GoGuide Magazine Iowa City | Cedar Rapids | Des Moines
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Halloween Issue 2018 An October tradition: The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Englert Theatre in Iowa City | Preview, p-8
GoGuide Election Guide including Op-ED by Karen Kubby, p-10 An Interview with Caroline Rose, p-14
October 2018 Vol. 3 | Issue 2
New Inside Corridor Theater Column, p-19 Newbo Women’s Music Festival Recap, p-18 New The Real Queens of Iowa City Featuring Hollywood Hope & Ophelia Belle, p-31 Always FREE. Share a copy with a friend.
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Life | Style | Scene GoGuide Media
GoGuideMagazine.com
facebook.com/GoGuideMagazine/ Remaining 2018 Schedule: Nov. & Dec. The 2019 schedule begins next Feb.
Vol. 3; Issue 2 Halloween Isue Publisher & Editor Tim Nedoba Operations Gregory Cameron Copy Editor Grammarly Premium Design GoGuide Media Contributors Gregory Cameron Bill Feld Julia Freeman Karen Kubby Gregg Shapiro TerriSchlichenmeyer Erik Sosa Local Sales Reach Out Marketing, LLC tim@romllc.us National Sales Rivendell Media
facebook.com/CoralvillePride/
Table of Contents Halloween Issue Volume 3; Issue 2
Page 4 - First Take Page 5 - Erik’s World Page 6 - News Briefs Page 8 - All Hallows’ Eve Page 10 - Election Guide Page 14 - Music Page 18 - Newbo Women’s Music Festival Page 20 - Film Page 22 - Books Page 24 - Workplace Equality Page 28 - Health Page 30 - Remembering Aretha Franklin Page 31- Freetime
FIRST TAKE
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Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel: One Iowa Action Executive Director Editors note: Questions and answers have been edited for space. The full column can be read at GoGuideMagazine.com. Why is it so important that the LGBTQ community come out and vote? What’s at stake here in Iowa? Currently, Iowa law protects LGBTQ people from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We’ve seen several attempts over the past few sessions to weaken those protections from anti-LGBTQ legislators. If more pro-LGBTQ officials are elected, it will be easier to thwart those attempts, giving us the freedom to be proactive rather than defensive in our advocacy efforts. Do candidates take a risk in taking the LGBTQ vote for granted? Yes, it’s absolutely a risk for a candidate to assume they have “the LGBTQ vote”. Implicit in that assumption is a presumption that our community is a monolith that has all the same values and will vote the same way. LGBTQ Iowans are individuals of all races, religions, ages, classes, and ability statuses. Candidates need to keep this in mind as they speak with LGBTQ people during their campaign.
Erik’s World It seems like everything in life is now up for grabs. By Erik Sosa I know I am supposed to write a continuing article in regards to how the rest of my summer fell apart and how the vampires I am raising are slowly sucking the life and beauty out of me. Hell, I’d even talk about my teaser where I said I don’t believe we went to the moon. But to be honest, I am so mentally disjointed about the direction of this country, that I have begun to question EVERYTHING? I have moved from the moon to the possibility that our earth is not as round as we are lead to believe. I am not saying that it’s flat either. For all I know, the earth could be a stale ass donut. I know that not a Krispy Kreme donut because everyone around would be smiling and laughing as much as there are LOLing on their phones. But I digress. So, let me start with this: WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING TO OUR EARTH? TO OUR CIVILIZATION?!? TO AMERICA? TO OUR FREEDOMS. I know swearing is never good, and I promised myself never to be that type of columnist, but I’m at a loss with the set of events happening around our world on a daily basis. No joke, I am seriously beginning to get really concerned and scared for what lies ahead for all of us, on a global scale. Furthermore, severe and perplexing cosmic anomalies and unidentified objects keep traversing and lighting our sky like never before. And how about the extremes in political correctness and uses of technology, radical or not, that are slowly encroaching upon and quietly dismantling the civil and social liberties that men and women have fought and died to create and uphold.
Listen, I’m just really stressed out nowadays because nothing is the same anymore. It’s like our usual increase of instability is foregoing ahead and continues to shake the loose ground we stand; People are afraid of losing grip with reality and it feels like we are in need of a superhero. Well, at least that is what we are being conditioned to accept. Bonnie Tyler said it best when she sang “Holding Out for a Hero: Where have all the good men gone. And where are all the gods? Where’s the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds? Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed? Late at night I toss and I turn. I need a Hero.” So, yes, I did break some rules today by swearing and talking about politics. I can’t tell you what to do if anything. And buying bunker is not the solution. I only wished we were being armed with truth in order to better care for and defend myself and those I love. Until then, I’ll continue search for answers that make sense because social creatures we are here to touch and be touched, not reduced to texting, numbered by likes and emojied to feel a sense of connection.
Open 7 days a week. Queer friendly all the time. Downtown Iowa City-www.beadologyiowa.com
News
Briefs
CampusPride.Org Ranks top Schoolsfor LGBTQ Students
Misty Rebik Joins One Iowa Staff
Recently CampusPride.org ranked the top colleges and Universities for LGBTQ students. According to the Campus Pride website top campuses with the highest percentages in LGBTQ-friendly benchmarks for policies, programs, and practices scored five stars. The five star schools make up the list of the top 30 schools. Unfortunately, no school from Iowa made the top 30. Here’s a look at how certain Iowa schools fared in the study. No reason is given why all Iowa higher education schools were ranked. University of Iowa – 4 out 5 stars University of Northern Iowa – 3 ½ out of 5 stars Drake Universty – 2 ½ stars out of 5 Marshalltown Community College – 2 out of 5 stars Cornell College – 1 out 5 stars
GoGuide contacted the University of Iowa in order to comment on the Campus Pride Ranking. Dr. Melissa Shivers, interim Chief Diversity Officer and vice president for Student Life at the University of Iowa responded with this statemet. “The University of Iowa values the diversity of its faculty, staff, and students, and we are proud of the work we have done to be an LGBTQ-friendly campus. We strive to be a campus where all students can achieve their best in a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.” A complete listing can be found at https://
Misty Rebik joins the staff of One Iowa. In an email statement, Misty will serve as a stewardship and events coordinator in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor area. One Iowa is a statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) organization preserving and advancing equality for LGBTQ individuals through grassroots efforts, advocacy, and education. Misty joins One Iowa off the heels of the electoral primary season where she served as campaign manager for a gubernatorial candidate. Previously, Misty served as the regional director of strategic partnerships & development of Eastern Iowa with Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. While at Planned Parenthood, she spearheaded the development of the transgender care program at the Cedar Rapids health clinic and founded the B.A.R. (Born After Roe) group aimed at engaging millennials in advocacy and fundraising for reproductive and sexual health. Misty will be collaborating with local LGBTQ organizations, putting together an LGBTQ advisory council for the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor, and spearheading area events like the 2nd Annual LGBTQ Workplace Culture Summit in eastern Iowa.
