Metrosource NY - April/May 2019

APRIL/MAY 2019 METROSOURCE NY

METROSOURCE

RETURN TO OZ

UNSEEN AUSTRALIA

WINE ABOUT IT

IN PORTUGAL, SPAIN & FRANCE

AMERICA’S GAY

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

APRIL/MAY 2019

TIM GUNN LEAVES THE RUNWAY

TRAVEL

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WEEKEND ESCAPES FROM NY AND LA

Something is brewing...

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CONTENTS

April/May 2019 | VOLUME 30, NO. 2

42 28 WEEKENDERS IF YOU NEED A GETAWAY BUT DON’T HAVE A LOT OF TIME,

we’ve gathered eight great destinations that are an easy jaunt from either Los Angeles or New York City.

36 MAKING LANGUAGE CLIC THEY SAY NOTHING HELPS YOU LEARN A LANGUAGE LIKE

total immersion. We sent one of Metrosource’s own to test the hypothesis in sunny southern Spain.

38 RETURN TO OZ

46

YOU’VE SEEN THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE. NOW RETURN TO

42 GRAPE EXPECTATIONS A GAY MAN PRANCES THROUGH PORTUGAL, SEEKS OUT

surprising flavors in Spain, and ends up in a part of France where the scent of wine fills the air.

38 ON THE COVER PHOTO BY SCOTT MCDERMOTT

46 TIM GUNN’S NEW YORK AS HE MOVES ON FROM HIS STAR-MAKING RUN ON PROJECT

Runway, quintessential New Yorker Tim Gunn takes us on a virtual tour of a perfect day in Manhattan.

THIS PAGE: TIM GUNN PHOTO BY BARBARA NITKE - LIFETIME

experience Australia’s lesser-visited locales to see a whole new side of Down Under.

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VIEWS

PUBLISHER Rob Davis ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Evelyn Vayner EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Paul Hagen

band) Justin and I planned a much needed long weekend away in Nova Scotia. However as the date approached, I had a sore throat that just would not quit.

When I went to the doctor, the verdict was likely strep throat. They sent me to pick up a prescription for antibiotics at a nearby pharmacy. When I arrived, the pharmacy’s computer system had gone haywire and couldn’t process my order. With little time to catch our flight, I pleaded with the pharmacists. They took pity on me and sent me on my way with a Zpak.

We had left our schedule for the first day mostly open to get a feel for the city, but I couldn’t make myself get out of bed. I recall HGTV blaring as I slipped in and out of consciousness.

With copious cold medicine, I rallied by dinner time — enough to limp my way through a walking tour of local restaurants. Though a Thai soup we encountered offered some soothing, I was still suffering and wondering when the antibiotics would kick in.

The next day was dedicated to visiting local landmarks with “Open Top Tours” (so named for ferrying guests about in Jeeps.) Our guide sported both a jovial attitude and some truly impressive mutton chops. Justin chatted with him amiably, while I spent most of the day shivering in the back seat. Occasionally I would clamber out to look at a local landmark like the storied lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove. I tried to find a positive attitude, but I felt terrible.

After that torturous day, I was not looking forward to the next. We’d be heading even further afield on a tour of local wineries. As it was a group outing, I feared having to make small talk with fellow tourists. However, I had underestimated the miraculous effects of mixing wine and cold medicine. By the second winery, I was cracking jokes with the other couples. At our last stop, a bucolic wonderland known as “Tangled Garden,” I even posed for some rather hilarious photos. I only partially remember doing this.

By the time we headed out for our end-of-trip dinner that night, I was hopeful the worst of the illness was finally behind me. Yet as we made our way through the tasting menu, the potent cocktail of wine and cold medicine began wearing off. Plus, there was a new symptom: An unpleasant rumbling in my middle that seemed to be saying,“You took much medication.

You pushed yourself too hard. And now you will be punished.”We informed our waitress that we’d be skipping our final course and set off for an almost entirely uphill walk back to the hotel. What can I say, reader? I almost made it back with my dinner and my dignity in tact.

By the time we got back to New York, my voice was nearly non-existent and my throat was constantly on fire. I was in so much pain, I couldn’t even sleep. My doctor’s office called to see how my antibiotics were working. In response to my croaked explanation, they informed me that a Zpak is rarely effective for strep throat. I would need to be on a much stronger antibiotic immediately. It would be weeks before I felt anything close to normal.

