Gaycalgary and Edmonton Magazine

May 2010 ISSUE 79 The Only Magazine Dedicated to Alberta’s LGBT Community FREE

Festival Guide Page 42

Adam Lambert Sci-fi Studs: Here for Your Entertainment Leonard Nimoy Brent Spiner Malcom McDowell Marvellous Musicians: And many more! Melissa Etheridge Our Lady Peace And more!

Community Directory • Map and Events • Tourism Info >> Starting on Page 17

LGBT Resource • Calgary • Edmonton • Alberta www.gaycalgary.com  GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Table of Contents May 2010 5 i Heart Geeks Publisher: Steve Polyak Publisher’s Column Editor: Rob Diaz-Marino Sales: Steve Polyak 7 the 2010 Calgary Comic & Design & Layout: Rob Diaz-Marino, Ara Shimoon Entertainment Expo Writers and Contributors Looking Back on a Fun “Geek” Weekend Chris Azzopardi, Dallas Barnes, Dave Brousseau, Sam Casselman, Jason Clevett, Andrew Collins, Rob Diaz-Marino, Janine Eva Trotta, Jack Fertig, 9 Malcolm McDowell Glen Hanson, Joan Hilty, Stephen Lock, Allan Neuwirth, Steve Polyak, Ara Shimoon, Romeo San A Class Act(or)

Vicente, Ed Sikov, Kyle Taylor of GayTravel.com, 9 PAGE XXX PAGE Dan Woog, and the GLBT Community of Calgary, Edmonton, and Alberta. 10 What the Frack? Photography Tahmoh Penikett and Aaron Douglass Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino, Karen Hofmann

Videography 12 Melissa Etheridge: Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino

Printers Fierce and Fearless North Hill News/Central Web Inside the rock legend’s life now – her personal awakening and how Distribution it’s changed everything Calgary: Gallant Distribution GayCalgary Staff 15 Gay Travel Edmonton: Clark’s Distribution Other: Canada Post Montreal: It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than Queer Quebec Legal Council 17 directory and Events Courtney Aarbo, Barristers and Solicitors PAGE 10 PAGE XXX PAGE Sales & General Inquiries 24 Mosaic Youth Group GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine Queer Youth Group Empowers and Takes Back Prom 2136 17th Avenue SW Calgary, AB, Canada T2T 0G3 24 Letters to the Editor

Office Hours: By appointment ONLY 25 When is a Crime a Hate Crime? Phone: 403-543-6960 Recent Attack on Lesbian Woman Sparks Controversy Toll Free: 1-888-543-6960 Fax: 403-703-0685 26 Wild Child: A Cherie Currie Q&A E-Mail: [email protected] Lead singer of the all-girl group The Runaways This Month's Cover Adam Lambert 27 Q Scopes Courtesy of Sony Music “Strut your stuff, Leo!”

Proud Members of: 28 deep Inside Hollywood Ron Weasley explodes in Cherry Bomb 12 PAGE XXX PAGE 29 Cocktail Chatter

Edmonton Rainbow Gearing up for housemates season Business Association 30 Out of Town National Parks of the Southwest Experiencing the nature and beauty of Americas national parks International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association 32 the 12th Annual Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association Something for Everyone under the Rainbow PAGE 32 PAGE XXX PAGE Continued on Next Page  GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010  Table of Contents

 Continued From Previous Page 34 Fundraising Photos 34 Adult Film Review Rascal, Service Me Magazine Figures Monthly Print Quantity: 36 the Church of Rudd 9,000–11,000 copies Xavier Rudd Returns with New Album and Tour Guaranteed Circulation: 8,500 copies Bonus Circulation: 500–2,500 copies 37 Keep it Gay! Readership Well-produced Producers Fabulously Queer Readers Per Copy: 4.9 (PMB) Print Readership: >41,650 38 Queeries Avg. Online Circulation: 125,000 readers Estimated Total Readership: PAGE 36 PAGE PAGE XXX PAGE Kids at a Dinner Party, Lesbians in the Workplace and One-night >166,650 readers Stands Frequency: Monthly Proof of monthly figures are 39 the OutField available on request. Wrestling Without Borders Distribution Locations: 40 A Couple of Guys Calgary: 150 Edmonton: 130 41 bitter Girl Other Alberta Cities: 10 Other Provinces: 30 Please call us if your establishment would 42 FairyTales Film Festival Guide like to become a distribution location. 46 Music Review History Hear Me Out: Madonna Mania! Originally established in January 1992 as Men for Men BBS by MFM 48 Classified Ads Communications. Name changed to PAGE 37 PAGE PAGE XXX PAGE GayCalgary.com in 1998. Independent 50 Chelsea Boys company as of January 2004. First edition of GayCalgary.com Magazine published November 2003. Name adjusted in November 2006 to GayCalgary and 51 Here For Your Entertainment Edmonton Magazine. Adam Lambert on Post-Idol Success, the Media, and his “Talented Tongue” Disclaimer and Copyright Opinions expressed in this magazine are specific to the author, and do not 54 Our Lady Peace necessarily reflect those of GayCalgary staff and contributors. Revisits Classics Those involved in the making of this Online Last Month publication, whether advertisers, contributors, • Billy Dee Williams - Excited for 58 Queer Eye—Community Events or the subjects of articles or photographs, are Comic & Entertainment Expo not necessarily gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans. This magazine also includes straight • Soundclash Frontman allies and those who are gay friendly. PAGE 51 PAGE PAGE XXX PAGE Stellas as Solo No part of this publication may be reprinted or modified without the expressed written • Live Ladies - Still Stellar permission of the editor or publisher. Despite Lack of Page http://www.gaycalgary.com/RSS Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. • Ladies, Start Your Engines! Articles • Recent News • Prize Draws • Events • Travel Info GayCalgary is a registered trademark. - RuPaul`s Drag Race - S2E1 June 2010 Print Deadlines http://www.gaycalgary.com/Twitter • Rounding the First Drag Race Curve - RuPaul`s Drag Race - S2E2 Follow us on Twitter for articles, weekly news and updates! Ad Booking: Wed, May 26th Submission: Mon, May 31st • Week three is a charm on Drag http://www.gaycalgary.com/Facebook In Circulation: Wed, June 2nd Race - RuPaul`s Drag Race - S2E3 Join our Facebook group for articles, weekly news and updates! Please contact us immediately if • One Global Industry Unites you think you may have missed the http://www.gaycalgary.com/i79 for Fairness - When Good Things booking or submission deadline. Happen to Good Employees More articles and exclusive content online! PAGE 54 PAGE PAGE XXX PAGE

 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Editorial I Heart Geeks Publisher’s Column By Rob Diaz-Marino No expo of this nature would be complete without some representation from cast members of Star Trek. The big names this year were Leonard Running a magazine, both Steve and I (and our writers) as Nimoy (Spock from Original Star Trek), Brent Spiner (Data from Next individuals, take an interest in such a wide variety of topics. We Generation), and Malcolm McDowell (the villain in Generations). The do this for the sake of our readers, who are a large and diverse cast of the modern-day Battlestar Galactica series made a good showing group of people with specific interests of their own, that we do with Tahmoh Penikett (Helo) and Aaron Douglass (Chief Tyrol). The our best to satisfy. We manage to transition fluently between Twilight series also made a pretty strong presence, much to the delight of hundreds of screaming 16 year old girls. many social circles, where the average person would take some time to break in and get acclimated and so remain limited to a While I wouldn’t call myself a trekkie, I admit that I grew up on Star Trek: The Next Generation and it really influenced me as a person. All small, manageable number. geeky fandom aside, I think the whole Star Trek franchise has been a If there’s one thing I have learned from the trans community, it’s very important and influential body of work. Part of this is the strong that identity is not just who you are on the inside – it’s also, quite sense of morals that guide the characters to the right decisions – morals importantly, how you outwardly represent yourself, and subsequently that are applicable even to our lives in the present. Quite revolutionary how others perceive you. And intellectually, I think a lot of how others is the portrayal of the self-discipline involved in upholding this code of perceive you comes from pursuing your own personal interests. Others ethics – no threat of an angry god is required to keep people of the future learn about you by seeing the process, the results, or the side-effects of in line. Their vision of futuristic technology has practically provided a what you enjoy doing. blueprint for real-life scientists to follow, and in fact, inspired many to When a person is a “social chameleon” for so long, as we are required pursue the field of science with the hopes of making this vision to come to be, they start to lose something of their distinctiveness. Their interests true someday. I might even go so far as to argue that Star Trek has appear to be so broad, it’s difficult to pin down the specifics that define provided the human race with better direction in modern times than the their character. Or perhaps they just get so busy with what comes their big “B” book. I mean, some of the same lessons may be rehashed, but way, that they don’t have the time to pursue the things that they truly Star Trek helps us look to the future, the direction that we are actually enjoy doing. And that’s when the unique person they are on the inside moving, rather than to a past that is growing further and further away. stops shining through to the exterior. For the sake of efficiency, they Battlestar Galactica was another amazing series – a hidden gem conform; behave like just another cog in the machine. for those who weren’t aware of it. I was only able to force myself to I think I’m in that boat at the moment. I started to clue in when watch maybe one episode of the original series from the 70’s, but the numerous people I have met through the magazine and have known me new BSG is an impressively sophisticated reinvention of a somewhat for a while, all around the same time, started slipping up and calling me cheesy concept. While the main conflict is between humans and cylons “Steve” (the name of my partner/husband who also runs this magazine). I (humanoid machines), it also explores internal struggles within human know it wasn’t intentional, and that they didn’t mean any harm by it, but ranks, and also identity issues, as some humans discover they are it happened with too many different individuals to be just a coincidence. hybrid cylons and must “come out” to their peers. There is an element It makes me think that I may have lost my identity in the magazine; that of religion, with some actual intervention from a higher being, done in a I’ve been concentrating so hard on this group effort that I’ve forgotten I surprisingly tasteful and believable way. The final episode of the series can be my own person. was impossible to watch without getting deeply emotional. When something like the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo comes As the Twilight series goes, I’ve only seen the first movie. Vampires along, it jolts me back out of that trance. Suddenly worlds collide, and are not a topic that particularly appeals to me, perhaps because the my job leads me back into my personal area of interest. thought of blood-sucking makes me want to pass out. I’ve seen previews for part two, and werewolves might be more up my alley. Though the characters are at highschool age, and from the crowd that showed up to the discussion panel, the fan base seems to be very young too. So young that the rest of us felt pretty uncomfortable being there, like fan trolls Online Last Month or something. • Billy Dee Williams - Excited for The expo was a chance for us to meet some of the people involved Comic & Entertainment Expo with these series, or at least see them in person during their discussion panels. Some actors were linked to multiple TV series, such as Tahmoh Penikett being involved with BSG and Dollhouse; Brent Spiner involved • Soundclash Frontman in Star Trek and among many other things, my favourite childhood Stellas as Solo

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GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010  cartoon, Gargoyles. Meanwhile I was delighted to meet Aaron Douglass, The Return and Retirement of Tara “Terrible” Hymen my favourite actor from BSG (since he was the token bear of the bunch), who told us a rather stimulating story about a costume malfunction and The Sunday evening following Saturday’s Coronation was the annual a sound guy (visit this article online to see the video clip). Tough Drag show. If you recall, last year I let myself get roped into performing a number in tough drag for everyone’s amusement, with Aside from that, I was taken back to my youth when I saw characters my spur-of-the-moment drag name, Tara Hymen. At that show I was from some of my favourite video games. I perked up when I saw people awarded the title of Tough Drag Champion. Fortunately the only thing dressed as Link from the Legend of Zelda, and Super Mario; fan art this title did for the whole year was oblige me to defend it come this of Cloud Strife from my all-time favourite game, Final Fantasy 7. It year’s event. And I did, with every effort to ensure I WOULDN’T win it reminded me how long it’s been since I played those games, and how again! magical those story worlds seemed when I was exploring them for the first time. I really miss that feeling. It’s been rare in my adult life, and Makayla was generous enough to help me get into drag once more, something I would like to bring back somehow. but this time it was no holds barred – I asked her to make me look as hideously thrown-together as possible, and she seemed to enjoy this So I genuinely enjoyed my weekend of geeking-out (or should I say, my artistic liberty. Working around my bushy beard, she smattered me “geek-end”). It was good for the soul, and a reminder that I’m still alive in gawdy makeup, put me in a rainbow tie-dye t-shirt and a skimpy and well under my hardworking exterior. Bringing that person out more black skirt, installed the same balloon tits from last year, and purposely often is just something I’ll have to work on. pinned not one but two wigs onto my head (unfortunately this turned out April 2010 to be too heavy and the top wig had to be taken off). I looked like a hippie Cowardly Lion after a sloppy sex change – it was fabulous! Now I have to mention that, due to a confusing flurry of E-mails from multiple people providing images close to last month’s deadline, there As testament to my look, the bar had to eject someone that too- was an oversight in the credit for the photos used in April’s cover collage aggressively tried to burst my balloons. I can’t blame the guy though on the Derby Girls. The central photograph of the two women arm- - it’s animal instinct to destroy creatures that look this ugly. wrestling was provided by Shannon MacKinnon of SMACKGraphixx. In my ambition to lose, I decided to do two numbers instead of one, Additionally a photo from Claudia Katz was used in the background, just to drive the point home. Both were obscure songs which is often alongside some team pictures, credit unknown. Hopefully this helps to a fatal mistake for drag performers, so perfect for my purposes. If you clarify and properly credit those who were kind want to look them up, the first number was “Oh enough to submit images to us. my Dear” by Linday Jane. The second of the two There was barely enough time to get the wasn’t even a woman singing: it was “Napoleon” magazines out from the printers last month by Kelly and the Kelly Girls – a dedication to an before we had to whisk ourselves off to Red old friend. As I stepped off the stage after my Deer for the Taboo Show. This was our first year last number, Bianca made a funny and called having a booth at this particular show and we me “Tara-ble”. had no idea how we would be received in this All in all, the experience didn’t seem quite as smaller town of farmers and oil producers. much as last year, probably because you can’t Firstly, you can’t blame us for taking notice rape the willing. However, this time around of the higher concentration of sexy blue-collar I made sure Steve took plenty of pictures for men. These were the ones that seemed to steer posterity, and video clips of my performances clear of our booth, except when their girlfriends on stage, so that unlike last year I would have occasionally stopped to chat. mementos of why I should never EVER do this again. Seeing these afterwards, it’s safe to say Frankly I was surprised by how well the they worked – it’s out of my system for good. magazines went, and how many gay and lesbian couples stopped by to stock up on the past issues But enough about me, newly elected Emperor from this year that they hadn’t read yet. While 34, Fred Wolf-Would, was coerced into making we do have a handful of distribution locations in a rare appearance in drag after someone offered Red Deer, we were told those locations are not to donate $200 on the condition that he do a very well known, and even so it’s a scramble to number. The show was put on hold for a while get a copy before they run out. There were lots to get him into costume, and queue up an of people that didn’t know about the magazine, appropriate Cher number. He demonstrated so our presence at least tipped them off to look quite clearly why drag queens are in the habit for us or read us online. Sadly nobody could of tucking – I guess you could say, he stuck out suggest any further locations in Red Deer to like a sore thumb. But for a solid $200, how target our distribution, as nobody was aware could he refuse? of any particularly gay/friendly businesses. It In the end, the night totalled (if I recall must be tough being gay in Red Deer and not having a designated hang- correctly) $325 for the travel fund for their reign, which was not bad out. Hopefully that will change sometime soon. at all. The week we got back, it was directly into the lead-up events of This Month Coronation Week. From what we’ve seen, it has been a challenging year for the ISCCA, but it all came together in the end despite some Well, when it rains, it pours. This May edition is admittedly quite heavy last minute squabbles. As the official Media Sponsors of Coronation on the celebrity interviews, but there were just so many opportunities Week, we did what we could to help, but sadly we got dragged into some that we couldn’t pass up. For lack of space, some interviews have been unnecessary bar politics that seemed tailored to interfere with this. pushed off for next edition, so keep an eye out. Nevertheless we delivered what we promised to the best of our abilities, This edition is also hosting an official Fairytales Film Festival guide given the circumstances, and wish the ISCCA the best of luck in their on page 42, which provides a full schedule of the numerous events endeavours for this new reign. happening from May 27th until June 4th. Keep a copy with you for quick At Coronation, Emperor 33 Joey and Empress 33 Bianca presented reference. cheques to their charities totalling around $12,000. Announcers cited Lastly, we have an exciting announcement to make for our Edmontonian the recession as a major stumbling block for this reign. To give some readers. A new dance club by the name of “Flash” is opening up this context, the 32nd Reign (Nina and Michael) raised around $35,000, month in your area. Their grand opening party is happening on May 7th the 31st Reign (Lonnie and Conrad) raised around $25,000, and the and 8th. See their ad in this edition for further details. 30th Reign (Dyna and Wolfgang) raised around $42,000. Near the end of the night, Joey and Bianca stepped down and the next Emperor and http://www.gaycalgary.com/ Empress were announced: Fred Wolf-Would and Malibu Stacey. a1673 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Entertainment

The 2010 Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo Looking Back on a Fun “Geek” Weekend By Evan Kayne then vanish for the rest of the episode (and get paid the same amount, Spiner gleefully noted). I’ve always found it strange when a person sneers at a The one time it didn’t work out for Spiner was on one of his least Trekkie for his hobby, yet if you questioned this person, favourite episodes. “Masks” (season 7) came right after a Data-centric you’d find out he has his own area of geekdom (i.e. he’s episode. He was called on to portray four different characters after just a sports nut, or a stamp collector, or a car enthusiast). finishing another episode that utilized him heavily the night prior. The It was this realization, that we all have our inner geek, script for “Masks” was pretty much given to him the day prior to the start which allowed me to truly enjoy the celebration of of filming; while Spiner loved the script, he was called on to do “instant imagination which was the 2010 Calgary Comic and acting” as he put it. He was less than pleased with the result: “it was just the worse acting I’ve seen.” Yet for all that, his fans have given that Entertainment Expo, that ran April 24 and 25 this past episode high praise. month. The Expo was interesting to see - the displays, the items on sale, the Leonard Nimoy’s Panel costumes, and particularly the fan’s delighted reactions. The main event, Of course, the main event at the Expo was the attendance of Leonard however, were the actors from popular series, who made themselves Nimoy - “Spock” from the original Star Trek series and first six movies. available for autographs, photos, and discussion panels. Nimoy was honoured with Calgary’s White Hat ceremony - presented by managed to attend panels featuring Battlestar Mayor Dave Bronconnier. It was obvious someone at the Expo had a snide Galactica actors Tahmoh Penikett (“Helo”) and Aaron Douglas (“Chief sense of humour: Mayor Dave’s entrance was accompanied with both “The Tyrol”), Brent Spiner (“Data” from Star Trek: The Next Generation), and Imperial March” from Star Wars, and two Stormtrooper bodyguards. the legendary Leonard Nimoy (“Spock” on the original Star Trek). Showing a playful side while accepting the honour, Nimoy mentioned Brent Spiner’s Panel the Facebook movement to draft William Shatner for the position of Governor General and openly mused “I think he should take the job At the Brent Spiner panel, the actor survived the Expo despite having – he should have something to do with his life.” arrived in Calgary with a cold. Spiner had a serious streak of sarcasm in Nimoy wasn’t just here for the Expo. He mentioned how his campaign him as he noted people didn’t seem to mind shaking his hand anyhow, to give the town of Vulcan, Alberta the premiere of the recent Star Trek because, as he put it, his handshake was “the autograph that lasts 2 movie didn’t quite pan out. Therefore, when he was invited for the weeks”. Calgary Expo, he was determined to get out to the town which has Besides his body of acting work, he’s also a talented singer, with adopted Spock and Star Trek so avidly. two albums released. Sadly, because of this cold he was unable to sing When he got there, Nimoy was amazed by the amount of Star Trek for the audience, and barely managed to do a spot-on Patrick Stewart memorabilia that was on display. “I was really quite moved” by what impersonation before having to stop. Vulcan had, and the reception they gave him. He surprised them by Like other actors, the interesting facts were not about the characters expanding their Star Trek collection: “I have loaned them – and they’ll be he’s portrayed over the years, but the technical details of working on a on display – a pair of my ears...a pair of Spock’s ears...” These ears were weekly television show. For example, as Star Trek: the Next Generation very special to Nimoy, as they were “the very last pair that I wore on the progressed, more and more episodes centred around single characters. last day of the filming of theStar Trek series.” Usually this worked out fine for cast members as one week they’d be the focus, the next week they’d appear in one scene, reel off four lines and

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010  Fans expecting him to show up in future Trek movies were disappointed Twilight gang described the gym workout competitiveness among the as he re-stated his declaration of retirement: “I am retiring from acting wolf-pack or the insistence of doing their own stunts for the film, or even and directing in films and television.” Nimoy does have a few appearances tossing a football around set...and inadvertently smacking Tyson in the left, including his role of William Bell in the series Fringe, but after that he face with a muddy airborne shoe...after he just stepped out of makeup. will be mostly retired. Around the Expo... This doesn’t mean he’ll be taking it easy. Nimoy will be concentrating on his photography (www.LeonardNimoyphotography.com) and a new solo Otherwise, it was an interesting event, and light-years different from exhibition in a major gallery. This exhibit – “Secret Selves” consists of people the one similar event I attended in Edmonton years ago. Some other he photographed in the role of their secret persona, a fantasy “self” they tidbits from the Expo: never dare put on display. Twenty-five portraits will be displayed at the • We also managed to snag one-on-one interviews with Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art along with a video of him Battlestar Galactica actors Aaron Douglas and Tahmoh discussing the photography with the subjects. Penikett (see page 10) and veteran actor Malcolm As the panel discussion continued, there were some more intellectual McDowell (page 9) moments as he discussed Star Trek IV and how the storyline paralleled • Aleks Paunovic, who played a small role on Battlestar mythologist Joseph Campbell’s description of the archetypal hero’s story Galactica and is now on Caprica as William Adama arc in The Hero with a Thousand Faces. (grandfather of Admiral Adama) also spoke at the In regards to the impact the role of “Mr. Spock” had on our society, Battlestar panel. It was amusing to see the “bromance” Nimoy said he was impressed at the number of people over the years who between him and Tamoh, but mostly his appearance have told him they got into the sciences because of it. ”I’m very proud of caused Rob, Steve and I to drool slightly (www. that because heaven knows we need good scientists on this planet.” alekspaunovic.com). • Wrestler Vance Nevada (www.vancenevada.ca) also turned a few male heads his way. • Spotted in costumes were a few Orion slave girls, the previously mentioned Star Wars stormtroopers, Star Trek outfits (of course), a creepy zombie Princess Leia, Neytiri from Avatar across the aisle from a stuffed Minotaur, and even a few guys wearing spandex on whom it looked flattering (namely a particular guy in a Spawn outfit).

