www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 14, 2003 • Q1

CYMK Q_COVERstory

Rocking the Kasbah: ’s Arabian Nights ‘Harem’ Inspired by Literature, Art, Music By Tony Phillips singing songs and arias, but I wanted this to holiday. “I believe it was Tunisia,” Brightman up early. A lot of farmers live in this village. I Special to The Express be more of an atmosphere album as opposed remembers. “I also traveled to Marrakech go and get my cappuccino, and they think Sarah Brightman. A name that conjures to just singing a song. I wanted the voice to when I was younger. I’ve always liked the I’m the weird English girl. There aren’t any myriad images—everything from be layered and interesting. It took quite a idea of the outsider in these areas. It’s why I other people from anywhere else that live powerhouse soprano to backlit pop princess. while to do.” like Paul Bowles. It’s also why I called the there. The café is opposite the subway that If one is already in accord with the former, Brightman describes Harem as “a album ‘Harem.’ It means ‘forbidden place’ if goes into Milan so you watch people coming then enter Harem, her latest Middle Eastern- mixture of inspiration I got from literature, art you translate it. It’s in your imagination, but and going. It’s quite fun. Then I go back to flavored release guaranteed to add to her and music.” She doesn’t see this Eastern you don’t really go there. You maybe don’t my pad and get myself together, walk to my worldwide tally of 15 million sold. As influence as anything new either, citing a want to go there, but it’s a mystical place. It’s singing coach’s house and work with her for someone leaning toward the former, the blue- about two hours. Then she cooks some jeaned Brightman shimmered and clinked on Brightman’s latest, self-described “fantasy spaghetti. Her husband’s name is Enrico. He’s cue. However, she also surprised by leaning a classical musician. We all have spaghetti. across the table with an efficient “Give us it record” logged session time in the usual haunts, Then I go home.” here” as a lacquered nail tore through the like Abbey Road and studios in Hamburg, Paris When you’re this far a field—Brightman shrink-wrap around a troublesome cassette cops to “tricky times for artists slightly older tape. While still not classing her with the and Toronto, but also took her to places as far like myself”—it’s difficult to keep tabs on jungle cats, our close-to-an-hour chat in the flung as Cairo, Beirut and Prague. your relevance in a temperamental offices of Angel Records— marketplace. She points out being signed Brightman explains EMI’s classical arm by song she recorded years ago called “You Take ancient. People have journeyed there and here since 1990 when music biz legend Jerry saying, “You know, they have all these My Breath Away”—included on Harem as a come back changed.” Still, Brightman allows Moss heard her sing Mozart’s “Hallelujah” different groups”—reveals a much more bonus track—and a sitar-fusion piece from that if a more strident singer/songwriter, let’s and hit her up with the typical “What else utilitarian diva than anticipated. She the Eden album called “In Paradisium” as say Sinead O’Connor, recorded an album you got, kid?” Not so in her native England. periodically stops to pick up the recorder. early experiments with the form. “I’ve actually called Harem, we’d probably have clearer She relays a recent chat with her London One hand glitters with a charm bracelet been doing little bits of this for a long time,” views on Palestine, the fate of women within hairdresser requesting a story from her British anchoring both a diamond encrusted cross she explains, “but I’ve always wanted to do the patriarchy and religious tolerance. heyday. Brightman replied, “I’m probably and Arabic moon while the other is adorned a project of this type because I’m a child of Brightman seems fine with the difference. “I going through my heyday in the rest of the with a simple, red Kabbalah string. She leans literature.” Paul Bowles, “The Thousand and don’t think in political terms,” she says. “I world right now, but not here.” She reflects. over the machine and frets, “Is it working?” One Nights” and “Lawrence of Arabia” all don’t have anything to say about that. I “That sums England up. They remember me And working is something the make the cut as influences. “All the cinematic don’t know enough about it. I love art. I love for ‘Starship Trooper’ and being married to perennially jet-lagged Brightman knows a things,” as Brightman puts it, adding, “I’ve culture. I’ve always felt very integrated in my ex-husband. That’s it. I’m nothing there,” thing or two about. Her latest, self-described liked Indian and Persian poetry as well. Being many different cultures because of how I’ve she laughs, asking, “What do they say, never “fantasy record” logged session time in brought up in England and continental been brought up and how I’ve lived. But in a king in your own country?” usual haunts like Abbey Road and studios Europe, there’s always been a fusion of world many ways, I only understand about music.” Oddly, it’s ex-husband Andrew Lloyd in Hamburg, Paris and Toronto, but also took music around me anyway. You can go to Still, despite her cover of “What a Webber that’s one of her bellwethers today. her to places as far flung as Cairo, Beirut and Istanbul in two hours from London. Wonderful World,” reality has a way of In fact, he leant her the A.R. Rahman song Prague. Everything’s nearby.” encroaching on even the most rose-tinted “The Journey Home” from his hit West End “Vocally, this is different for me,” In fact, Sarah’s first taste of desert life environs. The new album also presents a Bollywood musical Bombay Dreams, though Brightman explains. “I actually took off a lot came when she was just a little girl, a tiny Middle Eastern sampler of singers as returned favor might be a better way to put of time from live work, which I’ve never done dancer at the Elmhurst Ballet School. Her contemporary as Natacha Atlas to as it. “When I was with my ex-husband,” before. I’m known as an interpreter of music, parents took her to Northern Africa on “beloved and best-known” as Kadim Al Sahir. Brightman explains, “he didn’t really take in Of course, Brightman wants to take her things like Indian food and culture.” Harem on the road and in her inimitable, Brightman, whose family lived for long arena-razing style, wants to bring these stretches in India and even has relatives musicians with her. But a tour kicking off in buried in Puna, continues, “I was into it and the United States this fall doesn’t faze used to cook him Indian food. So when I Brightman. “There are a couple of musicians asked him for the song, he said, ‘Yes, it’s not I want to take,” she admits, “but I don’t see my music anyway so be my guest.’” that there should be a problem. They’re Another bellwether for Brightman? Her musicians. It’s about music, not any political loyal gay fan base, which Brightman marvels, situation. It’s just unfortunate, these “has always been very strong, really since situations do arise in the world, but time will ‘Starship Trooper’ all those years back. I pass and things will sort themselves. People mean, I was 17 years old when that song hit. will see things more clearly and get things People always ask how I feel about having into perspective.” such a strong gay following, and I’m happy If that sounds like a citizen of the world about it. This community is very in the know talking, it’s because it is. “My family home is when it comes to art, culture and music. I feel in Spain,” Brightman begins cataloging privileged to be taken in by them. I think, residences. “A smaller home—it’s like a God, it’s probably good what I’m doing. It’s shoebox, actually—is in a village outside of always a good indicator. If the music is really Milan. My singing coach for my classical good, then people are going to buy it. It might work lives in the next village. My boyfriend be a little more difficult to be accepted by the is in Germany. And I have a home in London, media, but I’ve sold all my albums with no which I’ve had for years.” When asked about MTV or VH1. I trust that. Now I know I can a typical day, Brightman picks Milan. “I get really trust my work, so I keep going.” Q2 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 14, 2003

