FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 METROSOURCE
METROSOURCE
MARVEL MELTS
ICEMAN’S CLOSET
MARDI GRAS
IN NEW ORLEANS
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
RUNNING WITHOUT SCISSORS
ENTERTAINMENT
JAKE SHEARS
LGBTQ IN
ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC
LIVE VIVIDLY.
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CONTENTS
February/March 2019 | VOLUME 30, NO. 1
38 30 jake shears cuts loose what’s life like after departing a long-term kiki with
the Scissor Sisters? For Shears, it’s included a solo album, a memoir, a Broadway show and more.
sina grace had plenty on his plate working on indie
titles, but when Marvel invited him to usher a major superhero out of the closet, he couldn’t refuse.
38 finding the lgbtQ in edm
30
dance music has long been a defining part of the
queer experience, but as EDM culture flourishes, does our connection to the beat go on?
52 A TASTE OF NEW ORLEANS want to see the big easy? we sampled some of the
city’s extraordinary culinary traditions and consider our community’s place in its perpetual parade.
52 ON THE COVER PHOTO BY RAPHAEL CHATELAIN
this page: jack whears photo by raphael chatelain • lgbt parade bourbon by paul broussard
34 the ice man comes out
THE PITFALLS OF DOING WHAT YOU LOVE
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jiyon Son ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kevin Phinney SENIOR DESIGNER Jayson Mena COPY EDITOR Kevin Phinney PROOFREADERS Erin Jordan, Barbara Mele CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Day, Matt Gross,
Jason Gutierrez, Erin Jordan, Jeffrey James Keyes, Christopher Lisotta, Deborah L. Martin, Kevin Phinney, Jonathan Roche, Eric Rosen, Wade Rouse, Jennifer Schiavone, Jeff Simmons, Megan Venzin DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Ben Ekstrom ADMINISTRATION Luswin Cote
NATIONAL DISPLAY ADVERTISING
Rivendell Media 212.242.6863
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER David Miller GENERAL MANAGER Thomas K. Hanlon DIRECTOR | OPERATIONS MGT Ray Winn DIRECTOR | MARKETING Ryan Christopher DIRECTOR | ORDER Heather Gambaro MANAGEMENT MANAGER | ADMINISTRATION Erin Jordan MANAGER | OPERATIONS Leonard Porter MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT MARKETING Kristine Pulaski MANAGER CONTROLLER David Friedman MANAGERS | CREDIT & Rosa Meinhoffer COLLECTIONS For national advertising inquiries, call: 212.691.5127. Subscriptions: One year (6 issues): $19.95; 12 issues: $34.95. Reproduction of any article, listing or advertisement without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. The people, businesses and organizations appearing in Metrosource are supportive of the gay community. Mention of any person, business or organization is not a reflection of their sexual orientation. ©2019 Davler Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. Metrosource is a registered trademark of Davler Media Group LLC. Printed in the USA. Metrosource Davler Media Group 213 West 35th St., Suite 12W New York, NY 10001 212.691.5127 metrosource.com
METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
VIEWS
PUBLISHER Rob Davis ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Evelyn Vayner EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Paul Hagen
about the dangers of doing what you love for a living. I think he was, in part, engaging in behavior common to parents of enthusiastic high school theater dorks who might aspire to a career on the stage. Dad is uniquely qualified to speak on the subject: He spent many years suffering the slings and arrows of bad auditions and stretches of unemployment. He saw performing artists of great talent go unrecognized and others felled by injuries. He fought every step of the way. But on this particular occasion, I don’t think he was simply warning me about the odds of making a go of it in the theater. He was warning me about a peculiar alchemy that happens when any artistic pursuit is touched by business. No matter how much you love it and no matter how great the art is that you create, it becomes a product. And if you’re a performing artist, you become the product.“Some days,” he said with a sigh,“it feels I’m stamping out notes like license plates in a factory.”Subconsciously, I think I absorbed this as a warning to always be on the lookout for the hidden consequences in any art-making I might pursue professionally - and attempt to course correct so as to not end up in license plate factory mode. So when I went to college and saw my friends knocking themselves out to audition for parts they didn’t even particularly want (simply to gain experience), I shifted my focus to writing for the stage instead: after all, why be another actor in need of a part when I could be cranking out parts myself. Then after years of writing, directing and producing - only to watch shows lose money or barely break even, I felt the grind of the license plate machine approaching and largely pulled away from that world of putting up shows in dingy black box theaters, hoping to reach a “next level” that kept failing to arrive. Instead, I decided to diversify. I studied writing comedy in a class that was designed to be much like the writer’s room of a late-night talk show. Unfortunately I had more success cracking witty asides than coming up with the kind of jokes and sketch ideas that gain one access to actual writer’s rooms. I tried my hand at writing for scripted television, was advised by a mentor to write a spec script, and wrote a rather a fabulous one (if I do say so myself) for an episode of Ugly Betty. However, before I could send it to an agent, the show was unceremoniously cancelled, and my mentor advised me that it was generally considered outré to send out scripts for shows no longer on the air. All that work gone right out the window because someone at ABC decided America Ferrara and Vanessa Williams were not the ratings draw they once were? That seemed like a raw deal. I continued to experiment. I wrote songs and started singing at open mic nights and piano bars. I spent a year and a half of my lunch hours writing a young-adult fantasy novel that (to this day!) I still am only halfway through transcribing. I made YouTube videos about musical theater. I spent the past seven Augusts writing 31 short plays to post on the Internet in 31 days. I liked to tell myself that practicing each art form made me better at all the others; on some level I wondered if I’d have more success sticking with one more obsessively. I have stuck with at least one thing. I’ve been working on this magazine for over 16 years. There are moments when I see people with whom I went to college appear on some of my favorite TV shows or end up with their books on shelves at Barnes & Noble, and I wonder if I’ve done enough. But there are other times when I consider myself very lucky - to have been part of the cultural conversation all this time; to have helped chronicle the increase in visibility, acceptance and legal rights among our LGBTQ community; to never have once worried about being accepted as an openly gay man at my place of work. And while my sundry other artistic pursuits may not have earned me the riches and fame I dreamed about as a wide-eyed kid, I can say they have very seldom felt like working in a license plate factory. ■
EDITOR’S LETTER
MY DAD, A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN, ONCE WARNED ME
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DEPARTMENTS
6
16
22 CULTURE 6 METROSCOPE The sexy Warwick Rowers, a troubling film about a trans ballerina, Mardi Gras parties, Rent: Live, and gay ski adventures. All this and more... in scope!
15 WEEKENDER Show up for Israel’s biggest costume party.
16 BOOKS An artist serves face, and Times Square is in focus.
22 SCREEN
28
a gay french romance, a young man who comes home with a secret, and awards season predictions!
28 MUSIC Barbra, Robyn and Chris Garneau change it up.
BODY 26 metRo hiV Open your heart with Bette, Hugh, and NPH.
44 HEALTH Tips and tricks to look redcarpet ready.
VIEWS 18 DIARY Wade finds the gay in Game of Thrones.
19 gay Voices “I accidentally slept with a Catholic priest...”
20 poV Kevin looks at life, one dance floor at a time.
56 LAST CALL Adam Shankman directs Taraji and Amy.
this page: LyLe ReimeR image couRtesy RizzoLi • cRuise ship image couRtesy ViRgin Voyages • NEVER LOOK AWAY image couRtesy caLeb deschaneL/sony pictuRes cLassics • chRis gaRneau by Ryan pfLugeR
ENTERTAINMENT
February/March 2019 | VOLUME 30, NO. 1
PEOPLE
The Legendary NYC Drag Queen We Love Is…
LOVE
The votes are in, and you’ve chosen one fabulous queen to join this year’s list of People We Love. WE STARTED WITH SEVEN ENTERTAINERS — ALL DESERVING OF
the accolade “legendary” — each one vying for a place on our annual list of People We Love. The queens mounted impressive campaigns; many shared videos encouraging their fans to vote for them online (and even threw some sassy shade at their legendary sisters). But in the end — after one queen withdrew her name from contention, and we’d tallied the combined votes from those who cast their ballots online and in person at our booth at DragCon — one has taken this year’s crown: Tina Burner. “Thank you to all the Metrosource family and readers!” said the victorious Burner. “It’s especially an honor knowing that Sherry Vine had to move away ‘cause I won.“ As a self-described “linebacker in a pantsuit,” Burner is the winner of numerous titles and crowns. She recently strutted the runway as Miss Fire Island 2018. “I view drag as an opportunity to carry conversations and push certain messages,” she says. “It’s a responsibility, and I use it as a platform to promote my two mantras: ‘treat everyone how you want to be treated,’ and ‘we are stronger as a community than we are as a nation.’ Stick together and stand for your beliefs. Be the change; don’t sit and wait for it.” Burner has been performing drag for nearly a decade, and has become a mainstay of the New York drag scene with her one-of-akind comedy, presentation and costumes. “I honestly can’t thank everyone enough for their continued support and patronage of my career, and even establishments I work in. Without the support of the LQBTQIA community, I wouldn’t be where I am today. The only reason I do what I do is to have the superpower of changing someone’s day and putting a smile on their face. To all my fellow nominees, without you trailblazing the way I wouldn’t exist. Much love from this linebacker in a pantsuit,” said Burner. Congratulations to Tina Burner and best wishes for continued success to Sherry Vine, Joey Arias, Shequida, Hedda Lettuce, Lypsinka and Lady Bunny (who withdrew from the contest early on). To see videos and learn more about each queen, visit metrosource.com/legendaryqueens. Sign up for our newsletter at metrosource.com/subscribe. MetroEspresso will keep you updated on great drag events and videos throughout the year with more of your favorite queens. ■ METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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METROSCOPE
CURATED BY SEBASTIAN FORTINO, PAUL HAGEN, ERIN JORDAN AND JEFFREY JAMES KEYES
ROW MY GOODNESS DOING GOOD NEVER LOOKS AS FINE AS IT DOES WHEN GRACING
the pages of The Warwick Rowers ‘annual calendar. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the calendar features the buff bods of the University of Warwick’s men’s rowing team and other rowing athletes stripped down to their bare essentials. Though risqué, their pictures stay on the safe side of explicit (though perhaps not enough to be this year’s desk calendar). Beyond serving as a visual treat to those with discerning eyes, these athletes are raising money to promote LGBTQ and gender equality, and part of the goal behind
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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
METROSOURCE.COM
posing au naturale is to normalize male behavior and interaction historically considered out of place in sports. Their charity, Sports Allies, is also partnering with London Film School and Sky Sports to spread their message about the necessity of inclusion in the world of sports — an area that is increasingly improving, but still has a long way to go. Those looking to support this worthy cause can find the calendar for purchase on warwickrowers.org. Other 10th anniversary specials include a coffee table book and a subscription package to receive video and still images during the year. Woof.
PHOTOS THIS PAGE: COURTESY WARWICK ROWERS SH
METROSCOPE CULTURE
1}
GOOD THING
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PACK UP
SEA FOOD
PHOTOS THIS PAGE: COURTESY NETFLIX AND VIRGIN VOYAGES
VIRGIN VOYAGES, A NEW BRAND FROM RICHARD BRANSON’S VIRGIN
Group has been causing a commotion with a foodie concept set to shake up the travel industry. Their first ship, the Scarlet Lady, boasts more than 20 options, including restaurants, seaside lounges and casual eateries.“We want our eateries to delight and ignite serendipitous experiences for our sailors, so [we] have set out on a mission to capture the spirit of dining in the best cities of the world and bring it to sea,”explained Virgin Voyages President and CEO Tom McAlpin. Intentionally adult by design,Virgin Voyages caters to the over-18 traveler and boasts one of the cleanest fleets at sea with a ban on single-use plastics and no buffets on board of the ship. The Scarlet Lady’s inaugural voyage sets sail from Port Miami for the 2020 season with 2,770 sailors and a crew of some 1,160. The Scarlet Lady also brings an impressive lineup
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of drag performers onboard in their new Drag Brunch series. Their lewks are a good match for the décor at Razzle Dazzle, which is inspired by the bold camouflaging of vessels from World War I. Its creative menu will offer a broad array of “naughty” and “nice”options, including“nice”plant-based vegetarian and vegan dishes and “naughty” dishes that incorporate meat and alcohol. Drag Brunch attendees will have the option of enjoying bottomless drag-inspired cocktails like the“Yassss Queen”(seriously) and the Razzle Dizzle, a CBD-infused libation. Other restaurants will include Wake, which offers an extraordinary view of the water churning behind the ship alongside theatrical land and sea classics; the laboratory-like Test Kitchen, which offers cooking and mixology classes; and Pink Agave, which is meant to evoke the warm ambience of Mexico City. virginvoyages.com
NOW AND THEN
GIRL TROUBLE
AS OF JANUARY 18, A CONTROVERSIAL FILM WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
viewing on Netflix. Girl is a Belgian movie about a 15-year-old transgender girl who pursues her dream of becoming a professional ballerina. The film was met with raves at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was the winner of awards including the Queer Palm and the Camera d’Or for Best First Film, while its star Victor Polster was recognized with the prestigious Un Certain Regard Best Actor prize. But wait: members of the trans community have shared some pointed words about the film, in that protagonist Lara attempts to cope with the multitude of stresses related to her transition through self-mutilation — and there have been objections that the lead is played by a cisgender male. Nora Monsecouer, whose life provided impetus for the script (although it is billed as a work of fiction) has also spoken — suggesting that those who have interpreted Girl as reflecting the perspective of its cisgender director Lukas Dhont disregards her own contribution to the collaborative storytelling. Fair warning: viewers may be traumatized by the film’s graphic depiction of the injuries sustained by the main character in the course of her own aggressive attempts to alter her genitals. netflix.com METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
7
What is BIKTARVY®? BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about BIKTARVY? BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects: } Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking BIKTARVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.
Who should not take BIKTARVY? Do not take BIKTARVY if you take: } dofetilide } rifampin } any other medicines to treat HIV-1
What are the other possible side effects of BIKTARVY? Serious side effects of BIKTARVY may also include: } Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY. } Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY. } Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. } Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (5%), and headache (5%). Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking BIKTARVY? } All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. } All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements. BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all of your other medicines. } If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. } If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.
Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the following page.
Get HIV support by downloading a free app at MyDailyCharge.com
KEEP LOVING.
Because HIV doesn’t change who you are. BIKTARVY is a 1-pill, once-a-day complete HIV-1 treatment for adults who are either new to treatment or whose healthcare provider determines they can replace their current HIV-1 medicines with BIKTARVY.
BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. BIKTARVY.COM
IMPORTANT FACTS
This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.
(bik-TAR-vee) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.
ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: • dofetilide • rifampin • any other medicines to treat HIV-1
BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider all your medical conditions, including if you: • Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY BIKTARVY can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section. • Changes in your immune system. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. • The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (5%), and headache (5%). These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.
HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.
GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. • Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5. • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.
BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2018 © 2018 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0047 06/18
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the women celebrated in a home mixologist’s bartending guide called Free the Tipple ($14.95, Prestel). From author Jennifer Croll and illustrator Kelly Shami comes this salute to a brilliant range of diverse women from the 20th century to present time who have made waves in entertainment, the arts, politics, fashion, literature, sports and science, including Frida Kahlo, Rihanna, Serena Williams, Virginia Woolf, Yoko Ono, Zaha Hadid, Zadie Smith and more. The book offers insightfully created cocktails intended as an homage to each woman’s life and legacy. Looking for something frilly as a tutu? Try the Anna Pavlova, which is a vodka-based drink with hints of lemon and
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TECH BITS
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(left) Ella Fitzgerald (right) Frida Kahlo
vanilla. Looking for the ideal tipple when hosting viewing parties for The Handmaid’s Tale? Look no farther than the Margaret Atwood (with an appropriately lethal garnish). Fan of ex-pat chanteuse Josephine Baker? Try a blend of cognac, port, and brandy that recalls le jazz hot of the flapper era. Prefer the exotic glamor of a noir non-conformist? Try the Marlene Dietrich, a citrusy, rye whiskey-based recipe which was actually served to her in Hollywood. Thinking punk? Rock out with a purple drink celebrating Vivienne Westwood. Got eyes for Bette Davis? Then try the scotch-based refresher named in her honor. (Just don’t drive home afterwards. Even if you buckle your seatbelts, it could be a really bumpy night). prestel.com
METROSCOPE
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gifts with which to shower that special someone come February 14, this year we came across a very different way to show you care: The Katana Arc is a multi-level security system that attaches directly to the back of a smart phone, connecting it to a built-in alarm, a mobile app with a GPS-enabled locator and messaging center, and a 24/7 response center. If your paramour ever feels in danger, they can trigger either an audible or silent alarm and be connected to a response center. The response center will call the cell phone to evaluate the situation, and if that phone is not answered? They quickly contact appropriate emergency response services. Users can also select a circle of seven friends and family to be sent a map of the phone’s current location and a notification that the user may be in need of help. While such a gift may seem less than romantic, the sad truth is that hate crimes are on the rise in the U.S. The FBI recently reported a 17-percent increase in bias crimes over the previous year’s statistics — the third consecutive yearly rise. That adds up to approximately 1,500 incidents of violence against members of our community alone. And while some massage oil or sexy underwear may seem like a better Valentine’s day mood-setter, nothing says “I Love You!” like help when its needed most. katanasafety.com METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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CIRCUIT SHAKERS
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL BEAR CONVERGENCE FEBRUARY 7–11
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SCREEN IT
THEY’LL COVER YOU
CULTURE
METROSCOPE
FOR THOSE WHO SAW ITS BROADWAY-SHAKING THEATRICAL RUN, IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE THIS
year marks the 20th Anniversary of the debut of Rent, Jonathan Larson’s re-imagining of Puccini’s La Boheme set among an enclave of artists struggling with identity, poverty and AIDS in gritty contemporary East Village NYC. While the 2005 film version’s reception was mixed (with critics noting its cast was largely too old to convincingly capture the show’s young and hungry characters), the piece remains a turning point in the history of American musical theater. And on Sunday, January 27 at 7pm, Rent becomes the latest entry in the recent trend of transforming musical theater into live television events. The cast includes pop star Vanessa Hudgens as Maureen (the role that helped launch Idina Menzel’s meteoric rise). Other cast include Kiersey Clemons (Angie Tribeca) as Joanne, Tinashe and Mario (late of Empire) as Mimi and Benjamin, Brandon Victor Dixon (Jesus Christ Superstar’s fantastic Judas) as Tom and James Levya (pictured) — better known to Drag Race fans as Valentina — in the role of Angel. Tune in to see if they’ll launch a whole new generation of Rentheads. fox.com/rent
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IN A 1953 TIME REVIEW OF A MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
“Good Design”exhibition, the magazine asked ,“Is there art in a broomstick? Yes, says Manhattan’s Museum of Modern Art — if it is designed both for usefulness and eye appeal.” It’s a good indication of how the museum has, since its inception, sought to explore the definition of good design and how that can enhance almost every aspect of life. Their mission continues February 10. The Value of Good Design, a remarkably varied assemblage of superior design as reflected in objects including domestic furnishings, appliances, ceramics, glass, electronics, transportation, sporting goods, toys and graphics. Since their inception, the philosophy behind MoMA’s “Good Design”initiatives has spread well beyond the museum walls, with world governments recognizing their goal as a vital tool of social and economic reconstruction in the wake of World War II. It’s also made museum
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
ATTRACTING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS,
this is one of the world’s largest celebrations of LGBTQ Pride. Highlights among this year’s many events include the Pose-style Sissy Ball, a series of presentations on Queer Thinking, a Victoria Park picnic event called Fair Day, the White Party with Drag Race champ Aquaria, a massive parade and non-stop parties in every flavor. mardigras.org.au
WHILE PRIDE MAY BE SYNONYMOUS WITH
MUSEUM PIECES?
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SYDNEY GAY & LESBIAN MARDI GRAS FEBRUARY 15 – MARCH 3
FORT LAUDERDALE PRIDE FEBRUARY 21–24
ART BEAT
Peter Schlumbohm (American, born Germany. 1896–1962). Chemex Coffee Maker. 1941. Pyrex glass, wood, and leather, 9 1/2 × 6 1/8” (24.2 × 15.5 cm).
with extra fur, there’s a sexy weekend in Palm Springs coming up that features a variety of themed pool parties and DJhelmed dances, a speed dating event, a Hungry Bear Brunch and even a chance to don a toga for “Bearcules.”ibc-ps.com
pieces of such unlikely objects as a Fiat Cinquecento automobile, a Soviet-era Werra camera, a poster for a Mitsubishi sewing machine, a Chemex Coffee Maker, and even Irwin Gershen’s Shrimp Cleaner. moma.org
METROSOURCE.COM
June in many climes, Fort Lauderdale hosts theirs in February. Expect plenty of fun in the Florida sun, including a parade, a festival and some truly great live entertainment from stars including American Idol’s Ada Vox and frequent Drag Race choreographer and judge Todrick Hall. pridefortlauderdale.org RAINBOW REYKJAVIK WINTER PRIDE MARCH 7–10 PINK ICELAND WELCOMES VISITORS TO
experience the chill charm of this singular world city surrounded by fellow members of the LGBTQ community, including a visit to the sexy and stunning Blue Lagoon, hunts for the Northern Lights, visits to the area’s famous geysers, trips to the unforgettable Phallological Museum and an opportunity to let loose at the fabulous Pink Party. pinkiceland.is
this page: Chemex Coffee maker, manufaCtured by Chemex Corp. (new york, ny, est. 1941). the museum of modern art, new york. gift of Lewis & Conger • rent image Courtesy pameLa Littky/fox
FOR THOSE WHO LIKE THEIR CIRCUIT EVENTS
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GOOD SPORT
From Left: Elevation Utah; Elevation Mammoth
LEVELS OF ELEVATION THERE’S NOTHING QUITE LIKE A GOOD GAY SKI WEEK — ONE THAT
allows you to embrace sport on the slopes during the day before ushering you into evening parties hot enough to thaw the most frigid winter sport enthusiast. Now Tom Whitman, the man behind true classics in terms of these winter wonders, has expanded his empire to include three Elevation events. First up, and making its debut this year, is Elevation: Tremblant (January 31–February 3) in Quebec. It’s the first time an Elevation event has been held so far east, and it’s certain to beckon sporty New Yorkers northward (in addition to droves of cute Canadians). Next up is the ninth annual Elevation: Utah (February 21-24), where you can meet up with over 1,000 bromos and slope sisters
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to storm Park City, famously home to both Sundance and the Salt Lake Olympics. It’s worth noting that Park City and Canyons resorts are now one enormous expanse now, which created a vast 7300 skiable acres and some of the world’s most beautiful vistas. This threesome of snowy celebrations ends as many colder climes are beginning to thaw with the seventeenth annual Elevation: Mammoth (March 13-17) in Mammoth Lakes, California. This year, they’re expecting some 3,000 guys and gals to take over the Village, transforming this sleepy ski town into a bona fide boy buffet. Each event promises to capture the flavor of its locale, while also providing the level of fun and quality that fans have come to expect from Elevation. elevationgayski.com
SOCIAL CUES
DUDES WITH DOGS
THIS PAGE: ELEVATION PHOTOS MIGUEL MENDOZA, JASON KING
LOOKING TO ADD A BIT OF SEXY TO YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA SCROLL?
Follow Dudes With Dogs, which offers up exactly what its name implies— and more. See a diverse selection of men doing everything from playing on the beach to catching some Zzzs with their furry friends. Fans of squishy faces, rejoice: Frenchies and pugs make frequent appearances. Fans of hot guys like Scott Cruz (pictured, follow him on Insta @thescottcruz) will be pleased as well. On top of photos of many good boys (both human and canine), Dudes With Dogs offers its followers a real sense of community: As a leading LGBTQ-inclusive space for pet parents, their pages are a great way to meet other “dog dads” who know what it’s like raising a furbaby. When pet rearing guides and blogs aren’t enough to help you get into the swing of caring for your four-legged friend, connecting with these hunky dog dudes can provide much-needed human advice.You can catch cute photos and stories from around the world both on Instagram (instagram.com/dudeswithdogs) and feel the camaraderie and support of dog lovers like you in their Facebook community (facebook.com/groups/dudeswithdogs). METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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ALL DRESSED UP FOR PURIM If you’re an LGBTQ traveler who constantly craves the costumes of Halloween and the street parties of Mardi Gras, Israel hosts a holiday where you’ll feel right at home. BY PAUL HAGEN
FOR MANY IN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, HALLOWEEN IS THE MOST EXCITING
be inventive with their costumes; you’ll find many unafraid to flash a little flesh. Although Pride is the highlight of gay life in Israel (and Tel Aviv’s celebration is legendary), Purim provides another opportunity for LGBTQ travelers to see how colorful and welcoming the region’s party capital is. Some might prefer its relaxed fun to Pride in certain ways: It’s a more playful celebration, and also offers an atmosphere that welcomes straight and mixed crowds alike. That said, the celebrations are memorable both in Tel Aviv’s popular gay bars (like Shpagat) and at circuit events thrown by organizers like the POP Ring, who transform everyday warehouses into LGBTQ wonderlands. Save some energy for AFTER-Purim: very popular with gay party people, it usually starts around 6am on Saturday of Purim week. But even with many LGBTQ-specific places you can play, one Purim reveler we spoke to described Purim in Tel Aviv as “post-gay” - with LGBTQ people welcome to join almost any party. With all the festive and flamboyant costumes, one can picture the difference between gay and straight revelers becoming blurred. And since one of the slogans of Purim can be roughly translated to,“Drink until you don’t know the difference!”, perhaps it’s no wonder that Purim is a time when LGBTQ travelers would feel especially warmly embraced by the city. Visit goisrael.com to learn more about how you can join Israel’s unforgettable Purim festivities and find other great ways in which Israel is eager to welcome LGBTQ travelers like you. ■
THIS PAGE: PHOTOS BY FABIAN KOLDROFF
holiday of the year. We’re a community that values self-expression and prefers not being limited by societal norms, which are two of hallmarks of that celebration. Well, we’ve discovered a reason to get dressed up and party with all the fun of October 31st — but a great deal sooner: Purim. This year, Israel’s epic Purim celebrations will begin March 2021 (Wednesday and Thursday) and continue on into the weekend. The celebration finds its religious roots in the story of how a plot against the Jewish people was foiled. This led to a holiday for feasting - marked by traditions such as exchanging gifts of food and drink, donating to charity, and sharing celebratory meals. Like so many cherished holidays, Purim has taken on a life of its own, and it’s celebrated by the whole nation of Israel - from religious Jews in Jerusalem to secular Tel Avivans. Purim parties take place across Israel, filling almost every city with its street parties and their carnival atmospheres. More secular pastimes of the holiday include drinking, donning masks and costumes and engaging in general public revelry. So visitors can get all the joys of visiting Israel (great weather, gorgeous landscapes, stunning beaches, modern cities, history everywhere) plus a fabulous nationwide costume party. The largest of all these public celebrations is in Kikar Hamedina in Tel Aviv. It’s a day-long rave attended by young and old, families and singles, gay and straight people. And it’s a happening all over the city. It’s a time of year with great weather, allowing partygoers to
METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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WORLDS OF PURE IMAGINATION Revisit Times Square as a cultural vortex, spy on readers lost in their own private worlds, and meet an artist whose face is the medium. BY SEBASTIAN FORTINO
LYLE XOX: HEAD OF DESIGN By Lyle Reimer; Rizzoli; Rizzoli New York; $50
CULTURE
BOOKS
“EVERY DAY IS AN EXERCISE IN EXPERIMENTAL PLAY WHICH FOLLOWS THE CREATIVE URGE TO
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push my own personal view of beauty,” explains Lyle Reimer in this approachable volume. Through 125 color photographs that feature the artist as model (or is it canvas?), Lyle Reimer creates a gallery of selfportraits which are quite, well, head-turning. Using ordinary objects - ranging from leftover cardboard packaging to burned matches, loafer tassels and repurposed laundry detergent containers, these and many more items have been artfully turned into creative designs. You may be tempted to consider these designs headgear or even hats, but they also recall something akin to the sense of character found in the work of American photographer Cindy Sherman. The figures, under the art direction of Robert Fabien, almost seem to effervesce onto the pages. Meanwhile, handwritten notes on the opposing pages explain Reimer’s intent with each self-portrait. In a style that bears comparison to Kabuki traditions, Reimer often first cloaks himself in a monochromatic layer, typically white. Then imagination takes over and design elements trickle down, as he’s framing or sometimes applying concepts directly to his face; occasionally the basics are augmented through the addition of rich color blocks. One piece that’s especially eye-catching: Panda Fondue, which recalls a party given by a mythical hostess. The execution of its black and white paper shreds curled into flowers and attached to a sort of medieval helmet with an extended nose cover and softened by black tulle, suggests the artistic whimsy of Elsa Schiaparelli. An eye inserted into Reimer’s left ear and a trail of blood trickling down his neck recalls her contemporary and collaborator Salvador Dali. But whatever the reference — and no matter how dramatic the transformation — each image captures an arresting aesthetic that is unmistakably the artist’s own. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
METROSOURCE.COM
AMERICA’S STAGE: TIMES SQUARE With photos by Betsy Karel and Afterword by Gerry Badger; Steidl; $45 HOW CAN ONE CAPTURE A PLACE AS STORIED AS TIMES SQUARE? “HERE,”
suggests photographer Betsy Karel, “many of the major trends of our society — consumerism, hypersexualization, hucksterism, surveillance, narcissism, globalism — are condensed and amplified. Fantasy parades as reality.” And while many seasoned New Yorkers still seek to avoid these once-gritty blocks where 42nd Street intersects with Broadway, the area still thrums undeniably with the pulse of the city it anchors. We’re fickle about what it ought to be: many hated the detritus of its mid-20th century incarnation, an era when it symbolized the decay of many an American metropolis. But then, after former Mayor Giuliani crusaded to spruce it up as a tourist lure, it was mocked as a Disney-fied version of the neighborhood it once was. Suddenly the strip clubs and sex workers they loathed were missed as part of a lost and inglorious past.
“[Karel] has not only captured a mood with flair and intelligence at a pivotal point in American history, but more importantly, in a perhaps small but vital way, she has shaped our understanding of both life and society from her personal experience,” writes British photographer and critic Gerry Badger. Highlights include: An older woman, 40 or so years ago, inspecting a rifle alongside a member of the armed services; a double-decker bus ferrying a group of nudists bedecked only in body paint and international tourists standing mute in traditional dress awash in modern chaos swirling around them. Karel may now live in Washington, DC, but she was born in New York. Like Times Square, she has reinvented herself – sometimes as artist, sometimes as photojournalist. Whatever label she was wearing at the time, Karel’s collection of more than 70 black-andwhite images document the essence of the City that Never Sleeps.