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The Twilight Panel Admittedly, this was my least favourite panel. I know many in our community drool over the actors who play the roles, but as a writer and a gay man, I have problems with Twilight. Even if you ignore that Stephanie Meyer is a member of a church which actively campaigns against LGBT rights, even if you ignore the crappy plotting, even if you ignore the abusive controlling relationship between Edward and Bella, I still have two damning words for you: Sparkling...vampires. That, and the fact the appearance of three of the stars caused my ears to bleed momentarily from the shrieking of teenage girls. They were screaming at the sight of Peter Facinelli, (“Dr. Carlisle Cullen” of the Cullen vampire clan), Alex Meraz and Tyson Houseman (Paul and Quil Ateara respectively of the wolf-pack). As for the panel discussion itself, it was...okay. It may have had something to do with the age of the actors, or the age of the crowd (and that the actors self-censored) but there wasn’t the same level of story- telling either of on-set antics or technical behind-scene activities that some of the other panels that weekend had. Most of the media stationed upfront did feel strangely out of place as the average age among us was 30...and two rows back it dropped down to 15. The main theme for the actors was discussing how they weren’t the first pick for the role or they were originally auditioning for another role in the Twilight universe. Former Edmontonian Tyson Houseman’s story about his audition did come across as the actor’s version of a lottery win. He’d just gotten fired from a retail job and saw the ad for an open audition call for a movie. “When I got there,” he said, “there was a line up of Twilight fans five blocks long”. He clued in that this could be a big deal. He did his audition and kept coming back and re-reading lines as the pool of potential actors shrank. He didn’t hear anything back after the expected deadline, and wasn’t too heartbroken. Two weeks later “I got this call out of the blue – Hey, we’d like to offer you the part – and I said are you joking?” They weren’t. However, it was funny hearing a younger version of the male bravado/goofiness I heard from the Battlestar boys, whether the

 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Interview Malcolm McDowell A Class Act(or) By Evan Kayne Mention the name of veteran actor Malcolm McDowell and most people remember him either as the protagonist Alex in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange or as the villain Dr. Tolian Soran from Star Trek: Generations.  Patrick Stewart (left) and Malcolm McDowell (right) However, at 66 years of age, he has over 100 film, This relaxed and open attitude towards gay men highlighted to me the television and voice-over credits to his name. In town as difference between the North American and British views on sexuality. part of the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, we American film and television stars go to great lengths to hide their managed to have a brief chat with him about some of his homosexuality; while in Britain people seem to be a bit more “matter experiences. of fact” about gay men and lesbians. Mr. McDowell’s philosophy on this While Mr. McDowell has had numerous roles, it’s his portrayal was a bit practical, allowing that every person has to find their own of villains which seems to resonate most in the minds of audiences; comfort zone. If an actor “wants to hide his sexuality, that’s his right” he whether they be Dr. Soran or Mr. Linderman from Heroes. What makes told us. “So nobody has any right to go outing him...If he wants to shout his portrayals of bad guys more memorable is the ability — through it from the rooftops, good luck.”. small touches — to make his creations seem more human. As someone Yet he does grant being out of the closet may make you a better who also remembers him playing the heroic role in Time After Time, I actor. “I will make an observation — I think Ian McKellen — I never really wanted to know which role he prefers — hero or villain. The question was liked him as an actor until he did come out and say hey, look, I’m a irrelevant to him as he confessed he just enjoys the work, regardless of homosexual, deal with it. I think it was only then he started to give the character. some truly great performances.” Malcolm feels there is an honesty to “I don’t really analyze a part as being a heavy or a hero. It is what it McKellen’s performances now that he is out. is. It doesn’t even cross my mind. People aren’t just black and white, Regarding performances, Mr. McDowell does seem to act a lot in either evil/good, it doesn’t exist.” He works to embody the character with a little the genres of horror or and science fiction, but as noted earlier, for something that is watchable. him, work is work. “It doesn’t really matter...I don’t tend to do too much When asked if there was a villain he’d like to portray, he deferred. horror…I just like to mix it up a bit.” He tries to limit horror films to once a year. For him it was an interesting experience to play a in a Rob Zombie “I don’t want to play another part…I never strived and thought, ‘Wow…I horror film (the Halloween remake in 2007 and the sequel released last could do Hamlet justice’. I’ve never thought that because I know you’re year) and portray the straight character, not the psychopath. setting yourself up for big disappointment because the likelihood of being offered the part is slim.” With the name recognition he carries, I wondered if he could pick and choose a role, or if he had a similar work ethic to another English Additionally, if he does get the part he wanted, when the script does actor — Michael Caine — who expressed in the past that he always needs finally land in front of him, “they’ve probably fucked it up.” He feels to be working. Mr. McDowell told us he doesn’t work as much as Michael strongly that it really isn’t worth going around hankering for something. because he has a young family to look after, along with balancing any Mr. McDowell’s philosophy on roles has been, when something comes acting work. He noted wryly, “dear old Michael, he’s working class, he’s through his door and he reads it, he has that instinctual feel of whether never got that out of his blood. He still thinks he’s going to die with only or not the role will be of interest. Sometimes this instinct has lead him to a few bob in the bank. The guy’s the richest actor in the world.” say yes to the weirdest stuff. For Mr. McDowell, his working ethic is not something he could really Considering all the other actors appearing at the Expo who are often pass on to anyone, as he finds it really depends on the skill of the actor associated with one role they did years ago (i.e. Star Trek or Battlestar and the strength of the script. “When I was a young man, I was very Galactica), I had to wonder if being remembered for a role is a blessing picky and choosy because I wasn’t good enough to survive a bad script. or a curse. In our community, many of us can remember straight actors Now I can survive any old piece of shit because I know how to survive it being nervous accepting gay roles because the concern was they’d get and come out.” typecast as someone who plays gay. This didn’t bother Mr. McDowell; over the years he’s seen the industry evolve and open up; to the point Projects Mr. McDowell has just finished or has upcoming include an there are openly gay actors and straight actors both readily accepting episode of The Mentalist. He also recently finished filming a pilot for a gay roles. By way of example, he referenced the TV show Modern Family. new series called Franklin & Bash on TBS where he plays the head of a The gay couple on that show consists of a flamboyant character played law firm that hires the title characters to work for the firm, as the two by a straight man while the more uptight half of the couple is played by lawyers seem to be best at “thinking outside the box”. He’ll also be seen an actor who, in Mr. McDowell’s words, is “as camp as a row of tents.” in Barry Munday, an upcoming comedy where among others, he acts alongside Cybill Shepherd. Of course, given the length of his resume, he’s played gay characters over the years — including a choreographer in the Robert Altman film Additionally, he has a small role in the movie Golf in the Kingdom. This The Company. This showed another pitfall, besides typecasting, that a film, based on a book by Michael Murphy, is close to Mr. McDowell’s straight male actor may face — the criticism that you are stereotyping. golfer’s heart. He also had a role as a vampire hunter (who is afraid of Mr. McDowell got this reaction from the land of his birth in the reviews the dark) in the Canadian rock and roll vampire comedy — Suck. It was for this film: “I was furious because the bitchy English critics who hate a fun film and he enjoyed making it, but for him the best thing about me because I left, said and there’s Malcolm McDowell mincing up the that movie was staying in a hotel with fellow performer Alice Cooper — screen. It made me laugh because it was far from that…however, it was another avid golfer and fellow performer in this film. Thanks to Alice’s fun to do.” suggestions on his golfing grip, while Mr. McDowell hasn’t yet broken 70 on the golf course, he is getting closer to it. Here’s hoping he has many With his work over the years and the experience he had growing up in more years on the golf course, and of course, in movies and television. the public school system in Britain, he certainly did have contact with gay men. “When I was in England, my god, it was hard to find a straight actor. When I first went into theatre I was taken for a walk along the beach by all the actors and I had to say, I don’t do that, I’d rather have girls.” The reaction from these actors was usually one of mild distaste at http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1675 Mr. McDowell’s preference (“EWWWW!”). As a straight man on the prowl, this was an advantage: “…all I thought was, all the more for me.” View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010  Interview What the Frack? Tahmoh Penikett and Aaron Douglass By Evan Kayne In town recently for the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, Tahmoh Penikett is best known either as Karl “Helo” Agathon on the television series Battlestar Galactica or as Paul Ballard in Joss Whedon’s series Dollhouse. He has also played roles on Cold Squad, Smallville, and recently in the Syfy channel’s mini-series adaptation of Philip José Farmer’s Riverworld. A very personable actor, it was fun to see him verbally parry at a panel discussion with co-star Aaron Douglas (Chief Tyrol) and Aleks Paunovic (Sergeant Omar Fischer in BSG and the grandfather of Admiral Adama in the new series Caprica). Admittedly, with the physique Tahmoh has from training in the martial art of Muay Thai, many straight women and several gay men enjoyed seeing him frequently shirtless in Dollhouse. Given Joss Whedon’s openness to gay characters and the following Joss has in the LGBT community, GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine asked Tahmoh about the sexuality of the Dolls on Dollhouse. We wondered – given it was hinted the Dolls could be gay or straight — were there any long term plans to actually show this before the series was cut short? “They alluded to it,” Tahmoh mentioned. “It’s probably because it’s network...Fox at that...so there was probably some issues there...I projects, if another cop/detective type role came his way, Tahmoh know with Joss if he had his choice he would have written it in, would accept it without worry. “I kind of enjoy it, and why not? I’m obviously.” Unfortunately, as the series was cancelled, we’ll never at the age and physicality where I might be chosen to play roles like know if this aspect of the dolls would have been shown onscreen. that.” In comparison Battlestar Galactica did cover a lot of issues which He’d prefer these roles have some depth, and so far he’s been probably wouldn’t have made the cut on a network show. Tahmoh pleased with the ones he has received. He does want to explore admitted as much, and he felt it was a good thing they didn’t get to a and challenge himself, but he hasn’t found quite the right thing, network: “In the beginning there was talk we might be on NBC...and which is why he is a bit selective at the moment. With both BSG and I think that would have been the death of us very quickly.” Dollhouse, he has been fortunate to have worked for seven years Several fans at the Expo noticed this and asserted if Dollhouse straight and is now taking the time to be particular about what he had been on the Syfy channel it would not have been cancelled. does next. Tahmoh agreed it was a pity; yet he’s not too worried about series creator Joss Whedon: “Joss just can’t stop working...that’s all he Aaron Douglas does, so there’s a lot of stuff coming up from him.” Known for his role of Chief Galen Tyrol on Battlestar Galactica, What people liked about the character Helo on BSG was how and now Frank Leo on The Bridge, Aaron appeared alongside Tahmoh honourable and even-tempered he was compared to others. While Penikett at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo. With a some may credit this to Tahmoh’s acting, I think these characteristics quick wit and the soul of a great story-teller, he was one of my Expo of Helo were drawn from the actor’s progressive and mixed upbringing. favourites. Additionally, Aaron acknowledged many gay men admire His father is former Yukon (and NDP) premier Tony Penikett and his him for his “bear-ish” qualities whether he be portraying Chief Tyrol mother is a member of the White River First Nation. or Frank Leo. Seeing as Helo faced prejudice because of his mixed marriage Regarding the character of Chief Tyrol, it was an interesting to a Cylon, I wondered if there were any experiences of prejudice parallel to the struggle many people have coming out of the closet – Tahmoh had in his real life. Mostly he felt his experience being of the suspicions, the denials, the step back into the closet and the final mixed heritage (and white in appearance despite his mother’s Native step out. The character Tyrol suspected he was a Cylon in season two, American heritage) impacted him growing up: “The irony is that I then had it confirmed at the end of season three. When I asked Aaron hated my white skin as a kid. I grew up in the Yukon...I grew up in what he thought of the similarities, he said he personally had nothing a lot of small northern communities, the majority of times with my in his history growing up which he could draw from. However, he did native cousins. So I was the funny looking one, I was the minority, have some fans who noted the similarities his role had to people who and oftentimes I just hated it when I was younger, I wish I grew up were of a minority group: “...You get a few people talking about what with darker skin...I got ribbed and teased a lot because I was the it was like for them being different, growing up different, whether it ‘white boy’.” was them being a minority, them being gay. They drew a little bit of With First Nations communities, some are accepting of “Two a parallel.” Spirited” people, others not so much. Certainly, his father’s NDP As well, Aaron did have to keep his knowledge of his Cylon heritage background would see sexuality and equality discussed at the “in the closet” for several months. While the other “Final Five” found dinner table, yet I wondered what was White River First Nations out at the end of filming for season three, Aaron snuck a peak at like in that regards. Regrettably, living in a lot of small northern some script notes months earlier – then had to keep his mouth shut communities, it wasn’t something he experienced. “I don’t remember all that time. ever hearing anything negative or any discrimination towards Two Examining how LGBT individuals still have to struggle for Spirited people, but I never heard it referred to...” acceptance in a paramilitary units, like police forces, would seem like While nowhere near discrimination, many actors do have to worry a natural fit for The Bridge. “It’s an interesting thing – my character about being typecast. While he’s not currently working on any major is loosely based on a real guy. I think the real guy probably really had

10 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 to look at himself in the mirror when he was president of the police union when he found out some of the officers were gay or lesbian.” Unfortunately Aaron didn’t know if they were going to tackle that issue. “What I liked about Battlestar, we didn’t make a big deal of it (homosexuality). It’s obvious we all knew who was gay on the ship and who was straight, but nobody cared. Ron Moore never wanted to make a big deal about it because it shouldn’t be a big deal....I don’t know that our new show will do that. There’s the one character – Jill – who’s bisexual, they make no bones about that. I know there’s an episode where a cop gets killed and they’re questioning whether it’s because he was gay or not.” Aaron did admit a bisexual FEMALE character does cater to the straight male, two girls one guy fantasy, but he thinks showing two men kissing or even showing any type of intimacy shouldn’t be a big deal on network television. The men don’t even have to be kissing - “... just the intimacy of holding hands or a gentle touch, showing that two men are genuinely in love and caring for each other”. Sadly, he had to concede in some ways, our society hasn’t advanced far enough to make that not a big deal on television shows and in real life. Whether The Bridge gets to show any LGBT characters is up in the air at the moment, as Aaron is unsure whether there will be a second season. Consequently, he’s looking around at other projects: “I did a pilot called Betwixt for the CW, and that’s going to go into their vault of pilots and they’re going to decide if they’re going to make a series or not, and I’ve got some movies and shows knocking on the door.” With his sense of humour and ability to reel off a story, he could always get into comedy. Audiences were entertained with his hockey stories – thrilling at his discovery of Flames Central, and laughing with him about his hockey bets with Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Wil Wheaton. He also played the role of “embarrassing parent” as he pointed out his teenaged son in the audience and then went on to tell us about how when his son was 9 years old, an on-set visit led to frustration after finding out that Vipers really don’t fly. However, the best story was the one he tells of a costume malfunction causing him to inadvertently...um, “cold-cock” a sound tech. It was so good we got him to retell it on camera for your enjoyment. Visit this article online to watch the video – of him telling the story, that is; sadly not the original incident.

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GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 11 Interview

Melissa Etheridge: Fierce and Fearless Inside the rock legend’s life now – her personal awakening and how it’s changed everything

By Chris Azzopardi I was knocked down and it was time to pull the parts of me If Melissa Etheridge’s music has seemed mellow lately, together that I knew were there in this confidence and in this she’s about to show you. Back to her rock-out roots, clarity that I have now and shoot it through that rock ‘n’ roll gift that I’ve been given. the tough-and-gruff musician/mother/activist makes a roaring return with the uplifting Fearless Love, her follow- GayCalgary: “Life is not what it seems” – that’s a line from the closing track, “Gently We Row.” How has that been true in up to 2007’s sociopolitical-powered The Awakening. your own life? We spoke with Etheridge, who not only discussed surviving M.E. I wanted to reference the children’s song “Row, Row, Row cancer during the last decade and the life lessons she learned Your Boat,” because that song has all the truth in it that we in the process, but also how she’s embracing change – a new need. I love that we’re taught it as a child. “… Life is but a dream” sound, touring band and the return of those hot, long locks. – that’s all it is. We create it every day. That’s what came to me. GayCalgary: How does it feel to have the long hair back? That’s where I got to going through cancer and coming out. Melissa Etheridge: I watered it every day, and it grew! It was Life doesn’t happen to us. We are creating this, and we have a big part of me. I really wasn’t aware how big a part. more power than it seems. This can happen to you, but your GayCalgary: I’m not used to seeing you as glammed-up as you’ve perception of what it is creates what it is. You have a choice in been in some recent photos. What’s up with all the make-up? how your life affects you. That’s mostly what I want to convey M.E. You know, it’s something I think I’ve grown into. At 48, through my music. I need all the help I can get (laughs). GayCalgary: Did it take you a long time to realize that? GayCalgary: After all you’ve been through this past decade, M.E. I got the crash course in it with chemotherapy because what place are you in now? I laid there day after day, week after week, and had nothing. No M.E. That was an intense decade! But everything that television. No books. I couldn’t even read; it hurt to read. happened makes me stronger, makes me understand that this It was just day after day with myself, until my mind – our is what life is. You are presented with these issues, but you minds are so busy setting things up in the future and worrying learn and you grow and you move on. Life is rich and full, and about the past – ran out of things to think about. And it just nothing’s going to kill you. You just keep moving forward – and stopped. When that happens there’s this beautiful spirit that’s it gets sweeter. behind that that really is in charge of what’s happening, GayCalgary: So this is an extension of The Awakening? GayCalgary: Also on “Gently We Row,” I noticed the parallels M.E. This is the next step. I had to do The Awakening to between your mother raising you and you raising your daughter. present and be upfront about the things that were happening I thought that was so powerful. inside of me, the spiritual side of me. The awakening part of me M.E. That’s another part of getting older. You realize your is understanding and going through cancer and saying, “Whoa! parents did shape a lot of what you think and do and feel, yet Life is a lot different. Life is not what it seems.” it’s time to stop blaming them. You can stay there and you That album was important to put out so people – myself and can wallow around in that or you can say, “OK, this happened my fans – would know what path I was on, and then after it to me and now I make different choices.” And that’s what the seemed so clear that it was time to gather up all that strength.