CYMK Q_CONCERTreview Broadway Bonanza Lambda Chorale: A Gold Rush of Entertainment By Peter Aymonin band dispersed, a lone janitor swept the stage. Derrick Buford’s “Selections From handmade animal puppets. Highlights Entertainment Correspondent In a sorcerer’s apprentice moment, the janitor Oklahoma!” elicited the greatest hoots and included a stage stealing 20-foot tall giraffe On June 28, The South Florida Lambda becomes conductor, and the Chorale hollers of the first act. Dressed in cowboy and a 5-foot ape that bore an uncanny Chorale wowed fans with their spectacular becomes real, exploding with “Another garb, Buford sang, “Oh, What a Beautiful resemblance to George W. Bush. production of Regards to Broadway!— Op’nin, Another Show” from Kiss Me Kate. Mornin’” with pure fresh-off-the-farm zeal. The creative force behind the puppets, making the Broward Center for the Performing After a wind down with “42nd Street,” the As the applause continued, Buford launched set designer Peter Sentkowski, performed Arts the place to be. Chorale moved into the silent shadows. From into Ado Annie’s “I Cain’t Say No,” in a well- “Put a Little More Mascara On” from La Cage The concert was “Pure Lambda,” a this brilliant quiet, overall-clad soloist John choreographed song and dance number. The Aux Folles. Sentkowski applied makeup, synergetic combination of commitment, pride, Wilson stepped into the warm glow of a stage crowd went wild. earrings, pantyhose and a brassiere as he professionalism, showmanship and talent. light. Singing “Ol’ Man River” from Show Soloist Naomi Tegland moved from sang. Striking a pose in his final Artistic Director Randall C. Leonard chose Boat, Wilson’s manly bass voice soared into smoldering to eruptive, as two female dancers transformation, Sentkowski was radiant in his thought-provoking songs peppered with the rafters, so warm and resonant that he helped peel off layers of black clothes to sequined costume, high heels and wig, subtle wit, clever gender-lyric pairing and could have melted glaciers. reveal a sultry crimson evening gown and Like the Grand Dame he had become, sublime humor. A minimalist set perfectly Leonard Rea garnered thunderous matching boa. Delivering a powerful jailhouse Sentkowski led the entire Chorale in the captured the backstage feel of a Broadway applause as Dolly, while the Lambda Chorale performance of “When You’re Good to grand finale, “I Am What I Am,” also from show, while powerful, simple costumes pulled performed a sensational “Hello Dolly!” Mama” from Chicago, Tegland and company La Cage Aux Folles. After five minutes of the audience into the moment. Throughout the song, Rea’s ‘Dolly’ was left no doubt that, when you’re good to standing ovations and a curtain call, the The Flamingo Freedom Band kicked off escorted by two male dancers who, much to Mama, ladies, Mama’s gonna be good to you! audience made it clear that The South the concert with “Give My Regards to Dolly’s bemusement, often appeared more For it’s “Lion King Medley,” the singing Florida Lambda Chorale is what it is—our Broadway” from Little Johnny Jones. As the interested in each other than in her. Chorale filled the stage with gigantic own!