When I think back on that trip, it’s like trying to remember a dream. Even amidst the worst of it, there were some moments that brought me joy. I remember — during that first rough day in the hotel — how every designer on HGTV seemed to be building a pergola. I’d never heard of these intriguing little garden structures before and for some reason found the word bizarrely amusing. Even as I struggled through our “Open Top Tour” day, Mr. Mutton Chops played a favorite local sea shanty called “Barrett’s Privateers”; I’ve loved it ever since.

Most importantly, what I remember is Justin’s kindness throughout. He didn’t know I was on the wrong antibiotics and getting sicker. He couldn’t feel how the cold medicine was providing so little relief while making me feel increasingly bonkers. But he listened patiently, held me through the shivers, and never complained that my illness was ruining his vacation. I don’t ascribe to the belief that some all-powerful being sends hard times to test us. But being down and out in Nova Scotia proved Justin was the travel buddy I’d always want by my side. ■

EDITOR’S LETTER

A FEW SUMMERS AGO, MY THEN-BOYFRIEND (NOW HUS-

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DEPARTMENTS TRAVEL

April/May 2019 | VOLUME 30, NO. 2

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88 CULTURE 6 METROSCOPE The Met Gala camps it up, GLAAD’s got Madge, Fosse/Verdon dances onto screens and Crazy ExGirlfriend takes a bow.

15 FINANCE Is travel insurance worth it?

20 SCREEN Sauvage, Giant Little Ones and Wild Nights with Emily spotlight sexuality.

24 MUSIC Who’s coming to Coachella?

26 TECH Innovations that will change the way you drive.

34 BOOKS Tiki surprise, supersonic style and mid-century modern.

BODY 50 METRO HIV Philadelphia’s screenwriter stands up to critics.

52 HEALTH Apps that make you go om.

VIEWS 27 GAY VOICES Why we need Black Pride.

33 DIARY Determined to get up-close with the Mona Lisa, Wade engages in crowd control.

51 POV What Texas taught one gay man about finding the best (and worst) in other people.

88 LAST CALL Could a gay Indiana mayor win the White House?

EXCLUSIVELY NY 60 NY SCOPE Amanda Palmer and Wynton Marsalis serenade this spring.

64 HOME Giving digs a modern edge.

66 METROMONY Catering questions ansered.

69 NY HOT SHOPS Float down to Pearl River.

70 BAR SOURCE Where to drink up…

71 RESTAURANT BITES …and chow down.

74 BUSINESS DIRECTORY Businesses that cater to the LGBT community.

86 COMMUNITY RESOURCES Organizations and resources for NYC’s LGBTs.

THIS PAGE: CARDI B COURTESY ATLANTIC RECORDS • GIANT LITTLE ONES COURTESY VERTICAL ENTERTAINMENT

24

Getting Together with PEOPLE ON JANUARY 15, METROSOURCE GATHERED

Dixon, Blogger Kenneth Walsh from Kenneth in the 212, community leader Leo Preziosi, Jr., and Dr. Evan Goldstein. “People We Love” was co-sponsored by Red Bull, Israel Ministry of Tourism, HealthSherpa, NY State Department of Health’s “Undetectable = Untransmittable,” and Entertainment Cruises. Learn more at Metrosource.com/peoplewelove, see photos at facebook.com/Metrosource, and watch Don Lemon speak at Metrosource.com/videos. ■

LOVE

THIS PAGE: PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK ROCCO AND ILOVEPHOTOS2

at 48 Lounge in Manhattan with fabulous fellow members of the LGBTQ community to salute our annual list of “People We Love.” Highlights of the evening included an inspiring speech by honoree Don Lemon, Tina Burner accepting the “slay-letto” award for “Legendary NYC Drag Queen We Love” and appearances by fellow honorees — including author Michael Musto, NYC & CO’s Fred

METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

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THE MET GOES CAMPING CAMP IS DEFINED AS BEING “DELIBERATELY EXAGGERATED AND

theatrical in style, typically for humorous effect.” It’s long been a term applied to a number of LGBTQ-related aesthetics — on stage, on screen, and off. This year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is celebrating and exploring the influence of camp on fashion with the exhibition Camp: Notes on Fashion.