News October is LGBT History Month
Briefs
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“Out of the Darkness Walk” Iowa City
LGBT History Month is a month-long annual observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements.
When you walk in the Out of the Darkness Walks, you join the effort with hundreds of thousands of people to raise awareness and funds that allow the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to invest in LGBT History Month provides role models, new research, create educational programs, builds community, and represents a civil advocate for public policy, and support surrights statement about the contributions of the vivors of suicide loss. LGBT community. Walk Date: 10/14/2018 It was founded by Missouri high-school Walk Location: Terry Trueblood Recreation history teacher Rodney Wilson. Wilson orig- Area - Iowa City, IA inated the idea, served as founder on the first Check-in/Registration Time: 5:00 pm coordinating committee, and chose October Walk Begins: 5:45 pm as the month of celebration. Walk Ends: 8:00 pm Among early supporters and members of the first coordinating committee were Kevin Jennings of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN); Paul Varnell columnist for Chicago Free Press; Torey Wilson, Chicago area teacher; Johnda Boyce, women’s studies major at Columbus State University and Jessea Greenman of UC-Berkeley.
For more information visit www.afsp.donordrive.com/.
2nd Annual LGBTQ Workplace Culture Summit – Eastern Iowa
Paul Varnell, former columnist for Chicago Free Press
www.lgbtHistoryMonth.com
2018
Tuesday, October 23 Kirkwood Community College 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
one1owa Iowa’s statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization oneiowa.org 515.288.4019 info@oneiowa.org
All Hallo Let’s do the Time Warp Again! It’s October and almost Halloween so give yourself over to absolute pleasure! The Rocky Horror Picture Show screening and live show, presented by the Englert Theatre and Comics in Action. Come out at midnight for the only film that brings together costumes, screaming, laughs, and some thrown objects! Don’t worry The Englert will provide the props (included with your ticket purchase); however, you will want to bring your best voice and of course all your virgin friends. Everyone is encouraged to come in costume. October 27 @ 11:50 PM The Englert Theatre 221 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA
The Bloody Maria from Lucky’s Market
www.luckysmarket.com/recipe/bloody-maria/
Ingredients
Instructions
2 shots good quality tequila 1/2 lime, juiced 6 ounces tomato juice or tomato-vegetable juice cocktail Hot Sauce Black Pepper 2 Teaspoons olive juice Large Spanish pimiento stuffed olives, for garnish Spicy pickled beans, for garnish 1/4 seedless cucumber cut into sticks, for garnish
Combine tequila, lime juice, tomato juice, hot sauce and some pepper, to taste, and olive juice in a cocktail shaker and shake to combine. Pour over ice and garnish with olives, beans and cucumbers.
ows’ Eve Create the Perfect Costume at Ragstock by Tim Nedoba
Ragstock describes itself as a unique store offering new and used clothing at affordable prices carrying a wide selection of fashion-forward items for men and women alike. Recently GoGuide Magazine interviewed Kevin Reinhard the General Manager of the downtown Iowa City location. GoGuide (GG): What are some of the most popular items people look for when they stop into Ragstock looking to create a unique costume for Halloween? Kevin Reinhard (KR): a lot of the favorite items to create your own costume are: men’s and women’s bibs, coveralls, 90s jackets & lab coats/scrubs. We also have a great selection of different masks, wigs, make-up and animal dress up sets. (GG): What makes Ragstock the ideal place for costume ideas? (KR): Ragstock is a perfect place for costumes because of the accessory options to add to outfits. It’s more fun creating your own costumes for the uniqueness of what you choose to do. Also, you can’t beat the prices... (GG): I’m sure it’s safe to say that a great costume can be created without breaking someone’s budget? (KR): It’s tough to break the budget at Ragstock (Halloween time or not). Create your own costume ideas are the most affordable (and most fun) in our store. (GG): Overall, what is it about Ragstock that it remains a staple here in Iowa City for so many years? (KR): It remains a staple because its the
only store of its kind in the downtown area. And Ragstock is a unique business that sells new & used clothing. though our industry has changed over the years, its still very much the same business model with low prices and excellent party attire (GG): How many years has Ragstock been at this location in Iowa City? Is this the only location in the area? (KK): We have a store in the Coral Ridge mall also (Located next to Sephora). Ragstock has been in the same location downtown since 1979! Nothing better then parents who went to school here at Iowa show Ragstock to their kids now attending school BLAST FROM THE PAST!!!! (GG): What is the best advice you can give to the costume shopper? (KK): The last 2 weeks of October will be very very busy in our stores. I encourage people to get in early for Halloween costumes. Utilize our Coral Ridge mall location also. We tend to carry the same items (for used merchandise we have the same categories with a different product) Ragstock has 8 locations in Iowa. Find the location closest to you at www.Ragstock.com.