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 14, 2003 • Q3

CYMK Q_CULTURALcalendar

Tuesdays, Through July 29: Ladies—The musical legacy of The Hispanic Immigrants Maintaining Duke is celebrated in this stylish and Their Culture Through Music and brassy retrospective. Wed., Sat., Sun. Dance—First- and second- at 2pm and Thurs., Fri., Sat. at 8pm. generation Latin American Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 immigrants are invited to discuss W. Sample Rd., Coral Springs, culture-related books and to learn and 954.344.7765. enjoy many types of Latin dancing. Friday and Saturday, July 18 6 - 7pm at the Hallandale Beach and 19: Victoria Place Season Branch Library, 300 S. Federal Finale—Live, Gay Soap Opera, Highway, Hallandale Beach. Victoria Place, presents its Season 954.457.1750. Finale before heading to Tampa and Through Monday, Sept. 1: Los Angeles. In Hide the Body, all Bahamas Cruise Raffle—The drama comes to a halt as Baby Doll Sunshine Cathedral is raffling a get- becomes drug-free for 2 days! $18/ away cruise for two for four days and door, $14/in advance. ArtServe three nights to the Bahamas (call Auditorium, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd. For port, government and taxes tickets, contact Robby at included). Tickets are $10 each or 3 [email protected] or for $25 at the Sunshine Cathedral’s 954.525.7703. Great Hall after Sunday services, Saturday and Sunday, July from one of the board of directors 19 and 20: Magic and Comedy or online at Show—Alex David performs in this www.SunshineCathedral.org. The Writers are accepted on a first come basis. Pre- Summer Series Fundraiser at the winner will be selected at Sunshine Cathedral’s will read from and discuss her new book The Bumpy register at [email protected]. Free. 8pm White-Willis Theatre, 7143 Pine Island Rd., Sunshine Country Fair on Sept. 1. Road to Enlightenment. (See book review this issue.) at Pride Factory, 845 N. Federal Hwy., Fort 954.726.7898. Monday, July 14: 2003 Miss Florida 845 N. Federal Hwy., 954.463.6600. Lauderdale, 954-845-6600. Fridays: Separate Checks—Spice up your Pageant—Doors open at 6pm at the Fontainbleau Saturday, July 19 - Fabulous ’50s Sock Hop! Saturday, July 26: Sunshine Cathedral’s night with South Florida’s favorite Comedy Improv Hilton Resort and Towers, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami —We expect visits from Flo, Vera and Alice, as well as Five-Star Rodeo—Traditional Rodeo events will Troupe, where you the audience create the show! Beach. Ticket locations in Fort Luaderdale: Fonzie and the gang. There will be raffles, door prizes be at the 5,000-seat Davie Arena. Doors open at (Bring odd objects to be used in the show.) Every Boardwalk, Copa; in Miami: O’Zone Marty; in and entertainment. Everyone will enjoy dancing to the 6:30pm. For information and detailed directions to Friday at 9:30pm at the Blue Box, upstairs at the Miami Beach: Zoo 14 Maria. oldies! Nostalgia from the ’50s and fun starts at 7:30pm the Arena, visit www.fivestarrodeo.com. Benefits Hollywood Playhouse, 2640 Washington St. Wednesday, July 16: Our Fear of Negativity in the Graham / Fasana Chapel at the Sunshine Cathedral Sunshine Cathedral programs. Admission is $7/adults, $5/students. For more Lecture—Healer Eija Contento. 7pm at Wild Oats, MCC, 1480 S.W. 9th Ave., Fort Lauderdale. For tickets, Saturday, Nov. 22: Expanding Horizons— information call 954.327.9159. 2501 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. directions and information: 954.462.2004 or Save the date for the Seventh Annual Recognition Fridays and Saturdays: Just the Funny— 954.980.4095. Free. www.sunshinecathedral.org. Dinner benefiting GLFSF (Gay and Lesbian Whose Line is it Anyway? meets Saturday Night Thursday, July 17: Sisterhood Dinner— Sunday, July 20: Prime Timers of Ft. Foundation of South Florida). Dr. John Graves, Live. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights The Sisterhood of Congregation Etz Chaim will Lauderdale—This month’s meeting is 3 - 5pm at Marleine Bastien, and Damian Pardo will be honored. at 11pm at Dreamers Theatre, 65 Almeria Ave. in meet for supper at Hamburger Mary’s at 6:30 p.m. the ArtServe auditorium, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Special guest honoree to be announced. 