12 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 song’s about. I’m making different choices for myself and for my GayCalgary: What was it like reteaming with producer John children. When you do that, you also heal yourself. Shanks, who worked on 1999’s Breakdown? GayCalgary: Parenthood actually pops up several times on M.E. He was my guitar player in my first band. We hung this album. How has it changed you? out in the ’80s, and we’ve played every hellhole bar. And we’ve M.E. Oh, it’s unbelievable. I just had no also played Madison Square Garden. We’ve idea of what being a mother would do. And been through so much, and he knows what it’s all-encompassing, it’s every breath I take, I’m capable of. He knows just how to get the it’s every moment I live. I am a mother to four best out of it and how to push me to give children, and I don’t go to sleep at night until my best. He’s like my brother that makes I know where all four are and how they are. It me crazy (laughs). It was really wonderful makes me a better person, it makes me more working with him. loving, compassionate, patient – patience is GayCalgary: How did the collaboration ... definitely required (laughs), or you’ll just with Natasha Bedingfield and Joss Stone on get eaten up alive. They teach me every day “We Are the Ones” come about? about myself. They are these beautiful little M.E. That’s my favorite track on the album mirrors, and I want to be the best person I just because it’s different and crazy and I can be for them. love it. John called me up and said, “Hey, GayCalgary: Speaking of the kids, there guess who was across the hall recording was an episode of Kathy Griffin’s My Life on – Joss Stone!” She just sang on it. Then, the D-List that aired last year where she was like a week later, he said, “Hey, Natasha in your house, seeking tips on becoming an Bedingfield’s coming in and I’m going to play activist. What was that like? her this song. I think she’s going to sing on M.E. Kathy Griffin’s awesome. She’s on a it.” So he worked with her. That’s what he journey of her own, coming from the place of can do, because he’s John Shanks. being on the D-list, and then she turned herself GayCalgary: Have you met Natasha? A-list. You see it’s not a place you get to; it’s M.E. No, I haven’t! We’ve become very about how you feel inside about yourself. Her intimate on tape, though. activism, her caring and her journey are very GayCalgary: When did you know you had inspiring. And she’s super talented, too. “Fearless Love”? GayCalgary: Did you eat those cookies you were baking while M.E. The way that I’m looking at it is that it’s about my own she was there? fearless love. I need to love fearlessly, and that starts with myself. M.E. Yes, we did! And we made some more a little later. That’s been the journey in the last five years. GayCalgary: Do the kids like to bake a lot? M.E. Anything involving sugar, there they are with a spoon. Continued on Page 47

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 13 14 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Travel

Gay Travel Montreal: It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than Queer Quebec

By Jon Fairbanks, Gaytravel.com or other amenities. Hotel Maritime Plaza is more expensive and about two miles away from The Village but it’s extremely gay-friendly and the Originally named “Ville-Marie” or “City of Mary” for you service is always on-point! Anglophone bitches, Montreal is a sheik, sophisticated Poutine, Peas and Resto Bars gay destination. The city is the second-largest primarily French speaking city in the world (after Paris). That If you like cruising with your meal, Le Drugstore is a treat for all of the being said, most residents also speak English and senses. Part restaurant-part bar-part boutique, it’s a huge complex that staffs hot waiters/waitresses and hosts a large LGBT clientele. There’s a getting around is pretty manageable. With triple-peaked variety of menu options, but the best is a burger with a generous helping Mount Royal in the background, the view of downtown of poutine. This isn’t a nickname for a part of the female anatomy, rather, Montreal is a beautiful sight to behold. it’s a dish made up of French fries, topped with cheese and gravy. This Le Village in a Nutshell is a popular dish in Quebec. Some restaurants put ketchup or peas on top. In fact, peas are served on top of many dishes in the Province, as The gay village in Montreal is the largest in North America in terms sort of a garnish. A truly cosmopolitan city, Montreal and specifically of area. Luckily for out-of-towners it’s also easy to find. If you journey The Village offers an eclectic mix of great cuisine, including Le Bato Thai, down Sainte Catherine Street, the major downtown artery, you’ll start Restaurant La Strega (Italian) and Le Club Sandwich. More than just a seeing rainbow flags and gay porn shops at about Rue Berri. The Village great place to grab a sub, Le Club Sandwich is an institution, diner-style stretches to Rue De Lorimier, in between you’ll find a plethora of bars, complete with juke-boxes. clubs, coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants, all serving the local and When Night Falls Sainte Catherine Lets Her Hair Down foreign LGBT community. Planning Your “Autoroute” The biggest and most popular gay club in Montreal is Club Unity, on Sainte Catherine Street. There are three floors in Unity. On the bottom For a city with a metro population of more than three million residents, floor you’ll find a bar, on the second – two bars with a HUGE dance floor Montreal is pretty easy to maneuver. If you are driving, you’ll find that and the third offers two more bars and another dance floor, playing a there is usually street parking in The Village, but street signs are in different kind of music. True to its name, the crowd at Unity consists of French, so make sure you understand what they say or you could get men and women of various ages, types and preferences. ticketed or towed. If you fly to Montreal, there are taxis and the Metro Parking is the best dance club for just us boys. Also located in The (subway system) that will take you where you need to go. The Beaudry Village, off of Sainte Catherine, Parking offers great music, brought to Metro station is located smack dab in The Village. you by the best local and international DJs. Places to Stay: Great Deals in The Village There are two dance floors, disco music is played on the main floor. No matter what you are looking for, you’ll be able to find the right Women are only allowed to join the party on Wednesdays. place to stay in Montreal. There are a lot of inexpensive, quaint B&Bs or Worth a second mention, by night, Le Drugstore turns into a popular non-chain hotels to choose from. Hotel Dorion is a cozy property if you’re lesbian bar. Three levels of drinking, dancing and debauchery, what’s on a budget. It couldn’t be any closer to all the action! Situated on Rue not to love?! Dorion, you can get a standard room or upgrade your stay with a Jacuzzi

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 15 If you want to see nearly naked guys do the dancing for you, take a swing by Campus and get a lap dance from one of the hot and usually straight male dancers. Leave the fag-hags at home, women are not allowed most nights of the week. After the club, if you’re looking for a late night “dip,” there are a few bathhouses to choose from, all within stumbling distance of the gay clubs. Oasis and Sauna Centre Ville are a couple of the most popular with locals and tourists. Beyond The Village

Of course there are BEAUCOUP things to do outside of The Village. Montreal is a city bursting at the seams with museums, landmarks and classic architecture. Visitors who need a shopping fix can get lost at Eaton Centre. Located on Sainte Catherine, Eaton is the largest shopping mall in eastern Canada, serving more than one million visitors each week. Apple, Lacoste and Banana Republic are just a few of the retailers you’ll find here. If you’re looking for a faster but thrilling way to burn through your money, venture over to the Casino De Montreal. Open 24 hours a day, the casino offers more than three thousand slot machine and more than 100 gaming tables. If you end up pissing away your spending cash early, you can stay and watch a cabaret show. French, English and other influences fused harmoniously. If you’re looking for a uniquely Euro experience, but don’t want to leave North America, Montreal is an ideal destination.

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16 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Directory & Events

24 DOWNTOWN CALGARY

43 41

4 37 55 35 36 9 2 34 33 3

52 56 5 6 16 1

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1 Calgary Outlink------Community Groups 9 MPs (Money Pennies)------Bars and Clubs 35 One Yellow Rabbit------Theatre 55 Marquee Room------Bars and Clubs 2 Aids Calgary------Community Groups 13 Westways Guest House---- Accommodations 36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects------Theatre 56 Sacred Balance Piercing------Retail Stores 3 Backlot------Bars and Clubs 16 Priape Calgary------Retail Stores 37 Pumphouse Theatre------Theatre 58 Theatre Junction------Theatre 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------Bars and Clubs 24 Courtney Aarbo------Services 41 La Fleur------Retail Stores 5 Texas Lounge------Bars and Clubs 33 Twisted Element------Bars and Clubs 43 Lisa Heinricks------Theatre and Fine Arts 6 Goliath’s------Bathhouses 34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------Theatre 52 Sandra G. Sebree------Services

of Sinatra” on Fri. and varied entertainment on Calgary Thurs. Please call for details. Find Out! 55 Marquee Room------✰ Accommodations  612 - 8th Avenue SW LGBT Community Directory 13 Westways Guest House------✰  http://www.marqueeroom.com  216 - 25th Avenue SW  403-229-1758 Alternative night every Wednesday.  1-866-846-7038  [email protected] GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine is the go-to source for 9 Money Pennies (MPs)------✰  information about Alberta LGBT businesses and community www.gaywestways.com  1742 - 10th Ave SW  403-263-7411 groups—the most extensive and accurate resource of its kind! This Wingate by Wyndham  http://www.money-pennies.com print supplement contains a subset of active community groups  400 Midpark Way SE  403-514-0099  Closed Mondays. and venues, with premium business listings of paid advertisers.  www.wingatehotels.com Bar and restaurant. ✰...... Find our Magazine Here ...... Wheelchair Accessible 5 Texas Lounge------✰ Bars & Clubs  308 - 17 Ave SW  403-229-0911 Spot something inaccurate or outdated? Want your business or 3 Backlot------✰  http://www.goliaths.ca organization listed? We welcome you to contact us!  209 - 10th Ave SW  403-265-5211  Open 7 days a week, 11am-close  Open 7 days a week, 4pm-close 33 Twisted Element   403-543-6960 1-888-543-6960 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------✰  1006 - 11th Ave SW  403-802-0230  [email protected]  424a - 8th Ave SE  403-263-5847  http://www.twistedelement.ca  http://www.calgaryeagle.com Dance Club and Lounge.  Open Wed-Sun, 5pm-close http://www.gaycalgary.com/CalgaryTravelRss Leather/Denim/Fetish bar. Bathhouses/Saunas http://www.gaycalgary.com/EdmontonTravelRss 6 Goliaths------✰ Club Paradiso  308 - 17 Ave SW  403-229-0911 Local Bars, Restaurants, and Accommodations info on the go!  1413 - 9th Ave SE, upstairs  http://www.goliaths.ca  403-265-5739  Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day http://www.gaycalgary.com/Directory  www.villagecantina.ca Carly’s Angels on Sat. Billy Schmidt’s “Sounds Browse our complete directory of over 540 gay-frieindly listings!

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 17 Directory & Events

CALGARY EVENTS Fake Mustache Show------ 7-9:45pm Thursday, May 6th Opening Gala Party------ 7pm See Miscellaneous Youth Network  1st La Fleur’s 6th Anniversary------ 6-9pm By Fairy Tales Mondays  Taco Thursdays------ All Day At La Fleur - Art Central (103 - 100 - 7 Ave SW) Plaza Theatre (1133 Kensington Road NW) ASK Meet and Greet------ 7-9:30pm At 9 Money Pennies Fake Mustache------ 7-9:40pm Ladies Night------ 8pm See Alberta Society for Kink Fridays By Miscellaneous Youth Network At 9 Money Pennies Inside Out Youth Group------ 7-9pm Leather Night------ Evening At Soda Lounge (211 – 12th Avenue SW) Friday, May 28th See 1 Calgary Outlink At 4 Calgary Eagle Friday, May 7th Come Befriend the Team------ 9:15pm Yoga------ 7:45-9:15pm Illusions------ 7-10pm La Cage Aux Folles------ 8pm By Fairy Tales See Apollo Calgary Jan11Apr5  Plaza Theatre (1133 Kensington Road NW) See 1 Calgary Outlink  1st At Beat Niq (811 - 1st Street SW) May8 Radio Show------ 8:30-9pm  Womynspace------ 7-9pm Saturday, May 8th Cowboy Gear Weekned------10pm See “Yeah...What She Said!” At 4 Calgary Eagle May29 See 1 Calgary Outlink  2nd The GAYmazing Race------ 3-8pm Tuesdays Saturday, May 29th New Directions------ 7-9pm By Pride Calgary At The Streets of Calgary Steak Night------ All Day See 1 Calgary Outlink  3rd Dirty Jock Night------ 10pm Spoon Me Youth Program & Gala----- 4pm At 9 Money Pennies By Fairy Tales Heading Out------ 8pm-10pm At 4 Calgary Eagle  Plaza Theatre (1133 Kensington Road NW) Calgary Networking Club------ 5-7pm See 1 Calgary Outlink  4th Thursday, May 13th See 1 Calgary Outlink  1st Tues Sunday, May 30th Saturdays Drag Shows------ 10pm Between Men------ 7-9pm Monthly Dance------ 8pm-2am Coffee------ 10am At 5 Texas Lounge See 1 Calgary Outlink  2nd, 4th By ARGRA At Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community See Prime Timers Calgary Saturday, May 15th Association (1320 5th Avenue NW) Rehearsals------ 7-9:30pm 25¢ Wings------ All Day Camo Night------ 10pm See Calgary Men’s Chorus Jun Tuesday, June 1st At 9 Money Pennies At 4 Calgary Eagle Identification Please------ 6:50pm Karaoke------ 8pm-1am Bowling------ 7pm Karaoke------ 8pm-1am By Fairy Tales At 5 Texas Lounge By Girlfriends At 5 Texas Lounge  Plaza Theatre (1133 Kensington Road NW) Wednesdays  Fairview Bowling Centre Tuned Out Music Trivia------ Evening (1010 - 999 - 36 Street NE) Wednesday, June 2nd Communion Service------ 12:10pm At 9 Money Pennies  1st, 3rd See Knox United Church Sunday, May 16th Pride Worldwide------ 6:50pm Sundays By Fairy Tales Women’s Healing Circle------ 1:30pm Tuned Out: Music Trivia------ 8pm Worship Time------ 10am  Plaza Theatre (1133 Kensington Road NW) See AIDS Calgary At 9 Money Pennies See Deer Park United Church Thursday, June 3rd Wing Night------ All Day Monday, May 17th Worship------ 10:30am Fake Mustache------ 7-9:40pm At 9 Money Pennies See Scarboro United Church Lawn Bowling + AGM------ 7pm By Miscellaneous Youth Network Free Pool------ All Day By Prime Timers Calgary Worship Services------ 11am  Soda Lounge (211 – 12th Avenue SW) At 4 Calgary Eagle  Inglewood Lawn Bowling Club See Knox United Church Friday, June 4th With Prime Timers Calgary Tuesday, May 18th BBQ Social Sundays------ 2pm Happily Ever After Party!------ 7pm Badminton------ 7-9pm Boy’s Night Out------ 8pm At 4 Calgary Eagle By Fairy Tales At 9 Money Pennies See Apollo Calgary Jan6Mar31  Marquee Room (612 8th Avenue SW upstairs) Church Service------ 4pm Bowling------ 7pm Thursday, May 20th See Rainbow Community Church Saturday, June 5th See Apollo Calgary Mar3 Cabin Fever------ 9pm  Swim Practice------ 5-6pm PURE: Pride 2010------10pm Radio Show------ 9-10pm  The SODA (211 12 Ave SW) See Different Strokes At 4 Calgary Eagle Wednesday, May 26th See Urban Sex Radio September 2010 Homestyle Sunday Dinner------ 6pm Thursdays Theatre Night------ TBA At 9 Money Pennies Pride Dance------ TBA Country Night------ Evening By Prime Timers Calgary Sep4 At 4 Calgary Eagle Free Pool------ All Day At Pumphouse Theatre Pride Parade/Street Festival------ TBA At 4 Calgary Eagle Thursday, May 27th Swim Practice------ 6-7pm Sep5 Tuesday, May 4th See Different Strokes Drag Shows------ 10pm Calgary Networking Club------ 5-7pm At 5 Texas Lounge By Calgary Outlink At Ming (520 - 17th Ave SW) Legend:  = Monthly Reoccurrance,  = Date (Range/Future),  = Sponsored Event

Community Groups serving primarily members of the LGBT communities • Boot Camp • Golf but open to members of all communities. Currently  Stone steps, SE corner of Crescent Park  [email protected] 2 AIDS Calgary------✰ have more than 400 members! Primary focus is Crescent Road & 2nd Street NW • Lawn Bowling  110, 1603 10th Avenue SW to provide members with well organized and fun  [email protected]  403-508-2500  Inglewood Lawn Bowling Club sporting events and other activities. Dress in layers and running shoes, bring plenty 1235 - 8th Avenue SE  [email protected] of water, bring payment in cash to first session.  http://www.aidscalgary.org • Western Cup  [email protected] Largest LGBT Sporting Competition in North America Registration has closed. Alberta Society for Kink • Outdoor Pursuits • Badminton (Absolutely Smashing) • Bowling (Rainbow Riders League)  [email protected]  403-398-9968   St. Martha School (6020 4th Avenue NE) Let’s 10 Pin Bowlerama, 2916 - 5 Ave NE  [email protected]  • Running (Calgary Frontrunners)  [email protected]  ca.groups.yahoo.com/ [email protected]  Hillhurst United Church, 1227 Kensington Close group.albertasocietyforkink Fees Per session: $4 for Apollo member, $5 for non- • Curling  Tim 403-660-6125  members. Season’s pass $75. North Hill Curling Club (1201 - 2 Street NW)  [email protected] Apollo Calgary Friends in Sports  [email protected]  http://www.apollocalgary.com  Tues, Thurs, Sat at 8am A volunteer-operated, non-profit organization Calgary Alcoholics Anonymous Group For Gay

18 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Directory & Events

Lesbian Bisexual and Transgendered People. A safe • Calgary Networking Club GLBT Housing Designed to foster social interaction for its members place to find help for problems with alcohol.  Ming, 520 - 17th Ave SW  http://www.glbthousing.ca through a variety of social, educational and The networking meetings are open to all individuals recreational activities. Open to all gay and bisexual • Slow Pitch HIV Peer Support Group who would like to promote their businesses or men of any age, respects whatever degree of • Tennis  403-230-5832 who would like to meet new people - no business anonymity that each member desires. • Volleyball (Intermediate/Competitive)  [email protected]  YWCA, 320 - 5th Avenue SE affiliation is necessary. • Free Pool ISCCA Social Association  [email protected] • Heading Out  4 Calgary Eagle  http://www.iscca.ca  www.apollocalgary.com/apollo/volleyball Peer group for men who are looking for an Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch. • Saturday Coffee This is for seasoned players. You can sign up for the alternative social activity to the bar. Activities vary Charity fundraising group..  Midtown Co-op, 1130 - 11th Ave SW season or drop-in. and are fun and entertaining. Knox United Church Queers on Campus------✰ • Volleyball (Recreational) • Illusions Calgary  506 - 4th Street SW  403-269-8382  279R Student Union Club Spaces, U of C  Langevin School, 107 - 6A Street NE Social group for Calgary and area transgender  http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca  403-220-6394  [email protected] community members (cross dressers, transvestites, Knox United Church is an all-inclusive church  http://www.ucalgary.ca/~glass  www.apollocalgary.com/apollo/volleyball drag kings and queens). A safe, discrete and located in downtown Calgary. A variety of facility Formerly GLASS - Gay/Lesbian Association of Volleyball League, Co-Ed, Recreational, Drop-in. welcoming atmosphere, in which transgendered rentals are also available for meetings, events and Students and Staff. people can meet others of like mind. Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) concerts. • Coffee Night  www.argra.org • Inside Out • Worship Services  2nd Cup, Kensington Peer-facilitated youth group for GLBTQ ages 15-25. • Monthly Dances------ 10:30am in July and August. Rainbow Community Church  Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association Aims to let youth know they are not alone, and to Miscellaneous Youth Network  Hillhurst United, 1227 Kensington Close NW 1320 - 5th Avenue NW connect them with their peers. Safe environment with a variety of resources and activities.  http://www.miscyouth.com  [email protected] Artists for the Quality of Life  http://www.rainbowcommunitychurch.ca • Fake Mustache------ 403-890-1261  www.afqol.com • New Directions The Rainbow Community Church is an all-inclusive  The Soda, 211 - 12th Ave SW Drop in peer-support group to provide support and church; everyone is welcome. Cabin Fever resources for individuals who identify as transsexual Calgary’s ONLY Drag King Show. $5 cover. $2  The Soda or inter-sexed. cover under 18. Advance tickets available at Barbies Rocky Mountain Bears Women’s dance and social night. Shop.  [email protected] • SHEQ Soulful Healing Ego Quest  http://www.rockymountainbears.com Calgary Gay Fathers  Trudy or Krista, 403-585-7437 Mystique  [email protected] Workshop for women—a chance to grow and share  [email protected] Safety Under the Rainbow  http://www.calgarygayfathers.ca their experiences related to women’s sexuality. To Mystique is primarily a Lesbian group for women 30  http://www.safetyrainbow.ca Peer support group for gay, bisexual and participate, please call or leave your name and a and up but all are welcome. Mission: To raise awareness and understanding of questioning fathers. Meeting twice a month. same-sex domestic violence and homophobic youth contact time/number with Calgary Outlink. • Coffee Night bullying. Calgary Men’s Chorus • Womynspace  Second Cup (2312 - 4th Street SW)  http://www.calgarymenschorus.org Scarboro United Church Peer social/support group for women providing an NETWORKS  134 Scarboro Avenue SW • Rehearsals evening of fun, bonding, discussion and activities.  403-293-3356  403-244-1161  www.scarborounited.ab.ca  Temple B’Nai Tikvah, 900 - 47 Avenue SW  [email protected] Calgary Queer Book Club An affirming congregation—the full inclusion of A social, cultural, and service organization for the Calgary Sexual Health Centre------✰  Weeds Cafe (1903 20 Ave NW) LGBT people is essential to our mission and purpose. mature minded and “Plus 40” LGBT individuals  304, 301 14th Street NW Deer Park United Church/Wholeness Centre seeking to meet others at age-appropriate activities Sharp Foundation  403-283-5580  77 Deerpoint Road SE  403-278-8263 within a positive, safe environment.  403-272-2912  http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca  http://www.dpuc.ca  [email protected] A pro-choice organization that believes all people Parents for Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Different Strokes  http://www.thesharpfoundation.com have the right and ability to make their own choices  Sean: 403-695-5791  http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org regarding their sexual and reproductive health.  http://www.pflagcanada.ca Unity Bowling • Swim Practice  Let’s Bowl (2916 - 5th Ave NE) 1 Calgary Outlink------✰ A registered charitable organization that provides    #4, 1230A 17th Avenue SW SAIT Pool, 1301 - 16th Ave NW support, education and resources to parents, [email protected]   403-234-8973 No practices on long weekends families and individuals who have questions or Urban Sex Radio Show  http://www.calgaryoutlink.com Don’t Buy In Project concerns about sexual orientation or gender identity.  CJSW 90.9 FM Formerly know as the Gay And Lesbian Community  http://www.dontbuyin.ca Positive Space Committee  http://www.cjsw.com Services Association (GLCSA). This Calgary Police Service Initiative aims to  4825 Mount Royal Gate SW Focus on sexuality; gay bisexual lesbian trans • Peer Support and Crisis Line encourage youth to working towards an inclusive  403-440-6383 gendered and straight issues here in Calgary and  1-877-OUT-IS-OK (1-877-688-4765) environment in which diversity is embraced in their  http://www.mtroyal.ca/positivespace around the web. Front-line help service for GLBT individuals and schools and community. Works to raise awareness and challenge the Western Canada Bigmen and Admirers their family and friends, or anyone questioning FairyTales Presentation Society patterns of silence that continue to marginalize  groups.yahoo.com/group/ their sexuality.  #4 - 1230A 17th Avenue SW LGBTTQ individuals. WesternCanadaBigmenGroup/ • Library  403-244-1956 Pride Calgary Planning Committee  [email protected] A great selection of resource books, fiction, non-  http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com  403-797-6564  www.pridecalgary.ca Vigor Calgary Alberta Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. fiction, videos and everything in between, all with a Pride Rainbow Project  403-255-7004  www.vigorcalgary.ca queer perspective. • DVD Resource Library  [email protected] Violence in Gay Male Relationships (VIGOR) is a • Drop-In Center Over a hundred titles to choose from. Annual  http://www.priderainbowproject.com committee of professionals dedicated to increasing A safe and supportive environment for one-to-one membership is $10. Youth run project designed to show support for the awareness of gay men’s domestic violence and peer counseling for many issues surrounding family, Gay Singles in Calgary same-sex marriage in Canada and elsewhere. A the services available to them. coming out, homosexuality, loneliness and other  http://www.gaysinglesincalgary.org fabric rainbow banner approximately 5 feet wide “Yeah...What She Said!” Radio Show - goal is to make it 3.2km (2 miles) long, in order issues. Girl Friends  CJSW 90.9 FM to break the world record.  • Between Men and Between Men Online  members.shaw.ca/girlfriends [email protected] Primetimers Calgary Peer support, sexual health education for gay Girlsgroove  [email protected] or bisexual men, as well as those who may be  http://www.girlsgroove.ca uncertain or questioning their sexuality.  http://www.primetimerscalgary.com