VOYAGERS Edited by Melissa Catanese; The Ice House; $25
THIS SECTION: ALL IMAGES COURTESY THEIR RESPECTIVE PUBLISHERS
ACCORDING TO ITS PUBLISHER, VOYAGERS IS “A WORDLESS BOOK WITH
the size and feel of a vintage paperback found at a flea market” meant to remind us “of the power and intimacy of our relationship to reading devices” and evoke “nostalgia for our recent pre-digital culture.” And there is a certain serenity that descends while flipping through the pages in Melissa Catanese’s book of pictures of people reading books. It’s quite the little treasure. Since the subjects in these vintage images rarely regard the camera (most are focused on the printed tomes in hand), we are given license to observe them unconfronted, knowing we’ll never be caught invading their space. A few of Catanese’s images don’t appear to have people in them at all, and these weave their own eerie poetry: in one, a century-old car approaches through a tunnel; in another, a bright light stands alone against a night sky awash in or either snow or stars. Since we seldom can tell where our subjects are voyaging — who the characters are in their novels, what the news is in their
papers — time seems to wrap them in a cloak of privacy, whenever they are (many date from the early 20th century to the mid-’60s). Unlike many photo collections, you won’t find any nudes here. However, many still capture a summer sensuality: in one, a shirtless hippie sits on a beach in cutoff jeans (above, second from left). It’s followed by the portrait of an older gentleman around the turn of the last century, seated on a chaise lounge sheltered in some type of beach tent with a steamer trunk nearby. Although he sports a waistcoat and neckwear, he’s evidently on vacation, enjoying his newspaper, comfortably shoeless. Intentionally or not, the collection also features as a catalogue of vintage wear - check out those widelegged trousers from the ‘30s and ‘40s or the A-line dress on a blond young woman sitting by a jeep looking for all the world like famed chanteuse Blossom Dearie. Other curios include furniture, decorations, accessories and contemporary technology, making this as delightful a read as many of the subjects depicted are having. METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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QUEEN OF THE DRAGONS Wade had assumed that Game of Thrones wasn’t for him. But when he finally gave in and watched, he found himself suprisingly enchanted. BY WADE ROUSE
VIEWS
DIARY
“WHO? WHO WAS THAT? WHY
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are their names all seven words long?” The initial episodes of Game of Thrones that Gary and I watched did not feel like the experience my friends had promised. Gary couldn’t understand the accents, which is also the reason why we never watched BBC shows or anything starring John Cleese. The GoT cast was so large that I had to start making a flowchart. And we saw more boobs than in a Victoria’s Secret catalogue. “Just put on House Hunters,” Gary begged. “Or a rerun of Fixer Upper.” “We have to give this a shot,” I said. But did we? I actually had to be shamed into watching the show. As a former writer for People, I kept getting assigned GOT stories about everything from the actors to the cliffhangers. And I kept having to ask my editors,“Who in the hell is Jon Snow, and why do people care?” They were aghast.“Just watch it,” they said. “OK,” I lied. Growing up, I had never been a fan of epic fantasies. I didn’t do Dune, I didn’t dig dragons and (gasp!) I was never a huge Star Wars fan. I preferred my entertainment more anchored in reality. But my large and disparate group of adult friends — including an eclectic mix of writers, editors, agents, gay, straight, of all ages — not only universally loved the show but also spoke about it with fierce devotion and loyalty, like I do when I talk about Erma Bombeck. So, we finally watched. And Gary, unable to follow it, fell asleep. By the time he woke up, I was on episode three, sitting on the edge of the couch, hands clutched over my heart, pulse racing. “What are you doing, Jessica Lange?” he asked, using the pet name he calls me when he believes I’m being overly dramatic, which is a lot. “Best. Show. Ever!” I exclaimed. I made him watch the episodes he missed, explaining who was who as we went along. By the end of season one, neither of us could sleep. We were worried about characters, sadly realizing that many would be killed off. We binge watched every season until we were caught up. We cheered when Joffrey died. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
METROSOURCE.COM
We cried when Catelyn Stark was murdered. For me, it wasn’t simply that the show was superbly well written, acted and directed. It was also how GoT challenged my artistic sensibilities. I kept asking myself: How could I like a show like this? When I teach writing, I preach that the best writers are the best readers. Writers must challenge themselves to read all genres: Novelists should read memoirs, humor writers should read literary fiction. But when it came to my entertainment, I found myself typically watching the same TV shows: Will & Grace, House Hunters, Barefoot Contessa; sports. There was something else, too, something primal about the show and its characters. GoT challenged the norms of both entertainment and society. Gary and I lusted over a shirtless Jason Momoa, even though he was filthy and spoke a language we couldn’t understand. We prayed for Jon Snow not only to survive but also to take off his clothes. We discussed recreating Renly and Loras’s famous chest-shaving scene but Gary worried about handing me a razor. There were both actual gay characters, and those – like Arya Stark and Brienne of Tarth – who defied gender stereotypes. Moreover, the show was as diva-licious as a season of Drag Race. And it mirrored reality: In a world dominated by men, it was women – Cersei Lannister (please die!) and Daenerys Targaryen (please don’t!) – who were ultimately the strongest of those vying for the Iron Throne. And those people who society typically cast aside — characters like Tyrion Lannister, Varys and Grey Worm — are the smartest, most sensitive and, thus, most relatable characters. In this current political cycle, it also gave us somewhere to laser-focus our anger. I have no idea what the final season of GoT will bring, but I will be watching through my fingers like everyone else and holding my breath. And I know a few things for sure: I will go back and read all of George R.R. Martin’s books. I will dress up as the Mother of Dragons for Halloween. And, henceforth, I will dare to give shows a chance, even if they don’t sound like anything I’d remotely enjoy. Dracarys, bitches. ■ Check out Wade’s memoirs, including It’s All Relative and At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream, and his novels under the pen name Viola Shipman, such as The Recipe Box and The Hope Chest. To learn about them all, visit waderouse.com. HAVE YOU RESISTED A TV TREND ONLY TO BECOME A FAN? SHARE YOUR STORY IN “GAY VOICES” AT METROSOURCE.COM.
GAY VOICES
IS OUR ONLINE FORUM FOR SHARING STORIES — FROM THE HEARTBREAKING TO THE HILARIOUS — ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO LIVE IN THE LGBT SKIN WE’RE IN.
HOW I Accidentally SLEPT WITH A GAY CATHOLIC PRIEST
THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY GRANT WHITTY
METROSOURCE
CAN YOU OUTRUN YOUR CHILDHOOD? Possibly not, I realized after a brief tryst in Louisville. There on a press trip, I bumped into the cutest guy I’d seen in quite some time. Red hair, eyes of a cerulean summer sky, and a smile that would make sunshine jealous. We sat by the crackle of hotel lobby firelight and laughed, told stories, and shared secrets until I invited him up. Our time alone was intense and well spent. We languished in the shower afterwards, squirting water in each other’s faces, scrubbing each other and unable to go more than 30 seconds without locking lips. Of course I asked him to spend the night. Of course he said yes. Something about him seemed familiar, although I was sure we’d never met before. Was it because he was 99 percent Irish like me? Was it because we’d seen alcoholism in our families or that we’d both moved repeatedly across the country as kids? Was it because we had each been an altar boy? Being Catholic was one of the things that saved me as a boy - not “saved” in the everlasting sense, mind you, but saved from spending time with my mother and my ogre of a step-father. Once I became an altar boy, I had a free pass from the daily anarchic drama my parents called “home.” I’d do my chores, but then scamper off into the comforting arms of My Sweet Lord, and my parents couldn’t have any objection. Who could carp about service to the Almighty? That was one of the topics Brian and I landed on when we started chatting. Neither of us could say enough about how it had shaped us. Loving the security, loving the traditions, loving the serenity had clearly intoxicated us both. That the Holy Church railed against homosexuality was almost incidental, as we both acknowledged: the Church said one thing in its
dogma, while the brothers and the priests and the rest of the Catholic hierarchy did what they pleased with a wink and a nod — and maybe a few extra Hail Marys for good luck. As the next morning wore on, we had another go around and then cleaned up to depart. I asked to see him again. He said he’d like nothing more, but didn’t think it was a good idea. “Why not?” I asked. “Because,” he said, “I’m a priest. I’m married to the Church.” I was gobsmacked. I had just several times helped a Man of the Cloth violate his vows and had been hoping to do so many times more. I asked him how, if he was so set in his beliefs, he could do that — and why he hadn’t just told me the whole truth from jump street. He shrugged. “I’m a sinner. We all are. The best we can do is try to live by God’s law and ask forgiveness when we can’t.” I was overcome with sorrow and shame. I couldn’t deny my attraction or our connection. But I also couldn’t condone someone so casually sidestepping his own code of ethics for romps with randoms. At that point we parted company, and I was left thinking that although I had left Catholicism — and indeed, Christianity — for something that felt more spiritual and less hypocritical, I still felt an excruciating pang of what the faithful call “Catholic guilt.” I never contacted the priest again. I never heard another word from him either, even though we had exchanged phone numbers the night before. I could not bring myself to reach out to him for another night of passion, another drink by the firelight, or another moment of camaraderie. Every time I wondered whether he might be the One Who Got Away, my mind would bounce to those serene hours back in church, what they had meant for me, and how one man took my trust in him and my former faith, put them in a blender with his own insensitivities and set them swirling together on high. I was never abused as an altar boy, as so many have been. Nevertheless, this man had found a way to reopen old wounds, pour salt in them, and amble out of that hotel with a conscience clear as any spring morning. ■
GAY VOICES
BY KEVIN PHINNEY
DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE PART OF AN LGBTQ FAMILY? SHARE IT WITH US BY GOING TO
“ GAY
VOICES” AT METROSOURCE.COM.
METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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YOU SHOULD BE DANCING
VIEWS
POV
While spinning on and off the dance floor, Kevin comes out of the closet, progresses through a series of partners and ultimately glimpses his future. BY KEVIN PHINNEY
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I LEARNED THINGS ABOUT myself I could never have known otherwise — on the dance floor. I’ve been an avid clubgoer since the glory days of disco, before I understood that being gay wasn’t an intermittent impulse I could keep at bay. From the moment I stepped into the swirl, an instinct took over that let the crowd, the lights and the music work their way into my psyche until my body had no choice but to respond. I danced at straight clubs, watching guys watch the girls in a way I did not - all of us caught in rhythm’s thrall. I danced until my partner would pant for a break; then I wanted to dive back into the throng as soon as she’d caught her breath. I took “You Should Be Dancing” as an imperative. I’d never felt more free — until I made a clandestine trip to the Old Plantation in Dallas one fateful spring break — secretly visiting a club that was unabashedly and unapologetically gay. The place was cavernous, with little alcoves off to the sides where gay boys retreated to drink and smoke — cattily sizing up the competition or lusting aloud after their dream dudes. And, as the lights swirled and the polyester shirts got clingy, I allowed myself for the first time to soak up the sights, sounds and scents of men in tribal communion united by music. When the DJ put on Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love,” I felt like I’d been transported to another dimension. Disco died an ugly death of course — falling victim to what “Le Freak” composer Nile Rogers later called a toxic combination of racism and homophobia. But it didn’t stay dead for long, and was soon reincarnated as something the MTV generation simply called “dance music.” The first time I danced with a guy was in Manhattan. I was on a visit from Austin with my then-girlfriend, and her NYUstudent brother Tony begged us to join him at an underground college dance. We watched the crowd bounce up and down spastically to the B-52’s and Devo for a bit. Suddenly, as thunder and storm sounds rumbled from the speakers , Tony grabbed my hand. “Come on,” he said, we gotta dance to this!” He dragged me to the middle of the floor for my first exposure to “It’s Raining Men.” As far as I know, Tony was straight, but halfway through the chorus, I understood with certainty for the first time that I wasn’t. Not long after, I broke it off with Tony’s sister and began venturing out to dance clubs alone. One was a straight nightspot called Club Foot (“the coolest place ever named after a physical FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
METROSOURCE.COM
affliction,” according to their radio ads), where I danced to the Go-Go’s and other new wave bands live on stage. But the gay dance clubs still called me back. And — wouldn’t you know it? — on my first foray into a gay dance club in Austin, I ran across a copy editor from the city paper where we both worked. Still in the closet, I explained over the din that I was just there looking for someone. He arched a knowing eyebrow and replied, “Aren’t we all?” By the time I moved to LA as the ‘80s gave way to the ‘90s, I was hooked on dancing, but also partnered to a guy who hated the club scene in general and dancing in particular. So instead, we spent nights in front of the television and weekends playing card game marathons with friends. But sometimes after work, I’d slip into Oil Can Harry’s at happy hour and marvel at the permed blond boy in white patent leather go-go boots and short-shorts twirling a baton on the floor to “Vogue” — entirely by himself. I let dancing go, telling myself it was a pastime for the young, until I moved to New Orleans with a new partner. I found myself on a dance floor again at Oz, a mainstay of Bourbon Street’s gay nightlife. As we wandered in — knocked sideways by the heat, humidity, and pheromones in the air — I realized I’d been wrong about being too old to dance. The shirtless guys in the sweaty mass included men in their 50s and beyond. I remade myself in the image of the guys there: I got myself a little swagger, something friends described as my “panther walk ”— half-speed with rolling shoulders, as I claimed my ground and surveyed the revelers. Ultimately, my guy came to hate it and the attention it generated. When I fell in love again, it was with somebody who loved to dance to Britney and Icona Pop. We’d rush to the floor to dance with and for each other, our conduct causing a stir of envy, lust or disgust from onlookers. I wouldn’t dance any other way now. I’m not the best out there, but I’m the scandal of many a wedding reception in the way I always let the music have its way with me. I have a favorite photo; one that may foretell my future. It’s a snapshot that captures the great conductor Leonard Bernstein (who was gay and married to a woman) on the dance floor at Studio 54. The 70-something-year-old maestro’s tux shirt is open to the navel and he’s sweating profusely — with an expression on his face that could only be called beatific. In one hand is a martini; in the other, a cigarette. Opposite him wearing next to nothing is a boy with a face right out of a Botticelli painting, his eyes locked on Bernstein as if he were gazing upon the face of God. I don’t ■ need the cigarette, but the rest looks like paradise to me. HAVE YOU LEARNED ANY LIFE LESSONS ON THE DANCE FLOOR? SHARE YOUR STORY IN “GAY VOICES” AT METROSOURCE.COM.
The Finance Five Which Guru is for You? Who should members of the LGBTQ community trust when it comes to the ever-expanding world of popular finance experts? BY JENNIFER DAY WHICH FINANCIAL GURU WILL PROVIDE THE BEST FINANCIAL ADVICE FOR
you? In order to answer the question, you ought to start by asking yourself: what are your financial goals? Are you trying to build personal wealth, budget your money more effectively, buy a home, or start a business? To find a source of wisdom that matches your needs, let’s look at five figures who’ve become renowned for delivering their personal brands of advice.