6:30pm at Coral Gables. Tickets are $10. For information call For more information and reservations call the Lauderdale. (S.W. corner of Sunrise & N.E. 14th the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, 3555 South 305.69.FUNNY or visit www.justthefunny.com. Synagogue at 954.564.9232 and leave a message St., next to Holiday Park.) Featured Speakers are Ocean Drive, Hollywood. $185 per person includes for Elaine. Jim Stork and John McNeill. cocktail reception and dinner. For tickets and Music Thursday, July 17: Sister Speak Open Wednesday, July 23: Design & Wine—Wine information, please call 305.572.1841 or visit Through Sunday, July 27: Florida Mic—All women are invited to share their own tasting and fashion and retail tour. Purchase a hand- www.glfsf.org. International Music Festival—The London poetry, lyrics, music, and performance art. $5 for painted wineglass by 2 Frenz ($12), shop and receive Sunday, Aug. 10: Congregation Etz Symphony is the featured attraction at the first supporters and $3 for performers. All money complimentary wine refills at shops. Map and list Chaim Brunch at Tropics—Congregation Etz Florida International Music Festival, by far the collected goes to women’s organizations. 8:30pm provided. 6 – 9pm at Harrison Street Wine Gallery, Chaim begins its Social Season at 12:30pm with a most culturally ambitious festival in the Southeast. at AnyWayZ, 1753 N. Andrews Square, Fort 1916 Harrison Street in Downtown Hollywood. Sunday Brunch at Tropics Restaurant, 2000 Wilton The festival is a 17-day, 70-concert event that you Lauderdale (Behind the GLCC). 954.921.3016. Dr. Tickets are $18/members, $20/guests, and include will always remember. Other performers include www.sisterspeak.org, 954.772.0324. Friday, July 25: Not Your Average Bedtime Tropics’ famous Brunch, coffee, a Bloody Mary or Arturo Sandoval, Miami String Quartet, LSO Harp Saturday, July 19: Lori Cardona—Local Story—Come to this co-gender open mic where mimosa. Reservations must be submitted and paid Trio, The Flaming Idiots, Noche Flamence, Pascal author Rev. Lori Cardona is the guest author at local writers read their sexiest stuff. Listen to the for by July 25. For more information call Jesse at Rioult Dance Theatre and the Dukes of Dixieland. Pride Factory’s Listen Up series from 3-5pm. She hottest writing in town or share your own work. 954.424.8449. Daytona Beach. For tickets and information visit www.fif-lso.org or call 386.257.7790. Live Theatre and Dance Tuesday, July 15: Nelly & the St. Advance Ticket Sales—The Sisterhood of Lunatics—St. Louis hip-hop with Nelly’s Up Close Remembering a Legend Congregation Etz Chaim is now selling tickets to its & Personal Tour. 7pm at the Broward Center, 201 2003-2004 Broadway Season. Tale of the Allergist’s Southwest Fifth Ave. 954.462.0222. Katharine Hepburn Championed the Strong Woman Persona Wife (Nov. 15); Kiss Me Kate (Jan. 8); Thoroughly Wednesday, July 16: Christina Aguilera Modern Millie (Jan. 15); West Side Story (Feb. 8); and Justin Timberlake—7:30pm at Office By Andy Zeffer In 1981, Hepburn marked six decades as Miami City Ballet Program IV (March 20); The Depot Center, 2555 Panthers Dr., Sunrise. 954.835.8000. Features Editor a film icon by winning her record fourth Best Full Monty (April 1); Mamma Mia (April 15); and Saturday, July 19: Buzzcocks—8pm at Strength. Resilience. Class. Just a few Actress Oscar for On Golden Pond, making The Producers (May 13 and 16). For tickets and information call Joyce Edelson at 954.718.5800. Culture Room, 3045 N. Federal Hwy, Fort of the many wonderful qualities that come to her the most awarded actress in the history Payment for Tale of the Allergist’s Wife and The Lauderdale, 954.564.1074. mind when thinking of Katharine Hepburn. of the Academy Awards. (Her other wins were Producers must be in by July 15. Tuesday, July 22: Symphony of the For generations of Americans, Hepburn for 1933’s Morning Glory, 1967’s Guess Who’s Through Sunday, July 20: Summer Shorts Americas—Featuring the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra from Hungary. 8 – 9pm at the Hollywood signified the modern, 20th-century woman. Coming to Dinner? and 1968’s The Lion In Festival 2003—At the Broward Center’s Amaturo Theater. For information and tickets visit Central Performing Arts Center, 1770 Monroe St. She spoke with a candor and a headstrong, Winter). www.CityTheatre.com or call 305.365.5400. in Hollywood. Free. 954.921.3404. no-nonsense manner that was all her own. Hepburn may not have held the same Through Sunday, July 20: Fool for Love— Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27: Her upper-crust, New England cult status among gay audiences as Bette By Sam Shepard, America’s most enduring, Red, White and Bluegrass Festival—A weekend of traditional and contemporary bluegrass music served background was showcased well in early films Davis and Joan Crawford. She did not have controversial and outright American