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 19 Directory & Events

DOWNTOWN EDMONTON 1

8

5 13

7 3 6 4 N 11 12 14

1 Pride Centre------Community Groups 5 Boots Bar and Lounge------Bars and Clubs 8 Prism Bar & Grill------Bars and Clubs 13 PLAY Nightclub------Bars and Clubs 3 HIV Network------Community Groups 6 Buddy’s Nite Club------Bars and Clubs 11 Steamworks------Bathhouses 14 FLASH------Bars and Clubs 4 Edmonton STD------Community Groups 7 Down Under Baths------Bathhouses 12 Woody’s------Bars and Clubs

Restaurants T&T Honda Cruiseline MFM Communications  888 Meridian Road NE  403-777-9494 trial code 3500  403-543-6970 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------✰  403-291-1444  http://www.cruiseline.ca  1-877-543-6970 See Calgary - Bars and Clubs.  [email protected] Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.  http://www.mfmcommunications.com Halo Steak, Seafood & Wine Bar  www.tandthonda.ca DevaDave Salon & Boutique Web site hosting and development. Computer  Canyon Meadows Plaza • Kelvin Hur  810 Edmonton Trail NE hardware and software. 13226 Macleod Trail SE  403-990-9080  403-290-1973 Rick Grenier (Invis)  403-271-4111 New Vehicle Sales Manager Cuts, Colour, Hilights.  403-862-1162  [email protected]  www.halosteakseafoodandwinebar.ca • Lawrence Wong Duncan’s Residential Cleaning Mortgage solutions. 9 MPs (Money Pennies)------✰  403-870-5001  Jim Duncan: 403-978-6600 56 Sacred Balance Piercing See Calgary - Bars and Clubs. Sales Consultant Residential cleaning. Free estimates.  1528 - 17th Avenue SW  403-277-4449 Retail Stores Wares & Wear Ventures Inc. Interactive Male  www.sacredbalancetattoo.com See Canada - Retail Stores.  403-261-2112 trial code 8873 Tattos and body piercing. Adult Depot------✰  1-800-777-8000 SafeWorks  140, 58th Ave SW  403-258-2777 Services & Products  www.interactivemale.com Free and confidential HIV/AIDS and STI testing. Gay, bi, straight video rentals and sex toys. Bad Romance Entertainment Keith Hill, North Hill Mazda • Calgary Drop-in Centre 41 La Fleur------ www.badromance-entertainment.com  1211 Centre Street NW  Room 117, 423 - 4th Ave SE  103 - 100 7th Avenue SW  Cell: 403-614-7359  403-699-8216  403-266-1707 Calgary Civil Marriage Centre  Phone: 403-276-5962  Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm, Sat: 12:15pm-3:15pm Florist and Flower Shop.  403-246-4134  [email protected] Marriage Commissioner for Alberta (aka Justice of  Fax: 403-276-7361 • Centre of Hope The Naked Leaf------ the Peace - JP), Marriage Officiant, Commissioner [email protected]  Room 201, 420 - 9th Ave SE  305 10th Street NW  403-283-3555  for Oaths. www.northhillmazda.com  403-410-1180  Mon-Fri: 1pm-5pm  http://www.thenakedleaf.ca Lorne Doucette (CIR Realtors) Organic teas and tea ware. 24 Courtney Aarbo (Barristers & Solicitors) • Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre   1138 Kensington Road NW 403-461-9195  1213 - 4th Str SW  403-955-6014 16 Priape Calgary------✰   403-571-5120 http://www.lornedoucette.com  Sat-Thu: 4:15pm-7:45pm, Fri: Closed  1322 - 17 Ave SW  403-215-1800  http://www.courtneyaarbo.ca Marnie Campbell (Maxwell Realtors)  http://www.priape.com • Safeworks Van GLBT legal services.  403-479-8619 Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear,  403-850-3755  http://www.marniecampbell.ca movies and magazines. Gifts.  Sat-Thu: 8pm-12am, Fri: 4pm-12am

20 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Directory & Events

52 Sandra G. Sebree, Lawyer 12 Woody’s------✰  http://www.ualberta.ca/~outreach • Womonspace Board Meeting  1610 - 17th Ave SW  11725 Jasper Ave  780-488-6557 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender/transsexual,  Main Space – Upstairs  403-228-8108 Queer, Questioning and Straight-but-not-Narrow  [email protected]  www.sandrasebree.com Bathhouses/Saunas student group. Womonspace is a Social and Recreational Society in Edmonton run by volunteers. They provide TherapyWorks 7 Down Under Baths------✰ 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton------✰ opportunities for lesbians to interact and support  403-561-6873  12224 Jasper Ave  780-482-7960  95A Street, 111 Ave  780-488-3234 each other in a safe environment, and to contribute  [email protected]  http://www.gayedmonton.com  [email protected] to the broader community.  http://www.therapyworks.com 11 Steamworks------✰ • Community Potluck • Youth Movie Take back your life from stress, sadness, and worry.  11745 Jasper Ave  780-451-5554  Main Space – Upstairs  Main Space – Upstairs  http://www.steamworksedmonton.com  [email protected] Theatre & Fine Arts A potluck open to all members of the LGBTQ  [email protected] Movie chosen by youth (aged 14 – 25), usually 36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects Community Groups community. A time to get together, share a meal with LGBT themes. Popcorn is served.  403-294-7402  http://www.ATPlive.com Alberta Bears and meet people from the community. AXIS Contemporary Art------ www.bearbeef.org • Free School • YouthSpace  [email protected]  107, 100 - 7 Ave SW  403-262-3356  Main Space – Upstairs Altview-Strathcona County LGBTQ Group A safe and supportive space for GLBTQ youth aged  [email protected]  www.axisart.ca  [email protected]  #44, 48 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB 13–25. Video games, computers with internet, Fairytales  www.altview.ca Free School provides workshops on a variety of topics related to local activism. clothing bank, and more. See Calgary - Community Groups. Book Worm’s Book Club • Get Tested for STIs • Youth Understanding Youth Jubilations Dinner Theatre  Second Cup, 11210 Jasper Ave Free STD testing for anyone interested. For more See separate listing.  Bow Trail and 37th St. SW  [email protected] information please contact the Pride Centre. Team Edmonton  403-249-7799 Buck Naked Boys Club  [email protected]  www.jubilations.ca • GLBT Seniors Drop-In  780-471-6993   Main Space – Upstairs http://www.teamedmonton.ca 43 Lisa Heinricks (Artist)------ http://www.bucknakedboys.ca  [email protected] Members are invited to attend and help determine  Art Central, 100 7th Ave SW, lower level Naturism club for men—being social while everyone A social and support group for seniors of all genders the board for the next term. If you are interested in  http://www.creamydreamy.com is naked, and it does not include sexual activity. running for the board or getting involved in some of Participants do not need to be gay, only male. and sexualities to talk, have tea and offer each 35 One Yellow Rabbit------other support. the committees, please contact us.  Big Secret Theatre - EPCOR CENTRE Camp fYrefly • Men Talking with Pride • Badminton (Mixed)  403-299-8888  www.oyr.org  7-104 Dept. of Educational Policy Studies  St. Thomas Moore School, 9610 165 Street Faculty of Education, University of Alberta  Main Space – Upstairs 37 Pumphouse Theatre------✰  [email protected] Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5  [email protected]  2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW New group seeking male & female players.  http://www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca A social discussion group for gay, bisexual and  403-263-0079 transgendered men to discuss current issues and to • Badminton (Women’s)  http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca Edmonton Pride Week Society offer support to each other.  Oliver School, 10227 - 118 Street  http://www.prideedmonton.org Stagewest------✰ • Men’s HIV Support Group  780-465-3620   727 - 42 Avenue SE  403-243-6642 Edmonton Prime Timers  Green Room – Upstairs [email protected]  http://www.stagewestcalgary.com  [email protected]  [email protected] Women’s Drop-In Recreational Badminton. $40.00  www.primetimersww.org/edmonton season or $5.00 per drop in. 58 Theatre Junction------✰ Support group for people living with HIV/AIDS. Group of older gay men and their admirers who come  Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st St. SW • PFLAG •Ballroom Dancing from diverse backgrounds but have common social   403-205-2922  Red room - Downstairs  780-436-1998 Foot Notes Dance Studio, 9708-45 Avenue NW interests. Affiliated with Prime Timers World Wide.   [email protected]  [email protected] Cynthia: 780-469-3281  http://www.theatrejunction.com Edmonton Rainbow Business Association Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: A support • Blazin’ Bootcamp  3379, 11215 Jasper Ave  780-429-5014 34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------group for family members and friends of GLBT  Lynnwood School  http://www.edmontonrba.org  161, 115 - 9 Ave SE  403-221-3708 people. An excellent resource for people whose  [email protected] Primary focus is the provision of networking  http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com family members and friends have just come out. opportunities for LGBT owned or operated and LGBT- • Bowling (Northern Titans) friendly businesses in the Edmonton region. • Prime Timers  Gateway Lanes, 100 - 3414 Gateway Blvd See Edmonton Primetimers.  [email protected] Edmonton Edmonton Illusions Social Club $15.00 per person.  5 Boots Bar & Grill • Suit Up and Show Up: AA Big Book Study Bars & Clubs  780-387-3343  Downstairs Couch Area • Cross Country Skiing  groups.yahoo.com/group/edmonton_illusions Discussion and support group for those struggling  [email protected] ✰ 5 Boots Bar and Lounge------with an alcohol addiction or seeking support in • Curling with Pride   4 Edmonton STD 10242 106th St 780-423-5014 staying sober.  Granite Curling Club, 8620 107 Street NW   11111 Jasper Ave http://www.bootsbar.ca/ • TTIQ  780-463-5942 Edmonton Vocal Minority 6 Buddy’s Nite Club------✰  Green Room – Upstairs  [email protected]  11725 Jasper Ave  780-488-6636  780-479-2038  [email protected]  [email protected]  www.evmchoir.com TTIQ is mixed gender open support group addressing 13 PLAY Nightclub------✰  10220 103 Street  780-497-7529 Exposure 2010 the needs of transsexual and transgendered  [email protected]  TBA individuals.  http://www.playnightclub.ca 3 HIV Network Of Edmonton Society---- ✰  11456 Jasper Ave  www.hivedmonton.com 14 FLASH------✰  10018 105 Street  780-999-8255 Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose  http://www.gayedmonton.org 8 Prism Bar & Grill------✰  10524 101st St  780-990-0038 OUTreach  http://www.prismbar.ca  University of Alberta, basement of SUB  [email protected]

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 21 Directory & Events

EDMONTON EVENTS Youth Understanding Youth------ 7-9pm Youth Understanding Youth------ 7-9pm Monthly Meetings------2:30pm See Youth Understanding Youth See Pride Centre of Edmonton  Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street)  Mondays Mixed Badminton------ 8-10pm Saturdays See Edmonton Primetimers 2nd Boot Camp------ 7-8pm See Team Edmonton Jan13End of May Naturalist Gettogether------ ??? Friday, May 7th See Team Edmonton Thursdays See Buck Naked Boys Club  2nd Grand Opening------ 9pm 14  Men’s HIV Support Group------ 7-9pm GLBT Seniors Drop-in------ 1-4pm AA Big Book Study------ 12-1pm By Flash Edmonton May8 See Pride Centre of Edmonton  2nd See Pride Centre of Edmonton See Pride Centre of Edmonton Friday, May 14th Curling------ 7:15pm Get Tested for STIs------ 3-6pm Monthly Meeting------ 2:30pm Thank You, Sir!------ 10pm See Team Edmonton Mar See Pride Centre of Edmonton  Last By Edmonton Primetimers  2nd By ISCWR at 5 Boots Bar & Lounge  Tuesdays Youthspace------ 3-7pm Unitarian Church, 10804 - 119th Street Saturday, May 15th GLBT Seniors Drop-in------ 1-4pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton Youthspace------ 3-6:30pm Red Party------ 9-11pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton By ISCWR at 8 Prism Bar & Grill Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton TTIQ------ 2-4pm See Youth Understanding Youth Bowling------ 5pm Monday, May 17th See Pride Centre of Edmonton  2nd Youth Understanding Youth------ 7-9pm See Team Edmonton Int. Day Against Homophobia------ 5pm Youthspace------ 3-7pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton Sundays  Garneau Theatre (8712 – 109 Street) See Pride Centre of Edmonton Intermediate Volleyball------ 7:30-9:30pm Running------ 10-11am Thursday, May 20th Community Potluck------ 7-9pm See Team Edmonton See Team Edmonton Book Worm’s Book Club------ 7:30-9:30pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton  Last By Edmonton Pride Centre Swimming------ Evening Free School------ 11-5pm  Chapel of Chimes (10179-108 Street) Swimming------ Evening See Team Edmonton See Pride Centre of Edmonton  2nd, 4th Friday, May 21st See Team Edmonton Fridays Womonspace Meeting------ 12:30-1:30pm  Hats Off to Broadway------ 10pm-1am Wednesdays Edmonton Illusions------ ??? See Pride Centre of Edmonton 1st By ISCWR at 13 PLAY Nightclub PFLAG------ 12:10pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton  2nd Samsara Yoga------ 2-3:30pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton  1st Sunday, May 23rd Youthspace------ 3-6:30pm See Team Edmonton Youthspace------ 3-7pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton Men Talking with Pride------ 7-9pm Prince’s Birthday Bash------ 8-11pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton By ISCWR at 5 Boots Bar & Lounge Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm See Youth Understanding Youth Ballroom Dancing------ 7:30-8:30pm See Youth Understanding Youth Youth Movie Night------ 6:30-8:30 See Team Edmonton See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton Legend:  = Monthly Reoccurrance,  = Date (Range),  = Sponsored Event

• Cycling (Edmonton Prideriders) • Samsara Yoga • Tennis • Sports and Recreation  Various locations in Edmonton  Korezone Fitness, #203, 10575 -115 Street  Kinsmen Sports Centre  Pride Centre, 9540 - 111 Ave  [email protected]  [email protected]  Sundays, 12pm-3pm  Brendan: 780-488-3234  Every Wednesday, 6:30pm • Slo Pitch  [email protected]  [email protected] • Dragon Boat (Flaming Dragons)  Parkallen Field, 111 st and 68 ave • Ultimate Frisbee Restaurants  [email protected]  [email protected]  Sundays 5 Garage Burger Bar & Grill------• Golf Season fee is $30.00 per person. $10 discount for Summer Season starts July 12th   10242 106th St  780-423-5014  [email protected] players from the 2008 season. [email protected] E-mail if interested. 8 Prism Bar & Grill------✰ • Gymnastics, Drop-in • Snowballs III  See Edmonton - Bars and Clubs.  Ortona Gymnastics Club, 8755 - 50 Avenue February 5-7th, 2010 • Volleyball, Free To Be Intermediate  [email protected]  Amiskiwacy Academy (101 Airport Road)  [email protected] Retail Stores Have the whole gym to yourselves and an instructor Skiing and Snowboarding Weekend.  [email protected] to help you achieve your individual goals. Cost is • Soccer • Volleyball, Free To Be Recreational Rodéo Drive $5.00 per session.  [email protected]  Mother Teresa School (9008 - 105 Ave)  11528 - 89th Street  780-474-0413 • Hockey • Spin  [email protected]   [email protected]   Outdoor season, Sundays, 3-5pm [email protected] MacEwan Centre for Sport and Wellness  http://www.rodeodrive.ca • Outdoor Pursuits 109 St. and 104 Ave • Women’s Lacrosse His and hers fetish wear, toys, jewelry, etc.    [email protected] Wednesdays, 5:45-6:45pm Sharon: 780-461-0017 Season has ended.  Pam: 780-436-7374 Products & Services • Running (Arctic Frontrunners)  [email protected] Open to women 21+, experienced or not, all are  Kinsmen Sports Centre, front entrance 7 classes, $28.00 per registrant. welcome. Call for info. Cruiseline  [email protected]  780-413-7122 trial code 3500 All genders and levels of runners and walkers are • Swimming (Making Waves) Womonspace  http://www.cruiseline.ca invited to join this free activity.  NAIT Pool  780-482-1794 Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.  [email protected]  [email protected]  www.womonspace.ca Interactive Male Women’s social group, but all welcome at events.  780-409-3333 trial code 8871  1-800-777-8000 Youth Understanding Youth  www.interactivemale.com  Edmonton Pride Centre, Main Space Upstairs  [email protected]  www.members.shaw.ca/yuy Robertson-Wesley United Church A place where LGBTQ youth under 25 can gather to  10209 - 123 St. NW  780-482-1587 have fun and learn about themselves and others in  [email protected]  www.rwuc.org a safe, supportive, and caring environment.  Worship: Sunday mornings at 10:30am People of all sexual orientations welcome. Other

22 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Directory & Events

LGBT events include a monthly book club and • Friday Mixer a bi-monthly film night. As a caring spiritual  The Mix (green water tower) LETHBRIDGE EVENTS Wednesday, May 12th community, we’d love to have you join us! 103 Mayor Magrath Dr S Gay Youth Alliance Group------ 3:30-5pm Fridays • Soul OUTing  Every Friday at 10pm By GALA Lethbridge  Second Sunday every month, 7pm Gay & Lesbian Integrity Assoc. (GALIA) Friday Mixer------ 10pm An LGBT-focused alternative worship.  University of Lethbridge  [email protected] See GALA/LA • Film Night GBLTTQQ club on campus.  Bi-monthly, contact us for exact dates. • Movie Night Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition  Theatre & Fine Arts • Book Club Room C610, University of Lethbridge  P.O. Box 3043, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 3S9 Broadway Across Canada  Monthly, contact us for exact dates. Gay Youth Alliance Group  (306) 955-5135  http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca Same Gender Speed Dating Ltd.  Betty, 403-381-5260  [email protected]  1-800-955-5129   OUTtv  780-221-8535 Every second Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm http://www.rainbowhealth.ca  http://www.outtv.ca  www.samegenderdating.com Lethbridge HIV Connection Egale Canada GLBT Television Station. An LGBT-focused alternative worship.  1206 - 6 Ave S  8 Wellington St E, Third Floor • Gay Male Speed Dating PFLAG Canada Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1C5    Boston Pizza Private Party Room, Whyte Ave  [email protected] 1-888-204-7777 www.egale.ca  TBA  www.pflagcanada.com Egale Canada is the national advocacy and lobby Must pre-register to attend - please contact us. organization for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, Pride Lethbridge trans-identified people and our families. • Lesbian Speed Dating  [email protected] Membership fees are pay-what-you-can, although  Boston Pizza Private Party Room, Whyte Ave pre-authorized monthly donors are encouraged (and  TBA get a free Egale Canada t-shirt). Egale has several Must pre-register to attend - please contact us. Red Deer committees that meet by teleconference on a regular basis; membership on these is national with Theatre & Fine Arts Community Groups members from every region of Canada. Exposure Festival Affirm  http://www.exposurefestival.ca  Sunnybrook United Church Products & Services Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival.  403-347-6073 Squirt The Roxy Theatre  2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm  http://www.squirt.org  10708 124th Street, Edmonton AB Composed of LGBTQ people, their friends, family Website for dating and hook-ups. 18+ ONLY!  780-453-2440 and allies. No religious affiliation necessary.  www.theatrenetwork.ca Activities include support, faith and social justice discussions, film nights, and potlucks! Banff/Canmore Community Groups Alberta Mountain Pride Community Groups  BOX 4892, BANFF, AB, T1L 1G1 Central Alberta AIDS Network Society  Brian, 403-431-2569  4611-50 Avenue, Red Deer, AB  1-800-958-9632  http://www.caans.org  [email protected] The Central Alberta AIDS Network Society is the  www.gaybanff.com local charity responsible for HIV prevention and Serving the GLBTQS community in Banff, Canmore, support in Central Alberta. Lake Louise and Area. Western Canadian Pride Campout  www.eventmasterinc.net Lethbridge YouthSafe  http://www.youthsafe.net Community Groups Alberta’s website for youth with sex-and-gender GALA/LA differences. Youthsafe.net lists the resources,  403-308-2893 information and services to help youth find safe and  http://www.galalethbridge.ca caring spaces in Alberta. Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area. Theatre & Fine Arts • Monthly Dances Alberta Ballet  Henotic (402 - 2 Ave S)  http://www.albertaballet.com Bring your membership card and photo ID. Frequent productions in Calgary and Edmonton. • Monthly Potluck Dinners  McKillop United Church, 2329 - 15 Ave S GALA/LA will provide the turkey...you bring the rest. Please bring a dish to share that will serve 4-6 Canada people, and your own beverage. Community Groups • Support Line Alberta Trans Support/Activities Group  403-308-2893  http://www.albertatrans.org  Monday OR Wednesday, 7pm-11pm A nexus for transgendered persons, regardless of Leave a message any other time. where they may be on the continuum.