takes a hard look at what consumers are doing wrong with their finances. With no-nonsense directness, she doesn’t believe in excuses for a poor financial situation. She compels consumers to understand the difference between what they want and what they need, helping them to cut the fat out of their finances. If you find yourself falling back on old excuses for financial failure, she may be just the guru for you. suzeorman.com
BARBARA CORCORAN Barbara Corcoran is most widely known for being a television personality on the ABC series Shark Tank. This American businesswoman is an author, columnist, consultant, investor and speaker. She is considered one of the most powerful real estate brokers in the country and operates one of New York’s most prestigious real estate companies, The Corcoran Group. Her most recent book, Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business, discusses her strategic approach to starting a business. Corcoran’s personal finance advice includes overcoming obstacles (she was once a dyslexic student who could barely pass her courses), and not listening to the negative people in your life. You might look to her if you want to emulate her in overcoming the odds in the business world. barbaracorcoran.com
STOCK PHOTO COPYRIGHT : AJUS
SUZE ORMAN Suze Orman is known for her flamboyant, take-charge personality when it comes to providing financial advice: she does not pull any punches and gets right down to business. She too is a best-selling author and also a television host with two Emmy Awards to her credit and is one of the top motivational speakers in her field. In addition to penning seven financial guides, she’s also produced six PBS specials. For a period of ten years, Orman directed The Suze Orman Financial Group, having spent four years prior to that as the Vice President of Prudential-Bache Securities. Orman’s personal finance philosophy
In addition to being heard on his syndicated radio program The Dave Ramsey Show in over 450 countries, Ramsey is the acclaimed author of Total Money Makeover and Financial Peace. Viewers can also tune into The Dave Ramsey Show Primetime on the Fox Business Network. Between these various efforts, more than four million people benefit from Ramsey’s financial advice, and he might be the right help for you if you find yourself facing financial obstacles that seem insurmountable since Ramsey’s “baby steps” approach to financial freedom guides consumers from living paycheck-to-paycheck to living debt-free. His hard-nosed approach toward developing better financial outcomes is eagerly sought by those who struggle with remaining financially disciplined. He guides consumers through the process gradually, keeping his advice resultsoriented. daveramsey.com
CULTURE
David Bach has a personal finance philosophy which incorporates living green in conjunction with building personal wealth. He is a finance author who’s written ten consecutive best-selling books. In addition to making several appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Bach’s book, The Automatic Millionaire, remained on the bestseller list for 31 consecutive weeks. To his credit, Bach is not only passionate about teaching the intricacies of personal finance, he’s also involved in numerous charitable organizations. You might turn to Bach if you’re looking to learn fast and simple money management strategies, like the ones he teaches in his popular series, FinishRich®. davidbach.com
FINANCE
DAVE RAMSEY DAVID BACH
ALI VELSHI Ali Velshi is best known for his work on CNN, including anchoring CNN International’s World Business Today, serving as CNN’s Chief Business Correspondent, and hosting Your Monday during the weekly business roundtable. Velshi holds true to his belief that the world’s universal language is m-o-n-e-y. He coauthored a manual entitled How to Speak Money: The Language & Knowledge You Need Now with CNN anchor Christie Romans, which outlines how to build wealth, implement successful budget strategies and understand the economy. In addition, Velshi has authored Gimme My Money Back: Your Guide to Beating the Financial Crisis, and he serves as a columnist for Delta Sky magazine and Money magazine. Velshi’s journalism background helps him present financial advice in a way that’s reputable and easy to grasp. Velshi’s advice may be best suited to those interested in the big picture, as his personal philosophy revolves around knowledge of the nation’s economy and understanding the power held by financial institutions over consumers. thevx.com
THE BOTTOM LINE There are many personal finance experts from whom you can learn. Knowing whether your goals start with getting out from under a mountain of debt or taking risks to build wealth will help you know who you should be reading, watching and following about your finances. ■ METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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INTERNATIONAL FLAIR
CULTURE
SCREEN
A French May-December gay romance; an entrepeneur who ends up in a Chinese ghost city; a story of hidden German atrocities; and the Lone Star homecoming of a son with secrets. Plus: our prestige predictions as awards season heats up. BY JONATHAN ROCHE
THIS
AMERICAN
REMAKE
OF
THE
2011
FRENCH
FILM,
The Intouchables, attempts to piggyback on the original’s popular success by copying it closely. Both films are based on the real relationship of paraplegic billionaire Phillip (Brian Cranston) and his street tough ex-con body handler or “life auxiliary” Dell (Kevin Hart). The setup is relatively simple: Phillip chooses the worst candidate for the job, despite the concerns of his loyal and attractive business assistant Yvonne (Nicole Kidman) because Phillip is at the end of his rope anyway, and at this point, he would prefer crude honesty to pitying professionalism. And from there it probably doesn’t take much imagination to see where the story is going in terms of bonding and heartwarming redemption. The mood never dips far into the very bleak potentials of the situation, and all too soon each man’s life is enriched by the unlikely influences of other. While never
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surprising, this film by director Neil Burger (The Illusionist, Limitless) film is pretty easy to watch. Cranston fills his role ably (pun intended), while Kevin Hart offers his signature spark. One of the most successful comedians working today, there’s no question Hart is a funny guy, even if you’re among the many who were concerned when several of his old homophobic tweets resurfaced. Be warned: If he’s not your cup of tea, this is his usual brew here. But while watching The Upside, I realized Hart does demonstrate a real flair for acting. The trouble is, he only really plays one character: Kevin Hart (or at least the Kevin Hart stage persona). It would be interesting to see him perform some Shakespeare; in the right role he might truly be great. THE WORD: A feel-good friendship comedy that will likely be a soft-hit or a miss, although both leads are fairly strong. COMING TO: Theaters
THIS PAGE: THE UPSIDE PHOTO COURTESY STX FILMS
THE UPSIDE
GHOSTBOX COWBOY
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A FILM AS STRANGE AND INEXPLICABLE AS ITS TITLE: TEXAN
Jimmy Van Horn (David Zellner) is something of a loser, so he bids farewell to America and heads to the booming city of Shenzhen, China with only a few bitcoins and his 10-gallon hat. His goal is to get in on the insanely booming economy of the city, where anything and everything is manufactured and sold, regardless of how insipid it seems. That’s lucky for Jimmy because his big idea is a small box with one button and a few flashing lights that he claims can be used for speaking with ghosts. Also lucky for Jimmy: he has insider friends. His mysterious old buddy, Johnny Mai Thai has set him up with Bob (Robert Longstreet - The Haunting of Hill House, Sorry to Bother You) another American flashing a ridiculous wig, Wi-Fi dentures (don’t ask) and big promises about how
rich Jimmy will soon become. Bouncing around Shenzhen with Jimmy and Bob is a bit nauseating, but also quite the spectacle — even more so when things predictably fall apart and Jimmy is left to fend for himself in the foreign land, weakly peddling his only remaining resource: his cowboy-esque American novelty. In the film’s third act. Jimmy makes one last desperate move, traveling to the ghostly city of Ordos in an attempt to track down the elusive Johnny Mai Thai. What was already a surreal experience enters a more dense fog here, in no small part due to Ordos itself - one of several massive Chinese ghost cities abandoned at the cusp of completion, and it’s quite something to see. THE WORD: The film in general is also something to see. It’s strange as hell, and its ghost will likely haunt viewers’ minds for a while. COMING TO: Video
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hours long — yet I never looked once at the clock. That’s a testament to the strong storytelling of writer/director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (The Lives of Others). The story begins at the close of WWII and the horrific firebombing of Dresden, Germany by the Allies, a horror that pales compared to the ruthless systematic atrocities of the Nazis. After surviving the war as a young boy, Kurt (Tom Schilling) grows up to pursue his artistic talents, always remembering his beautiful aunt who encouraged him to “never look away.” She possessed an ecstatic mind, as does Kurt; although he’s been spared the schizophrenia that ruined her. Now stuck on the wrong side of the Berlin Wall, Kurt flourishes in art school while yearning both for more creative freedom and for a girl whose father is hiding a dark past. Yet this film suggests that nothing remains hidden forever — not if one keeps looking and expressing what’s discovered. Loosely based on Gerhard Richter, one of the 20th century’s most successful painters, Never Look Away is (more than anything else) about art: its ecstasy, agony and unexpected power. I won’t give it away, but this is a magnificently gripping story with a tremendously satisfying finish, the kind that makes your
heart rise in your chest. It’s fulfilled by a luminous cast including Oliver Masucci (Netflix’s Dark), cinematography by Academy Award nominee Caleb Deschanel (The Black Stallion, The Right Stuff, The Natural) and music by Max Richter (Shutter Island, Mary Queen of Scots).THE WORD: Definitely one of 2018’s ten best films. COMING TO: Theaters METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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SORRY ANGEL on the money about gay romance in the ‘90s, Sorry Angel could be a love story or an anti-love story (if there is truly such a thing). It’s been compared to Andrew Haigh’s Weekend, another up-close and honest look at a gay relationship whose validity is not based on whether or not it endures. Writer and director Christophe Honoré tells the story of Jacques (Pierre Deladonchamps, star of 2013’s Hitchcockian erotic gay thriller Stranger by the Lake), a once noteworthy novelist now slipping into obsolescence and living with HIV. In a charming chance encounter, he meets Arthur (Vincent Lacoste) and soon the younger man is drawn to the experience and maturity of Jacques, just as Jacques is quickened by the buoyant energies and enthusiasm of his new lover. But the two men are at different ends of life, and while Arthur yearns for passion, artistic community, and vibrant Parisian life, Jacques has started to want to leave these things behind. The mixture of pitch
real-life, happy moments - including a giggling threesome - with well-choreographed sequences like one at an outdoor cruising spot (possibly the film’s best scene) belie a melancholic undertone. The film’s original French title Plaire, Simer et Courir Vite translates roughly to Pleasure, Love and Run Fast, which suggests something of the fleeting qualities of love and even life itself. The film is both very ‘90s and extremely French: palpable in story, dialogue, and number of cigarettes smoked. Honore’s eschewing of most exposition means audiences have to come to certain conclusions on their own, wait patiently for clarity and sometimes accept obscurity. THE WORD: Ultimately the story’s arc rings true, but more true are the moments of love and tenderness that fill it. COMING TO: Theaters
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coming home for Christmas during the height of the AIDS crisis. Adrian (Cory Michael Smith - Gotham) returns to Fort Worth ,Texas to see his parents and 14-year-old brother for the first time in three years, and immediately it’s clear that Adrian is harboring secrets. He is all smiles, full of good news and has brought expensive gifts, but it
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is easy to intuit that this is all just for show. While his father (Michael Chiklis) is too manly and reserved to relate to either of his sons, Adrian’s mother (Virginia Madsen) is evidently kind and loving. Meanwhile, Adrian’s younger brother Andrew (Aidan Langford) is just as evidently gay as his closeted brother, but it is soon clear that sexual orientation is the least of their reasons to be concerned. It can be painful to watch Adrian unable to be honest with his family about who he really is, even as he is facing the reality of no longer being at all. It is obvious to the audience what is happening. Adrian’s mother notices right away that he has lost weight but doesn’t realize the full extent of his circumstances. And though he tells the truth to his old friend Carly (Jamie Chung - The Gifted), will he bring himself to tell his family? While writer/director Yen Tan’s tasteful choice to shoot in Super 16mm black and white adds graininess to the film’s already gloomy nostalgia, his camera angles are all so squarely straight-forward that the film can sometimes feel amateurish. Similarly the dialogue tends to be very much on the nose, and story holds little in terms of surprise. THE WORD: An at-times excruciating recollection of a particular period of lost innocence and, more broadly, the all-too-familiar pain of never truly being able to come home. COMING TO: Video
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CULTURE
SCREEN
UNUSUAL, OFFBEAT, BUT OFTEN RIGHT
Best Director
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Best Actor
Best Actress
OSCAR PREDICTIONS
While there are many ‘prestige’ films in the running, this may be a year for popular films (despite the Academy scrapping that proposed new category.)
BEST PICTURE COULD WIN: It’s a La La Land/Moonlight
makers’ rematch: Damien Chazelle’s First Man vs. Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk; a retro story like The Front Runner or BlackkKlansman; or a big box office hit like Mary Poppins Returns or Black Panther. SHOULD WIN: Roma, unless it’s in the ‘Foreign Language’ category; the small but excellent Leave No Trace, equally fine The Favourite; or brilliant Ballad of Buster Scruggs. WILL WIN: A Star Is Born, because Bradley Cooper is a member of the Oscar club and Lady Gaga is an international megastar.
BEST DIRECTOR COULD WIN: Again it could be Jenkins vs.
Chazelle; or Adam McKay (Vice), Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Debra Granik (Leave No Trace), Steve McQueen (Widows) or even Bo Burnham (Eighth Grade). SHOULD WIN: Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite) for his most accessible film yet; Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman), who’s never received a nod; or Joel Edgerton (Boy Erased). WILL WIN: Alfonso Cuaron for Roma, though the Academy might punish the film’s nearly straight-to-Netflix release ... or Bradley Cooper for A Star is Born.
BEST ACTOR COULD WIN: Lucas Hedges, earnest in
Boy Erased; Rami Malek rocking Bohemian Rhapsody; full-career awards for Robert Redford (The Old Man & the Gun) or Clint Eastwood (The Mule); Willem Dafoe’s ago-
nized Van Gogh in At Eternity’s Gate, Hugh Jackman’s flawed politico in The Front Runner; Ethan Hawke’s unstable priest in First Reformed or John David Washington living up to Denzel’s legacy in BlacKkKlansman. SHOULD WIN: Ben Foster as a damaged veteran in Without a Trace, Joaquin Phoenix in You Were Never Really Here or Don’t Worry He Won’t Get Far on Foot; and Rupert Everett’s spot-on Oscar Wilde in The Happy Prince. WILL WIN: Christian Bale’s transformation for Vice ... or once again Bradley Cooper in A Star Is Born sweep.
BEST ACTRESS COULD WIN: frumpy Melissa McCarthy
(Can You Ever Forgive Me?) controlled Glenn Close (The Wife); Emily Blunt filling legendary shoes (Mary Poppins Returns) young Thomasin McKenzie (Leave No Trace); Viola Davis (Widows); Nicole Kidman (Destroyer); Rachel Weisz or Emma Stone (The Favourite); Felicity Jones as RGB (On The Basis of Sex); Amy Adams (Vice); tender Kiki Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk); reserved Emma Thompson (The Children Act); fierce Saoirse Ronan (Mary, Queen of Scots). SHOULD WIN: Olivia Colman’s comic, terrifying, pitiful Queen Anne in The Favourite; Yalitza Aparicio’s (Roma), and astounding Toni Collette (Hereditary). WILL WIN: Lady Gaga for A Star Is Born: it’s right there in the title.
BEST FOREIGN COULD WIN: The touching Shoplifters; the
Best Picture Best Foreign Picture
most original Border; the beautifully layered Cakemaker; German thriller The Guilty; drug epic Birds of Passage, or Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cold War. SHOULD WIN: Smoldering thriller Burning or the complete knock-out Capernaum. WILL WIN: If Roma is denied a shot at Best Picture, it’s an absolute lock. Otherwise Never Look Away is a wonderful and rapturous film. ■ METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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Neil Patrick Harris, Michael Kors and Bette Midler were among those in attendance at a very special night of awards. BY JEFF SIMMONS FOR MORE THAN 32 YEARS, THE NEW YORK-BASED NONPROFIT GOD’S
Love We Deliver has been providing free meals and nutrition services to people living with chronic health conditions, founded initially to support those with HIV and AIDS and now assisting people with more than 200 diagnoses. The organization –— which in 2018 served its 21 millionth meal — annually enlists more than 13,000 volunteers and for years has drawn wide support among celebrity and philanthropic circles. These boldfaced names deliver both a healthy dose of financial support and the exposure that follows in their flashbulb-filled paths. This past October, God’s Love recognized the considerable charitable support of those who’ve helped at its 12th annual Golden Hearts Awards. More than 700 attendees dined on meals prepared by iconic New York City eateries while celebrating a nonprofit that now serves more than 1.8 meals each year, all for free. “God’s Love is all about heart,” says President and CEO Karen Pearl. “It is our logo: a heart and hand. The Golden Heart Award is so special, and the message we send is that food is love, food is medicine. By that I mean that individually tailored meals that God’s Love provides helps people heal, and helps them stay in their homes where they’d rather be than in hospitals or nursing homes. At the celebration in Manhattan’s Spring Studios, the organization presented Golden Globe-and Tony Award-winning actor Hugh Jackman with the Michael Kors Award for Outstanding Community Service, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter Tony Kushner with the Golden Heart Award for Lifetime Achievement,
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and world-renowned auctioneer and philanthropist Jamie Niven with its Outstanding Volunteerism Award. “He has spent his life trying to show us who we are and who we might become,” Nathan Lane said in introducing Kushner. “He cares deeply and passionately about everything that’s going on in the world and everyone in it. He’s not afraid to share an opinion, but believe me, you wanna hear it. And with his genius for language and communication, he has spent his life trying to show us who we are, and who we might become.” Led by Honorary Chairwoman Anna Wintour, the event drew a panoply of stars, including Lynda Carter, Bette Midler, Priyanka Chopra, Iman, Naomi Watts, Ashley Graham, Neil Patrick Harris, Cush Jumbo, Ella Hunt, Emily Robinson, Blaine Trump and Jordan Roth. “Michael is like the beating heart of the city. If there’s a community of people helping others, raising money, Michael seems to be there,” Jackman said of Kors, the man for whom his award was named. The star even punctuated his praise with a brief musical rendition of “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’ — adding: “I am absolutely thrilled, and I am moved to receive this tonight.” By the evening’s end, God’s Love had raised $2.5 million, which in addition to home delivery will support such services as nutrition education and counseling to clients, families, care providers and other service organizations. “Everything is done with love,” Pearl says,” because the services that God’s Love provides are part and parcel of the healthcare that people receive. Because what we are doing is saving lives.” ■
THIS PAGE: GETTY IMAGES FOR MICHAEL KORS COURTESY GOD’S LOVE WE DELIVER
METROHIV BODY
HEARTS OF GOLD
DEAR HIV, ’ WE DIDN T GIVE UP. XOXO, SCIENCE There is no cure, but science is still in the battle against HIV. Today’s HIV treatments may help you get to undetectable. That means the amount of virus is so low it can’t be measured in lab tests. Ask your healthcare provider about HIV and treatment options.
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CHANGE OF COURSE
CULTURE
MUSIC
Chris Garneau gets raw and electric, Robyn goes softer and sweeter, and Barbra Streisand sings new material with an eye toward social change. BY MATT GROSS
Walls (Columbia Records)
COMPRISED PRIMARILY OF ORIGINAL SONGS, THE LEGEND’S NEW RELEASE IS HER FIRST TO ENCOMPASS A SINGULAR SOCIAL MESSAGE. AS displayed on the album’s soaring lead single,“Don’t Lie to Me” and the similarly impressive “The Rain Will Fall,” Streisand
is as outspoken as ever in directing her ire towards the current administration, the cultural landscape, and the general state of the world. Filled with gorgeous melodies and captivating lyrics, Walls finds The Streisand exploring both her concerns and her hopes for the future as she eloquently addresses the human condition. This new collection also brings a fresh perspective to such evergreens as John Lennon’s pacifist manifesto “Imagine,” Leonard Bernstein and Alan Jay Lerner’s “Take Care of This House,” and the Burt Bacharach pop standard “What the World Needs Now.” Streisand’s social activism has long been as passionate as her artistry. No wonder Walls, which combines the two, is one of the finest albums of her unparalleled career.
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THIS PAGE: STREISAND CREDIT RUSSELL JAMES
BARBRA STREISAND
CHRIS GARNEAU Yours (Self-Released)
ON HIS FOURTH FULL-LENGTH ALBUM, THE REVERED
queer performer trades his signature piano and gentle vocal stylings for a sound far more raw and electrifying. Recorded in Lyon, France, Yours finds Garneau sounding both brazen and determined. The dark, brooding lead single “Torpedo,” featuring fierce Shannon Funchess of Light Asylum, chronicles the tale of a troubled girl who can’t seem to escape a range of challenging situations, while Garneau implores her to simply“come home, come home.”Much of the release touches on getting past tough times in one fashion or another. In another highlight, “Choices,” the artist grapples with self-realization. He explains: “This song is really about finding your true self and becoming who you are. Doing that might mean you are letting go of a part of yourself sometimes. You can mourn that part while knowing that you are better off without it. Self-liberation can feel challenging because it can feel selfish, but it should.”While Yours may feel bleak at times, it’s ultimately a transformative record about rising above the madness and coming through stronger on the other side of adversity.