playwright. Fool For Love brings together Eddy and May in a up with savory barbecue, handmade arts and crafts such as Stage Door with Ginger Rogers and the camp appeal of Davis’s brash theatrics cheap motel in the Mojave Desert, where a dangerous and old-time fun and games. Noon - 10pm at The Philadelphia Story with Cary Grant. and clipped speech or Crawford’s working- and forbidden dance of passionate love ensues. Sol Hollywood Beach Broadwalk from Sherman Street There is perhaps no better on-screen duo girl melodrama. You’d be hard pressed to find Theatre Project, 1140 N. Flagler Dr., Fort South to Hollywood Boulevard. Festival admission is free. [email protected] or than that of Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, the a drag queen impersonating Hepburn. But Lauderdale. 954.525.6555, www.soltheatre.com. Through Sunday, Aug. 3: Menopause the 954.923.4000. love of her life. The two worked to perfection her exquisite performances and staunch Musical—This joyful musical parody is set to 28 Tuesday, July 29: The Dead—With Bob in Adam’s Rib and the beloved classic Guess character fascinate gay and straight classic baby-boomer songs. $32. Stage Door’s 26th Dylan & His Band. Special Guest Robert Hunter. Who’s Coming to Dinner? In The African audiences alike. St. Theatre, 1444 N.E. 26th St. in Wilton Manors. 6pm at Office Depot Center, 2555 Panthers Dr., Sunrise. 954.835.8000. Queen and The Lion In Winter, Hepburn Always dignified, Hepburn’s blue-blood 954.344.7765. Through Sunday, Aug. 3: The Affections of portrayed fierce characters and shared the appeal and intelligent persona make it May—This comedy by Norm Foster is set at a bed Radio screen with Humphrey Bogart and Peter somewhat impossible for her to ever be seen and breakfast in New Hampshire. Stage Door The Norm Kent Show—Interviews and O’Toole, respectively. as camp. Not that camp is necessarily bad, it Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs. commentary with Norm Kent, weekday mornings is just that Hepburn is the anti-camp. With 954.344.7765. at 8am on WFTL 1400 AM. The Call-In Line is Through Sunday, Aug. 3: Oedipus—New the passing of Hepburn, the world suffers a 1.866.432.1400. www.NormKentShow.com York Director Michael Rutenberg has done a new Outright Radio—David Gilmore hosts this radio great loss. and affecting translation of this classic play, which show about gay life in America. Saturdays at 3pm The greats of Hollywood’s Golden is set in the immediate future. Public Theatre of on WLRN 91.3 FM. Age can now seal the door to the past. South Florida. All shows: Fridays and Saturdays at Issues Over the Rainbow—MarkyG hosts this 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. 954.427.0784 or Hepburn now joins other gods of the gay and lesbian early morning talk show. Sunday www.publictheatre.com. mornings at 7:25am on PARTY 93.1 FM. studio star system, such as Garbo, Through Sunday, Aug. 3: Puttin’ on the www.Party931.com. Cary Grant, Bette Davis, James Ritz—Please join us as we escort Mr. Berlin on his Bridging the Gap—Call-in talk radio show Cagney, Jimmy Stewart and others. tuneful and toe-tapping journey from Ellis Island to dedicated to creating a better understanding between the heights of Broadway and Hollywood. Fri. and They now seem as large and mythic the straight and gay communities, with host Rene Sat. 8pm, Sun. 2pm at Fort Lauderdale Children’s Bray. Sundays from 6 – 8pm on WTAN 1340 AM. as Greek legends. Yet Hepburn leaves Theatre, 640 Andrews Ave. Tickets are $20, $10 w/ Live, worldwide broadcast at us with timeless treasures of her student ID. 954.427.0784. www.TampaBayGay.com/BTG. 1.800.263.8559. talent with decades of superb motion Through Sunday, Aug. 17: The Big Bang— Michael Martini Hour— “Let’s stir the pot Two comedic actors play all the roles recreating pictures. And it is fitting that she … and get to the bottom of the issues!” Gay talk Adam & Eve, Attila the Hun, Nefertiti, Julius Caesar, radio, Thursdays, 6 – 7pm on WPBR 1340 AM or passed away in her family home in Queen Isabella & Columbus, Napoleon & Josphine, on the internet at www.talk1340.com. much the same way she led her life— Henry VIII and other lively historical figures as with dignity. they sing and clown their way from creation to the present. The Big Bang is long on schtick and Television And dignity is perhaps historical hilarity. Actors Playhouse, 280 Miracle SoFla Q TV—Television for the alternative Katharine Hepburn’s most telling Mile, Coral Gables. 305.444.9293. lifestyle. For information call 305.534.3975 or visit quality of all. Through Sunday, Aug. 24: Sophisticated www.soflaqtv.com.