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 23 Community

Letter to the Editor Dear GayCalgary, I originally intended on writing this letter to you last month, but with Telus disconnections and moving, that proved to be a challenge for this old absent minded queen. What I have to say is a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who came out and supported the 5th ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY AUCTION on March 14. We had a small but mighty crowd who, through their generosity and huge hearts, we managed to make a difference for BESWICK HOUSE (The S.H.A.R.P. Foundation), to the sum of $1500.00. This brings our total in the last 5 years to just over $10,000.00. Without the Texas Lounge donating the space each year, GayCalgary donating all the media/advertising, and the community being there for a very worthy cause, this never would have been as successful as it has been since it started. I also have to commend Sean Hogan, as he organizes this event every year as his birthday party, asking the community to bring an open heart and mind (and some cash  James Demers too) instead of gifts. It’s not often you hear someone say they would rather not be the recipient of gifts, but rather give to a charity. KUDOS to you. Also Sean, thank you for having me as your hostess/ auctioneer all this time. From the bottom of my heart I thank Mosaic Youth Group you all and I hope to see you all next year. Love always, Queer Youth Group Empowers and Takes Back Prom MYSTARE

By Janine Eva Trotta to court after they cancelled prom, following a petition to take her Based on a desire to “do something queer more than girlfriend. While McMillan has been invited to the event, Mosaic once a month,” in March, the Miscellaneous Youth had not received a response by the time this article was written. Network(MYN) launched the Mosaic Youth Group for This is an opportunity for anyone who doesn’t leaf through gay, bi, queer, lesbian, questioning, trans-identified or their yearbooks with the fondest of memories to redo prom night two-spirited youth, ages 10–25. any way they want, sans parental supervision. Video projections, “We wouldn’t turn away anyone,” says James Demers, who DJs and Polaroid photo ops are sure to make this night a hit has sat on the MYN board since its inception. “The organization and, if it is, the event could become an annual occurrence. kept me in high school. …It gave me someone to go to, something Demers says the group is at a stage of demanding rights for to do; an outlet for the frustrations I was going through.” LGBT youth, rather than relying on a sense of deserving. “Pride Demers was kicked out of his home when he came out to his is a cultural expression of the community.” parents at the age of 15, and still managed to graduate with The MYN also puts out a Queer Zine which it hopes to re-launch scholarships; something he says would most likely not have bigger and bolder in time for Pride, Youth under 25 are encouraged been possible had he not met the MYN director and become the to submit poetry, prose, art or photography and, in turn, will first youth member of the board. receive up to five copies of the edition in which their contribution Now Demers is giving back in the best way possible: being appears. Furthermore, MYN will be holding the 5th annual Homo there for other youth feeling displaced or simply in need of a Hop, a free, underage queer youth dance, on September 3rd. peer group that is understanding and safe. “These youth are looking for community,” Demers says. The Mosaic Youth Group meets every Wednesday at the Old “Ultimately that’s what we provide them. With community we Y to discuss queer issues, attend educational workshops, watch can ultimately build anything.” theme-relevant films, or to just hang out and have fun. Demers says Mosaic is a culmination of all the years of growth and http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1680 affiliations the MYN has acquired, and its biggest project to date. The meetings are alcohol and drug free and there is a three View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments strikes policy on infringements of respecting others physically or mentally. Mosaic has zero tolerance for bi or trans-phobia. “You have a right to self-identification, self-label, or no label,” says Demers. One meeting a month is dedicated to a “fieldtrip” activity. In April the group went roller skating and in July they will have a family-friendly barbeque and carwash fundraiser. Every third month Mosaic offers a friends, family and straight allies night, which youth are only encouraged to attend if comfortable. Mosaic is completely self-funded, which allows the group the freedom to act in its best interests. For the last six years and running, MYN’s staple fundraiser has been the Fake Mustache Drag King and Variety Show, held on the first Thursday of every month at Soda. An all-ages show begins the evening with an 18+ performance to follow. Demers says that punctual Queens are more than welcome to join the act. Another grand fundraiser will take place June 12th. Queer Prom 2010 is an event inspired by Constance McMillan, a 16- year-old from Mississippi. She was bold enough to take her school

24 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Community When is a Crime a Hate Crime? Recent Attack on Lesbian Woman Sparks Controversy By Dallas Barnes and Sam Casselman practice of calling in a dog team or helicopter to search for the attackers, who had fled after the assault.” On April 30th, the Edmonton Police Service’s LGBTQ Barry criticized the Edmonton Police Service for its lack of Community Liaison Committee released an open letter follow up. “I’m overwhelmed by everything. I’m happy that to the community regarding an attack that occurred somebody is going to be held responsible for what happened early last month. and, as far as his age goes, I’m just really sad.” She claims to There has been much community concern and media coverage have had little contact with the investigators until the following regarding the alleged assault on Shannon Barry, which occurred Thursday and does not understand why there was such a in the early morning of Saturday, April 17th. This alleged assault communication breakdown or follow up to the assault. has been described as an attack against the LGBTQ community The next Saturday a press conference was held by Chief because its victim is a lesbian and because the perpetrator Mike Boyd confirming the mistake made by police. “This was a allegedly used homophobic language during the altercation. Other breach of policy which led to the victim being told on Tuesday concerns have been expressed about the investigating police that there was no record of the incident,” he said. officer’s 4-day delay in filing the incident report. As a result of the “First, I want to offer my apology to the victim and I also concerns expressed by the victim herself, the LGBTQ community, want to offer my apology on behalf of the Edmonton Police and Edmontonians in general, the LGBTQ Liaison Committee has Service to our wider minority communities here in the city engaged in a case consultation with the EPS Chief of Police, Mike of Edmonton for the response that the victim got on Tuesday Boyd, members of the Hate Crimes Unit, and senior police officers. when she phoned the Edmonton Police Service, and this Upon review, a number of actions have been taken or are planned apology includes for the original officer not filing that report. in regard to this case, including an: “If information was in the file, as is proper procedure, • internal review regarding the processes of the investigation, she would have been told that the member fully intended to • investigation by the Edmonton Police Service’s Hate Crimes investigate this crime and pursue leads based on the suspect Unit, and description. The error in judgment made by the responding • independent review of the matter by the Alberta Crown officer was a mistake and he is genuinely remorseful for that Prosecutor’s Office. mistake.” The investigation into the incident continues. Edmonton Police After police learned of the error Tuesday, the hate crimes Services has told the LGBTQ Liaison Committee that based on unit on Wednesday started investigating, Boyd noted. The its initial review, the alleged assault appears not to be motivated officer is expected to face internal discipline for failing to by hate, but was an altercation which involved an exchange of properly file his report, Boyd said. “There was a breach of slurs, some of which included homophobic language. According policy in this case and, as a result of that, I will need to take to the Edmonton Police Service, the alleged assault does not the appropriate action with the officer involved here.” meet the legal threshold for being considered a hate crime. According to Kris Wells, Co-chair of the police liaison Whether or not this alleged assault constitutes a hate crime will committee for the GLBTA community of Edmonton, the ultimately be determined by the independent review of the Crown relationship between the committee and the EPS is strong, Prosecutor’s Office. How this alleged assault is defined does not, and they will be kept well informed of all that is happening however, mitigate its serious nature and we deplore its impact with the case. upon the individual, the LGBTQ community, and Edmontonians. “If this person can be assaulted because of their identity, We acknowledge that the Police Chief has publicly apologized then any one of us from the lesbian and gay community is for the breach in reporting policy by the attending Constable. We vulnerable to being victimized,” says Wells. also acknowledge the timely arrest of the alleged perpetrator, According to the EPS, a Hate Crime can be defined as the investigation by the Hate Crimes Unit, and statements from “an offence committed against a person or property, which the Chief of Police, which demonstrate the gravity in which the is motivated, in whole or in part, by the suspect’s hate, EPS has taken our community’s concerns. The LGBTQ Liaison bias or prejudice towards an identifiable group based on, Community Committee will continue to monitor this investigation real or perceived, race, national or ethnic origin, language, and Edmonton Police Service’s action relative to this case and we color, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual will continue to respond publicly to this issue as the investigation orientation or any other similar factor.” If Barry’s attack continues and more information emerges. wasn’t considered a hate crime than how is one determined? This was in response to a crime committed on Saturday, Although the conviction is still being considered by the Crown April 1st, when Shannon Barry of Edmonton was kicked in the Prosecutor’s Office, the EPS does not believe that the incident face by a 14 year-old boy causing a broken jaw, crushed left falls under their definition of a hate crime. eye socket and facial nerve damage, while walking along 96th What we can be certain of, however, is that this attack Street near 75th Avenue in Edmonton with five of her friends. has been felt across the province and beyond. Currently, the According to Barry, accompanying this physical assault Shannon Barry (hate crime) Facebook page has over 1400 were “sexual epithets” in the tune of “dyke and faggot.” The members from across the world. There are posts of sympathy constable investigating the incident did not finish and file his for Shannon, anger at the EPS, petitions in favour of penalizing report before his shift ended and he went for days off. the officer in question and stories of similar attacks. Over the next week, there was a public outcry for an explanation. First of all, was this boy going to be charged with a hate crime, and secondly, why was this attack not followed through? According to the Edmonton Journal, “police confirmed they began investigating the incident only after a CBC News report came out Wednesday. It detailed how the officer who responded to the women’s 911 call had not followed the standard police http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1682 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 25 Interview

Wild Child: A Cherie Currie Q&A Lead singer of the all-girl group The Runaways By Chris Azzopardi phenomenal. Michael Shannon (as Kim Fowley, the group’s manager) just lights up the screen every time he’s on. Never did Cherie Currie think her life – the drugs, drama GayCalgary: Almost literally with that red lipstick. and debauchery – would be part of a movie. She still Cherie Currie: I know it! It’s funny, I didn’t even remember can’t believe it. Kim Fowley wearing that much makeup, but then I look But as Currie tells us from a Michigan hotel suite how back at pictures and he was wearing makeup all the time unfathomable it is that Dakota Fanning portrays the lead (laughs). singer of the all-chick band The Runaways in the eponymous GayCalgary: Did you ever think that Kim was gay? biopic, there’s also a sense of relief that it’s now just a movie. All the baggage of being a rock star took a toll on Currie’s life, Cherie Currie: No. That never crossed my mind. told thoroughly in Neon Angel, her recently released memoir GayCalgary: What were you feeling seeing your life that inspired the film, which she says only scratches the essentially right in front of you? surface. Cherie Currie: Just shock. To be honest, it took me so long Currie also dishes on messing around with Joan Jett, how to wrap my brain around it, that this (movie) was actually the ’70s was a time for sexual experimentation and what happening. I kept thinking I’m going to wake up. It still feels we’re missing in the movie. that way. I wonder if it’s going to really hit me how huge this GayCalgary: What was going through your mind the first is – and, of course, Dakota being my favorite actress of all time you saw The Runaways? time is such a perk. I’ll never forget seeing her in Man On Fire and saying, “Who the hell is this girl?” because she just takes So much, because they took a lot of creative Cherie Currie: the most seasoned actors and wipes up the floor with them. liberty in the film and changed a lot. About our record deal: We got signed right away before we even went on tour and GayCalgary: What advice did you give her on the set? they have us signed (in the movie) after we’ve been on the Cherie Currie: I didn’t have any advice to give at all. I just road for a while. They have me putting on the corset for the told her how I was feeling at particular moments that were first time in Japan when I actually put it on before we even happening in the film. One was in Japan when the whole went on our first U.S. tour. And I won the talent show! I magazine thing goes down and Floria had her playing it like wasn’t booed off stage. she didn’t care. And I was devastated. I had no idea that I I do really like the way Floria (Sigismondi, director and was the only one in this magazine. Kim had told me that screenwriter) shot the film. It’s very personable and gritty everyone was going to have their own personal photo session, and I just loved Dakota – how good she is, how gorgeous she so I realized that not only did he lie to me, but these girls is and how completely destroyed she becomes in this film. were pissed! And here we are in Japan on the greatest tour It’s very true to life – we were run into the ground basically of our lives and it all just came to pieces, and I needed to tell in The Runaways. Kristen (Stewart, who plays Jett) was Dakota that because Floria didn’t.

26 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Q Scopes GayCalgary: What was left out of the movie that’s in the book? Cherie Currie: I, of course, wish there was more of what “Strut your stuff, Leo!” we went through. Europe was insane. Kim’s “sex education With the Sun in Taurus, Venus in Gemini and Eris in class.” When you read the book you’ll see what I mean. You’ll Aries all in harmony one can hardly resist the urge see really that this would’ve been an epic. to flirt and banter, even a bit competitively. Do keep GayCalgary: I felt the kissing scene with you and Joan Jett the quips friendly! was a big tease. I wanted more. Cherie Currie: Well, you know there was more. They’re in ARIES (March 20 – April 19): Try to keep those playful bed together in the morning for crying out loud! impulses simply playful. You can get caught up way too GayCalgary: How would you describe your intimate easily in one-upmanship. If you really know who you are relationship with Joan Jett? and what you’re about, you have nothing to prove. Cherie Currie: Oh my God! Back in the ’70s, Elton John, TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): What you own is not who David Bowie, Mick Jagger – everyone was talking bisexuality. you are. Keep repeating that. You’re in no immediate It was the time of experimentation and freedom from being danger, but as a spiritual exercise imagine losing all your shunned for it, and we took advantage of that. Why not? belongings, having only your own self and the people you Everyone thinks it. Everyone. love. Scary? It could be liberating! GayCalgary: How would you compare that era of sexual GEMINI (May 21- June 20): Venus is augmenting your liberation to what’s happening currently? own natural beauty. That alone won’t help you find love. Throw yourself into community service or political activity. Cherie Currie: Equality is definitely further along than it Invest your time and energy in a better global future and was in the ’70s, but there’s still people that hang on to those your personal future should brighten up too. old ideas. They believe that it’s some kind of a disease or they believe it’s something that people choose. It’s ridiculous CANCER (June 21- July 22): Meditative  inspiration, that even adults think this way. And you know why? It’s fear. support from friends and professional advancement are Fear is the most debilitating emotion on this planet, and if as necessary as food, water and air. Each of the three is you just shun it – the fear of admitting fantasies of being with necessary to support the other two. If you can balance another woman or another man – it pushes away the reality them all, you’re sure to thrive and succeed. that you’ve actually considered it or wished it. We’re human LEO (July 23 – August 22): Strut your stuff. Don’t hold beings. We’re far more open than people want to believe. But back. Be gracious in welcoming all challenges and fear is a horrible emotion that I wish people would just get rid arguments as they will give you an opportunity to show of. It would change their perspective. your prowess. But go easy! Kindness to your opponents GayCalgary: So despite some experimentation with the will pay off big for you. same-sex, were you labeling yourself as bisexual in the VIRGO (August 23 – September 22): Charming your ’70s? way to the top will get you noticed – and annoy the Cherie Currie: Oh yeah. It was pretty obvious. competition. Stay nice and principled in dealing with GayCalgary: Do you think it’s important for kids to critics and backbiters. Don’t sink to their level; kill experiment with their sexuality like you did? them with kindness. Cherie Currie: I say you have to go with your heart. It’s got LIBRA (September 23 – October 22): Looking for love? to be something that you want to do. There are some kids out You’ll find it more easily far from your usual hunting there who will probably not want to, but if you have a desire, grounds. Keep an eye out for someone you can play and absolutely. I’m not kicking you out the door and telling you compete with. Got love? Spice it up with some competitive to go find out. I’m just saying kids are going to do it. They’re sport. Wrestle for top – or bottom. going to experiment. Let them do it. It’s healthy. It’s parents SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21): Your erotic turning around and crushing kids like I was crushed as a kid charisma is cranked way up. Enjoy it the easy way (the with my first experimentation, when my sister slapped me gym, jogging, any exercise or sports make you irresistible) across the face and I wanted to throw myself off a building. or sublimate that energy to promote your work, and to get But that’s fear again. Her fear. colleagues to cooperate more effectively. GayCalgary: How have you taught your teenage son  SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 20): Your tolerance? competitively playful spirit can help boost morale at work. If Cherie Currie: My son is so remarkable. From the time you and your co-workers have no rivals to conquer, strive for he could understand I was telling him how big and bad this a team/personal best. Pride in your work and going for that world was. I was kidnapped as a kid. I’ve lived through a lot. personal best will help you find love or keep it. And this child just loves and understands everybody. He’s  CAPRICORN (December 21 – January 19): You can shine never understood discrimination. He’ll say, “Mom, this doesn’t in games or sports, especially where you can show off make sense.” He’s going to make waves in this world. your running or your vocabulary. Creative handicrafts, GayCalgary: You’re doing some shows with Joan Jett this particularly which come out of your ethnic background, summer. Will you bust out the corset? can show you to be handier than some people – including Cherie Currie: I’m 50 years old, come on. It’s not the yourself – may think. Pussycat Dolls revisited. AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18): Try your hand at GayCalgary: Do you miss being part of The Runaways? any sort of domestic creativity. Cook, decorate, upholster the children, whatever strikes your fancy. Add your own Cherie Currie: Oh sweetie, no. We were kids. It’s like touch to old family recipes and styles. Can you do better asking if you’d want to go back to high school again. than Mom? Better than your sister at least? Prove it! PISCES (February 19 – March 19): Swap old family stories, either with your family to brush up your genealogy or with friends just for the fun of it. No family tales you care to share? How about recipes? Invite a few pals to share old http://www.gaycalgary.com/ favorite dishes. a1683 Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977, is available for personal and View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments business consultations in person in San Francisco, or online everywhere. He can be reached at 415-864-8302, through his Web site at www.starjack.com.

