Far From Heaven, and the ending is no sluggish quality is balanced by fine the office, only to find him embraced and lip- surprise. There is almost a feeling of wanting performances. Though not the most locked with another man. it to end because the viewer knows the dismal outstanding film to hit the screen, Far From Frank seeks psychiatric help and vows outcome from the get-go. The journey is Heaven is nonetheless a departure from the to beat his “sickness.” However, his almost too predictable. However, the usual fare, and worth seeing. Q_BOOKreview Reflections on Jesus By Andy Zeffer cardigans. Entertainment Writer Most of us have come across one or As Christmas approaches, millions two of them sometime or another. His prose around the world gather to celebrate Christ’s says it all: “And yes, Pat Robertson /I’m birthday. In Sweet Jesus, Poems About the saved! /Here I stand, /A 56-year-old virgin Ultimate Icon, published by Anthology Press, queer, /A repressed bourgeois /Hiding a 63 poets contribute work that reflect their flaming queen. /Thank you, Jesus.” various thoughts and visions of Jesus. Not everything is heavy, more than a Jesus is even imagined in the modern few pieces are humorous. Take for example world. In Greg Shapiro’s “When Jesus Came Hal Sirowitz’s “Son’s,” which gives a Jewish think a double standard exists. You would to Skokie,” the locale is small-town America. father’s perspective of Jesus to his son. “If never find poems such as these written about It was then that he realized that he’d God wanted us to worship Jesus /he would Mohammed, for example. That would be forgotten/ the receipt for the sandals he’d have arranged for us to be born /into an perceived as politically incorrect or even planned to exchange/ for a different color Italian family.” racist, not to mention potentially dangerous in a larger size at Marshall Field’s It ends with the following; “I don’t to the artists and publisher. The works are thought-provoking and know what he had against his real Father./ Yet Jesus is fair play. At the same time, discomforting, at best. Many deal with But if you ever did that to me, /Said you that brings to mind his best qualities, repressed homosexuality such as “Jesus is were someone else’s son, I’d be insulted.” forgiveness and unconditional love. Before Hanging Over the Lesbian” by Stacy White, More than a few folks would find these getting too preachy, mention should be made about a lesbian being exorcised. Or “Born words blasphemous. They aren’t the of the book’s cover design. As a close-up Again” by David A. Neal, Jr., which brings to traditional images of Christ impressed upon image of a piece of chocolate, Christ has never mind those awkward and somewhat creepy us during the holidays— the quiet baby in a looked this enticing. Not to mention closeted church-going men who wear manger. While reading the poems one can’t appetizing.
www.ExpressGayNews.com • December 16, 2002 Q9
CYMK Expressions Naked_Curiosity A Good Grab Bag By Dennis Scott-Bush By Charlene Lichtenstein For the week of 12/16/02
“I love a good grab bag,” Gary gushed. to a baseball-themed column sent along a Every year, dynamic Pluto “conjuncts” the Sun and wreaks havoc with our little It’s ironic that Gary—whose particular photo of himself titled “Baseball fan.” The lives. Gay Archers in particular feel the brunt of Pluto’s charge this year but all sexual passion is having his balls (and bag) e-mail had been very sweet and friendly. I signs will feel a little zetz or two when all is said and done. grabbed tightly and tugged downward expected the photo to be a G-rated shot of forcefully—would be waxing rhapsodic the reader wearing a baseball cap and smiling. ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 20) about an entirely different sort of grab bag. Instead, the image that filled my screen, was Just when the wheels of justice ground to a halt, Pluto floods the courts From his obvious glee, it was apparent that, of the reader, naked and on his hands and with sweaty masses craving attention. Gay Rams get more than they with Gary, one good grab bag is as good as knees with the business end of a baseball bargained for. Shriek for revolution but remember that blood stains are a bitch to remove. another. bat deep in his infield, so to speak. “It’s more fun than a secret Santa gift One of the most fascinating aspects of TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 21) exchange and a lot cheaper,” Gary effused. having a syndicated column is that I get to The path to true lust was just paved over and turned into a four lane tractor Each year, his co-workers bring a variety see how different parts of the country trailer highway thanks to Pluto. Proud Bulls deserve a sensuous, slow, of inexpensive gifts to their holiday party. respond to different ideas. There are regional romantic winding cul de sac for their loving. Pull over to a rest stop and wait until next week, dear. The presents are supposed to be wrapped in idiosyncrasies, though, gay men the world a way that disguises what they are. At the over yearn for many of the same things and GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) party, everyone takes a turn reaching into experience life in similar ways. Pink Twins find that the bonds of relationships may be getting