Q4 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 14, 2003

CYMK Need_Wood? By Woody Miller Barfing Bar Trick Deserves a Second Chance

Hey Woody! So, I meet this 22- year-old hottie at the bar. He’s kinda tipsy, but I enjoy that (it means the underwear’s going to come off like a dress on prom night). I lure him to my house. He uses the bathroom. He comes out. I hear the water running. “I’m drawing a bath,” he says. “Got any candles?” It’s 2am. I don’t want him blowing bubbles; I want him blowing me. But I figure, ‘what the hell.’ So we get undressed. We get in the tub face-to-face. He looks longingly at me, and I feel this surge of chemistry between us. Slowly, he brings his face closer and closer to mine. Clearly, I was about to receive the most case of syphilis) are pretty unstable in the romantic kiss ever. My eyes closed, my lips acidic environment of the stomach. parted and … He threw up all over me. Translation: The acid kills the fuckers. Can you believe it?!! I jumped out of I’d bet my career the only thing you the bathwater like an electric eel just zapped caught was a chunk of his dinner. Now is it me, screaming at him while he’s just possible that you caught a bug of some kind? wretching and wretching. I calmed down, Yes. If he’d been throwing up several times got him to my toilet, cleaned up and waited throughout the day, there’s a chance he could for him to finish. Turns out he was so drunk have torn some vessels in the esophagus I had to drive him home. and have fresh blood coming up with each So I have two questions: One medical, vomitus. Still, the viruses would be mixed one not. First, can I catch anything from with stomach acids and die pretty quickly. A swallowing his vomit? I managed to spit out little more risky maybe, but all in all I’d worry most of it but not all of it. Second, this guy more about your breath than your health. keeps calling me begging for a second chance. Should you go out with the guy again? He’s been sending me flowers and cards and Let me impart the two things that I know for stuff. Do you think I should? Don’t you certain about men and alcohol: think vomiting on somebody’s pretty much 1) You can keep vomiting long after a deal killer? you think you’re finished. —I got the big pieces 2) When the cop says, “Gee son.... your eyes look red, have you been drinking?” Dear Big: You probably shouldn’t respond with, “Gee, First, let me say this, and I think I speak Officer your eyes look glazed, have you been for the majority of my readers: “G-R-O-S-S!” eating doughnuts?” In fact, I looked up “gross” in an online My point, as if I had one, is that you dictionary and it said, “See Woody’s column should absolutely give this guy another go. this week.” People make mistakes. If they own up to it Second, how many times do I have to and apologize (he did) they deserve a chance tell you people—spit don’t swallow? Never at parole. It’s true that you don’t get a second put other people’s gastro-intestinal juices in chance at a first impression, but you know your mouth. You never know where their what? First impressions are often wrong. The vomit’s been. guy’s showing character and persistence. I Medically, the chances of catching say go out with him. Just keep him the hell anything are extremely small. Let’s say your away from the bottle. barfer had HIV, or syphilis or Hepatitis B or C. Or like the editorial staff here, all of them. Woody Miller is the author of Men Typically, these viruses (or bacteria in the Are Pigs But We Love Bacon. E-mail him at [email protected].