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 27 Gossip

female Glenn Beck while Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm) will pick up duties on the left. And best of all, Carrie Fisher will star as the sarcasm-dispensing boss. And how weird will it be if the Will & Grace star’s new character has an anti-gay bent? Will she choke on the dialogue or deliver it like a pro, Archie Bunker-style? Romeo really wants this one to make it on the air. Superheroes in the Family Greg Berlanti, the talented gay writer/producer with credits like Dawson’s Creek, Everwood and Brothers & Sisters under his belt, wants to introduce you to a new pack of brothers and sisters in No Ordinary Family. Starring Michael Chiklis, Romany Malco (Weeds) and Julie Benz (Dexter), the action series centers on a family who discovers that they all have superpowers, sort of like X-Men crossed with The Brady Bunch. It’s due in the fall. Meanwhile, Berlanti is currently directing the feature Life As We Know It, about two single adults who become overnight parents to the children of mutual friends who die in an accident. That one stars Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel, Josh Lucas and Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks and, in spite of its heavy premise, is actually a comedy and is scheduled to surface sometime later this year, which is far enough into the future to help us forget about those other Katherine Heigl-starring comedies we’ve seen. Romeo San Vicente thinks children are great, as long as they belong to someone else and are already good at fixing martinis. He can be reached  Daniel Radcliffe, still casting spells care of this publication. Deep Inside Hollywood http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1685 Ron Weasley explodes in Cherry Bomb View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments Romeo San Vicente Turn kids into movie stars and soon enough they’ll want to start acting in movies about hookers and drugs to show you how grown up they are. Daniel Radcliffe went the art-theater route by getting naked on stage in Equus, but his Harry Potter pal Rupert Grint has gone full-tilt depraved in Cherry Bomb, a film about a wild teen weekend that goes all wrong. According to early reports, Mr. Grint snorts coke, has sex with night-ladies and is somehow involved in a bisexual love triangle before the closing credits roll. Sounds like Romeo’s idea of a fun weekend. Shot back in 2008, the movie has no official release date yet but it’s about to hit film festivals, which means multiplex audiences will get their eyes on it later in 2010 or sometime in 2011. Jennifer Beals: Chief of Police On The L Word, Jennifer Beals as Better Porter was quite often the one character in the mix who seemed to keep her head screwed on properly when everyone else was coming unglued. So it makes perfect sense that Fox would want to cast the unflappable one as Chicago’s first female police chief in its new series Ride-Along. Don’t get too excited yet, lesbians. This might signal major progress since the days of Police Woman, but it’s still a pilot and comes fully equipped with the usual warnings – it might not make the schedule, its star could be re-cast, or they might decide to set it in outer space with a choir of singing teenagers. But as of right now you’re one step closer to seeing the lady packing heat and using it on wrongdoers. Ann Coulter, The Sitcom Wright vs. Wrong, at first glance, sounds like a show made up to justify its cutely clever title. A conservative right-wing TV commentator doing regular comedy battle with a liberal counterpart and a snarky manager, a workplace sitcom designed to appeal to both red and blue states, but one that will probably swing to the left (it’s Hollywood, after all). And who knows, that may be what we wind up with, but at least it has a cool cast to flesh out the material. Debra Messing stars as the

28 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Lifestyle Cocktail Chatter Gearing up for housemates season By Ed Sikov Here’s our recipe for Sangres de Marias, but you should adjust the proportions and make it your own way: “They eat grasshoppers there.” This came from Kyle, one • 1 48-ounce bottle tomato juice — don’t get the low sodium kind or of “the puppies,” as the rest of us called them behind you’ll simply end up with cocktails that need salt their backs. “You moron! It’s cicadas!” — the inevitable • 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed is best but pricey) put-down by Robbie, the other puppy. • ½ cup unsweetened lime juice (use ReaLime, not Rose’s, which is Generically shirtless but periodically pantsless, too, the puppies sweetened) moved and spoke in tandem. They played with each other like restless • 1 teaspoon ground cumin young Weimeraners. • 1 teaspoon ground ancho chilies (optional) “Kyle is right,” I shouted from the kitchen just before pushing the • A handful of roughly chopped cilantro blender button marked “pulverize,” mainly to mix up the brunch • A few shakes of Tabasco cocktail du jour, but also to drown out the conversation. The puppies were more than hot; they were scorching. But they could also be • Premium vodka – I recommend Absolut tedious, especially when clothed. Blend the first seven ingredients until almost smooth. Pour the I was making Sangres de Marias — which my partner Dan and I mixture into a large pitcher, and add as much Absolut vodka as possible. thought up during a trip to Oaxaca, where they serve mezcal – a fierce, Just be careful not to overwhelm either the cocktail or your guests. Add smoky drink made from the maguey agave plant. Mezcal is tequila- it by the slosh until you think it’s enough. Never forget this cardinal rule: ish, only better — more like a barbecued brandy than the druggy but You’re not making a hydrogen bomb. You’re making a drink. Proportions mixable star of the 7-Eleven-Slushee-like frozen Margarita. Mezcal is aren’t critical with Bloody Marys or Sangres de Marias. smokier and more refined. Ed Sikov is the author of Dark Victory; The Life of Bette Davis, and other When they aren’t drinking it with ground up worms preserved in books about films and filmmakers. salt (I said no, no, no), Oaxacans serve shots of mezcal with sangrita, the perfect chaser — Bloody Mary-like, but more complex and citrusy. And it’s spicier and more refreshing than those awful hint-of-powdered- horseradish disasters sold to the gullible as Bloody Mary mixes. (Oh, http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1686 come on! Get some tomato juice, a bottle of real horseradish, and some Tabasco, and make the damn Bloody from scratch.) View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments Dan and I have a house in Fire Island Pines, which we can only afford by having housemates, so we were launching the upcoming 2010 season with the annual housemates brunch — a slightly sodden prelude to another summer in Alice’s Gay Wonderland — the gorgeous beach full of gorgeous men, the joking and the bitching, the flashes of skin in our outdoor shower (conveniently located outside the kitchen window — the puppies were superstars in this arena), and of course the cocktails. We served the Sangres de Marias in tall, thin flea market glasses, but you can use any glassware you like. Just show some class — no plastic cups. And add enough vodka so you can taste it. I’m sorry, but vodka is not tasteless — it adds flavor as well as punch. If all you want is watered down tomato juice, then add more ice and let it melt. Except for Robbie’s obnoxious response (“This tastes like pureed grasshoppers” — I was outraged), the Sangres de Marias were a hit. Craig, the shall we say fat former theater student turned legal aide, blurted, “You should call it el cuaderno de la virgen.” “You’re dating yourself, doll,” I said, to which he retorted, “Of course I am — no one else will.”

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 29 Out of Town National Parks of the Southwest

Experiencing the Nature and Beauty of Americas National Parks

By Andrew Collins Driving distances: Salt Lake, UT (225 miles), Aspen, CO (230 miles), Las Vegas, NV (450 miles). Visitation at America’s best-known national parks has Where to stay: Sorrel River Ranch for elegantly rustic accommodations skyrocketed in recent years, so it’s no surprise that by the Colorado River, and Mayor’s House B&B (www.mayorshouse.com) these monuments to natural scenery and wide-open for attractive, mid-priced rooms in downtown Moab. spaces have become increasingly popular with gays and Where to eat: Sorrel River Ranch for upscale, regional American fare, lesbians. Whether you’re into camping, serious hiking Eddie McStiff’s for local microbrews and great burgers. and off-road trekking, or you’re more likely to stay in a Covering an astounding 5,200 square miles (making it just slightly romantic lodge, check out the park museums and spend smaller than the state of Connecticut), Death Valley National Park is most of your time in your car, you’ll be happy to know immense in scope — it contains the lowest point in the United States, that most national parks offer a balance of both mellow Badwater Basin, a salty, mud-caked spot that you can walk to easily from and rigorous diversions. the road. And it claims the hottest summer temperatures in the country (late fall through early spring are mild and comfortable, however). But The southwestern United States, from the sweeping deserts of the park’s extreme aspects sometimes take away from the tremendous interior Southern California to the spectacular rock formations, deep diversity of its terrain, from the cooler high mountains peaks (some with canyons and craggy cliffs of Arizona and Utah, contains several of the elevations above 10,000 feet) that overlook the valley to the undulating nation’s most celebrated national parks. Here’s a look at five of the most sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells. impressive. You could explore Death Valley for a full week and never come close Of the five national parks and one national monument in southeastern to seeing all of the park’s notable sites — the remains of historic borax Utah, Arches and Canyonlands — which lie close together, near the works, hikes through the dramatically colored rock formations of Mosaic funky and low-keyed town of Moab — are among the most memorable. Canyon, costumed tours of the remote and eccentric 1920s mansion The Colorado River cuts through the southern edge of Arches and known as Scotty’s Castle. This is one park, because of its enormity, where then — where it’s joined by the Green River — snakes around the brilliant it can be very helpful to book a guided excursion — Pink Jeep Tours offers red sandstone formations of Canyonlands. The latter park takes days informative trips around the park in modern, comfortable, fully enclosed to investigate thoroughly. It comprises four districts, all miles from one vehicles. another by car. Sample driving distances: Las Vegas, NV (120 miles), Los Angeles, CA At Arches, on the other hand, you can get a quick sense of the park’s (285 miles), Palm Springs, CA (300 miles). grandeur in one day. More than 2,000 sandstone arches — some of them Where to stay: Inn at Furnace Creek for historic, atmospheric rooms as tall as 50 feet — dot this jagged, almost surreal landscape. A paved road with expansive valley views, and Ranch at Furnace Creek for affordable, allows access to most attractions, but you have to get out and follow one smartly furnished rooms in the heart of the park. of the many trails to truly appreciate the park. The must-see is Delicate Arch, reached via a moderately strenuous 3-mile round-trip trail (with an ascent of 500 feet).

30 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Travel

Where to eat: Inn at Furnace Creek for truly exceptional, creatively Driving distances: Phoenix, AZ (130 miles), San Diego, CA (425 miles), prepared American food and a lavish Sunday brunch, and Wrangler Albuquerque, NM (440 miles). Steakhouse for hearty burgers and steaks. Where to stay: The new Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain for its thoroughly It’s fair to say that enough has been written and said about the Grand posh yet refreshingly hip and modern vibe, and Hotel Congress for rock- Canyon that even those who’ve never been often feel they have a good bottom-priced, funky rooms on the edge of Tucson’s gay-popular 4th sense of it. Still, it’s nearly impossible to comprehend the full splendor Avenue district. of this massive chasm that’s 18 miles across, 300 miles long, and over a Where to eat: Janos for refined classically inspired Southwestern cuisine, mile deep — it must be seen to be believed. and Bentley’s Coffeehouse for inexpensive coffees, terrific sandwiches and A surprising number of visitors come by for a day, stop by a few salads, along with fun people watching. viewpoints, and continue on. If at all possible, try to spend at least a Andrew Collins covers gay travel for the New York Times-owned website couple of days here. The South Rim is the most accessible than its higher- About.com and is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA. He can be altitude counterpart, the North Rim (which is also closed in winter). On reached care of this publication. an ideal visit to the South Rim, you’ll stay at one of the several lodging options inside the park (book many months in advance if you’re planning a summer visit), hike at least part of the way into the canyon, and ride the park shuttle bus along the rim, stopping at the many noteworthy The Little Black Book viewing areas. If you have extra time, consider riding the scenic Grand Arches and Canyonlands national parks, Utah (www.nps.gov/arch, Canyon Railway from the town of Williams, about 60 miles south. www.nps.gov/cany). Grand Canyon National Park (www.nps. Driving distances: Phoenix, AZ (230 miles), Las Vegas, NV (280 miles), gov/grca), Arizona. Death Valley National Park (www.nps.gov/ Albuquerque, NM (400 miles). deva), California. Joshua Tree National Park (www.nps.gov/jotr), Where to stay: El Tovar Hotel for its architectural significance, upscale California. Saguaro National Park, Arizona (www.nps.gov/sagu) accommodations, and enviable setting on the South Rim, and the nearby Sorrel River Ranch (www.sorrelriver.com) Eddie McStiffs(www. Bright Angel Lodge and Cabins for less pricey rooms and wonderfully charming rustic cabins that are also steps from the Rim. eddiemcstiffs.com) Inn at Furnace Creek (www.furnacecreekresort. com) El Tolvar Lodge (www.grandcanyonlodges.com) (www. Where to eat: El Tovar Dining Room for its old-world elegance, and Cameron Trading Post for simple, hearty, and delicious Southwestern camerontradingpost.com) Palm Springs Riviera Resort & Spa (www. and Native American cooking about 30 miles from the park’s east psriviera.com) Copleys on Palm Island (www.copleyspalmsprings. entrance. com) Wangs in the Dessert (www.wangsinthedesert.com) Ritz-Carl- A short drive from the world-famous gay resort Palm Springs, this ton Dove Mountain (www.ritzcarlton.com) Hotel Congress (www. 800,000-acre park at the convergence of the deathly hot Colorado and hotelcongress.com) Janos (www.janos.com) Bentley’s Coffeehouse slightly cooler Mojave deserts feels miles away from civilization. It looks (www.bentleyscoffeehouse.com) almost lunar like in places. Of course, it’s famous for the thousands http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1687 of curious-looking Joshua trees for which the park is named. These View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments distinctive members of the lily family grow about an inch a year and bloom winsome white flowers ever so rarely. This aside, seeing a Joshua tree is but a minor reason to visit. There are several scenic drives — the 6-mile spur out to 5,100-foot Keys View affords breathtaking vistas over the entire Coachella Valley. Several short but fascinating trails penetrate the park’s myriad ecosystems: a brief scramble through the Cholla Cactus Garden will introduce you to the regional flora, while the 1.3-mile High View Nature Trail entails a 300-foot ascent to magnificent Summit Peak. Longer trails past piles of massive boulders and by oasis like hot springs offer the possibility of spying bighorn sheep and golden eagles. Driving distances: Palm Springs, CA (50 miles), Los Angeles, CA (150 miles), Phoenix, AZ (270 miles). Where to stay: Palm Springs Riviera Resort & Spa for swanky, over- the-top whimsical rooms, and Ace Hotel Palm Springs (www.acehotel. com/palmsprings) for economical, arty rooms and a retro-hip attitude. Where to eat: Copleys on Palm Canyon for stellar contemporary American cuisine, and Wang’s in the Desert for enticing pan-Asian fare and a hugely gay-popular happy hour. Comprising two distinct districts that bracket the scenic city of Tucson, this 91,000-acre park is named for the captivating, cartoonlike saguaro cacti that dot the region. These massive plants, with enormous forks, tower as high as 50 feet and grow at an amazingly slow rate of speed — many are well over a century old. Although the park is dedicated to preserving the saguaro landscape, it’s actually a preserve of countless types of flora and fauna that thrive in the Sonoran desert, from cholla cactus to elusive pig-like javelina. You’ll find visitor centers, scenic park drives, and numerous trails in both sections of the park, one about 15 miles east of downtown Tucson, and the other roughly 20 miles to the west. Highlights include the 8-mile Cactus Forest Drive loop-road, in the eastern section, which has several short and notable hikes off of it. If you’re exploring the western sections, drive along the Bajada Loop Drive, setting aside an hour or so to stroll the short Valley View Overlook Trail — this is one of the best photo ops in the park. And while you’re at the western part of the park, check out the nearby Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, where naturalistic enclosures provide a viewable habitat for more than 300 different animal species indigenous to this part of the Southwest.

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 31 Community

 “The Golden Pin”  “The Island” The 12th Annual Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival Something for Everyone under the Rainbow

By Dallas Barnes art installations, and panel discussions that will work in tandem to keep the discussion of AIDS current and meaningful. From May 27th to June 3rd, Kensington’s own Plaza This two-day focus will be full of the works of John Grayson, Trevor Theatre will be host to 47 award-winning and thought Anderson, Keith Murray, Ted Kerr, and Sharon Stevens. There will be provoking films dedicated to exploring issues in GLBTQA panel discussions on how art and film can work objectively to “make a culture. Promising to be “a lineup that is it’s most bold, difference.” Included will be a discussion of John Greyson’s new filmFig beautiful, and inclusive selection of films yet,” The Fairy Tree, focusing on “challenges in making an age old art form accessible Tales Presentation Society has again outdone itself. and relevant in order to tell stories to modern audiences.” Rounding out AAC is a panel discussion on how AIDS and societal Jessica Dollard, Programming Director of Fairy Tales can only reactions to AIDS contribute to those who produce works combining art attribute this success to dedicated hard work by both herself and all the and activism. This follows General Idea: Art, AIDS, and the Fin De Siècle, organizations and individuals that have given their time and energy to a film by Ted Kerr who brings to Fairy Tales his work with HIV Edmonton the annual festival. “This year has been busy, one big adventure, and I and Exposure: Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival. think the organization has benefitted from the renewed effort and energy of our new team.” All panel discussions are free with the ticket to the preceding film. This is, in fact Dollard’s first year as Program Director with the Each day of the Festival is in tandem with a general theme and departure of last year’s Program Director Matt Salton. Jessica stepped corresponding community sponsor. into Fairy Tales with a passion for film and a desire to expand the Opening night on May 27th will be host to the enigmatic filmThe Topp organization into more than it already was. Twins: Untouchable Girls, telling the story of Jools and Lynda Topp, New “I come from a theatre background, so I had a lot to learn about Zealand’s “only comedic, country singing, dancing, and yodeling lesbian how the film industry works with distributors, negotiating screening twin sisters.” This film is guaranteed to win your heart, and make you fees, and creating a program guide – it has been quite an adventure for laugh. me. We have also done quite a bit of work rebranding the organization Immediately following the screening, guests are invited to join in at and beginning new programs, such as Reels on Wheels this year. I can Dolce Sapori in Kensington for the Opening Gala. Free admission and honestly say that our team has found that outreach through Reels on refreshments are granted with a Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls ticket Wheels and community partnerships are an integral part of what Fairy stub. Tales is about, and we have found these endeavours very rewarding.” A unique addition to this year’s Festival is the Spoon Me Youth Gala Fairy Tales 12 has something for everyone. “Don’t be fooled or being held on Saturday, May 29th. This program features shorts with frightened by the GLBTQA acronym,” says Dollard. The Festival’s young people ages 12-17 in mind. Within the nine shorts is an animated features encompass a large, international, societal, and cultural base. film depicting a love letter from a young boy to his father who has grown Not only are there film’s from such places as Canada, Australia, Sweden, into a beautiful, strong woman. According to IMDB, it tells a story of “an China, USA, Israel, Peru, and Argentina, but there is also a “Bring a exploration of memory, loss of innocence, growing up, and being who Straight Night” on Wednesday, June 2nd, with enticing 2 for 1 offers. you are,” a definite familiar tale to many youth in the community. This night features the film Beyond Gay: the Politics of Pride,” which is Following Spoon Me, the theme continues into Eclectic and Electric a documentary exploring pride festivals around the world. Following Shorts. This is a definite must-see, with films that explore a number of the film, there will be cocktails and discussions with Calgary’s Pride gritty and humorous topics. If this isn’t enough, Ultimate Sub Ultimate Board in attendance at Sam’s Bar and Grill, two minutes from the Plaza Dom: Maria Von Trapp and Mary Poppins by title alone, will bring the Theatre. crowds to the Plaza Theatre. At the heart of the festival, and in conjunction with AIDS Calgary, A staple in the GLBTQA community is Constable Lynn MacDonald of Fairy Tales will be running AIDS As A Catalyst on May 30th and 31st the Calgary Police Service’s Diversity Resource Unit. She will be leading which “promotes the understanding of media arts, cinema, visual arts, a panel discussion at the end of the first screening at the Tuesday, opera, and the placement of AIDS.” This project consists of screenings, June 1st Identification Please? Program. This evening is guaranteed to

32 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010  “Undertow”  “Dancing to Happiness” be both objective and subjective as the films deal with transexualism, transitioning, and the individuals that both oppose and approve. One such film being showcased this evening,Boy I Am, a USA made film from Sam Feder and Julie Hollar, examining the lives of young transitioning FTM’s (female to male) in New York City. Not only does the film look FairyTales Queer Film Festival at their own processes, it also examines the impact of transexuality May 27th - June 4th, 2010 within feminist and lesbian culture. Feminist and lesbian varied degrees of non-acceptance of MTF’s (male to female) and FTM’s is perhaps the www.fairytalesfilmfest.com dirty little secret of queer culture. This film opens up this discussion and “challenges all viewers to rethink their concepts of activism and http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1688 identity.” View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments When asked about the films that are part of the Festival, Jessica Dollard asserts that the theme this year is one we can all identify with. “I think the common thread here is love stories! The Festival is filled with stories of love - a universal and accessible theme in my estimation.” A strong part of this all-encompassing theme is Thursday, June 3rd’s evening entitled Love Stories, which tells the stories of the triumph of love over prejudice, and international and prehistoric law. One feature this evening is Edie and Thea: a Very Long Engagement by Susan Muska and Greta Olafsdottir - the story of two women, their forbidden love through the ages, and their eventual marriage. They met in the early 60’s, became engaged, bought a house, took trips, and finally married in Toronto in 2007. This story will pull at your heart strings, yet will leave an undeniable feeling that love can, in fact, conquer all. Rounding out the Festival, on Friday June 4th, is an evening entitled The Happily Ever After-Party brought to you by GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine! Kicking off the party is the screening of Violet Tendencies a film by Casper Andrea the director of The Big Gay Musical at the Uptown Theatre. Violet, played by Mindy Cohn of The Facts of Life, is missing something. Her loving group of friends are all men, but none want to love her the way she wants to be loved. She is the quintessential and beloved staple in the gay male world - the fruit fly. The story of her search for love takes hilarious turns, and with all of her looking she may have just looked a little too far - the right love for her may just have been right in front of her the whole time! Following the screenings this evening, The Marquee Room on the second floor of the Uptown Theatre will be booming with music of Vancouver’s DJ Lisa DeLux from The L Word, and local DJ’s mollyfi, DJ Fleur, and DJ Michelle C. Advance tickets for the screening and after- party are $20, and for just the after-party are $15.00. Tickets for the Festival are sold at the door on a first-come, first-serve basis. To avoid lineups, and to guarantee yourself a seat, Festival passes are available. Dollard agrees. “Buy a festival pass, grab a program guide and then come to anything you like! It’s the easiest way to go, since having a pass means you stand in the Priority Member Line-up, have a guaranteed seat, and then you can just relax and eat popcorn.” See page 42 for an official Fairytales Film Festival Guide with a schedule of films, panels, programmes, and social events.