a little the big red velour pseudo-Santa bag and Some readers’ e-mails make me want to frayed. Sun conjunct Pluto can turn marital bliss into a living hell if you are not careful. Frankly, it’s getting too close to New Years Eve to even grabbing a gift. play cross-country matchmaker. A gentleman think of changing your dance card. “You have no idea if it’s going to be in New England sent me a photo of himself cool or crap,” Gary admitted. “But half the humping his Nike sneaker (the right one, for CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) fun is not knowing what it is until you open those of you who clamor for specific details). Don’t even try to get your workspace in order; it’s a lost cause. Pluto will it up.” A few weeks later, when a fetish-focused upend any project so batten down the hatches and prepare for a monsoon. Pink Crabs are also advised to conserve their energy; Pluto pours on the Grab bags don’t hold the same appeal column ran in Palm Springs, a reader e-mailed stress. This too shall pass. for me that they do for Gary. I’ve never been me a series of shots of himself getting a big fan of surprises, in general, and the intimately acquainted with a pair of Converse LEO (JULY 24 - AUGUST 23) coin-toss reality of cool or crap usually ends high-tops. Proud Lions get much more than they bargained for with any petty display of petulance so hold off on any artistic outbursts until next week. Those that up with me grabbing something clearly in Were the two guys soul (and sole) mates strut and fret their hour upon the stage are then heard no more and that is a the crap category. I’ve gotten everything separated by thousands of miles or would true Leo punishment! from a box of tapioca pudding mix to a pair of the brand loyalty of their fetish been even Dr. Scholl’s deodorant insoles that had more of a distancing factor? VIRGO (AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23) Pluto causes commotions around the house. Since Pluto rules the underworld, already been worn. The invitations I receive for dinners, it can mean that pipes burst or (horror for clean Virgos) infestation. Yet it So, when Gary referred to the e-mailed parties and sex are appreciated. I often can also mean a personal release. Come out to family. Pluto upends and good letters I receive from my readers as a veritable chuckle when I recall one reader’s request thing. Hire a dump truck. grab bag, I was less enthused with the that I read my columns aloud to him while he LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23) analogy as he was. It’s true that the subject felated me. The man who took the time to They call you charming and diplomatic..... but not this week. Gay Libras are lines of the e-mails rarely give me a sense of write my name on a dildo that he, then, took advised to zip the lip and think only nice thoughts. Anyway, don’t they say what the letter itself will address. In that way, a photo of himself straddling, gets points for that actions speaker louder and prouder than words?? my reader mail is a grab bag. But I’m happy including the hyphen in my last name and to report that I’ve never gotten any dessert my respect for attempting to impale himself SCORPIO (OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22) fixings or used foot care products from a on such a gargantuan phallus. Even the most pernicious proud Scorp may hit some money trouble when the reader. The overtly sexual e-mail is just a portion Sun conjuncts Pluto. Avoid any major purchases if you can. Even paying off The letters that come with photos of the reader communications I receive. While your tight hot pink leather cutaway suit can wait.... until next week. attached definitely fall into the the audacious images and ballsy offers are grab bag domain. A reader the ones that often leap to my mind most SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22) who felt a connection quickly, it’s the emotional letters that stay Prepare for a jolt as Pluto conjuncts your own sign. Everything you’ve built with me the longest. Readers who respond is due for a shake-up. Gay Archers may not know which 2 X 4 hit them as to my sharing bits of personal information in their house comes down. Look on the bright side- you won’t have to dust a column often share their own life stories anymore (as if you ever did). with me. Whether funny, tragic or truly CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20) inspiring, I am always touched that people Pluto conjunct the Sun throws a strobe light on all that is hidden or will give me such vivid windows into their repressed in your life. For closeted Caps who seek a low profile, fat chance hearts and minds. bubbele! Pluto cannot tolerate falsity. No matter what your fears are, there is nothing as scary as living a lie. This holiday season, I am indescribably grateful for every one of my readers. I wish AQUARIUS (JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19) you health and happiness. I thank you for all Friends may drop a bombshell on you when Pluto conjuncts the Sun so pack the wonderful e-mails. My mailbox, in Gary’s an umbrella. Buck up Aqueerius and realize that people are unique, mysterious and have their own lives. Maybe that’s what makes them so darn interesting. words, is a good grab bag, indeed.