207 E Washington St, Iowa City
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GoGuide Election Guide 2018, Part 2
“It’s our responsibility to make sure every candidate actively seeks out our vote. Our vote should never be taken for granted.” GoGuide Media Vote your Hopes and Not your Fears by Karen Kubby
Voting makes a difference. In 1999, Steven
tention to candidates is a great starting place Kanner won his election to the Iowa City city to explore those on the ballot. Ask them, “Whom are you voting for and why?” Be council by two votes. This taught me that sure you ask that question when you have if there is a candidate for which I have great passion, I need to work on their campaign and time to hear the answer. make calls until 15 minutes before the polls Choosing our elected officials is an important close. Every vote counts. task. It is even more critical that we demand accountability of them once elected. Our How a person is as a candidate is the best everyday tasks do not end on election night. indicator of their performance as an elected If a candidate says they believe in civil rights official. Do they listen or talk over you? Were they responsive to questions you asked? and then votes against expanding protected classes to include gender identity, they need Have they worked in the community on issues before running for office? I particularly to be called on that. Even before they vote, love an activist who turns policy maker. This we need to ensure they have useful information and hear from many of us that this is a powerfully effective combination. comprehensive protection is critical to our communities. Candidates I vote for must be willing to act on civil rights, reproductive justice, environDon’t like whose running or how they are mental stewardship, access to health care, running? Work towards getting yourself on and an economy that works for all. If I like the ballot. Why not you? someone as a person and they are weak on a few issues, I take the time to speak with them My best advice is to vote your hopes and not about these issues and see if I can be helpful your fears. in strengthening their policy stances and/or their language. For example, someone may be a queer ally, yet need assistance navigating Karen Kubby ran three times before winning her first election. She served on the Iowa City language issues to communicate the extent city council from 1989 to 2000. She currently of their queer-friendliness. We need to see owns Beadology Iowa, a full-service bead ourselves and offer ourselves as resources to store in downtown Iowa City and can be those running for office. If you stand on the sidelines, your issues are sidelined. reached at karen@beadologyiowa.com. Knowing people that you trust who pay at-
Shoot out in the Lone Star State
by Bill Feld cruising to an easy win. Instead, in a few If you met Beto O’Rourke at a PTA months, she was packing up her boots while meeting, in a bar or while sharing an Uber, George and Laura Bush were measuring her odds are good that you would like him. His office windows for new curtains. The Red youth, smile, irrepressible hopefulness and tide came in hard in Texas and has not recedthoughtful candor, have led his admirers to ed for a quarter century and counting. award him the highest praise that Democrats can bestow, “Kennedyesque” and “the next So how, despite his personal attributes, has Obama.” O’Rourke put a scare in Texas Republicans and given a glimmer of hope to even the His buzz in Texas has even gone viral. His states’ long-suffering ‘Yellow Dogs* First, compelling and well-reasoned response to a Beto is not “all hat and no cattle.” He has a voter’s question about NFL players taking fundraising machine that has severely outa knee during the National Anthem seemed classed his opponents --no small accomplishto frame the issue as it had so far not been ment for a challenger facing an incumbent done: The flag and the men and women in who just two years ago waged a respectable the military willing to die for our freedom run for the Republican Presidential nomdeserve our respect and admiration, but ination. He has also worn out quite a few there must also be a place in America for pairs of boots by visiting all 254 counties in peaceful protest by those who feel the AmerTexas, holding town meetings and greeting ican Dream has sold local residents, thereby them short. He said there sowing a fertile grassroots is room for both views campaign organization. in a free country and that This is no small feat for the flag and the Anthem a candidate whose homeshould be a source of town of El Paso is nearly unity and not partisan as far from Los Angeles as division. This answer it is Texarkana. So when catapulted Beto’s Buzz Beto began to bask in the into a Boom. It lit up the national spotlight, he had Internet and introduced him to millions of the ground game and the bank account to voters virtually overnight. His new-found take full advantage of the glare his national celebrity has extended well beyond Texas notoriety brought him. and led to appearances on Ellen and Late Night with Stephen Colbert. And then there is Ted. His staff is rumored to be worried about his “likability problem.” In Still, for Beto, his once long-shot bid to his 6 years in the Senate, colleagues ranging unseat U.S. Senator Ted Cruz is still at best from Al Franken to Lindsay Graham have a toss-up. No Democrat has won a statewide publicly commented on the disdain most of election in Texas since the Internet was still the Senate has for him. Franken said in his a military secret. In 1990, when Democrat recent book that when he was the coordinator Ann Richards won the Texas Governorship, of the Senate’s annual secret Santa event, only 5% of Americans had cell phones and no fewer than 13 of his Senate colleagues O.J. Simpson was a widely admired sports refused to stuff Ted’s stocking. hero. Four years later the beloved and wily Richards ran for reelection sporting a 70% Apparently, Ted did not play well with others approval rating and every expectation of
(Feld Continued from previous page)
and didn’t get the memo that the Texas State motto is “Friendship.” But, despite his snarky demeanor and natural lack of personal warmth, even Cruz’s critics acknowledge his razor-sharp intellect, his driving ambition, his debating skills and his gift for throwing red-meat sound bites to his conservative base. He has also carried water for virtually every far-right particular interest group in Washington, and they do seem to like him, at least “No Democrat has won a statewide election in enough, to pour millions Texas since the Interof dollars in net was still a military PAC-funded secret.” ads into the race most of them painting Beto as tax-hiking, gun-stealing, baby-killing Marxist.
Battle Brew According to the Scholten4Iowa.com
website, the average person in Congress is 58 years old with a net worth of a million dollars. Scholten is running as a different kind of candidate. First, he’s 20 years younger. Second, he’s about a million dollars short of that million dollar average. Here’s another surprise, he’s actively courting the LGBTQ vote in very conservative Northwest Iowa.
GoGuide goes one-on-one with J.D. Scholten.