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 33 Adult Adult Film Review Rascal, Service Me

By Jerome Voltero Reid is a big guy with a moderate build, and the others range from light to moderate. All guys are clean shaven and smooth chested (with the exception of bearded muscle-bear, Maxime Fuuq, and I love him for it). Many of them have tattoos, and Rascal: A Toy Story jock straps seem to be a recurring theme. By: Chi Chi LaRue Don’t expect very much more than an amateur film from From: Priape this early work. The editing is terrible, from cellphones going Genre: Fetish/Dildo off, to instructional talk during sex, to sound cutting out Cast:  during orgasms, to the camera man asking “pause?” when it Story:  was time for a fluffer break. But hey, you like what you like Visual:  – and I certainly liked Maxime Fuuq for his look and puppy- dog enthusiasm. While “Woody” and “Buzz” would And if you weren’t gagging enough already, check out the gag make excellent nicknames for dildos, reel for a few luke-warm laughs with the boy from scene 4. this is definitely not the Disney/Pixar flick. Dickney/Prixar maybe...but if you’ve ever wandered through your favourite sex toy store and asked yourself, “what While you’re at it... the heck am I supposed to do with that,” then this film may have some answers. Refocus It starts with Blake Riley scouting the shelves and picking By: Raging Stallion Studios up a plastic mould of Drake Riley’s ass. He takes the large toy From: Priape home and lays beside this creepily realistic looking plaything Genre: Murder Mystery (as if the rest of Drake were embedded in the mattress thanks  to a failed teleportation experiment), fingering it and getting Cast: intimate with himself. Reality crosses with fantasy as the actual Story:  Drake Riley appears – beside his own ass mould to boot. At Visual:  a few points Blake apparently becomes disoriented and does Faves: Steve Cruz, Bruno Bond, things with the plastic ass rather than the real ass right beside Jason Crew, Ricky Sinz, Adam it. Gee, I wonder how they compare. It would have been a blast if Drake had decided to pound his own ass though. Killian, Mitchell Rock The film features Johnny Hazzard, who will be making an Bonus: 2 disc set appearance at Edmonton’s Pure Pride dance this year June – as an easter egg, the mould of his cock was clearly visible on a shelf in the 1st scene. He appears in the last scene where he Big Poles, Tight Holes catches Rod Daily jerking off to a porno at work. In this case By: Citi Boyz they break into a 3-pack of Rascal dildos – the “Initiation Kit” as From: Adult Depot it is called. The sizes ramp up from small to large, and he uses Genre: Twink each one on his buddy. Cast:  Aside from being a big product demo, you’ll enjoy this porno  if clean cut 30-somethings are your dirty pleasure. Story: Visual: 

Service Me By: Muscle411.com From: Adult Depot http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1689 Genre: Muscle/Amateur View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments Cast:  Story:  Visual: 

Faves: Maxime FuuQ, Tyler Reed Good old Tyler Reed, who appeared on our cover for October 2005...apparently wearing the exact same criss-crossing leather harness on the cover of this DVD. I love how polite the question mark is, at the end of “Get On Your Knees For This Big Man?” You mean you have to ask? For old time’s sake I always keep an eye out for Reid’s pornos, even though his early ones are pretty bad – hey, you have to start somewhere! He tells me his latest work is miles ahead but we have yet to see it here in Calgary. Call Reid self-indulgent, but this porno centres around him, the muscle stud, in a series of encounters with guys who are eager to please his needs. The result is some fairly vanilla sex, unless you count the wearing of jock straps to be particularly kinky.

34 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Photography

ISCRW Turnabout Show at Play NightClub, Edmonton

ISCCA Fairwell Show at the Texas Lounge, Calgary

While you’re at it... Refocus By: Raging Stallion Studios From: Priape Genre: Murder Mystery Cast:  Story:  Visual:  Faves: Steve Cruz, Bruno Bond, Jason Crew, Ricky Sinz, Adam Killian, Mitchell Rock Bonus: 2 disc set

Big Poles, Tight Holes By: Citi Boyz From: Adult Depot Genre: Twink Cast:  Story:  Visual: 

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 35 Interview

The Church of Rudd Xavier Rudd Returns with New Album and Tour By Jason Clevett  Photos by Kane Hibberd (2010) A year ago I had no idea who Xavier Rudd was. When offered the opportunity to interview him for the July “My music comes from pretty big roots here in Australia. Spirits come to me and reveal themselves through my music. People who are familiar 2009 issue, I realized there was a musical gem dancing with that music, country, energy can relate to it when they hear it.” out in the Australian bush. A few days later when I saw It is not just his countrymen. The lobby of his show is incredibly him live in concert, I realized exactly the type of influence diverse - and very good looking. and impact he has. “I noticed that. There are lots of different people coming to the shows, For nearly three hours Rudd held the packed Jubilee Auditorium good people with good energy. The smiles, hugs, connections, hands spellbound by his energy and music. To see Rudd in concert is a near- joined, unity for the environment, culture, a brighter future. That is very religious experience for some. powerful. I respect that I really do.” “Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate that. What I do is It is somewhat amusing to visit Rudd’s website, with links to his play live, it is always what I did and want to do. I have a good time. MySpace, his Facebook page, and his iTunes store. It is an interesting The experience is that exchange of energy, an interaction of everyone contrast between the barefoot, environmentally conscious throwback in the room. They are giving me energy, I am channeling it and it is and the digital age. coming back out. It is kind of like church,” Rudd said from his home in “The internet is great, the connections that come from it have always Australia. “I like to see people smile, it is a real treat. To come from a been really good for what I do. The internet is really important in trying small town in Australia and see people laughing and enjoying the music to preserve our earth. For example something I am interested in right is a real blessing.” now is the Kimberley Coast in Western Australia (savethekimberly. In a day when a musician or group will come out, do 70 minutes and com). It is a place that is under threat heavily by 10,000 hectares of gas leave, Rudd is refreshing in that he plays for a longer time. You truly get industry in one of the world’s last great wildernesses. That alone has your money’s worth in seeing him. built huge momentum from people connecting online. I don’t spend a “I love to play. I’ve come a long way to be there. I am constantly lot of time on it or get involved too much in the digital world but I can getting pressured to make the show shorter, but it doesn’t feel right definitely appreciate it.” to make them shorter. Setlists are something we don’t stick with, we If you, like I, hadn’t been aware of Xavier Rudd prior to now, give him make a couple of changes depending on the tour. We do focus on the a listen. If you like what you hear, you have to see him in concert, as it new material but different songs. I will be in my day somewhere and is the best way to experience the church of Rudd. something will remind me of an old song, and we will run through it “It is high energy. Pretty much what people know of me, new stuff before the show and include it.” as well but also an African influence and two heavy spirits that have a His current tour is in support of his new album Koonyum Sun, similar energy to me in their own way.” returning to the Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary May 29th; the Eric Harvie Theatre in Banff May 30th and 31st; and the Edmonton Events Centre in Edmonton June 2nd. The album is his first with bassist Tio Moloantoa Xavier Rudd and percussionist Andile Nqubezelo under the unified banner of Xavier Rudd & Inzintaba. Koonyum Sun now available. “I had a lot of music coming through me man. It has always been www.xavierrudd.com that way since I was a kid. This is a new record that I made with two incredible South African musicians. It has a very African vibe and Calgary sound. It is heavy man - spiritually and musically, they are incredible players. They grew up in apartheid in South Africa. They carry amazing May 29th at the Souther Alberta Jubilee Auditorium stories, spirit, energy, ability on their instruments. It is heavy in every way, very powerful.” Edmonton Rudd always makes a point to visit the rockies, both for his own May 30th & 31st at the Eric Harvie Theatre spiritual connection to them, and the bond he has formed with its inhabitants. Many Australian and New Zealand visitors work and stay in Banff, and as was described to me by a friend who saw him there http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1691 last year, “they lose their mind for him” as a little piece of home in their View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments adopted country, so to speak.

36 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Theatre Keep it Gay! Well-produced Producers Fabulously Queer By Jason Clevett I had a certain amount of trepidation going in to The Producers at Stage West. Having seen the Broadway touring production and hating it, I steeled myself for the worst. I was getting a delicious meal out of it, and even if a show isn’t great, Stage West is always fun. So I buckled in and prepared to be bored. But to my surprise, Stage West has made me enjoy The Producers. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was that made it stand out from the previous show I saw, but I do know that I walked out of the theatre with a huge grin on my face. A big part of that is the casting, which, from leads to ensemble was absolutely spot-on. The Producers is written by Mel Brooks. Max Bialystock (Sheldon Davis) was once the king of Broadway, but his new show flops and closes after one night. His accountant Leo Bloom (Mark Allan) realizes that a show could make more money as a flop then a success. The pair try to find the worst show in the world, and think they hit their mark with Springtime for Hitler written by Franz (Sheldon Bergstrom, one of the many show stealers). In the meantime, sexy swede Ulla (Jayme Armstrong) appears in their lives and begins to drive a wedge between the two. When the show ends up a success, trouble ensues. “It has been a great show. I am shocked and amazed every night by how the audiences here receive it,” Armstrong said. “I had only seen the movie and I thought the show had such great potential, but I wasn’t The show is gay. Gay gay gay gay gay. In fact, a song is entitled Keep really a fan of the movie. The reason this production works so well in It Gay. Patric Masurkevitch’s director Roger De Bris and Joseph Davies comparison to others is the casting. Because it is so comedic and there Carmen Gia are absolutely wonderful as the over-the-top gay couple. is so much singing and dancing it requires performers that can do a little While certainly playing on some stereotypes, it is so overstated that it bit of everything.” isn’t realistically offensive. It is an interesting challenge to do the show with a smaller ensemble “I heard that this is the first time there has been a gay kiss on stage than the Broadway version. It is that much more work for the performers, at a Stage West Calgary show and that made me happy. The theatre and in fact some of the guys don drag for a few numbers. community is really dependant on gay people, they really embrace it and love it and have so much knowledge of musical theatre. This is a show “That is a reality in Canadian theatre casting, you always have to that celebrates them. Yes there are gay stereotypes in the show, but I am downsize the ensemble. It is frantic for the ensemble and they make the a stereotype. I am a tall swedish dumb girl. Max is a short Jewish chubby show happen. The showgirls are also the little grannies. Someone came man. The stereotypes are presented in a way that is really entertaining, to the show last week and said, where did you find all those grannies to and with a lot of love and heart. I personally think the Keep It Gay scene come in? They didn’t realize they were played by the same people playing is my favorite scene. Everyone comes out at these hilarious characters, everyone else. It was a great compliment.” it is lovely to see that on stage in such an open away.” While a vital character, Ulla makes her debut late in the show. The Aside from the show, many of the cast members are also “family.” In role has posed a number of pleasant challenges for Armstrong. fact, Armstrong has taken them on as roomates. “A week before we started rehearsals for this, I finished playing “I am staying in a condo with three of the gay guys in the show. Aside Guenevere in the US tour of Camelot, a very demanding roll the polar from being surrounded by that at the theatre I am also surrounded by opposite of this. It is so much fun to play Ulla because it is a bit of a that at home. I jumped at the opportunity to live with three gay men! We vacation in a way. She doesn’t come in until an hour into the show and watch lots of movies and make yummy food and go to the dog park. It is does the last big number before intermission. She does come out guns a really fun lifestyle.” blazing, which is a challenge in itself because you don’t get to ease into the show. You come on and start belting and jumping off tables. It is If you saw The Producers elsewhere and didn’t like it, I suggest you interesting to stay warmed up and still feel part of the show when you give the Stage West production a chance. If you haven’t seen it at all, it are separate.” is a very entertaining night of theatre with awesome singing, hilarious comedy, and some amazing talent. The ditzy character is also opposite to her real life persona. “I had a great director tell me once that it takes someone incredibly intelligent to “If you are looking for a great night out and a good laugh, it is really play dumb well. Otherwise it is just sort of flat. Any time I play a role like enjoyable. I had never been to a dinner theatre show before, and this is this I really look forward to it because it is so different. You couldn’t ask the first time I have been involved with it. It is a show that is very funny for a bigger challenge than to create something the complete opposite and a little bit different every single night.” from you.” Being in one city for awhile is a nice change as well. “It has been amazing. The Camelot tour was every two days somewhere new. To be able to be in one place is amazing. I brought my dog out The Producers - Stage West Threatre Restaurants from Vancouver, I am getting to settle in to Calgary and explore lots of areas; friends are coming to visit; seeing downtown. Getting a feel for Playing until June 13th the whole city and really getting to know my way around somewhere is www.StageWestCalgary.com really refreshing.” http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1692 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 37 Advice Queeries Kids at a Dinner Party, Lesbians in the Workplace and One-night Stands

By Steven Petrow New lesbian on the job? What to do about uninvited kids at a gay party? Q: I think the new copy editor at my newspaper is a lesbian and she sure knows I am (everybody does). She hasn’t actually Q: I was completely shocked when two of our gay friends said anything, though, and doesn’t show up for our company’s showed up for a dinner party with their twins in tow. I hadn’t LGBT events. Is it OK if I just ask? Since I’m gay too, I figured mentioned kids in the invitation and the table was set for it’s not so invasive—or is it? She’s really cute, by the way! eight–four adult couples. I did the best I could, but I don’t think I hid my irritation very well, especially when the twins A: Did it occur to you that she might not be rushing to come complained about the caper sauce I served on the fish. out to you because she can tell you think she’s “cute”? Some Suggestions for the future? people have a really bad reaction to flirtation at work. There are, of course, a million other possible explanations for her not A: Here’s the problem: You have too few kids in your life. If being upfront about it—if indeed she is gay. Maybe she’s the you had more of them around, you’d know better than to invite private type. Maybe she’s had bad experiences in the past with two parents to dinner without addressing the kid issue one way coworkers knowing her business. Maybe she’s not even sure or another. It pays to be explicit in such an invitation, writing she’s a lesbian herself. or saying something like: “It will be the eight of us on Saturday. I think you know the other couples.” Or, “It’s just the big people In any case, no, don’t ask. Especially in a workplace this time. No little ones.” situation, it’s better to let things unfold organically. Not only is her sexuality technically none of your business and not Of course, in this case one of the parents could have asked related to your work, asking the question directly could end beforehand, “Just checking: Is it okay to bring the twins?” up alienating someone you may need to work with or otherwise Still, I imagine they felt horrible when they saw a table set for benefit from as an ally—no matter whether she ends up being eight adults. Or I hope they did. And, I trust that the parents straight, gay, or bi. apologized profusely in the moment and in their thank-you note, as well. Wasn’t that a one-night stand? Finally, about that caper sauce: Please don’t blame the kids Q: Here’s the deal. We met at a bar, had a couple of drinks, for not taking to that. I suggest keeping emergency provisions went back to his place and had great sex. Period. End of story. in your cupboard—like mac ‘n cheese—for the next set of Or so I thought. As I was leaving, he asked me for my number freeloading toddlers. so that we could “get together again.” I thought he understood this was a one-night stand. I just said, “I’ll see you when I see you.” Did I do anything wrong? A: Not really, no. It just sounds like one or both of you could have been more explicit ahead of time. But it’s a tricky situation. Unless you’re having sex at a club or in a backroom, it’s easy to misunderstand where the other guy is coming from. Next time, try to set some limits. In the throes of passion, it may not feel quite right to say, “I only want to have sex with you and then got to go.” But what about: “I need to be asleep in an hour because I’ve got an early flight tomorrow” or “My boyfriend will be home in a little while so let’s get busy…” It’s also important what you do after you climax: Avoid getting into a lot of post-coital chitchat. Don’t be rude, just don’t get drawn into a lengthy discussion. Three things to remember: If it’s a no-strings-attached hookup, don’t expect to exchange last names, email addresses or phone numbers. If you’re at a guy’s house, make sure you remember to take everything that’s yours because you may never see him again. Finally, and most importantly, be prepared and be safe. That means having condoms on hand and using your sixth sense to make sure the guy’s not a psycho. Oh yes, also enjoy yourself. Steven Petrow is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and Yahoo! He’s also the author of The Essential Book of Gay Manners & Etiquette.

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38 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Sports The OutField Wrestling Without Borders By Dan Woog “Wrestling is a sport of great intimacy. When you wrestle At the 1990 Gay Games in Vancouver, wrestling was you know a man’s character, and he knows yours,” Brigham an afterthought. Organization was so haphazard, says, explaining the ease with which gay and straight longtime devotee Gene Dermody paid $300 of his own wrestlers get along. money to get mats in place for competition. Yet despite the growth, all is not well in the gay wrestling That galvanized the small but intense gay wrestling world. The World Outgames – an upstart organization that community. Realizing that no one would help them except began in 2006 in Montreal, continued in Copenhagen in themselves, they formed a coalition. Wrestlers Without 2009 and now plans a 2013 event in Antwerp – has diverted Borders – dedicated to promoting the freestyle and Greco- focus from all gay sports, Brigham says. Wrestling – a sport Roman versions of the sport – has grown into an international that does not attract wealthy participants, and that needs umbrella organization for wrestling clubs. Its focus is on a critical mass of athletes in each weight class to run an gay clubs and events, though it welcomes any group that effective tournament – has been hit hard by the Gay Games- shows “a commitment to wrestlers of all ages, genders and Outgames schism. orientations in a safe, non-elitist environment.” “It’s hard to fill all the classes, and it’s asking a lot to travel WWB has helped push wrestling to the forefront of the internationally so often,” he says. “We worry about ‘event Gay Games. Its Web site provides a clearinghouse for LGBT fatigue.’” WWB has drafted an online petition to keep the Gay wrestling events. And it offers help to any group or individual Games “the premier global LGBT sports-cultural event.” new to the sport. WWB has also taken a lead in documenting the history of In 1994, the group worked gay wrestling. A comprehensive with New York organizers to page on the Web site (http:// include women’s wrestling in wrestlerswob.com) explores the Gay Games, says WWB wrestling’s role in both the Gay chair Roger Brigham. Four Games and the birth of the years later, in Amsterdam, LGBT sports movement. The WWB helped introduce gay Don Jung Hall of Merit honors wrestling to many Europeans. the sport’s LGBT pioneers. That, in turn, led to an As it looks back, WWB impressive wrestling presence inspires wrestlers in at the 2002 Sydney Games. unexpected ways. “People hear Along the way, WWB has about us, and even if they’ve served as an ambassador for been out of wrestling for years, gay wrestlers. “Everywhere we they get involved again,” go, mainstream organizations Brigham says with pride. are impressed by our “They realize the importance professionalism,” Brigham of giving back.” says. “We’ve gained acceptance Many times, former athletes and broken down barriers.” find that doing so – while At the 2006 Gay Games in identifying for the first time Chicago, some of the sport’s as a gay wrestler – is both top national officials became empowering and exciting. vocal advocates of WWB’s At the same time, sexual all-encompassing approach. orientation is only part of When the games ended, they Wrestlers Without Borders. “As threw their support behind the barriers of homophobia in the formation of a gay wrestling club in Chicago. sports wear down, people in the gay sports world are saying, The Chicago organization joined counterparts in Los ‘We’re so successful – do we still have a reason for being? Are Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, we losing our gay identity?’ London, Paris and Sydney. “We don’t call people ‘straight allies’ or ‘straight partners,’” Allies are a crucial part of Wrestlers Without Borders. “Our Brigham says. “We call them ‘wrestlers.’” clubs have a higher percentage of straight athletes than other And because of that philosophy, borders between straight sports organizations,” Brigham notes. “We couldn’t survive and gay wrestlers are falling around the world. without them.” His friendship with Jim Michael provides an excellent example of such support. A Chicagoan, he was intrigued http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1694 by the 2006 Gay Games. The next year, on a trip to San View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments Francisco with his wife, he visited a practice of the Golden Gate Wrestling Club. He loved the atmosphere; his wife was treated well – and a year or so later Michael returned for a tournament. “He got his ass kicked,” Brigham says. Yet Michael grew emotional when he told Golden Gate members how respected they made him feel – “not like a has-been or washed-up old guy,” Brigham says. When the Chicago Wrestling Club hosted a WWB event the following year, Michael was a primary backer.

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 39 40 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 41 42 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 43 44 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 45 Music Music Review Hear Me Out: Madonna Mania! By Chris Azzopardi Also Out Rufus Wainwright, All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu Troubadours like Rufus Wainwright get off on being grandiose, The Power of Madonna but what happens when you lose something you can’t get back? Glee: The Music You scale it down, as he has after the recent death of his mother. Genre: Rock On his sixth studio album, Wainwright comes equipped with his My Rating:  rich croon, the piano and lots of grief. It weeps and wallows, only once sounding anything like his usually flamboyant baroque- inspired self on “Give Me What I Want and Give it to Me Now!” Glee, we were already crazy for you. But then you went even Otherwise, he’s sulking – crying for sibling civility on the standout gayer and did an all-Madonna episode! With Sue Sylvester “Martha” and then leaving us with an emotional juggernaut, the doing “Vogue”! Turns out, we can love you more. The cheer lonely “Zebulon,” that shoots right through your heart. coach adds her infamous cutthroat attitude to one of music’s Usher, Raymond v. Raymond most delicious songs in a way that even the Material Girl herself Usher’s one horny hottie. He basically does the dirty enough could, ya know, cherish. With her show-singing debut, one of on his latest CD to make you forget about his other career TV’s favorite meanies sings with apropos swagger, not sounding – the music one, where he’s wooed followers with his smooth all that different from Her Madgesty with slight Auto-Tune falsetto and crunk club grooves. Even though nothing ever and hilariously dropping her own name among the legends in goes as deep as the album’s title might suggest, the sampled the spoken-word bit. Other New Directions kids get into the “Making Love (Into the Night)” works its bump-and-grind magic groove with equal – if not more – Madonna moxie on this EP- and “Foolin’ Around” is a decent “Burn” redo. Rapper/bi-of-the- ish release, which includes seven other faves from the veteran moment Nicki Minaj springs “Lil Freak” to life, but the disc is diva. A mash-up of early career classics – “Borderline” and still remarkably flaccid for someone who always seems to have “Open Your Heart” – works even if Finn wrestles with Rachel’s a hard-on. powerhouse pipes. No surprise, she keeps him down. Finn fares better with the series’ guy gaggle, giving an all-dude adaptation of “What it Feels Like for a Girl” that’s shockingly sweet and http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1698 tender and not at all as weird as it should be. Out theater doll Jonathan Groff – one of the Fox show’s fresh faces – joins the View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments rest of the cast on “Like a Virgin,” and Mercedes injects some of her sassy soul into “4 Minutes.” Arrangements stay true to their originals – right on, Ryan Murphy! – and the ensemble totally nail “Like a Prayer” with a chilling intro and the choir’s moving end-runs. So good it is, in fact, just like a dream.