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 14, 2003 • Q5

CYMK Q_PERSONALITYprofile A Passion for Fashion For Columnist Rod Hagwood, Clothes Are Serious Business By Mary Damiano columnist for the Sun-Sentinel and regular Audrey Hepburn,” Hagwood says. “It Arts & Entertainment Editor in City & Shore magazine. Hagwood keeps would take a supreme being to make that While Rod Stafford Hagwood was still his readers up to date on trends, the latest supreme a being.” in college in 1984, he attended a press collections by local and world famous The fashion writer met the actress at a junket for Top Gun, which featured the designers as well as the designers coming fundraiser when she was an ambassador movie’s star, Tom Cruise. All the other more out of the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. for UNICEF. “I was the only black person seasoned reporters asked Cruise the same He travels to New York and Paris regularly in the room not serving food,” Hagwood old mundane questions, but when to cover the runway shows. He also mixes recalls. Hepburn made a beeline toward Hagwood had his chance, he decided to the business of fashion with the fun side, Hagwood, who kept looking behind him, break up the monotony. He asked Tom conveying to his readers the glitz and convinced that the actress was headed for Cruise about the fabulous boots he was glamour of the fashion world. “People want someone else. “She truly loved Africa, and wearing, which Hagwood describes as a to know about a local jewelry designer, but she wanted to know if I was from Africa,” purple-bluish color with an intricate design they also want to know who Tom Ford is Hagwood says. Hepburn also showed inlaid with gold. banging,” he says. interest in Hagwood’s jacket, which she “He gave a detailed answer that went But there is a serious side to thought was Chanel. “Part of me was on and on, about where he bought the Hagwood’s job. He considers himself focusing on her, the other part of me was boots, why he bought the boots, what South Florida’s ambassador to the fashion watching the crowd react. I’m not star- he matched the boots with, where world, balancing egos and diplomatically struck at all, because usually stars are he wears the boots, and I showing the fashion world that South boring. But Audrey Hepburn was above thought to myself, ‘You are Florida is a wonderful place to be. all that.” so gay,’” Hagwood says. Even though he works in a field that That night, Fashion Sense Early On some might consider frivolous, for Rod Hagwood and a friend Rod Hagwood was born in Morocco, Hagwood, fashion is serious business. ended up at a club and where his father is from, and grew up in “I’ve always been turned on by fashion, spotted Cruise and Virginia, Tennessee and Arkansas. His not necessarily by the clothes, but I was Emilio Estevez. parents wanted to send him to private turned on by what they meant,” Hagwood Hagwood followed school, but the only ones that would take says. He is fascinated by the way people Cruise into the a black student were an all boys’ school communicate through their clothing. “You bathroom. “The only and a predominantly Jewish school. His look at someone in a polo shirt and khakis, thing I can tell you is parents opted for the Jewish school. “I was and that person is telling you something that Tom Cruise is a black, partially Arab kid going to a about fitting in, about ease—they’re indeed a big star,” he predominantly Jewish school in Nashville, telling you a lot,” Hagwood says. “Then says. Tennessee,” Hagwood says. “I was you take someone who’s wearing The Tom Cruise destined to be interesting.” something extravagant, and they’re telling boots story seems a He learned the importance of a you something else.” perfect anecdote for person’s choice in clothing early on. Hagwood sees his position as a the man who would “Fashion is as important to southerners fashion columnist as a way to show the become the fashion as it is to black people,” he says. “They rest of the fashion world that South Florida think of it as one more arena in which to is a sophisticated place of interest. He is compete.” the only fashion writer from a South His mother used to take him to the Florida paper who goes to Paris every year, Ebony fashion shows. His father was an an assignment that gives him a larger educator at Vanderbilt University as well perspective than just his local territory. as an attorney in private practice. “His “At first I thought that going to Paris suits were, for him, that statement that doesn’t really mean that much, but I was said, ‘I’m not just a black guy, I’m a wrong,” he says. “It gives me a mantle of competent, intelligent, worldly black guy,’” authority to speak on things in larger terms Hagwood says. “When people are thought for the reader. That voice of experience is of as less than they are, they have to send important, especially when you’re dealing out more signals.” with something as whimsical as fashion. While his passion for fashion You need to know what you’re talking evolved, Hagwood also developed a about, because people can detect bullshit passion for writing, penning a gossip in a second if you don’t.” column in junior high. He planned on becoming an arts and entertainment writer Inner Beauty Is Always or movie critic. In college, he got to in Fashion interview many huge stars at the time, In addition to writing a novel in the because his boyfriend worked for a studio future, Hagwood has another goal— and would get him into press conferences. reminding people of their own originality. Hagwood built his writer’s portfolio on He believes that individuality has become interviews with Molly Ringwald, George lost in the mire of advertising that tells Michael and other popular stars at the time. people to conform and aspire to a certain His journalism career took a turn way of looking. “I would like to show toward fashion when he worked at people that each person has something newspapers in the heart of the South. that makes them spectacularly attractive,” “Fashion was a surprise to me,” Hagwood he says. “You just have to stay still in order says. “These newspapers all had these to see it.” great fashion sections, and I found that I Hagwood says his friends kid him was good at it and enjoyed it and because he has no particular guy type; understood it.” He has worked at the Sun- instead, he tends to see the wonderful Sentinel since 1990. things about each individual person. He prefers to think in positive terms and The Politics of Fashion wishes others would spend more time Hagwood has a strong opinion on the looking for the good in people rather than difference between style and fashion. focusing on negative attributes. “You’re “Fashion is clothing,” he says. “Style is probably beautiful just the way you are,” the way you do things. Style is the way Hagwood says. “You just need a little you relate to the world. Fashion is one of refining.” the tools that you use to express your style, but it’s just one of them.” Rod Hagwood’s fashion column He once met Audrey Hepburn, the appears every Thursday in the Sun- woman who often comes to mind when Sentinel, and his Q&A column appears someone mentions style. “If you don’t regularly in the bi-monthly magazine believe in God, you would after meeting City & Shore.