GoGuide Magazine (GG): A recent Emerson College Poll If Beto manages to extend this fall’s had you within much-vaunted Blue Wave to the Deep Red striking distance heart of Texas, it will not be for one single of Rep. Steve reason alone. Much of the credit should go to King? Are you his genuine likability, hard work, and skill as seeing the same a candidate. It also has not hurt that his oppothing in the nent sometimes comes off as a villain straight district? from Central Casting. And then there is the empowered Democratic base anxious to settle J.D. Scholten scores and curb President Trump. There are (JDS): The also millions of new Hispanic and Millennial Emerson Poll voters in Texas who can only boost Beto’s had us within ten points, and a more recently cause. released poll has us within six. While these results are exciting, the feeling I felt most An O’Rourke victory in this November was a relief. This is where we expected to be would be an important watershed in Texas because this is what we’ve been seeing on political history. It would not mean that the ground in this district for months. People Texas is no longer a Red State. It would show of this district, Democrats and Republicans that an unusually gifted candidate in a near alike, are tired of Steve King’s divisiveperfect storm of favorable circumstances can ness and ineffectiveness and are ready for a breath new life into a party that many had left change. for dead. *Yellow Dog. Legacy term for a southern Democrat who would vote for a yellow dog over any Republican.
(GG): Why do you see this race tightening? (JDS): National pundits don’t see how out-
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wing in Conservative N.W. Iowa of-touch Steve King really is. Not only does he not vote in the best interests of Iowans, he just doesn’t show up. He’s missed almost 40% of the hearings on the Agriculture Committee and 80% of the Small Business Committee meetings. He doesn’t do Town Halls, he doesn’t attend public events, and now he’s refusing to debate me. The people of this district deserve a representative who works as hard as they do. I’m gaining on Steve King every day because I’m outworking him. I’ve already done two 39-county tours, and now we’re starting a third—this one is a Town Hall style tour that gives the people of the district a chance to be heard. To have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, you have to include the people.
(JDS): Honestly, I haven’t seen any pushback yet, but I’m not concerned about it either. Our economy is warped and doesn’t do enough for the working class, we need to make addressing climate change a priority, we have millions of people without quality health care, and our farmers are hurting and bearing the brunt of these trade wars and consolidation of markets. These are the things I’m focused on. (GG): Do you feel the LGBTQ vote could make a difference in your favor in a tight race?
(JDS): I think everyone’s vote will make a difference in this election. This race is going to go down to the wire, and we’re going to need all the help we can get. This is one of (GG): Are you actively seeking the LGBTQ those races where every vote is going to vote? matter. I’d encourage everyone reading this not just to vote, but to get involved. Volun(JDS): My campaign motto is “Standing Tall teer, make phone calls, knock on doors, talk for ALL,” not just because I’m 6’6”, but beto your friends and neighbors, we won’t see cause I want to represent all of the people of change until we work to make it happen. this district and because I believe in equality J.D. Scholten on LGBT Rights: for all. Steve King practices the politics of fear and division, regularly attacking peo“I stand for equality and civil rights ple’s political ideology, ethnicity, or sexual for ALL, without hesitation and orientation. I want to bring people together to without caveats. No one should be build this district’s future for all of us. When I played baseball, I didn’t care if my shortstop discriminated against because of who they are when it has no impact was black, white, or Latino, I didn’t care if my left fielder was Republican or Democrat, on the lives or well-being of others. and I didn’t care if my first baseman was gay That is not what this country stands or straight. We came together as a team for a for.” common goal. That’s the mentality I want to bring to Washington. (GG): Is there any pushback for supporting the LGBTQ community in your district?
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MUSIC
Rose’s turn: an interview with singer/songwriter Caroline Rose
Gregg Shapiro: Caroline, your new album is titled, Loner. Is that a fair description of the way you see yourself or is it a character you created?
By Gregg Shapiro
Caroline Rose: I think it’s a little bit of both. I don’t think it would be the first adjective I’d use to describe myself now. But, at the time I was writing and recording the album, I was pretty much all-consumed by it and didn’t have much of a life outside of music, and I desperately wanted to. It’s a tongue-in-cheek way of approaching my coming of age, and into adulthood [laughs] in modern society, I guess.
Almost everything you need to know about queer singer/songwriter Caroline Rose can be heard on “More of the Same,” the amazing opening track on Loner (New West), Rose’s new album. There is humor, sensitivity, insight, and an Op-1 keyboard; the combo is intoxicating. It’s an honest indication of what follows on songs that incorporate updated retro new wave sensibilities (“Cry!”), outrageous funk (“Jeannie Becomes A Mom”, “Talk”), 21st century sixties revival (“Bikini”, “Money”, “Soul No. 5”, “Animal”) and perfect pop (“Getting To Me”). Without a doubt, Rose’s Loner is one of the best albums of 2018 thus far. During September and October, Rose has the distinction of being the opening act for Rainbow Kitten Surprise on the multi-city concert tour, as well as performing a series of headlining shows. I had the pleasure of speaking with Rose about her music and the new album in late July 2018.
GS: One of the most appealing things about the songs on Loner is your sense of humor, which is on display throughout the album – from the album cover and artwork to songs such as “Soul No. 5”, “More Of The Same” and “Jeannie Becomes A Mom.” How important is it for you, as a songwriter, to include humor in your work? CR: That’s such a good question because I approached this album wanting it to reflect me as a person, a personality. Humor is such a big part of my life. I remember when my
first album came out, I had an earnest stage persona. I wanted to be taken seriously. I was borderline obsessed with being taken seriously as a songwriter and a musician. I would meet people, like new friends, or even when I met my management in person, and they would be like, “Wow! You’re so different from your stage persona.” That really got to me for a while. I really needed to find a way to bridge the gap between my personal life and the way people see me onstage. It’s become an own goal for the last handful of years to be more like myself in my personal life onstage. I make a point of [laughs] injecting weirdness into songs and making sure the weirdness of my personality and the humor really come out. At the same time, I know that if it’s too jokey and too goofy, then you stop taking yourself seriously. [Laughs] there’s a line to be drawn, but I’m happy with the balance of the seriousness and the humor. GS: Do you also think humor is an effective way of making commentaries on the present-day culture? CR: Absolutely! I use satire a lot in some of the songs. I think it’s a useful tool to talk about stuff that makes people kind of cringe or uncomfortable. It takes the edge off. Artists have been using satire for a really long time. The first time I read Candide, my mind was blown. It’s a powerful tool to take something dangerous and difficult to talk about and may bring someone pain and flip it on its head. To make a joke about it and laugh at something that would typically bring you pain is a powerful weapon to use. GS: Another notable aspect of the album is the use of the synthesizer that sounds like a Farfisa organ on songs such as “Talk,” “Bikini,” “Jeannie Becomes A Mom” and “More of the Same.” Can you please say something about the use of these particular keyboards? CR: I just love the sound of a Farfisa! Initially, there wasn’t as much on the album. I
was trying to find a way to make everything sound a little more cohesive to brand the sonic element. I think the Farfisa is really good at bringing out the whimsy in songs [laughs]. I think the association with The Doors and some of those retro sixties, surf-rock kind of feel with electric piano…when I was creating the palette for the album, I wanted to inject something that brought out a bit of goofiness. In approaching the next record, I’m going to do something similar regarding bringing out the comic elements. I definitely will find other [laughs] instruments now. (The Farfisa synthesizer) is a complicated instrument to blend into a mix [laughs]. GS: It sounds effortless. CR: Good! That’s great. That makes me happy [laughs]! GS: Would it be fair to say that you are employing an underground, but empowering, feminist approach on songs such as “Cry!” and “Bikini”?