Sticky & Sweet Tour Madonna Genre: Pop My Rating: ½

Even if our Gay Goddess ran out of reinventions and sold into mainstream trends with Hard Candy, the unremarkable album she supported on this 2008-09 tour, Madonna’s mojo still makes for one heck of a show. Over several hours – a couple on DVD; one on CD – the enduring diva gives us a shotgun seat on her disco ball. The album, thankfully including many of the genius do-overs of such heyday classics as “Vogue” and “La Isla Bonita,” is cool and almost too polished, but what hardcore fans really wanna see is Madonna get her jump-rope on, enter on a throne and masturbate with her guitar. Watching her do so during this Buenos Aires stint – being both playful and intense – is definitely a steal compared to the in-person cost, but no DVD could ever mimic the magic of seeing Madge live. With full-screen videos and scoping cameras, it captures that rush as best as you could hope for from someone of such Queen of Pop caliber. Seeing Madonna rip apart her guises, sing “Human Nature” alongside a videoed-in Britney Spears or make “Into the Groove” a pulsating playground were just a few highlights of this tour – one filled with frilly fun, flamboyant theatrics and the kind of energy that’s typical of someone half Madonna’s age. Go behind-the-scenes of it all with a 30-minute feature that actually feels like a backstage pass to one of music’s most iconic fixtures. How’s that for Sweet?

46 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010  Melissa Etheridge - From Page 13

GayCalgary: You’re touring this summer, but without your hot, longtime electric guitarist Philip Sayce – why? M.E. Because Philip’s got his own little career going on, so I just cleared the board. I went, “This is a new page for me. It’s a new album, it’s a new sound, and it’s a new feel. I’m just breaking out.” It’s hard because I get very attached to my band, but they weren’t available to make the album, so that was the first step of going, “Ya know, I think this is leading me down another path and I need to be open.” I sent him off with love and I’m sure we’ll get together in the future, but right now I’m putting these guys together and they’re dedicated to working with me now. GayCalgary: The music video for “Nervous” – the second single – stars Edie Falco, which reminds me of all the other hot actresses who’ve appeared in your videos – Jennifer Aniston, Juliette Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow. Of them all, who made you the most nervous? M.E. Edie Falco, probably. Did you see the way she looked at me? (Laughs) GayCalgary: How did her cameo come about? M.E. I actually know the creator of Nurse Jackie. She’s one of my BFFs, and her and I have been trying to do a television show together for a long time and when she landed Nurse Jackie, I was so happy for her. I played the album for her months ago, and she goes, “Can I use ‘Nervous’ in the final episode of Season 2?” It was just a really sweet and fun thing to do. GayCalgary: Have you seen Crystal Bowersox on American Idol this season? M.E. I have! And my kids love her. The first time they saw her, they paused it – because I only let them watch it on the weekend on TiVo – and came running into the kitchen. They a song about that and I’ll call it “Miss California,” just like said, “Mom, come here!” They had paused it on the shot of her Carrie Prejean – even though I’m definitely not singing to her. guitar and they said, “Is that your signature?” And holy cow, It just worked into the whole thing. that was my signature. GayCalgary: This album seems to reach back to your roots. GayCalgary: Besides a couple of tracks, there are far less You’re rocking out more like you did in the ’90s and you have politics on Fearless Love than on The Awakening. a weary woman in an isolated room in the “Fearless Love” M.E. (Laughs) They’re just hidden underneath. “Miss video much like the one for “Come to My Window.” Was that California,” a song about the state’s ban on gay marriage, intentional? is blatantly political. How do you think music and political M.E. Yeah, that’s still a part of me. I’m maturing and I create activism – or activism of any sort – work together? it differently, but that girl is still me, and so when I get on stage Music reaches past people’s minds and it goes straight into and sing “I’m the Only One,” “Come to My Window” and “Bring their spirit, their soul, their body. You can take advantage of Me Some Water” – from over 20 years ago – that’s still me. that in a way. Music and activism is natural. It’s always been I might not be going through those experiences in that a way through time to bring us closer to the unity we all need moment, but they happened to me. So I’m able to reflect on to be in. it, remember it, understand it in my life now, still see where GayCalgary: Is “Indiana” about your ex-partner Tammy that’s happening in my life and rock from that place and feel Lynn Michaels? comfortable now. M.E. It’s completely about Tammy. She’s from Indiana, and her journey has been so inspiring to me – and I’m around it so much – that this song popped out. To be able to sing with http://www.gaycalgary.com/ compassion about another person is new for me. For me not a1677 to be in the song, I’m working on that. View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments GayCalgary: Why didn’t you before? Was it easier for you not to? M.E. Yeah, I guess so, because everything was so autobiographic. I still do that, but I want to expand as a writer. GayCalgary: Is “Miss California” taking a dig at Carrie Prejean? M.E. It’s not necessarily her. I certainly don’t know her and I don’t really have a comment to the sadness that – I’m not even going to comment. It fit perfectly because when I started to write it, I said I really just have to address this. I have to address my home state, my people and the feeling of, like, being spurned by a lover. I thought, OK, I’m going to write

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GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 49 50 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Interview

Here For Your Entertainment Adam Lambert on Post-Idol Success, the Media, and his “Talented Tongue” By Jason Clevett For someone with only a year of experience since Idol, In the week prior to my conversation with Adam Lambert, Lambert’s advice in leading contestants through Elvis week was often spot on. he performed sold out shows in Richmond and Coquitlam, B.C., appeared as a guest mentor on American Idol, and “It was really exciting to be asked, I was honored. I like helping people and trying to figure out how to make something better. It performed his current single Whataya Want From Me is something that I did a lot of last year when I was on the show. on the results show. He was also in one of the funniest I became friends with a lot of my fellow contestants and wanted moments in Idol history with host Ryan Seacrest. to help them wrap their head around their mission, which was If you haven’t seen the clip yet, hunt it down. While talking to keep it fresh and keep it the best it can be every week. It was about Whataya Want From Me Adam told Ryan he had to stick great to be on the show and mentor the contestants they have his tongue out to hit the high note. In response Seacrest replied now. I did the best I could at trying to put myself in their shoes, “my tongue is not nearly as talented as yours.” where I was last year, and give them my best.” “That made me laugh too. That was a brilliant moment. It was In what has become his trademark, Lambert switched up not rehearsed. It is moments like that which make interviewing Whataya Want From Me for the live performance. fun,” Lambert told GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine. The “It was like a homecoming. I was excited to come back and look on everyone’s face, from Lambert’s to Seacrest’s to the Glee see such familiar faces, it was like going back to high school cast seated behind them added to the hilarity. To top it off, the year after you graduate. It was really exciting, everyone was Adam mouthed the words, “It’s true.” sweet and I was thankful to do something different with [the “It is true!” he said, chuckling at the memory. “Whatever went song] on stage - it was a great challenge.” through my mind was pretty clear on camera. It was like oh... It was a teaser for what fans can expect from the Glam-Nation ok. I thought it was funny.” tour this summer. No Alberta dates have been announced yet. Seacrest always seemed to stumble over his words around Orianthi and Idol runner up, Allison Iraheta, will open the Lambert, even when he was an idol-contestant last season. Is it show. possible he has a little man-crush on Lambert? “It is a two and a half month tour so there are a lot of dates. “Ryan’s great. I don’t know him personally, my only interaction Creatively it is under wraps right now, it is going to be very is being interviewed by him either on Idol or his radio show. He is atmospheric, visual, theatrical and take the audience onto a always really cool with me. I think he knows I can take a joke and journey to this crazy little world for an hour and a half. I am so he can tease me, it will all be in good fun. We have a good time.” excited to have Allison! She is like a little sister. She has such

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 51 an incredible voice and is such a natural performer. From day been done. It’s one of those internet rumors that aren’t true, one she was my pick to win, she is a force. It is going to be great and there is a lot of that. Welcome to my life.” to share the stage with her again.” It is a higher profile than other Idol alumni have achieved. The BC shows were a warm up for the tour, which will begin Both winner Kris Allen and runner up Allison Iraheta are rehearsals after Lambert completes a UK promotional tour. exceptionally talented and have released their own albums, but “I really got a kick out of the diversity of the audience. I neither seems to have captured people like Lambert. saw a lot of familiar faces of fans. I saw younger gay guys out “I think the thing that is really interesting is that Idol is there in makeup and fabulous clothes. I was glad to see the this great forum. It puts you on the map, it’s a platform. It diversity that I should have, that people are appreciating the really comes down to what you do with it, how you run with music from all different age groups and backgrounds, that is your opportunity after the show. What people don’t see behind kind of my goal.” the scenes is that there is so much work involved in having a Furthermore, the line “Whataya Want From Me?” seems to career in this business. It is tireless, endless, 100% every day. reflect Lambert’s relationship with the media. It seems like That is what it takes to make it. I’m working my ass off and everything Lambert does, ends up splashed on entertainment hopefully its showing.” pages. “Adam Lambert slams Susan Boyle” read some headlines; Lambert also took control of the album For Your Entertainment, “Adam Lambert made out with Ke$ha”; “Adam Lambert stands to keep it 100% his own, from start to finish. up to pee”. ...Ok that last one wasn’t reported, but between “It is definitely me. I sat down with the label at the get-go comments being taken out of context and reactions to things and said basically, ok let’s do everything. Let me make the like the American Music Awards performance, there seems to most eclectic, all over the place album you’ve ever heard. They be a lot of press, some not so positive, about him. went, ok, why? I said, that’s who I am as a music lover and a “It is interesting; it has definitely taken a little bit to get used performer, I don’t want to be boxed in to one thing. Luckily they to. I am still not used to it but I am getting there. It comes went with me on it and we created an album that is a journey with the territory. The one thing I find interesting is how through genre and sound and time references. The underlying sensationalized everything gets. Various media outlets will look theme is that it’s me and it’s about relationships. That is the for a way to create controversy or paint you in a certain way common theme throughout the album.” and that gets a little frustrating, it being painted inaccurately. While the album doesn’t have an outwardly gay theme, it Something I say being used against me or turned around is doesn’t try to pretend he is something that he isn’t. Fever starts frustrating at times. Other than that I am really glad I get the with the lyric There he goes, my baby walks so slow, sexual tic- attention because that is half the battle as an artist, you want tac-toe yeah I know we both know it isn’t time, no. The honesty people to hear you and see you, and I am thankful it is working of the album is certainly appreciated by his gay fans. While out well.” there have been more and more celebrity coming outs, most You can’t believe everything you read about Adam. Such is the of them are well established or on the tail end of their careers. case when I read reports of him starting a male make-up line, Lambert hopes that being an open, proud artist who happens and brought that up to him. to be gay and successful will open the doors for other young gay “Not true. Think you’ve got a rumor there! It is something artists to just be themselves. that I think could be fun and I would like to do it but it hasn’t “That has been really important to me from the get-go, being who I am. What is so exciting is, for example, my song is doing

52 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 really well on the radio, and sales. Hopefully it proves that it doesn’t matter what your sexual preference is, it matters how good your music is. Hopefully record labels and artists will go, oh ok you can be successful, it is just work. Everyone is afraid that it won’t sell, it will affect the product. Hopefully this sets the example that it doesn’t matter as long as the product is good. If you like the song, you like the song.” Lambert didn’t have many “famous” gay influences when he came out, and hopes to be able to positively affect teenagers of all types. “I am excited about being visible and proud to be who I am, publicly. I think that in itself is the important part. This is me, take it or leave it. I like who I am, hopefully you do to. I think that in itself is the best example to set for young people. It goes beyond gay; any kid that feels unattractive, unloved, unpopular, weird - all those things you feel as an adolescent. It transcends sexuality and about being proud of yourself.” It took awhile to get Adam Lambert on the phone because he is so busy. Between phone interviews, TV appearances, concerts, tour planning, and promotional tours, how does he make time for himself? “It comes and goes. I get my days off and have free afternoons. It is a lot of work and I feel very immersed in everything. I take time for myself whenever I can get it. I am lucky that I have great friendships and a really supportive family. Having worked for it for so many years here in Los Angeles helps me appreciate it even more because I feel I put time and effort into it over years. And now it is paying off and I can celebrate that.”

Adam Lambert For Your Entertainment in stores. www.AdamLambert.com

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GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 53 Interview Our Lady Peace Revisits Classics

By Jason Clevett about it. Let’s do two nights in each city, a different record each night, a two part night with an intermission, no opening act just an evening with Instead of taking the typical route in touring to promote their Our Lady Peace. We got really excited and said to our manager, lets do it. current album Burn Burn, Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace He said it would be a logistical nightmare and we said, Well ok, cool, deal took a different, and somewhat unique approach: performing two- with it and send us the routing.” night stands in cities, including Edmonton May 7th and 8th and Then came the hard part of choosing which of the band’s seven studio Calgary May 10th and 11th. Night one features the album Clumsy albums to play. To do so, the band (Mazur, vocalist Raine Maida, bassist in its entirety, while night two features Spiritual Machines. Both Duncan Coutts and drummer Jeremy Taggart) went to their fans. shows will then feature a second set of OLP hits. “We originally came up with Naveed and Spiritual Machines. We ran into a lot of fans in person and online that say Spiritual Machines is their “There has been some confusion about these shows. It is a two part favorite record. We all love it as well. We thought we would do those two show. We are basically being our own opening band. If you don’t care records, but we decided to ask the fans what they wanted to hear if we did about the record we are playing, you are still seeing a regular OLP show. something like this. We put it up It is a really cool experience. on our website and facebook group The two parts of the show look asking what album the fans would and sound very different. It want to hear, and Clumsy and is an experience and we are Spiritual Machines came back the really proud of it,” guitarist strongest. We were glad Machines Steve Mazur explained. “It has came back so strong because we been better than we could have really wanted to do that one. It is hoped. We come out and do the definitely two different periods of first set, we don’t jump around the band so we went with it.” as much because we want to play it really well. People tend It presents an interesting to just listen a little bit more challenge for a band to tackle a and don’t go as crazy. Then we project like this. To play songs you get done playing a song and haven’t played in years is difficult people are freaking out and enough. Mazur, who replaced Mike loving it. The reaction has been Turner in 2002, was not part of cool to talk to people about the recording process for either these records. Doing a whole album and had to learn them from show with no opening band, it scratch. is an hour of Our Lady Peace, “We really wanted to recreate take a break, and then another them as close to the record as hour and a half. By the end of the night the audience feels like it is an possible. A big challenge included experience, not just a concert.” how to recreate some of the sounds. There are songs you record that The idea came about from hearing Cheap Trick do something similar, would be really hard to play live so you realize you probably never will. and then Mazur saw the band Devo do the same idea in Los Angeles. You can’t do that with this. We don’t play to any tracks when we play live. So the challenge was how to make this happen with the sounds “We had heard about Cheap Trick had done three nights in a row at and multiple guitars. How to recreate the album live when all we have is the Metro in Chicago, each night doing one of their three records. We drums, bass, guitar. We had to do some mind bending to make the songs thought it would be something cool to do in Toronto, a seven night stand come across. We worked our butts off and for the most part the songs doing a different album every night. I went to see Devo in LA, they were sound a lot like the record. Remembering all these songs we have never doing two nights in a theatre, doing a different full album each night. The played, the notes, chords, Raine remembering all the lyrics. We usually night I saw wasn’t the record I wanted to see because the other one was played 1 song live at our shows off of Spiritual Machines and there are sold out, but I thought it was great. We were all having dinner, the band 11 songs on that record. It is kind of like memorizing lines from a high and our manager, and talking about our Canadian tour for Burn Burn. school play.” We wanted to do something different this time, we’ve always done the big hockey rinks and theatres. It is great but we’ve done it and wanted to do Maida has changed his vocal style since the albums as well. something different. The Devo show came up and we got really excited

54 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 “He doesn’t do as much of the falsetto stuff, he likes the register he get bit by that bug, that inspiring thing, it is addictive and you want to has been singing in the last few years, it suits his voice. He had to go keep doing it. That transcends sexual preference, age, race, everything. back and revise and get his mind back into the approach he had for When you feel that, you feel it, it doesn’t matter what kind of person you those records. He has been able to pull it off note-wise no problem; it was are or where you come from. That is hopefully inherent in our music. I just getting into that mindset again.” don’t think we could write songs from a place of wanting fame, that is not The tour will be almost a “revisiting of youth” for both the band and how we started or how we know to do things.” the audience. Clumsy was released in 1997 and Spiritual Machines in Alberta has always been a rock-n-roll province. Bands often comment 2001. Many fans were teenagers at the time and band members were that Calgary and Edmonton are some of their favorite cities to play, and not yet married with kids. OLP is no exception. Mazur said they can’t wait to bring this tour to us “For me going back through these records - from knowing the guys here. and where the band was at in different periods and dissecting the songs “Pretty much on all of our Canadian tours Calgary and Edmonton a bit - I got an inside perspective of where the band was at different are two of our strongest places to play every time. It is where people periods. On Clumsy, there are some songs on that record that, holy shit automatically come out, we always know we will have strong shows. We they are so crammed with notes and so much singing. As you get older never have to worry about attendance, and the vibe of the crowd is just you tend to not want to fill all the spaces with a note, you mature and let out of hand. We are so thankful for Calgary and Edmonton, every time stuff breathe more. We will be done with songs some night from Clumsy we know we will have good shows there and that is a great feeling.” and it’s like, Jesus man could there be any more notes in this song?” It may also be a chance for fans who haven’t seen OLP in awhile to rediscover the band. “When we first started doing it, it was a tip of the hat to the fans who have supported us. That is something we felt really good about this tour. But we are getting people who are going, they are playing Clumsy, that was my favorite record junior year in high school. So they see us play that and some of our newer stuff and hopefully that re-ignites the flame.” Our Lady Peace One comment that receives scrutiny is when Maida says, at the start Burn Burn now in stores. of the second set, that “the work is over” and it is time to have fun. Mazur www.ourladypeace.net clarified that statement. “It has been a lot of hard work for us trying to perform these records. Tour Dates We know there are people in the audience that love these records so we feel a little more on our toes and nervous in playing those first sets. A Edmonton - Event Centre - May 7th to 8th lot of the music especially in Clumsy is pretty challenging so we have to Calgary - Jack Singer Concert Hall - May 10th to 11th focus pretty hard during that set. The second set is songs we have been playing almost every night for years, that is a little more ingrained in us http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1702 and we don’t have to concentrate as hard.” Another unique thing about the tour is the VIP experience. A limited View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments number of packages were available for $199 that included prime seats, merchandise and a meet and greet with the band. VIP packages are becoming something many artists, from the Black Eyed Peas, to Bon Jovi, to Lady Gaga are offering. The difference is the price tag ($250 - $1000), and still you don’t get to meet those bands. “It has been really cool to meet fans. At the most we usually meet them on the way to the bus, we might get to talk to 20 or 30 people who have stood out there for a long time. Other nights we have to leave right away. Some nights in Canada it is too damn cold for people to wait. So to get to meet people in back and take a picture and talk to everyone for a couple of minutes, it is a one-on-one thing; a nice relaxed time. Everyone is not crowding in. We have heard way more people’s stories. I have never felt so warm and fuzzy from meeting OLP fans and so fullfilled by what our music does for fans up until this tour. It does just as much for us as it does for them, honestly. After a show I can be tired and not feel social but I look forward to the VIP events after the show. Towel off, grab a drink and meet a bunch of the fans. I think I will miss it now, when we don’t do it.” It seems like OLP has played every venue in Calgary - Saddledome, Edgefest, Coca-Cola Stage, small clubs, MacEwan Hall, and the Jubilee Auditorium. This is their first time in such an intimate venue as the Jack Singer Concert Hall. “It sounds diplomatic but they are all different and I love them all. Playing a festival is one kind of amazing experience, playing a theatre or club is another. We wanted theatres for this show because we are being meticulous with the performances, really trying to get as close to the record as possible, we wanted to make sure people could really hear that. You can hear better in a theatre because it is smaller.” I know a lot of LGBT OLP fans. An OLP audience ranges from gay and straight, men and women, people in their 40’s down to teens who were not alive when the band broke through with Naveed in 1994. “We are definitely not a band that writes about chcks and cars. A lot of bands, that is what they are about, and we love those bands. I am not going to say I don’t love AC/DC just because their songs are all about girls. Raine has always lyrically steered towards things outside of that. One thing I know for us is that all four of us didn’t start playing music to become famous; we were bit by the music bug at an early age. When you

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ISCCA Coronation 34 Week Photos - Calgary taken at the Backlot, Calgary Eagle, Money-Pennies, Texas Lounge and the Westin Hotel

58 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #79, May 2010 Photography

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ARGRA Dance - Calgary (taken by Jason Clevett) Money-Pennies Rave - Calgary

Red Deer Taboo Show

Aids Calgary Open House - Calgary

Kinky Flea Market - Calgary

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