ROBYN Honey
(Konichiwa Records / Interscope Records)
this page: Chris garneau by ryan pfluger • robyn Credit Mark peCkMezian
ROBYN’S EARLIER RELEASES BROUGHT THE PARTY;
Honey brings the after-party. It’s been eight long years since the release of the universally acclaimed Body Talk. That release (which included the hits “Dancing in the Dark,”“Hang With Me”and“Call Your Girlfriend”) brilliantly merged melancholy sentiments and driving beats to create irresistible dance floor anthems. By contrast, Honey offers a mood of optimism while lowering the decibels considerably. The Swedish siren tells us that Honey originates from “this sweet place, like a very soft ecstasy” and “something that’s so sensual and so good.” Highlights include “Baby Forgive Me,” the early ‘90s inspired “Between the Lines,” the memorable title track, and Honey’s remarkable first single, “Missing U.” Despite her shift in tone, fans who’ve missed Robyn should find that Honey instantly feels like an old friend’s return. Robyn embarks on a massive world tour this year in support of Honey, and you can bet her live show will be a must-see. METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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HOW HE WENT FROM SPEARHEADING A MUSICAL PHENOMENON TO REINVENTING HIMSELF â&#x20AC;&#x201D; AS SOLO ARTIST AND BEYOND. BY KEVIN PHINNEY
JAKE SHEARS
CUTS LOOSE
LIFE LOOKS VERY DIFFERENT FOR JASON SELLARDS AT 40 THAN IT DID JUST A FEW YEARS
ago. As Jake Shears, the founder, frontman and half of the songwriting duo that propelled Scissor Sisters to international stardom, he was in the sweetest spot one could imagine: devilishly handsome, adored by audiences around the world and partnered to Chris Moukarbel, the director/documentarian behind such films as Banksy Does New York and Gaga: Five Foot Two. But five years ago, Shears and his bandmates put Scissor Sisters into cryostasis following a breakneck decade of touring and recording. Their sound paired au courant Electroclash influences with vocals that evoked both the B-52’s and the Bee Gees, and made their debut the biggest selling album of 2004 in the UK. The hits came quickly, from their trance-dance cover of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” and “Filthy/Gorgeous” to “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing,” their duet with Elton John. Through it all, they remained steadfastly queer. Three of the members — Shears, guitarist Del Marquis (Derek Gruen), and Babydaddy (Scott Hoffman) — were out of the closet before the band’s inception, and vocalist Ana Matronic (Ana Lynch) had earned her showbiz stripes years before as a drag show emcee. But with the Scissors on hold, Shears began to consider what else he might do to quell his restless urge to create, and the answer came back: Plenty. The band’s rapturous reception left his list of phone contacts well stocked with a Who’s Who of the music world, and he soon found himself collaborating with Cher (on a track called “Take It Like A Man”) and re-teaming with Kylie Minogue and Chic mastermind Nile Rogers on a sizzling NERVO one-off called “The Other Boys.” Somewhere along the way, his relationship with Mourkarbel flamed out, and Shears eventually relocated to New Orleans, a city known for its history, vitality and appreciation of the eccentric. Since numerous friends had suggested Shears life would make a fascinating read, so he wrote a memoir while simultaneously tinkering away on his solo debut — all it under a cloak of relative secrecy. That cocoon burst open when Shears resurfaced on multiple fronts simultaneously this past year. His book, Boys Keep Swinging, was published in February. He next popped up on Broadway in an uncharacteristically modest role as Charlie Price in Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein’s Kinky Boots. His solo album, Jake Shears, hit the charts in August. And no sooner did he leave the musical than he launched a solo tour. Now having crisscrossed the states, he’s taking his act to Europe, where the Scissors first became darlings of critics and fans alike.
RUNNING WITHOUT SCISSORS “It’s been a wild year,” Shears will admit as he’s packing his bags in Los Angeles. “Getting to try and do entirely new things that are super challenging has been exciting. Even touring on my own now has been a big challenge, because I was always part of a bigger thing — a unit. This has given me the chance to make a different kind of show, and it’s fun to have something to prove again and to have sole and complete control. When you’re in a band, everybody’s their own person, you know? But this time out, I’ve had to form everything and try to master it. I just finished a show here in LA, and what’s so cool is that the show becomes a sort of Best Of... everything I’ve been trying since August. That’s been the most satisfying thing to me; having total control and having it work. I’m really proud of that.” Even though Shears is the one calling the shots now, he’s hardly working in a vacuum. “It was always Babydaddy and I — as far as writing the music and being in charge making albums,” he says. “And he’ll always be my main songwriting and production partner. I’ll always consider him my long-term musical partner. But you know what’s funny? I think this album has the most in common with the first Scissors record because Scott (Babydaddy) and I got to make that record without anybody really looking over our shoulders the whole time.” METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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Some would find the pressure exhausting; not Shears. “One of the things I got kind of sick of with Scissor Sisters — and I love every single one of our albums — but I really got exhausted with feeling there were a lot of people with their fingers in the pot. For better and for worse, you know? I love those records, but it’s nice to make something that’s just where I’m not having to listen to a bunch of people, and people aren’t trying to put in their two cents everyday.”
The contrast between Jake Shears and the best known Scissors’ output is stark. Where the band’s work tended to feel like a full-on dance party decorated with slashes of rock guitar, the new record is a potpourri of influences — including styles as eclectic as any parade down Bourbon Street. “It’s definitely a theatrical record,” says Shears, chuckling.“A lot of these songs I co-wrote, but we wrote a lot of these just on a piano, and they were written in kind of a different way. What I learned from ‘Let’s Have A Kiki,’ strangely enough, I applied to this record in a big way — where you create a song where things only happen once, and you just repeat the chorus. There are hooks and there are all these elements that you only hear one time. It makes the songs a little bit more complicated, but to me it keeps them interesting, too. So on this album there’s not a lot of second verses; they go into bridges after the first chorus. The song structures are kind of turned on their heads in a lot of ways with this record, and that was a very conscious thing that adds to the overall theatricality.” The album paints a kaleidoscope of images from throughout Shears’ life — running the gamut from childhood experiences and his 2015 breakup to the heroically hedonistic lifestyle that has practically made him a poster boy for post-PrEP sexual liberation. “After the Scissors went on hiatus,” Shears explains,” I moved from New York to LA, which is a big transition. I tried doing some session writing, and it wasn’t for me. There was something about it that was depressing to me — not that they were all bad experiences, but it just really wasn’t my vibe writing for different movie projects. I wrote a film score with my buddy Tim, and I was just trying to figure out what it was I wanted to be doing. My personal life was kind of in turmoil. I was in a relationship that I wasn’t happy in and one that I’d been in for a long time, and I had to kind of sort through that before I was able to really make something meaningful again. And I think I just had to make decisions about my life. I just didn’t have the bandwidth, you know? I was writing the whole time, but nothing I was making was coming out that I really felt connected with.”
SHARP EDGES Unsure where to turn when it came to the world around him, Shears decided to cast his gaze inward. That’s where his memoir Boys Keep Swinging began to unfold.“It’s strange to show the details of a certain side of you,”he can say in retrospect,“because I feel like my privacy is important.” Nevertheless he admits, “I had a really good time writing. The first draft was pretty awful, as a first draft of anything can be. But you write knowing what’s coming out is
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ALL PHOTOS THIS PIECE BY RAPHAEL CHATELAIN
THE SOUND OF SOLO
not necessarily very good. That’s how I feel about a lot of projects: You’ve gotta make a blob first, and once you start doing passes, it becomes fun. I grew up writing fiction and personal essay stuff, so once the shape started to fall into place, it really was a lot of fun. Certain parts were painful, and I would sort of underestimate how it would make me feel. I would go through a week and just be working on certain sections, then finish the week and wonder why I was so spent and emotional. And then I’d remember, ‘Oh, right: I’ve been writing about all this heavy stuff that happened.’” As a youngster, Jason Sellards bounced back and forth between Arizona and Washington State. And as his memoir makes clear, he often felt uncomfortable in his own skin until those differences helped make him famous. His clothes, haircuts and music set him outside the mainstream — along with realizing he was gay. “I’d always thought I had a normal childhood,” he reflects, “but going back and writing all this stuff, I realized my life has been very unconventional. Believe it or not, that came as some kind of a surprise to me. It gave me a lot of pride to understand that, and it was also was really exciting to me. I’ve always just been a big fan of nightlife characters and rock and roll stars, and I’ve always been fascinated by moments in time and when you look at different eras in your life. I really wanted it to feel like a snapshot of my experience in New York at the Millennium.”
it comes from having a point of view; a certain perspective, but still drawing a line from there to what is universal.” For an extrovert who got his kicks swinging from the scaffolding of arena shows wearing next to nothing, Jake Shears turns out to be one introspective fellow. Now he’s putting it all in perspective. “I’ve kind of been hiding out while making all this stuff,” he concludes. “And there are so many men, grown men and women, all adults now — who come to me and talk about their teenage lives and what it was like to be a teenager and how my music affected them. And it’s just a really sweet, very gratifying thing. And it’s funny: that only happens when you’ve been doing it for 15 years, because people sort of have their own experiences with your music. And since I’ve been around long enough, people now share those stories with me all the time. It’s just one of the sweetest, most gratifying things about doing what I do. “When I think about when I was a kid and a teenager and all the musicians and performers who inspired me and sort of did that for me? I really do hope to do that in turn. Not just for young guys, but a young anybody who feels different, or wants or has the desire to be themselves and do what they want to do with their lives — without other people telling them who they should be and what they should be doing.” Visit jakeshears.com more information about Shears’ solo album, his upcoming tour dates and his memoir, Boys Keep Swinging. ■
AN ABSOLUTE MIRACLE With the recording of the album nearly complete and the book already out, Shears leapt into Kinky Boots. For a showman used to singing and dancing with the Scissor Sisters (not to mention performing as a stripper at an anything-goes NYC nightlife institution called The Cock) one might think the move to theater would be a natural one. Yet Shears found himself apprehensive — in the best possible way. “The stakes were so high. How could I resist? The opportunity to bite off something more than I can chew is something I always love to do,” Shears explains. “I love when an opportunity comes along, and I’m not quite sure whether or not I can do it. When something seems kind of scary, that’s really exciting to me. I was in way over my head. In the middle of rehearsals for that show, I can remember thinking to myself, ‘My God, if I somehow make it through opening night in one piece, it’s going to be an absolute miracle.”
THE SWEETEST THING With a successful record, a well-received book and favorable notices on Broadway behind him, Shears has become that thing he might have expected least: a role model. For years, he’d tell the press that focusing on the Scissors’ gay members made no more sense than talking about the straight people in Blondie. These days he’s having second thoughts. “Now I think that my queerness — the band’s queerness — was intrinsic to music and to the band itself,” Shears says. “I used to have a chip on my shoulder about that, and my thoughts have really changed.” “I talk about this a little bit in the book,” Shears explains. “One of the special things about Scissor Sisters’ and my philosophy is that METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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The cover of the new Iceman #1
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THE ICEMAN COMES OUT SINA GRACE WAS DETERMINED TO BE AN INDIE GRAPHIC STORYTELLER. THEN HE GOT THE CHANCE TO HELP A SUPERHERO COME OUT OF THE CLOSET. BY JASON GUTIERREZ
THIS PAGE: SINA GRACE PHOTO CREDIT LAUREN RENNER
OUT OF THE CLOSET AND INTO THE LIMELIGHT, COMIC BOOK CREATIVE
Sina Grace (pictured, above) is ushering in a not-so uncanny era of LGBTQ+ fandom for new and longtime comic book readers alike with his artistic confidence, quick wit and occasional bad dad jokes in Marvel’s Iceman series. Iceman is Marvel’s first book to have a lead LGBTQ+ character in its title role. Bobby Drake, originally known as the Iceman, debuted in 1963 - created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as one of the five original mutants populating The X-Men comics. Fifty-five years later, Iceman is getting a fresh start in life, with Grace at the helm. It seems more than appropriate that Grace would oversee Bobby’s journey into self-discovery, heroism and the world of online dating. Grace is also the author/artist behind the autobiographical Self-Obsessed and a graphic novel called Not My Bag, which recounts his nightmare experience behind the counter. In addition to Marvel, Grace has worked with publishers IDW, Boom, Dynamite and Valiant; he’s also served as editorial director for Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman’s Skybound imprint at Image Comics. Although he may not readily admit it, Grace is paving a yellow brick road for LGBTQ+ creatives with every word he writes in the LA coffee shops where he’s often found working. You’ve been quite the busy bee these days with your work on both of Marvel’s Iceman comic book series. Have you always wanted to be a comic book creator? SINA GRACE: The only thing I’ve wanted to do in this life is make comics, so I started pretty young. I was an intern at Top Cow Productions in high school, and was making ‘zines by my senior year. In college,
I started self-publishing and going to cons. I even apprenticed under Howard Chaykin for a little bit. I then got sucked into working retail and drawing [the indie comic about a hipster rag doll] Li’l Depressed Boy on the side until I got the gig as Editorial Director for Skybound. My two big moments coming up were getting to illustrate an all-ages book for Amber Benson called Among the Ghosts. I love that book and the experience of getting to work with Simon and Schuster was so eyeopening. Then, my first “memoir” of sorts, Not My Bag — about retail hell,‘cuz let me tell you —was also an awesome way to walk away from editing comics full time and let the world know,“Hey, I write and draw comics. They’re gonna be weird, but they’re gonna be good.” Iceman’s “coming out” caught a lot of attention. How did you become the lead writer assigned to the project? For a long time I’d been very punk rock in not pursuing work from Marvel or DC, ‘cuz my Image work was keeping a roof over my head. I had an ah-ha a moment where I was like, “Can I also just do both?” I made editor Daniel Ketchum’s acquaintance via Not My Bag, and writer Gerry Duggan reintroduced us when I asked for advice on getting Marvel’s attention. There was about a year or two of small gigs here and there before Daniel asked me to pitch an Iceman solo series. I joke that I had no clue I was actually auditioning, because I really just ran with my gut instinct about his journey: He’s been hiding in plain sight this whole time. Knowing he would be Marvel’s leading LGBTQ+ character, what went through your mind as you considered where to take him? Before taking on Iceman, I got caught up on Steve Orlando’s Midnighter METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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a handful of gay characters in both The Walking Dead and Invincible, so I didn’t realize the landscape was starving for more. Suffice to say, it’s pretty cool, but my expectation is that it should just be the status quo. Iceman has been around for quite a while, — 55 years to be exact. How did you decide what’s relevant in his background to help shape him going forward? Iceman’s extensive backstory is actually pretty easy to comb through, because he’s often not given much meat in the larger event arcs. And then when it’s not that, then it’s luckily been the same handful of themes he’s been struggling with since he was a teen. All the stuff with his parents, the years of fighting with Emma [Frost] about his powers… My rule has always been to lean into his past and make it work including that whole chapter where he got an accounting degree! What are you hoping readers new and old take away from what you’ve been able to accomplish? My hope is that readers enjoy the arc of watching Bobby Drake re-establish himself as a self-possessed X-Man in this world of rollercoasters. Family, Juggernaut, love interests, Spider-Man, old flames, Mister Sinister… I guess I hope readers can sort of see the meditation on identity I’ve laid out in this tangential tapestry that is just one chapter in the life of Marvel’s Merriest Mutant. Why is it important to you that Iceman has a heightened visibility for comics fans now that he’s out of the closet? ? The X-Men have always been a direct line to the voice of the marginalized folks in America and the world. Mutants are born with something in them that others fear and don’t understand. I talk a lot about the notion of intersectionality in the series, because he’s gay and a mutant. With this current arc on the stands, we have the Morlocks —
THIS SPREAD: IMAGES COURTESY MARVEL
series. I wanted to see what had and hadn’t been done in terms of having a marquee character inhabit the pages as visibly gay. I also went through and read like 100 more X-Men books that I either missed or breezed through. I wanted to relive my X-Men fandom through the lens of Bobby Drake, as he was always so peripheral to the big events happening. I was gonna do whatever I was gonna do with regards to his journey and representing that, but I didn’t want to let X-Men fans down in terms of not knowing the character’s full history. You’re on the leading edge of a historic moment in the comics industry. Do you get the sense of broadening horizons? A friend once told me, “People never realize what they’re doing is revolutionary when it’s happening.” He was saying that to me about Iceman, and I kind of laughed because I’m like that gif of Tai from Clueless not feeling no buns of steel. There’s no point thinking about the meaning if I am or am not doing something big. My goal is to tell a story I’m proud of that feels responsibly handled for my community. Putting a comic out in the world that’s worth keeping on shelves is better than putting out an“important”story that’s flimsy upon a second reading. At the end of the day, it’s really on how the material lands with readers in another year or two, so I don’t spend much time worrying. The one thing that feels rad is hearing that the first two volumes of the series perform well in the book market. So, I guess my one-word answer is: validating. Only rarely do we see a mainstream popular LGBTQ+ character represented in comics, let alone land a book of their own. To me, I’m always like,“Well, duh!” about seeing mainstream LGBTQ+ folks on comic shelves, but that’s because almost everything I did at Image Comics; featured queer leads. … Similarly, Robert Kirkman had
(far left) The cover of Iceman #2 (right) Excerpts from the new Iceman
a group of mutants who cannot pass as“normal”non-mutants. So then we have that wrinkle to examine. These kinds of stories are anchored when there’s an identity or group of identities being used as analogs for the issues discussed. We can get more meat and then also use the power of metaphor to inform those who don’t understand what’s going on… plus, LGBT people wanna see themselves in cool costumes in the middle of awesome fight scenes. We’re hella warriors too, y’know? No two coming out stories are identical, of course. Did your own path have an impact on what you decided to do with Bobby Drake? Is his story in any way your own? My coming-out story is way different than Bobby’s. I was raised by an Iranian single mother who came up Muslim, so her reaction had more to do with a lack of father figure. The part of the experience that I identify with regarding Iceman’s journey is the fear that status quos and friendships would change because of my truth. I started coming out towards the end of high school… I was still a little confused by my own sexuality/gender presentation. So the first person I told was my high school best friend, and then I think a friend I met on a comic book message board. Even though we have so many labels that help define us, sometimes there still is an inescapable quality of being put into a box. Anyway, once I was in college, I recognized that for all intents and purposes, I was a gay man and wrapped up my coming-out process as such! What are your hopes and aspirations for Bobby Drake and other LGBTQ+ characters yet to be created in the comics universe? My hopes are that these books are normalized and celebrated for their quality rather than treated like a crazy exception that snuck into the mainstream. Part of why I stand so hard for Love, Simon is that it’s a
major motion picture with a high budget soundtrack [and] great production quality that was in the same several thousand movie theaters as Avengers: Infinity War… like, we were [given more than just an] art house movie once a blue moon! Why is coming out still so important to LGBTQ+ identity now, and what does it mean to be out and proud today? Well, when you say the word“identity,”there’s an implied understanding that one’s identity speaks to their psyche, self-image, portrayed image, beliefs, and general markers of individuality … I’ve learned better than to speak in generalizations, but it begs the question: How could it not be important? All I know is that for me, I felt like a massive burden was lifted off my shoulders the minute I stopped carrying a secret around my friends and family. And as a result, I was able to focus my mental energies on being a better writer/artist/friend/person. The thing I love about seeing a new generation of teens grow up and come out without the “After School Special” of it all is the unapologetic nature of their process! Hell yes! Being out and proud today means not feeling shame or fear for what is an absolute truth that also does and doesn’t have to be anybody else’s business. Once the deadlines have all been met and the issue is finally off to the printer, what gets your attention? Trying new things is always fun for me. … My ex always told people that so long as I had an opportunity to take a picture for Instagram Stories, I’d want to do pretty much any activity! Sincerely though, I was pretty sick a few years ago, so now I am open to exploring everything this world has to offer me. But of course, I’m at my happiest grabbing a cappuccino from some new cafe and hitting up a comic or book store before a movie or concert. I’m mild to wild like that. ■ METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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WHAT HAS THE POWER TO BRING TOGETHER PEOPLE OF ALL SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS IN A WAY THAT EMPHASIZES WHAT UNITES US?