D. Scott-Bush’s work appears PISCES (FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20) Volcanic Pluto throws your best corporate takeovers on the auction block. throughout the country. He receives Guppies have one last swim with the piranhas before this transit is over and e-mail at [email protected]. you receive a much deserved reward. Think fast so you don’t become tonight's fish stew.
© 2002 MADAM LICHTENSTEIN, LLC., All Rights Reserved.For Entertainment Purposes Only. Check out her site www.AccessNewAge.com/Stargayzer for egreetings, horoscopes and Pride jewelry. Her book “HerScopes; A Guide To Astrology For Lesbians” from Simon & Schuster is available at bookstores and major booksites.
Q10 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • December 16, 2002
CYMK Pumping It Up with Volume New Album Releases Maximum_ Reviews by Mary Damiano The Brian Setzer Orchestra: ‘Boogie Woogie Christmas’ (Surfdog) It must be so cool to be Brian Setzer. The ex-Stray Cat has transformed himself into the coolest cat around. Setzer’s world revolves around cool cars, cool chicks and swinging music so cool you could get frostbite. Brian Setzer is the man who put the name Louis Prima back on the map a few years ago with his boogie woogie and swing albums. On Boogie Woogie Christmas, Setzer and his orchestra give the big band swing treatment to holiday favorites. The result is an energetic, infectious collection of songs that have the ability to replace your old favorite renditions of Christmas songs. Setzer gives a sexy, retro twist to everything he does. In his hands, “Jingle Bells” is a rollicking good time, and Lose Yourself_Eminem “Santa Claus is Back in Town” has a wicked, naughty edge. He even enlists Ann-Margret for the sexy battle of the 1. wills classic, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” 2. Die Another Day_Madonna Setzer also offers up his own composition, “So They Say It’s Christmas,” a sentimental holiday lament on Work It being away from the one you love. And he shows that when it’s called for, he knows how to sing an inspirational 3. _Missy”Misdemeanor”Elliott song, as he does on “O Holy Night.” Like I Love You_Justin Timberlake This is the holiday CD for everyone tired of the same old stuff when it comes to Christmas songs. Boogie 4. Woogie Christmas has a rockabilly sensibility and enough energy to keep the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lit 5. Luv U Better_LL Cool J all year long. 6. Game Of Love_Santana Feat. Michelle Branch ‘Love Her Madly: 7. Dilemma_Nelly Featuring Kelly Rowland New Women Artists Cover The Doors’ 8. Underneath It All_No Doubt feat. Lady Saw (Skipping Discs) A Moment Like This From the opening moments of “Twentieth Century Fox,” Rachel Sage’s 9. _Kelly Clarkson seductive voice lures listeners into Love Her Madly: New Women Artists Cover Sk8er Boy_Avril Lavigne the Doors, a stunning new CD of Doors songs made over by edgy women artists. 10. The cardinal rule of doing covers of other artist’s hit songs is to mix up the gender. Women should cover guy’s songs and vice versa. That way, there’s less danger of having to be compared or live up to the original. Nikki Nite Y100 • Miami 100.7 The folks at Skipping Discs know this. Their mission is to present compilation albums with interesting concepts. Love Her Madly is their first release, and they’ve hit one out of the Midday’s 10am-2pm • Monday Thru Friday park their first time at bat. www.Y100.Miami.Com And with the women doing the singing, each Doors song about sex and girls becomes a lusty, lesbian lovefest. [email protected] “Hello, I Love You” is re-energized by Joe K’s Kid, from a fun little riff to an impassioned plea for a second glance. “Touch Me” bears almost no resemblance to the powerful, original ode to undying love, but in the hands of the May Hart Band, it takes on a grooving sensuality. The title track is especially successful. Simon Stinger does a wonderful job with “Love Her Madly,” infusing the bouncy hit with soaring vocals. Readonline Love Her Madly is a terrific CD, the perfect melding of old songs with new voices. www.OURweeklynews.com
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CYMK Guest Column Expressions GLCC on the Brink (Again)
Time for Real Restructuring by Ed Nicholas
Less than two years after our Gay and center’s largest donors (about $15,000 last the community’s confidence and, more development professional” who doesn’t Lesbian Community Center nearly went year), recently resigned, as did Andy importantly, raise money? raise money and stalls programs because down the tubes because of inadequate Weiser, the most adept fundraiser on the No less an authority on fundraising GLCC’s “mission and values” haven’t fundraising, poor administration, board. (Full disclosure: Andy Weiser and than Linda Carter, president and CEO of been clarified, and who constantly spouts misspending, commingling of Community Foundation of Broward, mind-numbing jargon like “needs restricted funds and a weak board, it says it is an axiom of fundraising that assessments” and “best practices” has to may be on the brink again. people do not give to causes; people go. So does the secretary who chaired the