Q6 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 14, 2003

CYMK Maximum_Volume Pumping It Up with New Album Releases

Beyonce: ‘Dangerously in Love’ (Sony) Beyonce bounces to the top of the charts with Dangerously in Love, her sexy and fun debut solo album. The first single, “Crazy in Love,” is a feverish and infectious hit that builds and builds into an explosive crescendo. Hot rapper Jay-Z is featured on the lead single. Other big names attaching themselves to Beyonce’s big debut is Sean Paul, Big Boi and, you guessed it—the always present tycoon Missy Elliot. The album is fast paced and flashy. Beyonce does the diva thing well. Another great who is also on top of the charts and in the news is Luther Vandross, still recovering from a near fatal stroke. With Vandross, Beyonce records the Roberta Flack classic “The Closer I Get to You.” Fans can rest easy now that the long-anticipated solo effort by Beyonce is a success.

Victor Calderone: ‘Resonance’ (Statra Recordings) Eighty minutes of continual bliss and pure dance ecstasy is what you’ll find with Victor Calderone’s latest endeavor. The New York great does not fail his faithful followers with this pumped-up and feel-good CD. Calderone shows why he is one of the hottest DJs today with an album that ignites feverish and contagious dance energy that never lets up. For those that appreciate dance music and club life, Resonance is a must have CD. And Calderone’s two tour dates in Miami will allow local fans to appreciate his vibrations. He will spin his music genius at Crobar on July 20 and then come back to Crobar on Aug. 31. In the meantime, listeners can get revved up and ready by adding Resonance to their collection at home.

Dolly Parton: ‘The Ultimate ’ (BMG Heritage) As a child, I can remember thinking of Dolly Parton as a brassy, larger-than-life blonde cartoon with big boobs who made funny movies like and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Over time, I learned what a brilliant talent she is, and now I view Parton as a brassy cartoon-like musical genius. The Ultimate Dolly Parton is the perfect showcase of Parton’s work. Early classics such as Joshua and the touching reveal Dolly Parton’s bluegrass roots and tough childhood. Her sweet and soft original recording of “” is a nice break from ’s overdone and climatic cover. “Love Is Like A Butterfly” has to be one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded, and one of the softest and most ethereal songs out there. And ’80s staples like “9 to 5” and “Islands in the Stream” with Kenny Rogers are, of course, included. Check into The Ultimate Dolly Parton and check out an American original. Reviews by Andy Zeffer

www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 14, 2003 • Q7

CYMK Q8 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • July 14, 2003

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