MUSIC IS THE ANSWER BY MEGAN VENZIN
and neon colored tank tops for decades, although it’s not the brand of a high-end clothing line. Some readers will instantly recognize this symbol from their dancing days. Seasoned ravers have mastered its insider handshake too - a gesture that commonly transforms strangers into new friends on crowded dancefloors. PLUR is simple shorthand for “peace, love, unity and respect.” That’s something we can all get behind. And although this overture of fellowship has been around for some time, it still surfaces on today’s Top 40 playlists. Even as dance music has become a highly lucrative commercial commodity, almost miraculously, those same values of PLUR live on. PLUR is why an all-too-often misunderstood segment has called dance music home since its inception. It’s similar to how the discotheque — even as it fed pop culture fanatics — provided a place of solace for members of marginalized communities, including young African Americans navigating life in a post-Civil Rights Movement world and queer people burdened by the judgements of a society still reluctant to embrace them completely. These groups were drawn to a safe place found amid flashing lights where the characteristics that made them different quickly fell to the wayside. Their genders, races and orientations were replaced by indistinguishable
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THIS PAGE: STOCKPHOTO CREDIT SXWX
WHAT IS “PLUR”? THAT ACRONYM HAS ADORNED BEADED BRACELETS
silhouettes moving throughout glimmering nightclubs where freedom and positivity reign supreme. A fervent new energy rolled in with the ‘90s. Illegal raves descended upon forgotten warehouses, hidden basements and abandoned buildings, bringing with them new subsets of trance and electro — all synth-driven sounds that eventually ruled the airwaves. Those celebrations were often known only by the most diligent partygoers, those devotees who tracked carefully monitored phone trees and discreetly distributed passwords. This exchange of “top secret” information reinforced an overarching sense of community. Entry to the event served as a binding agreement that only love and respect would be tolerated from every participant.
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JOINING THE AMSTERDANCE Electronic music was then, and still is, for everyone. That dictum is immediately apparent as we embarked on an enlightening overseas romp. It may be 3am, but during Amsterdam Dance Event — or ADE as the industry calls it — the party’s just getting started. A downtown square teems with music lovers who have traversed the globe to experience the best of what electronic music has to offer. Over the course of five days, some 400,000 people will participate in panels, film screenings, label showcases, live demonstrations, yoga classes and more in what has become the world’s largest music and technology conference — and one of the most collectively inclusive gatherings on the planet. Approaching the venue in the wee hours of Thursday morning, there’s a diverse crowd to wade through. Persons of every race, gender and age are here for a good time. A tall elegantly dressed drag queen works the front door of Sugar Factory, a mid-sized nightspot that touts itself as being a “dynamic, open-minded and creative club where live music and theater meet”. That description checks out. We offer our names, and the queen flips long luminous red hair over her shoulder as she scans her worn notepad.“You’re all set! Now you just go in there and have fun, honey,” she says with a beaming smile. Inside, it’s bumping. The main room boasts modest decorations — a simple lighting rig, a slow-turning disco ball and spiral staircases that METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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Eli Escobar
ascend into an underdressed balcony. But any over-the-top fanfare the decor lacks is offset by the colorful crowd, many of whom are loudly and proudly bedecked in boas, face paint, high heels and glitter. A trip to the bar brings more happy surprises when a stranger in line picks up our refreshments “just because.” All she asks is that we return the favor sometime later this weekend. Can do, madam. The vibe is beyond friendly, and with a soundtrack so splendid, how could it not be? The United Kingdom’s Horse Meat Disco are keeping the spirit of the ‘70s alive with an upbeat mix of classics and nu selections. Lovingly referred to by their fanbase as the “Disco Daddies,” this charming foursome host their own queer parties in London, Brooklyn and beyond. While The Classic Music Company’s Wednesday night showcase hasn’t been marketed specifically as an LGBTQ gathering, both the lineup and the audience make it so. Also sharing the roster tonight are Honey Dijon, a Chicago born, New York-based house and techno artist who happens to be transgender; Eli Escobar, a Brooklyn native who has become a familiar face at inclusive venues and NYC Pride Parties; and CMC label head Luke Solomun, a UK-based artist and businessman who has provided a happy home for the work of artists from all walks of life. We catch up with Escobar just before his closing B2B set with Solomun. The soft spoken scene veteran and ally has been called “the quintessential New York DJ.” With more than two decades of production and performance under his belt, Escobar has watched electronic music in the States transform from an underground cult pastime into a multi-billion dollar global phenomenon. He’s navigated the transformation deftly and maintained a fanbase by pushing the boundaries of any genre he touches - hip-hop, classic New York house and sparkling disco productions only scratch the surface of his rich and often introspective oeuvre. Although the landscape has shifted, he believes that for many, there is still one thing that precipitates that first calling to the dancefloor: a desire to belong. “Growing up, there were times I felt alienated,”Escobar says, taking time to choose his words. “I didn’t relate to the kids who were good at sports or who were all latching on to popular trends, and I think that’s why I found clubbing so early. The people I met while clubbing were warm and accepting. They all loved music and dancing, and immediately I knew that was where I wanted to be all the time.” Escobar’s story is more the rule than the exception among EDM’s most fervent acolytes. Throughout history, music has been known as a primal form of escapism, and dancing, as a promoter of positive release. Escobar points to liberated souls as the heart of any great party. “I started getting booked for queer parties all the time, and I love it! I personally feel like when you have a group of people who feel the need to dance and who really need the music you’re playing, it’s way better,” he’s quick to add. “To be able to play for a
this page: Coen van tartwijk • piet van strijp • the Bower, edmonton Copy ClassiC ade sugar faCtory
The Bower
community of people who deeply respect this outlet and who really treasure it means so much to me. It’s much different than playing for a gathering of 20-somethings who are out to prove that they have few wild nights left in them before it’s time to settle down. Plus queer audiences give me an invitation to take a lot more chances musically. I can play more emotional music.” It’s a compliment, but one that also provides a telling glimpse into his perpetually questing creative prowess. Sugar Factory isn’t the only hall sizzling with queer energy during ADE. It’s as though the spirit is infused in the event’s very fabric. Odd Fantastic and Dance With Pride host a Wednesday night fundraiser featuring queer talent — whose proceeds will go to support the new Buddy Project of Stichting Prisma Groep, an organization dedicated to creating friendly support groups for those who need them most. Conference passholders attend a panel titled “Artists Empowering Their Community to Create Change” in which a wide range of performers (from ecoaware techno duo BLOND:ISH to Dave Clarke, a British
producer who has boycotted playing on U.S. soil until the reign of Trump is over) discuss steps they’ve taken personally to make the world a better and more loving place. Boiler Room teams up with IsBurning, an infamous gay party thrown by Charles Valdes which draws from throwback LGBTQ culture from the disco era. The nearly six-hour Friday night event spotlights queer artists and allies like Octo Octa, Titia and many more whose names have become synonymous with legendary “gay” club nights worldwide (you can relive the magic of ADE: Boiler Room x IsBurning in its entirety at isburning.com). To call ADE “a breath of fresh air” is an understatement there’s a unique electricity stemming from its outrageously welcoming, peaceful spirit. It’s readily apparent that the forces behind it are promoting inclusivity in a way that extends far beyond the musical subculture it originally intended to serve.
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MEANWHILE, BACK IN THE STATES... An international affair like ADE is a prime example of how electronic music advances global positivity, but there’s reason to rejoice near homebase too. While making new friends on the continent, an American scene hero was hard at work brewing up new beats with community in mind. Grant Kwiecinski aka GRiZ, is both a Renaissance man and titan of popular dance culture. Already a distinguished producer, DJ, saxophonist, songwriter, singer and Camp Kulabunga Counselor, GRiZ added a new moniker to his list when he came out as gay in a sweet and very candid letter to The Huffington Post in the summer of 2016 (he now considers the disclosure “just a dope side-note”). The underlying theme of his intentional outreach was a phrase that many have embraced as a beacon of hope: “It gets better.”Those three words also happen to be the title of his bouncy new single, a track shot through with uplifting hooks, feel-good lyrics and his own unique panache. It’s a radio-ready anthem that laughs confidently in the face of adversity. “The message stems originally from my own personal
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struggles with being a queer person in the world — struggles I’ve endured in relationships as well as my frustrations with the way our culture is represented in the media,” Kwiecinski explains. “This was a way to express a healing notion in a musical way.” The bouncy track, which highlights a soulful vocal from hip-hop icon DRAM, has served as way for GRiZ to break what his followers had guessed was a creative hiatus. Although GRiZ’s tour schedule has hardly slowed,“It Gets Better” and its bookend track “Can’t Get Enough” were the first releases seen from the multi-talented musician in almost a year. “I said my piece with what I was going through, and after a while, I got this urge to share my work with other people again. After all, the music isn’t just for me,” says GRiZ. “I wanted people to hear these two tracks specifically because it felt like [they contained the words] I was telling myself — a lot. And then things just seemed to line up perfectly: With everything happening in the world, these songs were not only something people wanted to hear, but needed to hear.”
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GRiZ
THIS PAGE: DICK RENNINGS • LIEKE VAN DEN OORD • LAURAJACOBS
The lyrics of ‘It Gets Better’ (which include the original chorus by GRiZ and verses by DRAM) remind listeners to keep their focus on what will create a lasting impact at every level of society: Believe in yourself. Keep your head up and make the world a better place by spreading positivity. It’s the perfect accessory to the #ShowLoveSpreadLove tag which appears in his inspirational social media posts, on pieces from his self-designed clothing line and throughout the live shout-outs of those marathon DJ sets. GRiZ’s secret for sustaining his own positive outlook on life? “If I’m feeling grumpy while grabbing my morning coffee, I can stand there and not talk or I can give a stranger a big smile,” GRiZ says with a laugh. “When I get one back, that instant affirmation, it’s like magic. It instantly turns my day around and works every time. Give it a try.” No doubt GRiZ feels rewarded by the career he’s carved out and the environment it engenders. “I don’t think dance music has ever been a space where people weren’t trying to spread a positive message,” GRiZ concludes. “Whether it was through the hip-hop, dubstep, house or heady scenes, beneath it all were people who were genuinely excited to link up and connect with one another. I’m so happy to have found that place that feels safe and relatable. And I’m here to perpetuate that very thing that’s so special and sacred to so many of us.” Between the new tunes and his charitable “12 Days of GRiZMAS” events which rocked his hometown of Detroit over the holidays, GRiZ puts time and energy into to keeping EDM’s positivity an ongoing effort. Next, he’s headlining Envision Costa Rica, a sustainable, health and wellness-focused festival taking place in Latin America later this month (envisionfestival.com). Times will change. People will too. It’s hard to know how the festival circuit will evolve — at home or abroad — in 10 years. It’s perhaps even more difficult to forecast the trends
that electronic diehards will latch on to from one season to the next. However, one thing is for certain: as long as the musical pioneers keep pushing their message of peace, love, unity and respect, Electronic Dance Music will remain secure in its place as a safe haven for all, regardless of their fans’ geographical or sexual orientations. And isn’t that desire for communal celebration what put them on the dance floor in the first place? ■
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HOW TO LOOK LIKE A CELEBRITY Drink like a fish, sleep like the dead and groom like there’s a show tomorrow. BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES TIRED OF SEEING PICTURES OF GEORGE CLOONEY AND BRAD PITT LOOKING IMPOSSIBLY PERFECT
BODY
HEALTH
from every angle, while you can’t seem to find a decent angle for a selfie? Wondering how you can look more like them? You may not be able to afford their $1,500 per session personal trainers and private chefs, but there are some incredible products on the market that can give you more of that je ne sais quoi that makes celebs so ... Instragrammable. The first step is extremely simple and completely affordable: water. Roughly 60% of your body is composed of water and every cell, tissue and organ is thirsty for it. Most people should drink close to a dozen cups of water, or roughly eight glasses a day, but there are times when you should increase your intake. Do you find yourself perspiring because of warm temperatures, vigorous workouts or illness? If the answer is yes to any of those, drink more. Water before and after exercising is vital and especially good when you’re feeling thirsty or hungry. (Many mistake the sensation of thirst for hunger, which can lead to overeating.) Staying hydrated can curb your appetite, help you to get a better night’s sleep and stabilize your overall health. Kylie Jenner also recently pointed out: “The key to good skin is more than just slathering on moisturizer and staying out of the sun. Water is so important to keep your skin glowing from the inside out.” Getting a good night’s rest can also play in important role in looking your best on any given day. The National Sleep Foundation recommends both young adults (18-25 years old) and adults (26-64 years old) sleep seven to nine hours a night, while those age 65 or older should sleep seven to eight hours each night. Stockholm’s The Karolinska Institutet recently did an experimental laboratory study supported by the Swedish Sleep Research Society, the Swedish Society for Medical Research and the Stockholm Stress Centre. According to the team, results showed that “sleep deprivation affects features relating to the eyes, mouth and skin, and that these features function as cues of sleep loss to other people. Because these facial regions are important in the communication between humans, facial cues of sleep deprivation and fatigue may carry social consequences for the sleep deprived individual in everyday life.” Having a difficult time getting to sleep? Dr. Carmela Alcántara, Associate Professor at Columbia University School of Social Work recommends “creating an environment that encourages sleep by making sure the place you sleep is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool.” In addition, she recommends “if you’re unable to get to sleep, get up and out of bed. Try going into another room until you feel tired again before returning to sleep. Repeat this if necessary.” Skin care and grooming can also play an important part in raising the bar toward looking and feeling like a star. We went in search of a range of products you may want to add to your regimen to step up your game. Since the line has celeb fans like Zoë Kravitz and Mandy Moore, we took a closer look at Arcona (arcona.com) skincare products. Arcona offers a unique Eye Dew Plus ($95) featuring ultra corrective with an anti-aging formula offering intensified concentrations of cutting-edge Retinol and Neodermyl to reverse the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and a loss of elasticity. Arcona also has a Bronze Tinted Self Tanner that’s a light and oil-free way to get a movie star glow without catching too many rays.