Proudly working towards an inclusive future for all learners. We’ll face it together.
CR: Yes, totally. A lot of people bring that up, whether I would consider my music to be subversive or political. My most honest answer is that because I’m a female, and I identify as female, it just happens to be part of my life. I sing about parts of my life that make me frustrated or comical to me, they will come out as feminist songs. [Laughs] I’m a female, and I’m a feminist. And I don’t know how to shut my mouth [laughs]. I think all those things combined end up becoming political because it’s a political time. GS: On the lyric sheet photo, I noticed that you have ink on left inner forearm – what does the tattoo say? CR: [Laughs] In French, it says “Be drunk all the time.” GS: What are you most looking forward to about your autumn 2018 tour with Rainbow Kitten Surprise? CR: That’s going to be a grand tour. I’m looking forward to having a more significant touring group. We have a new bass player that’s coming on. That’s really exciting. We’re going to have a new front of the house and a new crew. I’m excited to have a bigger team. Everything’s going to be bigger. We’ll be fleshing out some new songs. The audiences will be bigger, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise is a fantastic band. I’m looking forward to playing for new audiences. It’s interesting playing opening sets because you never know who’s going to turn out and if people will like you or not [laughs]. GS: I always make a point of being in my seat to hear the opening act. CR: That’s very nice of you! GS: Some of the songs, including “Cry!” and “Soul No. 5”, could be tea dance hits with the right remix. Are there remixes in the works?
CR: I would love that! I would like for people to remix the songs. I would adore that. I haven’t done any remixes myself, mainly because I have no free time at all. But I would be so open to that. I hope that remixes are floating around out there. Both welcomed and encouraged. GS: Are you aware of an LGBTQ fan base? CR: We have a ton of LGBTQ (fans). I identify as queer, so I think people find us.
Editor’s note: Caroline Rose will be appearing at The Mill on Friday, November 9. Time: 8:00pm. Admission: $10 Advanced // $12 Day of Show. Age restrictions: 19+ After 10 pm. The Mill 120 E. Burlington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 319.351.9529 www.icmill.com
RETRO BEATS By Gregory Cameron Grace Beverly Jones was born May 19, 1948, in Jamaica to a local politician and Apostolic clergyman. Since her humble beginnings, she now owns a career that has spanned decades and is considered to be an iconic international pop star. She’s a supermodel, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Who could forget her in the role as May Day in the 1985 Bond Film, “A View to a Kill?” Grace Jones received screen credits for more than twenty films in her career. Yet, Grace Jones is best known for her music. Jones was signed by Island Records, who put her in the studio with disco record producer, Tom Moulton. Her first album Portfolio was released in 1977. The album featured three songs from Broadway musicals, “Send in the Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim from A Little Night Music, “What I Did for Love” from A Chorus Line and “Tomorrow” from Annie. Island Life, Jones’ first best-of compilation, which featured songs from most of her releases with Island (Portfolio, Fame, Warm Leatherette, Nightclubbing, Living My Life
and Slave to the Rhythm). The artwork on the cover of the compilation was of another Jones/Goude collaboration; it featured Jones’ celestial body in a montage of separate images, following Goude’s ideas on creating convincing illusions with his cut-and-paint technique. The body position is anatomically impossible. The artwork, a piece called “Nigger Arabesque” was originally published in the New York magazine in 1978, and was used as a backdrop for the music video of Jones’ hit single “La Vie en rose.”[ The artwork has been described as “one of pop culture’s most famous photographs.” Jones has 10 albums altogether, and all of them score five stars with me. Jones is an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ rights and has participated in numerous HIV/AIDS benefits. Jones’ memoir entitled I’ll Never Write My Memoirs was released in September 2015.