Knowing what I do about the give to people. search committee that found the executive center from the year I spent as interim How many GLCC board director and two failed Stars of the executive director, I believe the members show up at benefits for gay Rainbow benefits. Take out Linda Wood problems this time are an executive organizations or pro-gay political too. She’s the vice president who recently director whose shortcomings have candidates? Are board members out attempted to shift blame for GLCC’s been well-documented, inadequate shaking hands and making friends problems by using potentially libelous fundraising, a weak president and a with prospective donors? Who is misinformation. So much for “ethical and board that is mostly lackluster. But I friendly with the moneyed snowbirds communication standards.” No more believe it can be saved if the from Fire Island and Provincetown excuses. And that’s just for starters. community acts fast. who put the center back on track? A salvage committee needs to be The problems with Executive Who can move easily in the affluent formed now. Recruit the center’s largest Director Sandra K. Norton will lesbian dinner party circuit? donors and the community’s most perhaps be history in April when her Rather than raise money, the successful business people and contract expires, perhaps sooner. current board has “implemented professionals who still care about the The “elephant in the room” that ethical and communication center. These must be men and women nobody wants to talk about is the standards, developed a public who are able to give and ask their friends board of directors. relations committee, revised to give. They must be focused. Their When GLCC was a small organization I have been a couple for 15 years, and have employee policy and procedures, revised responsibility is fiduciary. The goal is in rented space, the board consisted of a both committed time and money to GLCC.) our bylaws…and began the process of solvency. Each must personally commit to few generous donors and the center’s GLCC President J. Heider responded developing a multi-year strategic planning specific fundraising targets and be willing most ardent volunteers. After purchasing to their resignations, focusing on the process,” according to VP Linda Wood. It to bow out if those are not met. its own facility, it became a serious addition of board members who actually all sounds like fussing over the furniture Once their commitments are assured, community institution. The board needed signed on many months before who are on the Titanic to me. None of it puts money they need to be voted onto GLCC’s board. to change. Like the boards of other “financial professionals.” in the bank. At the same meeting, the current board nonprofits, the members needed to become Financial professionals might know With an executive director and a board members and officers who don’t measure fundraisers. I believe they are not up to how to adjust balance sheets to reflect the that won’t or can’t raise money, one might up must resign. Otherwise, mediocrity will the job and that they drive away the increased value of the center’s property, expect the president to take some action. continue to breed mediocrity. people who are. but my question is: Who on the board Heider offers that the ED is “being The last time GLCC faced the Doug Clark, who was one of the today has demonstrated an ability to win evaluated.” It seems to me that with difficulties it faces today it undertook a mounting criticism from the community restructuring process, and the community and huge shortfalls in fundraising, the made clear what we expect from our center, community has already given their but nobody came up with a way to fund it, evaluation, and the time to act is now. and too many of the same people remain He excuses his inert presidency with in charge. blather about how parliamentary procedure The center is too important to be limits his role to that of a consensus allowed it to fail. It can offer important builder. Parliamentarians don’t make good services and be the symbolic presence of presidents. And while building consensus the GLBT community in South Florida. A is a fine thing, it should never, ever, be thriving center will develop the programs mistaken for leadership. Heider’s the community wants, inclusive of all of presidency will end this month. In my our diversity. opinion, it will be remembered among the People don’t give money to causes. darkest days in the center’s history. People give money to people. It’s time for When Carol Moran was president, she the people who can contribute, raise had the guts to tell unproductive board money and move the center forward to members to shape up or ship out. She take charge so South Florida’s gay would never have waited seven months to community can have the center it conduct an evaluation of an ED who wrote deserves. room use procedures instead of coming up with a fundraising plan to pay her own $60,000 plus benefits package. Ed Nicholas served voluntarily for a It’s time for heads to roll. The “fund year as GLCC’s interim executive director.
Q12 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • December 16, 2002
CYMK