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Release impurities and prime the skin each morning with Molton Brown Deep-clean Face Scrub (moltonbrown.com). This deep cleaning face scrub with African whitewood extract will tighten pores and dissolve any excess oils, while jojoba wax beads send dead skin scurrying from your personal red carpet. Be sure to rinse that face with cold water to close those pores after scrubbing! For a gentle cleanser safe to use anytime of the day, look to MALIN + GOETZ (malinandgoetz.com). As a real-life gay couple, Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz know how to make gay men look like a million bucks. The MALIN + GOETZ Grapefruit Face Cleanser is good for all skin types and will gently cleanse without stripping skin essentials or leaving a film. The refreshing grapefruit scent will not only wake you up, but also leave you feeling fresh and ready to tackle your day (or head out for late-night adventures — we won’t judge). Joyome (joyomeskincare.com) has two products that work well to balance skin while addressing/preventing the visible signs of aging, the Illuminating Day Serum and Intensive Overnight Repair feature a combination of ingredients including Argireline (which diminishes expression lines), Eyeseryl (which reduces the under-eye puffiness) and Matrixyl (which provides a smooth hydrated appearance) — all of which do some serious deep facial work while you do things celebrities do. LABSERIES (labseries.com) offers an ultra-hydrating moisturizer, MAXELLENCE The Singular Cream with an out-of-this-world extract that will revive, replenish and recapture your skin’s youthful brightness. Safe to use morning and night, this game changing cream is used by models who need to look camera ready - on and off the runway. Put your best foot forward with its infusion of galactic meteorite extract pulled from the heart of an actual asteroid. Plus, the cream starts out thick and black but will absorb into your skin almost immediately and lose its color. Far out, right? Plenty of top male and female models including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Evandro Soldati, Jesus Luz, Pablo Morais and Gisele Bündchen hail from Brazil. Could it follow that their beauty secrets are found in the rainforest? Possibly! If you want to take a truly age-defying leap, experiment with BRZLNSKIN (brazilianskin.com), which incorporates a variety of ingredients discovered deep in the heart of the Amazon. BRZLNSKIN Skin Facelift Kit is a great choice for a fast tighten and tune-up. The kit features the company’s three age reversal products: Bratoxin (for daily use), Bratoxinsta (for when you’re on the go), and the Açai Triple Stem Cell Sleep Mask (a nighttime treatment). The combination of ingredients in BRZLNSKIN’s anti-wrinkle serum include Acmella Oleracea, a plant extract found to have similar effects to Botox; Açai Stem Cells, known to slow down aging while breaking down the building blocks of wrinkles and fine lines; the skin superfood Camu Camu; Acacia Gum, known for fighting wrinkles with firming and plumping action; and Snail Mucin to improve texture while leaving the skin smooth and tight. Who wouldn’t want to look and feel like the boy from Ipanema? Celebrity makeup artist Spencer Barnes put out the Spencer Barnes LA Neck, Chin & Jawline Sculpting Wand (spencerbarnesla.com) to visibly tighten these areas which are so often in need of tightening. The product is 100% vegan and includes ingredients like hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and a peptide formula. Meanwhile the Spencer Barnes LA Facial Instant Sculpting Wand allows you to address areas of the face that are prone to show signs of aging: eyes, brows, forehead, lips, cheekbones; it delivers healthy skin peptides with what Spencer refers to as “copycat technology.” Actress and host Brooke Burke says Barnes “pulls magic out of people.” METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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What’s going on south of your chin? Emma Hardie Lift and Sculpt, Firming Neck Treatment (shop.emmahardie.com) is a rich, hydrating, collagen boosting neck serum that helps to lift, sculpt, firm and tighten the skin of the neck. Squeeze a little on its roller and move across the skin from the chin to the base of the neck, allowing the cooling serum to improve skin density and firmness. It contains a rich omega 3, 6 and 9 complex of Inca Inchi Oil and Raspberry Seed Oil to give the skin protection while retaining moisture. Infamous among the British elite (including Lily James, Jourdan Dunn and Poppy Delevingne), Emma Hardie is also starting to gain a following on this side of the Atlantic. In need of a lift below the face and neck? Incorporate JUARA Ginger Coffee Firming Treatment ( juaraskincare.com) into your daily routine. This lightweight gel cream (a combination of ginger, coffee, peppermint, red algae, avocado, unroasted shea butter, bentonite clay, rice bran and candlenut oils) is designed to smooth, tone, firm and refine skin all over. Another option, Osmotics Blue Copper 5 Anti-Aging Body Lift (osmotics.com), is a three-in-one anti-aging body treatment that visibly lifts and firms problem skin on the bust, belly and behind. Massage into the skin to tighten and smooth stretch marks, overhang or any spot that could use extra support. Osmotics Cosmecuticals was one of the first to harvest copper peptide, an ingredient that rejuvenates skin cells while boosting the production of collagen and elastin. Surely you’ve heard RuPaul promoting the brand Anastasia Beverly Hills (anastasiabeverlyhills.com) on recent seasons to contestants on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Well, if you’re not ready to embrace the salt and pepper in your beard yet, a little insider tip for covering unwanted grey hairs is their Tinted Brow Gel ($22) which comes in seven different shades including espresso, brown, auburn, and caramel. This gel sets and tints for a maximum flexible hold. It even features light-reflecting pearls for a touch of natural-looking shimmer. You can also use it to add dimension and even out the color in your brows, beard, mustache, or even a touch of gray in your temples. And if you really want to be ready for your closeup, don’t forget to properly nourish your hair. Philip Kinglsey was the man who coined the phrase “bad hair day,” and he made a point of bridging the gap between science and beauty throughout his 65-year career. The Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment (philipkingsley. com) delivers a rush of moisture into the hair’s cortex before washing. It was originally designed for Audrey Hepburn, and we hear that the Royals swear by this invigorating conditioning treatment, which is also a treat for the senses with its fragrances of rich pomegranate, sweet cassis and warming spices. Lastly, even if you can’t make it to the spa, you can treat yourself to a little at home spa treatment at the end of the day with the Golden Door Peel-A-Way Masque (goldendoor.com), an all-natural deeply hydrating masque that will instantly refresh your skin by lifting away impurities and dead cells through botanical extracts and sugar enzymes. Applying, setting and then peeling this fierce combination of Multifruit BSC (Bilberry, Sugar Cane, Sugar Maple, Orange and Lemon), Yogurtene, Licorice Extract and AcquacCell may not make you look like Ryan Reynolds or Liam Hemsworth, but it’ll definitely help you look much closer to your best self. ■
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A CLEAN BREAK
Kick off your New Year with tasty cleanses that deliver a fresh lease on life! BY MEGAN VENZIN ONCE AGAIN, THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS HAVE RESOLVED
PHOTO THIS PAGE: KELLY NEIL
to ring in the New Year by adopting a healthier lifestyle. However, studies show that by February, 80 percent of those New Year’s resolutions will have already failed. While taking temporary breaks from caffeine, sugar, alcohol or snacking is always a good practice, these no-budge restrictions can leave people feeling deprived and grumpy. When the flood walls holding back our cravings finally give way, we often end up worse off than when we started. So what’s the solution? Chances are it’s somewhere between imposing a hard rule that you can never indulge in a scoop of ice cream again and that moment you realize you’ve just given up and eaten an entire pint. After all, life is about balance — and finding that sweet spot is half the battle. That’s why kicking off 2019 with a cleanse is one way to set yourself up for success. Cleansing provides the perfect opportunity to reset your digestive system and generate healthier habits moving forward, while also taking comfort in knowing that there is a light at the end of your gluten-free tunnel. However, not all cleanses are created equal, and you need to consider which one will be right one for you — one that feels like an area worth exploring and a manageable challenge but will still leave you feeling satisfied. So here are a four of our favorite cleanse options to get you started, including what each involves, what’s to love about them, and potential pitfalls you may encounter along the way.
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1
THE CLEAN PROGRAM
HEALTH
WHOLE30
WHAT IS IT?
WHAT IS IT?
Touted by celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow, this 28-day cleanse combines a generous elimination diet with liquid meals to promote PH balance in the body and enable participants to uncover which personal “trigger foods” may be causing them discomfort or undiagnosed ailments. The Clean program works for a wide variety of people, including those with chronic issues (such as IBS or skin disorders) in addition to those more generally hoping to experience better sleep or look and feel younger. Developed by LA-based cardiologist and internal medicine specialist, Dr. Alejandro Junger, the four-week Clean program can be followed with the help of his book (which shares the cleanse’s name) or through purchasing a preset smoothie plan from the official website. Plenty of filtered water, sleep and fasting at least 12 hours between breakfast and dinner solidify this month-long plan.
Whole30 works because it requires a commitment to clean, whole foods for an entire month. Saying goodbye to processed foods is the first step in building and maintaining healthy habits. Plus, you’ll learn how to get a lot more creative in the kitchen while embracing real food that loves you back.
WHAT’S TO LOVE?
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For the first seven days, cleansers are allowed to eat three solid meals a day, plus snacks from the proposed elimination diet. This diet still allows participants to enjoy “comfort foods” like brown rice pasta, certain gluten-free breads and even ghee (clarified butter).
POTENTIAL OBSTACLES Two liquid meals a day can leave cleansers feeling isolated and hungry for a social life, especially if they tend to eat out often. Thankfully, it’s okay to swap your liquid dinner for lunch every once in a while for special occasions (as long as the food you’re eating is clean, unprocessed and free of certain foods it identifies as allergyforming). Eliminating caffeine, tobacco, alcohol and sugar also proves daunting for some, but the majority of cleanses will denounce these kinds of substances.
WHAT’S TO LOVE? You don’t have to give up solid meals to get solid results with this cleanse. What’s more - because Whole30 is based on eating clean, unrefined foods - you can easily adopt this diet as a permanent lifestyle change after you’ve completed the monthlong process (though, to stick with it longterm, you might need to give yourself a little leniency now and then).
POTENTIAL OBSTACLES Eating out can be difficult (if not impossible) while following Whole30 because the sauces, condiments, preservatives and additives found in restaurantprepared foods generally conflict with the guidelines of Whole30. For those who don’t have time to cook at home or meal prep on the weekends, Whole30 can pose challenges. Alcohol, sugar, dairy and even “approved” foods are still off limits, because as the website states, “A pancake is still a pancake, even if it’s made with coconut flour.”
WHERE I CAN I LEARN MORE? whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/
WHERE I CAN I LEARN MORE? cleanprogram.com
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3
SOUP CLEANSE
WHAT IS IT? Haven’t you heard? Souping is the new juicing. Digestion is taxing on the body, and using stores of energy to break down meals is painfully counterproductive. The liquid content of soup makes the absorption process more manageable while delivering a wide variety of nutrientdense options straight to your immune system. It’s the answer to cold and flu season!
WHAT’S TO LOVE? Blended soups preserve that precious fiber that leaves you feeling full, and sometimes a steaming bowl of soup just sounds way more inviting than a fresh-squeezed juice — especially during the frigid winter months. There are a number of 100 percent organic soup cleanses available. You can be purchase many online and have
4
POTENTIAL OBSTACLES Those who lead active lifestyles may find it difficult to get enough protein in their diets depending on soup alone. Integrating bone broths, lentils and leafy greens can help boost this kind of content in every bowl. Don’t forget to include healthy fats too like olive oil, coconut milk and seed pastes like tahini.
WHERE I CAN I LEARN MORE? While there are several examples online, we like this celebrity go-to: The Elissa Goodman S.O.U.P. Cleanse ($350/week, order at elissagoodman.com/soup-cleanse).
GREEN SMOOTHIE DETOX
WHAT IS IT?
OPPOSITE PAGE: SARA DUBLER • THIS PAGE: NATHALIE JARAMILLO
them delivered fresh to your door. Or you can invest in a food processor or immersion blender and make your own delicious concoctions at home.
This 10-day detox plan delivers raw, concentrated nutrition and plenty of fiber in the forms of blended fruit and vegetable smoothies. Leafy greens and herbs such as spinach, kale, parsley and mint give these potent drinks an extra punch, while lending an exciting dose of variety as you lap up your lunch and slurp down your supper.
WHAT’S TO LOVE? While we highly recommend avoiding mixing in dairy, there are plenty of other protein rich substitutes like Ripple Foods brand pea-protein yogurt, almond butter and cashew milks which can add bulk to your meals. An all-smoothie diet may sound monotonous, but the variety of smoothies to explore will surprise you. Add a handful of mint-leaves to a banana and cacao powder shake for a chilly twist. Or mix cilantro, avocado, cucumber and carrot juice for sippable soup. Unlike juices, smoothies
retain fiber which means you won’t feel starved on this diet. In fact, you just might be surprised by the energy that this short-term cleanse awakens.
POTENTIAL OBSTACLES You might miss chewing now and then. Also, those who live in cooler climes may choose to reserve this detox for warmer months when smoothies make a refreshing treat. You’ll also need to find creative ways to pack protein into you meals. Try making your own nut butters or investing in a plant-based vegan protein powder.
WHERE I CAN I LEARN MORE? Several versions of this detox exist online, but we recommend JJ Smith’s 10-day Smoothie Cleanse guidelines to get you started: chewfo.com/diets/10-daygreen-smoothie-cleanse-by-jj-smith-2014-what-to-eat-andfoods-to-avoid-food-list. METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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HE’S STILL JOSH
JOSH ROBBINS DISPLAYED SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE HIV SYNDROME IN EARLY
2012. As he headed to a clinic that January for his HIV test results, he chronicled those life-changing moments on video and audio. “I just got the news,”he says into the camera lens.“I’m positive and my viral load is at five million, so we’ve got a lot of work to do to get that thing down. So now I’m going to catch a plane, so I can go home and tell my Mom.” Just a few weeks after the 29-year-old Tennessean informed his family, he shared his story with the world – posting the poignant YouTube video to his online blog “I’m Still Josh,” and again on Facebook. “By the end of the day, people were reaching out to me from all over the place thanking me,” he says.“I would log onto Facebook and would be inundated with messages from people in the community telling me their story.”