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INAUGRAL NEWBO WOMEN’S MUSIC FESTIVAL
By Julia Freeman
Chalk it up to stormy weather in Iowa to move the inaugural Newbo Women’s Music Festival from a planned outdoor stage venue indoors to Newbo City Market to begin September. The same storm system that forced the first full-scale cancelation of the last Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmer’s Market of the season in many years brought in enough rain, thunder, and lightning to prompt festival organizers to modify vendor and musician staging. While the music was played indoors, many vendors from across the ICR (formerly the Corridor, according to the Awful Purdies tidbit during their performance) were represented under the Market’s awning. Among the many highlights of the festival was seeing Alisabeth Von Presley perform her acoustic set of “(I’m A) Wonder.” It was indeed a change of pace from her traditional backup dancer, electric guitar, and high energy intense show performances on a condensed Market Ruthie’s Stage. The performance, which was the finale and headlining performance was well worth the wait and watching other female lead singers perform a myriad of covers to original music and songs. VonPresley’s backup singer, Lacie De Souza, played the first set of the festival as the lead singer of Oceana to perform double duty vocally. A fitting and soulful tribute to Aretha Franklin by Alicia Monee brought the audience to their feet for one of many standing ovations. Monee was indeed a crowd favorite with a mixture of original
and cover songs in her set list. She was one of only a few performances that had no male band members on the stage. Her backup singer and keyboard player were dynamite in their own right when they added vocals to songs. Most performers had not planned for primarily acoustic performance sets in an airplane hangar due to the last minute weather change. Yet, all persevered and did a phenomenal job of adjusting their song selection accordingly. The most fascinating part of the festival was Von Presley being a fan girl by snapping photos, attending, and cheering on almost every act she could visit when not in rehearsals. This was despite being very popular with fans herself and posing for selfies and pictures accordingly while listening and supporting her fellow artists. The day was filled with a NAOMI pop up sessions, songwriting workshops, NewBoCo Coder Dojo and planetarium for youth, and a musical petting zoo off of the main stage, but at local Newbo sites within walking distance of the Market. Witnessing the West Music panel with various professional women in the music industry and the reunions of music teachers/directors with former students was terrific. The Eastern Iowa Arts Academy’s solo, duo, and Scarlett Letter band acts were also well representative of the up and coming future of the music landscape. Overall, it was a successful festival, and all genres of music were represented with topnotch talent, which just so happened to be female for the day.
INSIDE CORRIDOR THEATER Fall Recap & Preview By Matthew Brewbaker
Welcome to GoGuide Magazine’s newest column – Inside Corridor Theater. In this new column, it is my goal to help inform the theater going audience about shows going on in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor and to share my insights and experiences working with some of these companies, actors and directors, rather than provide criticism. In the interest of full disclosure and transparency, I am currently the Artistic Director of one of the Theatres I will talk about, Dreamwell Theatre. I have prided myself on working as an actor and director with several other theatre companies in the area, and hope to continue working with even more in the future. So, introductions have been done, now let’s talk about some productions coming September and early October! Let’s start with the musicals! Iowa City Community Theatre kicks off it’s season with Assassins by Stephen Sondheim, directed by Jaret Morlan, featuring performances by several familiar faces in Iowa City/Coralville like Josh Sazon, Dustin Davis, Hannah Green and Kehry Anson Lane, along with many others. Those who know my taste in theatre may know that I’m less inclined to enjoy musicals, but I will take a nice dose of Sondheim, especially “dark” Sondheim any day. Assassins ran from Sept 14th to Sept 23rd at ICCT. Theatre Cedar Rapids
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will be bringing a beloved classic with some modern twist to the mainstage with “My Fair Lady,” directed by TCR Artistic Director Angie Toomsen. Having worked with Angie both as a fellow actor and directed by her, I can only say that any opportunity to work with her or see a show she has directed is to be coveted. Add to that a few cast members I’ve worked with in the past, Bryant Duffy and Safe Spiker, are always a treat to see on stage. “My Fair Lady,” will run September 14th through October 6th at Theatre Cedar Rapids. Four non-musicals of note opening in Sep tember are also worth mentioning: City Circle Acting company of Coralville will be presenting “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night,” a fantastic play about a young man on the autism spectrum trying to solve a crime for which he’s been accused and his journey of discovery in the process. Featuring some familiar names to corridor theatre scene like K. Michael Moore, Mary Denmead, Tad Paulsen and Barry Schrier, this should be a fantastic dramatic performance. It ran at CCPA in Coralville Sept 28th – Sept 30th. Lastly Dreamwell Theater presents “Marjorie Prime” by Jordan Harrison, directed by Jen Brown, opens Dreamwell’s 21st season. A funny and poignant bit of speculative fiction about using technology to aid emotional recovery, raises questions about identity and relationships. This play was turned into a film of the same name and starred Jon Hamm and Geena Davis. Well that’s all I have room/time for this month. If you are part of a local corridor theatre I didn’t mention, let me know what you are up to, especially if you have any announcements or shows that address the LGBTQ community.
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FILM
Screen Savor: Getting read By Gregg Shapiro Have you ever started reading a book and within the first few pages you figured out everything you need to know about the characters as well as how it will end? That’s a fair description of the predictable and mildly amusing “Book Club” (Paramount), now available on DVD/Blu-ray/Digital. It’s the kind of “women of a certain age” flick that Nancy Meyers writes and directs (“It’s Complicated” and “Something’s Gotta Give”) with some degree of success. However, in this case, writer and co-director Bill Holderman are entirely out of his league. Four friends – Diane (Diane Keaton), Sharon (Candice Bergen), Carol (Mary Steenburgen) and Vivian (Jane Fonda) – have remained close during the 40-year existence of their book club. From Erica Jong’s “Fear of Flying” to Cheryl Strayed’s “Wild.” Over the course of their long friendship, they’ve seen each other through good and bad times. That includes Sharon’s rise to federal judge and enduring the end of her marriage to Tom (Ed Begley Jr.), Vivian becoming a prosperous hotelier while refusing to settle down with one person, Carol’s career as a successful chef even as her marriage falls like a souffle and Diane enduring the death of her husband. The introduction of E.L. James’ trashy “Fifty Shades” trilogy to the book club ends up igniting an unexpected spark in each of the women with initially varying results. Sharon explores the possibility of meeting men via the Bumble online dating site. Carol, on the way to visiting her two overbearing daughters – Jill (Alicia Silverstone) and pregnant Adrianne (Katie Aselton ) -- in Arizona has a
“meet cute” moment (read: unintentional penis grab) with pilot Mitchell (Andy Garcia). Carol, who is increasingly desperate to revive her marriage to Bruce (Craig T. Nelson), will seemingly do anything to rev his engine, including spiking a beer with Viagra. Vivian, who has proudly never slept in the same bed with any of the men she’s had sex with, gets a big surprise when she reunites with ex-lover Arthur (Don Johnson), who is a guest at her hotel. “Book Club” relies heavily on sight gags. The dressing room scene in which Sharon attempts to squeeze herself into Spanx or the entire Viagra sequence, for example. There is also plenty of unabashed product placement. “Book Club” attempts to balance more severe moments (those belong to Keaton, who earns them) with those that want to be more comedic but ends up falling flat. When it comes to “Book Club,” you’ll be able to guess the happy endings before you reach the last page or the credits roll. DVD/ Blu-ray/Digital bonus features include deleted scenes and a bunch of featurettes. Rating: C-
Prairie Lights Iowa City’s iconic, independent bookstore since 1978
15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, Iowa 52240 319-337-2681 prairielights.com BOOKSTORE
&
CAFÉ
BOOKSTORE HOURS: Mon–Fri 1O am – 9 pm, Saturday 9 am – 9 pm, Sunday 1O am – 6 pm, CAFÉ: opens 9 am daily & closes w/bookstore.
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Books
Prairie Lights Books & Cafe - An Iowa City Treasure Special to GoGuide Magazine
Prairie Lights has been Iowa City’s Independent Bookstore since May of 1978. It opened as a small, intimate bookstore offering titles by the newer voices and by established authors both. As the staff and customers tended the books with care much like a garden, the store grew and blossomed. By 1982 Prairie Lights moved from South Linn St. to South Dubuque and has gradually spread to three and a half floors, the half is an 1100 square foot coffee house located in the same space that the local literary society met throughout the 1930’s, hosting writers Carl Sandburg, Robert Frost, Sherwood Anderson, Langston Hughes, e e cummings and others. Gertrude Stein and friend Alice B. Toklas were scheduled for a reading but were sleeted in at Waukesha airport-- or so the story goes.
Our readings are listed on our website: www. Prairielights.com. All readings held in store are free and open to the public. This year we have hosted Pulitzer-Prize Winning novelists Andrew Sean Greer and Jennifer Egan and New York Times Bestselling author, Tara Westover in the store.
In addition to our reading series, we have a large, gifted staff whose goal it is to help customers of all tastes and ages find books. Kathleen Johnson, or Events’ Co-ordinator, read widely in fiction and literary nonfiction. One of the strengths of the store’s reputation Owners Jane Mead and Jan Weissmiller are lies in the reading series of local, national both published poets and graduates of The and international writers who have read their Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Our large, excepworks which, for 18 years were broadcast tional poetry section reflects their wide-ranglive on stations WSUI and WOI and which ing knowledge of poetry. Our children’s was the only regular literary series of its kind. book staff includes the inimitable Mary Taft Since Iowa Public Radio has cut its local who has been with the store since 1983, as programming, Prairie Lights streams its read- well as two former school librarians and the ings live on the internet here: https://www. prominent young-adult author, Sarah Prineas. writinguniversity.org We host large out-ofOur floor manager Tim Budd is a beloved acstore events at venues ranging in size from tor - deeply involved in Community Theatre The Englert Theatre to The Iowa City Public in Iowa City. Our former buyer, Paul Ingram, Library. Recently we have hosted Jacqueline is a national treasure. Go to the Prairie Lights Woodson, the National Book Award Winning YouTube channel to see his dynamic book author of “Brown Girl Dreaming” and the talks. And, join his monthly book club! current National Ambassador for Children’s There are many treasures at Prairie Lights, Literature. Stephen King, Lena Dunham, and and we would love to help you experience Bernie Sanders - among many others. them all.
Book Review Sponsord by
Prairie Lights
15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa city www.prairielights.com
You were going to change the world. Book review byTerriSchkichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez
It’s true that you were one small voice, just one person with a vision but you were sure it could be done. You were going to change the world, one corner at a time – starting with the one you called home. And in the new book “Wild Mares: My Lesbian Back-to-The-Land Life” by Dianna Hunter, that’s sometimes all it takes. Growing up in rural South Dakota, Dianna Hunter learned what “queer” was long before she understood her sexuality. She was “seventeen, cosseted, closeted, and clueless” then but, once enrolled in college and living in Minneapolis in an atmosphere of early-1970s feminism and LGBT activism, she “surprised” herself by coming out. By then, classmates had introduced her to new friends, who introduced her to a lesbian community that raised her consciousness. Hunter learned how to be an activist, and she helped to create safe places for lesbians to socialize; when friends began to think about establishing a collective farm in Minnesota, she was highly intrigued. “We were headed toward our dream and our vexation,” she says. “Women’s Land, Open to All Women.” Through the years, there were other farms and other horses. Friends and lovers came
and went, societal attitudes changed and, though now retired, Hunter was eventually able to buy and manage a dairy farm near Lake Superior. And yet, there’s angst here, starting with a constant stream of people who move in and out of Hunter’s narrative, taking their drama with them and re-inserting it. After a while, that seems like just more of the same and character fatigue may begin to set in; it doesn’t help that there are several farms involved, adding to the dismay. Even so, Hunter’s introspection, her eagerness to do anything to find her “utopia,” and her love of the land take over and make this book palatable. Overall and in the end, it turns out to become a good look at non-traditional twentieth-century farming, and at Midwestern lesbian history. Yes, “Wild Mares” is a little relentless in its overly-peopled telling, but it’s also something different, for a change. “Wild Mares: My Lesbian Back-to-TheLand Life” by Dianna Hunter c.2018, University of Minnesota Press
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WORKPLACE EQUALITY
One Iowa to Host 2nd Annual LGBTQ Workplace Culture Summit in Eastern Iowa Special to GoGuide Magazine
One Iowa, a statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) advocacy organization, will host its 2nd Annual LGBTQ Workplace Culture Summit in eastern Iowa next month: Eastern Iowa Summit: Tuesday, October 23 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Kirkwood Community College 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 This event will provide resources for employers and LGBTQ employees to help them create safe and inclusive workplaces. Employers will learn about ways to improve their policies and retain LGBTQ talent, while LGBTQ employees and allies will learn about their rights and strategies for creating effective LGBTQ employee resource groups (ERGs). One Iowa is hosting similar summits in central and northwestern Iowa in October as well. “For many of us, our workplace is where we spend most of our lives outside of our home,” One Iowa Executive Director Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel said. “If we don’t feel safe and respected there, it has a negative impact on our entire lives.” “Unfortunately, data shows that nearly half of LGBTQ people do not feel comfortable enough to be fully out at work. This statistic is unacceptable, and our goal for this event is to develop more inclusive workplaces for LGBTQ Iowans through collaboration with employers, LGBTQ employees, and allies.” Keynote speakers include Malay Bouaphakeo of Full Pursuit Life Coaching and Lynn Schreder, co-owner of KHI Solutions.