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For Robbins, that immediate response was empowering and lent a new purpose to his life as he became a virtual viral video star: he used his blog as a resource,to combat stigma, create a community and illustrate how to take control over what once was considered a death sentence. To date, that first video has garnered nearly 137,000 views (while his Facebook page has 14,000 likes and over 13,500 follows). “I wanted to encourage people that were newly diagnosed to imagine on that day when you get the worst news you have ever heard, you had somebody to tell you it’s going to be okay,” Robbins offers.“I never intended to become an activist. I simply just couldn’t find anybody that resembled me or who I connected with that understood what I was going through.” His blog, which can be found at imstilljosh.com, provides videos and a toolkit of top HIV apps, HIV-related services and HIV/AIDS awareness products to help those living with HIV lead their best lives. At the heart of his endeavor is a desire to show others confronted with HIV and AIDS that they are not alone — and that such digital resources as social media platforms and blogs can help people establish connections. “It’s so powerful to just open up about your life and share your story,” he says.“It lessens the stress over living with the condition.” Still, Robbins cautions that with greater awareness comes with accountability.“It’s a huge responsibility once you start talking about living openly with a condition,”he says.“People start asking questions; so you’d better know your facts!” Robbins also learned that engaging on social media can harvest bittersweet results, with people using their anonymity as a shield when posting ill-informed and hurtful comments. “On YouTube I got the worst comments in the world, vile comments,” he concedes.“On Facebook, I get to see who people are, who they really are, and on Twitter people can be anonymous, but are really supportive of the message.” In the years since going public about his status, Robbins has been profiled by various media outlets, led a Ted Talk, and recently developed a partnership with Dating Positives (“a place for people who are positive about being positive”) to help take the stigma out of poz dating. “It’s about meeting likeminded people in that same supportive, safe and secure environment,” Robbins believes. “And it’s fun to get back a dating life now and see and meet people from all over the country.” (At this writing, he’s still single; so don’t miss your chance, guys!) Pondering his journey over the last six years, Robbins says not a day goes by without discussing HIV with someone. And while he occasionally debates whether he chose the right name for his blog, he ultimately feels it does reflect his persona. “At the time, the message was simple: I wanted people to understand that I am still the exact same person they knew, and they are still the exact same people to me.” He puts it simply: “You be you, and I’ll be me, and I’m still Josh.” ■
PHOTO COURTESY JOSH ROBBINS
BODY
METROHIV
When Josh Robbins decided to engage very publicly with the world about his HIV status, it began a journey that would change lives (including his own). BY JEFF SIMMONS
WHO SHOULD GET TESTED FOR HIV? EVERYONE.
See how often testing is recommended. Visit HelpStopTheVirus.com © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC3150 06/16
A Taste of Life in New Orleans FOR ANYONE WHO HAS PARTIED IN NEW ORLEANS, IT’S NO SURPRISE TO
learn that a street named Euterpe runs parallel to one called Terpsichore: the Muse of Music flanked by the Muse of Dance. This makes sense for the city that gave birth to jazz — the same city where $200 and a permit will buy you a personalized parade, complete with police escort. In the Big Easy, celebration is life, and vice versa. Of course, it’s probably also pertinent to point out the presence of Melpomene Street, named for the Muse of Tragedy, since this is also a city that’s survived its share of natural disasters. But what’s more resonant about New Orleans is how it flourishes in the face of adversity just as surely as jazz was born from the blues. It’s a city with a wicked sense of humor: a city that’s survived catastrophic fires and invented Tabasco sauce. The nation’s first cocktail, the Sazerac, originated here as well, which comes in handy because when life throws a curveball, New Orleans throws a party. For decades, one of the best parties in New Orleans has been Friday Lunch at Galatoire’s. Founded in 1905, the beloved Bourbon Street restaurant displays the indomitable spirit of New Orleans when local luminaries and savvy visitors pack the 132-seat downstairs dining room for an hours-long end-of-week celebration
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that easily slides into evening. And just as with nearly everything about New Orleans, there’s protocol behind this venerated local tradition: line sitters, for example, wait in front of the restaurant from sunrise until the doors open at 11:30 am. As Galatoire’s does not take reservations for Friday Lunch, patrons hire sitters to hold their place in line. People have been known to send anyone from their maids to their children to wait in their stead. As they used to say about Rick’s in Casablanca, everybody comes to Galatoire’s — and especially at Friday Lunch where everybody dresses to the nines and everybody drinks. Women in millinery so outré as to rival Ascot laugh at the repartee of bowtied men in seersucker suits near a four-top of Audrey Hepburns in pearls and smart little black dresses. Once the line sitters are paid and the maître d’ has paired off guests to their favorite waiters, the party continues in the wallpapered-and-mirrored dining room with its brass sconces glimmering beneath vintage paddle fans. Birthday celebrants toast with a round of Sazeracs and Champagne corks pop in the air. At Galatoire’s, anyone can stand — atop a chair or a table — and raise a glass to the entire room, which quiets just long enough to hear who’s being toasted (or roasted).
THIS PAGE: GROOMS BY DARK ROUX PHOTOGRAPHY
THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO PARTY IN A CITY WHERE TRADITION TRIUMPHS OVER TRAGEDY AND EVERY MEAL IS CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION. BY MARK A. THOMPSON
THIS PAGE: FRENCH QUARTER BY PAUL BROUSSARD • ST. CHARLES STREETCAR BY PAUL BROUSSARD
Apart from the riotous roar of the party, there’s also the food: a mesmerizing mélange of French Créole cuisine inspired by the founder’s homeland and the ensuing culinary influences on New Orleans gastronomy. You’ll see soufflé potatoes and bowls of gumbo and plates heaped with crabmeat and shrimp remoulade. Midway through the crawfish étouffée, a brass band appears and it’s only minutes before half the room forms a second line, which is New Orleanspeak for the revelers who follow behind the music, white napkins twirling to the brass beat. More Champagne for the table! Another round for the room! Not a person at Friday Lunch returns to the office. Along with music, the culture of New Orleans revolves around food. In fact, given how much New Orleans celebrates its culinary heritage, it’s a wonder there isn’t a street named for a Muse of gastronomy. Unlike most American cities, New Orleans has a cuisine that is definitively sui generis: unmistakably its own, a jambalaya of elements spiced by the early French and Spanish settlers and the influx of Acadians commingling with West Africans and Native Americans, as well as Sicilians. Each culture contributed to what is often known as Créole and Cajun — though most locals know it best as the food of New Orleans. Or as one native remarked, “You say the word ‘Arcadian’ three times fast, it’s an easy slide into ‘Cajun’”— which is as much a lesson in cultural history as it is in phonetics. Food is such an integral part of New Orleans that the local utility company New Orleans Public Service, Inc. (better known by its acronym NOPSI, visible on thousands of manhole covers throughout the city) used to share recipes with its customers — both on its monthly bills and in its weekly Rider’s Digest,distributed on city streetcars and buses. For decades, local residents paid their bills in person at the flagship NOPSI building for the privilege of watching NOPSI’s home economists cook up a meal. As a fifth-generation local recalls, “My mother made it a point to pay her NOPSI utility bills in person [because] housewives flocked to NOPSI to see live cooking demonstrations from NOPSI’s Home Economics Department, all of whom wore white lab coats with the company logo.” So popular were the NOPSI
French Quarter
St. Charles Streetcar NOPSI from air-cupola
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French Quarter Architecture Galatoires
NOPSI Facade
recipes that they were compiled in a 1951 cookbook called Créole Cuisine, which has become “the ultimate community cookbook,” according to Elizabeth Williams, president and director of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. Today, NOPSI’s landmark limestone building, built in 1927, is home to NOPSI Hotel, a luxury hotel that retains the grand lobby with its original 21-foot vaulted ceiling, ornamental columns and stone terrazzo floors. Recognized by Historic Hotels of America for its architectural integrity, NOPSI opened in 2017 on the building’s 90th anniversary, and one of its primary goals has been to maintain the convivial civic spirit that attracted locals for years. In keeping with the building’s Prohibition-era antecedents, the lobby bar underCURRENT offers a patio where guests can sip classic gin and Champagne cocktails inspired by 1920s luminaries. Furthering the connection to the building’s past as a gas and electric power company, NOPSI’s rooftop bar and pool is known as Above the Grid, a name which becomes literal at sunset when the city below transforms into a shimmering squares of light. Equally impressive are the massive chandeliers that illuminate the Dryades Ballroom, which was repurposed from an industrial warehouse located behind the original NOPSI building. Massive arched windows are framed by exposed brick walls that rise to a 30-foot ceiling complete with steel crane from the original substation.
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Apart from weddings and receptions, the spacious venue provides an elegant setting for a culinary odyssey led by NOPSI’s executive chef. The seven-course “Louisiana Culinary Exploration” revisits such New Orleans classics as the regional crawfish boil, crab ravigotte and barbecued shrimp, followed by a chef’s demonstration of the classic Bananas Foster flambé. After these gastronomic pleasures, NOPSI’s Deluxe Suites provide a post-prandial sanctuary. Accommodations include a sleek and stylish living room parlor, two large screen televisions and a double-sink spa bathroom with a walk-in shower large enough for several members of the New Orleans Saints. A member of LUX Preferred, the 217room hotel serves as a relaxing base camp amidst the 24/7 revels underway just outside the lobby doors. Throughout 2018, New Orleans celebrated its tricentennial with a citywide party known as NOLA Tricentennial (1718-2018), which was marked by redevelopment and major infrastructure projects — not to mention the city’s 135 annual festivals. One of the city’s most vibrant post-Katrina neighborhoods is Arts District New Orleans (ADNO) which transformed a neglected warehouse neighborhood into a thrumming hub of creativity. A short walk from NOPSI, ADNO is anchored by the brand-new campus of The National WWII Museum and its cultural neighbors, the Ogden Museum of Southern
this page: French Quarter architecture by Zack smith • galatoires dish by todd coleman
Public Service Bar at NOPSI
A Gay Wedding
this page: Wedding By arte de Vie • Jackson square By Zack smith • LgBt parade BourBon By pauL Broussard
Jackson Square
LGBT Parade
Art and the Contemporary Arts Center. Bucolic Julia Street has become the backbone of a neighborhood notable for its galleries, cafés, restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Given the city’s glorious gumbo of disparate cultures, it’s easy to understand how hospitality became the hallmark of New Orleans Parish. After all, one of the city’s most famous fictitious heroines declared, “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers,” a sentiment with which Tennessee Williams was familiar from nights spent in the French Quarter at Café Lafitte in Exile (arguably the oldest gay bar in the States — and still open all day and night). Unlike much of the South, which has kept the LGBTQ community at arm’s distance, New Orleans has a history of embracing LGBTQ people as family. The first gay Mardi Gras krewe appeared in 1958, followed by two more gay krewes in 1961 and 1969. For more than 30 years, Halloween New Orleans has been raising funds for Project Lazarus, an assisted-living home for those with HIV/AIDS. Meanwhile, over in the Tremé neighborhood, a small annual house party in the early 1970s grew into Southern Decadence, which has become one of New Orleans’ top five tourist events (along with Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest) with an annual economic impact of more than $250 million and attendance exceeding 200,000. While the streetcar named Desire Williams made famous has been a bus line since 1948, you can still ride the St. Charles trolley: the nation’s oldest continuously operating streetcar line provides a leisurely entrée into the city’s Garden District. Located along the six-mile emporium of Magazine Street, Coquette has been a neighborhood favorite for brunch since its 2008 opening. Helmed by an award-winning chef/owner couple, the two-story restaurant is a culinary playground for the talented team in the kitchen who reinterpret Southern cuisine with their own contemporary twist.
Equally tempting for breakfast is Willa Jean in the city’s Central Business District, where James Beard-nominated chef Kelly Fields channels her grandmother Willa Jean’s spunky spirit with recipes that celebrate Southern hospitality. The morning menu features a complete section devoted solely to biscuits — for which Grandma Willa Jean deserves a hallelujah chorus. Meanwhile, in the heart of the Quarter, while New Orleans was celebrating its tricentennial, Arnaud’s celebrated 100 years of classic French Créole cuisine in a restaurant widely considered the largest in the vicinity. Beyond the romantic ambiance of its main dining room and the seductive charms of French 75 Bar, the labyrinthine restaurant offers a warren of private dining rooms, including a pair of adjoining dining parlors known as Bourbon Suites. Apart from the marble fireplaces and a private bar (with a designated bartender), what makes this French blue and gold pair of parlors particularly appealing is the expansive covered balcony overlooking Bourbon Street. Few vantage points are more perfect for sipping French 75 cocktails while tossing beads into a crowd of people willing to do just about anything to snare a strand. A few stumbles down the street from Arnaud’s is the Hotel Monteleone, home to The Carousel Bar & Lounge, the birthplace of Truman Capote — or so he liked to quip. The revolving bar makes a pleasant perch from which to witness the world go round — and to consider whether or not to call it a night. If you’ve drained your last glass, all-night room service awaits at NOPSI — or better yet, a table at Public Service, the hotel’s industrial chic restaurant that serves an incomparable pain perdu with bourbon butter sauce. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself tempted to order another round. After all, one of the joys of New Orleans is knowing that there’s always room for more. ■ METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
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SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DIRECT
LET US GUESS: YOU PROBABLY BEST RECOGNIZE THE MULTI-TALENTED
entertainment mogul Adam Shankman from his judging stints on So You Think You Can Dance. But when we caught up with the dancer-turneddirector, he was fully immersed in both the Taraji P. Henson-led comedy What Men Want and the Amy Adams musical sequel Disenchanted. METROSOURCE: You have so many irons in the fire. What Men Want is out in February and then you’re off to Disenchanted. Adam Shankman: While I’ve been incredibly fortunate to get to work on so many great projects, the truth is that until I’m in production on something, I spend a lot of my time on the million things that need to happen in order to get a project made. That remains a huge challenge in our industry, even with the emergence of so many platforms and creative outlets and the increased opportunity they provide. The economics of getting a project off the ground have radically changed from the time I first got into this business, and I find now that the most difficult part of the process is actually getting something into production, no matter how excited the financier may be about the script or concept or cast. That being said, I love being busy developing projects when I’m not shooting, and feel very lucky to get to do that. It’s a thrill too to finally unleash What Men Want out in the world; and this coming year I hope to really get going on Disenchanted. Is there something you can point to that says, “This is an Adam Shankman kind of project” — are there things you look for? Stories that have a deep sense of humanity and flawed characters. I used to think there were only so many stories about people who were doing the best they could, and never well, at that. But I have come to realize that basically every story worth telling and every character worth exploring inherently includes those themes. I’ve loved exploring stories like that in my comedy and musical projects, but I’m most excited to apply the same themes to more dramatic works. My favorite thing to watch onscreen at the end of the day are stories involving justice, crime and mystery. Thrillers are my addiction. I’d love to make them all.
You’ve also created choreography for everything from Hairspray to the Academy Awards. Does dance influence your directing? My background in dance and choreography informs everything I do. They are a fundamental part of my process in storytelling. I read scripts as if they are musical scores with their own character and rhythm; and if I can’t see the way movement and stillness work into the telling of the story, then I can’t come near the project. My years of dancing and choreographing for others taught me everything I know about directing and producing, which I use on a daily basis today: how to interact with others; respect each person’s position and space; inspire creativity; navigate challenges; solve problems. The list goes on. And then there’s your work on Glee and Modern Family... Working on Glee and Modern Family were incredible and unexpected gifts. Both shows are beautiful manifestations of families at their most functional and dysfunctional. I had been friends socially with the creative heads of both shows for many years, and in passing told them separately as a fan how fun I thought it would be to direct an episode. As luck would have it, both offers then came to me back-to-back, so I went from wrapping my first episode of Glee straight into doing Modern Family. I don’t think there is anything more ripe in storytelling than the family dynamic in all of its wonderful configurations, so I related to all of the variety of things thrown at me in those scripts. I loved the pace and the parameters of a television schedule, and working within the context of someone else’s vision felt very much like my time choreographing for other directors and producers. In that way, it was an easy hat for me to put on. I’m currently doing an episode of a Netflix show for my old friend Michael Patrick King and having a ball. What can you tell us about Disenchanted? The film will pick up ten or so years after the end of Enchanted and the ‘happily ever after’ that Giselle imagined with Robert isn’t exactly as she pictured it. As only a woman born of fairy tale magic can, she makes a wish and the world turns upside down — filled with chaos, hilarity, emotions and, yep, musical numbers.Yes, I’m already dreaming up the musical numbers in my head and excited — couldn’t be more excited — to both direct and choreograph the film. Do you think your work and your novels identify you as gay? The answer to that is: Probably. I mean, look at Jennifer Lopez’ hair in The Wedding Planner —that alone kind of tips you that I’m gay. As for the novels, they are YA fiction books about Hollywood in the 1930s and the protagonists are a sort of young Nick and Nora Charles, and they are surrounded by young versions of Joan Crawford and Ginger Rogers… I mean — if the dancing heels fit... The extraordinary thing about Hairspray was that I could celebrate being gay and proud in the context of a musical about inclusion and celebrating diversity. I grew up a gay boy who wanted to dance and didn’t understand why anyone would have a problem with that; and then became infuriated anyone would try to prevent another person or group from being happy or expressing themselves. In that way, I was Tracy Turnblad. I consider that film one of my great successes—and I believe strongly that it’s because it spoke so personally to me. ■
IMAGE OF ADAM SHANKMAN AND TARAJI P. HENSON ON THE SET OF WHAT MEN WANT COURTESY PARAMOUNT PICTURES
VIEWS
LAST CALL
Adam Shankman, the director behind the big screen version of Hairspray, returns with a pair of projects guaranteed to make you kick up your heels. BY KEVIN PHINNEY
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