G Guide Magazine .com
You read it first in GoGuide Magazine “Early” Analysis of Comprehensive Statewide Health Survey of LGBTQ Iowans - September 2018
HEALTH 28
IDPH stands united with the 3,000 Iowan’s living with HIV/ Act Against AIDS campaign created by the Centers for Disease Control AIDS and Prevention. Stop HIV Iowa need-
ed to build a brand that Iowans would begin to recognize, and then hoped Editor’s note: This first ran in last month’s to use that brand to spur statewide issue of GoGuide Magazine. This is the com- action. It has worked; the messages plete unedited version. It’s a worthy article have corresponded with a substantial and deserves to be reprinted. increase in the number of individuals accessing testing services at public test sites across Iowa. Today over 3,000 Iowans are living with HIV. Each day, people living Fast forward to 2018, and Stop HIV with HIV (PLWH) are faced with Iowa has a large integrated approach finding appropriate medical care, staying adherent to medications, and to messaging that uses innovative delivery tactics to ensure messages facing personal and societal stigma reach the right audiences. The camrelated to HIV. Stop HIV Iowa, in paign places advertisements in 306 conjunction with the Iowa Departprint publications across all of Iowa’s ment of Public Health (IDPH), has implemented a multi-dimensional me- 99 counties and has a digital and sodia campaign to reduce new cases of cial media presence. The campaign’s HIV and improve the lives of PLWH current online landing page will soon be a comprehensive website for health across the state. care providers and the general public The Stop HIV Iowa campaign began to access Iowa-specific information in 2015 with a small budget, but large related to prevention, treatment, case management and other vital services. intentions. The campaign prioritized Newly launched peer-to-peer radio print publications in areas of the ads are also starting to run throughout state served by the Ryan White Part the state. Stopping HIV in Iowa is still B client services program. The goal the goal, but the message has grown seemed simple: to stop transmission far beyond its “Get Tested” roots. The of HIV in Iowa. But that was actualgoals now include educating providly a very large and complicated feat. This is why the campaign started with ers, reducing stigma, and helping to a simple message to “Get Tested,” and improve health outcomes for PLWH across the state. borrowed media materials from the Special to GoGuide Magazine
We deserve better!
One way that Stop HIV Iowa hopes to increase health outcomes and decrease stigma is by promoting the Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) message to Iowans. All Iowans should Better is coming in know that when someone who is livJanuary 2019. Its a new ing with HIV is on effective treatment product from GoGuide such that the level of virus in their Media. blood is “undetectable,” that person has effectively no risk of transmitting It’s time for change. The marketer HIV to a sexual partner, and can live deserves better and the consuma long and healthy life. The Prevention Access Campaign promotes U=U er deserves better. It’s real deals with real value. It’s bringing tomessaging on a global level, and Stop gether advertiser and consumer in HIV Iowa hopes to support these mesthe enviroment of choice. Finally! sages here at home. Stop HIV Iowa and IDPH are committed to working with partners across the state to continue reducing stigma, encouraging Iowans to get tested, preventing transmission to others, and creating easier pathways to care for PLWH. We stand united with the 3,000 Iowans who are living with HIV and will continue to work towards our mission of ending the epidemic in Iowa.
Henry Ford was the change expert. His thories still apply today. Let’s Go! is based upon this quote from Henry Ford, “Be ready to revise any system, scrap any method, abandon any theory, if the success of the job requires it.”
Let’s Go! Eating, dancing, drinking, shopping, camping, hiking, biking, swimming, gardening, to the theater, to a see a film, to a concert, to a small event, to a big event. If you can imagine it, Let’s Go Do It! To learn more, email tim@romllc.us
R-E-S-P-E-C-T GoGuide Remember’s Aretha Franklin Compiled by Gregory Cameron
A New York Times obituary had this to say about Aretha Franklin, “Aretha Franklin, universally acclaimed as the “Queen of Soul” and one of America’s greatest singers in any style, died on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at her home in Detroit. She was 76. Ms. Franklin had a grandly celebrated career. She placed more than 100 singles in the Billboard charts, including 17 Top 10 pop singles and 20 No. 1 R&B hits. She received 18 competitive Grammy Awards, along with a lifetime achievement award in 1994. She was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, in 1987, its second year. She sang at the inauguration of Barack Obama in 2009. The LGBTQ icon famously sang at a prominent gay couple’s wedding in 2011, and her discography provided many anthems for queer listeners.” Born Aretha Louise Franklin in Memphis, TN. Ms. Franklin was a writer, a civil rights trailblazer (as a teen, she traveled with Dr. Martin Luther King on his crusades for civil rights), actress, and pianist. She has sold more than 30 million albums. She was laid to rest in Detroit, MI. There are so many great songs it’s impossible to list them all here. I know we all had our favorites. She will be missed, but her music will live on forever and continue to resonate with each new generation of LGBTQ youth.
FREETIME
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The real Queens of Iowa City
Editor’s note: Compiled by GoGuide Media staff; Photo’s by Tim Nedoba Miss Continental poster from event Facebook page.
On September 10, GoGuide Media hosted a special Iowa premiere screening event at the Iowa Memorial Union of the documentary The Queens. The Queens is a documentary based upon the Miss Continental Pageant held annually at the legendary Baton Show Lounge in Chicago. The documentary is produced by The Reporters, Inc. (www.thereporters.org/). As it turned out the highlight of the evening were the extraordinary after the screeening performances by Hollywood Hope and Ophelia Belle. The Queens documentry screening was an exclusive GoGuide Media event. If you’re interested in more information on this event or interested in producing future events, please email tim@romllc.us.
Hollywood Hope
Ophelia Belle