If that alone were not enough to tempt you, it will also be the theme of the May 6 Met Gala, co-chaired by fashion forces Lady Gaga, Alessandro Michele, Harry Styles, Serena Williams and Anna Wintour. According to the Met,“The Costume

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From Left: Ensemble, Virgil Abloh (American, born 1980) for Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh. (Italian, founded 2013), pre-fall 2018; Ensemble, Alessandro Michele (Italian, born 1972) for Gucci. (Italian, founded 1921), fall/winter 2016–17

Institute’s spring 2019 exhibition will explore the origins of the camp aesthetic and how it has evolved from a place of marginality to become an important influence on mainstream culture.”Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay Notes on ‘Camp’ provides a framework for the exhibition, which examines how fashion designers have used their métier as a vehicle to engage with camp in a myriad of compelling, humorous and sometimes incongruous ways.”Even if you can’t score a ticket to the gala, you’ll be able to take in the fabulous fashions on display starting May 9. metmuseum.org

this page: ensemble, Virgil abloh (american, born 1980). for off-White c/o Virgil abloh (italian, founded. image courtesy of the metropolitan museum of art, photo © Johnny dufort, 2018 • ENSEMBLE, ALESSANDRO MICHELE (ITALIAN, BORN 1972) FOR GUCCI. (ITALIAN, FOUNDED 1921), FALL/WINTER 2016–17. IMAGE COURTESY OF THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, PHOTO © JOHNNY DUFORT, 2018

METROSCOPE CURATED BY PAUL HAGEN AND SEBASTIAN FORTINO

METROSCOPE CULTURE

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ART BEAT

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EAT UP

SIMPLY DIVINE WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU COMBINE A CELEBRATION OF FOOD

this page: simply DiVine images courtesy los angeles lgBt center • THIS IS US BY ANNIE LIEBOVITZ COURTESY NBC

and beverages with some of Los Angeles’ most fabulous LGBTQ people and our allies? Simply diVine! The premier food and wine event for queer people (and those who love us) returns April 27 at the always-memorable venue Hollywood Forever. Simply diVine provides samples of extraordinary food and drink from LA’s most popular restaurants, food trucks, wineries, distilleries, breweries, juicers, coffee roasters and more.”Foodies are sure to rejoice at the names of this year’s food and beverage partners,

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which include Bourbon Steak, Gracias Madre, hinoki & the bird, Hock + Hoof, Huntington Dining, Lovely Eats, Rossoblu, Salazar, PRP Wine International, Seedlip Drinks and Tequila Partida. Although the festivities are set to begin at 6pm, VIP ticket holders can get a jump on sips and nibbles starting at 5pm. Proceeds from this succulent event support the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s life-changing and life-saving programs and services — contributing to a 50-year-old institution that serves LGBTQ people throughout Los Angeles. simplydivinela.org

GOOD THING

GLAAD TO BE 30 WHAT A YEAR FOR ANNIVERSARIES! EVEN AS THE STONEWALL RIOTS

turn 50 in June, the GLAAD Media Awards turn 30. As in years past, there will be a party on both coasts. The first one (in LA) takes place March 28th at the Beverly Hilton, where Sean Hayes will be recognized in an evening augmented by appearances from The Good Place’s Jameela Jamil, Crazy Rich Asians star Nico Santos, Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds and the cast of Netflix’s Queer Eye. Then, on May 4 at the New York

Hilton Midtown, another ceremony will recognize Madonna for her work as an advocate for the gay community since the 1980s. In addition, both ceremonies will recognize films, television series, musicians, journalists and other sources of media for their representations of the LGBTQ community. Last year’s honorees included NBC’s This Is Us (pictured), Sony Pictures Classics’ Call Me By Your Name, and CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360˚. Who will win this year? Stay tuned. glaad.org METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

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IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

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

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: } Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section. } 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 (6%), and headache (5%).

} 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 if you: } Have or have had any kidney or liver problems,

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.

including hepatitis infection. } Have any other health problems. } 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. } 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.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

} Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-

counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

} BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

MyDailyCharge.com

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, KEEP CREATING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: December 2018 © 2019 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0102 01/19

KEEP CREATING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

To learn more, visit BIKTARVY.com.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.

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TOUR THING

our world. Her delivery of a rafter-shaking “The Wizard and I” at A Very Wicked Halloween (pictured) got us all hungry for more from the nimble-voiced diva. Then came her latest collection of tracks — thank u, next — which broke streaming records both for any pop album and for any female artist ever. Now, her Sweetener World Tour is bringing the little lady with the big voice to fans in person. It’ll kick off with late March dates in Albany, Boston, Buffalo, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Cleveland and at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun arena. April sends her up into Canada for dates in Montreal and Toronto before she dips back into the U.S. for dates in Detroit and a headline spot at Coachella. May sees Grande wend her way down the West coast, with three LA stops (two at the Staples Center and one at The Forum). Then she’ll head east for dates in Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma before finishing the month of May in Florida (and heading north in time to help celebrate World Pride in NYC).

Get tickets and more online. arianagrande.com

THE GRANDE TOUR

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SCREEN IT

THE HUSTLE IF WE LEARNED ANYTHING FROM PAUL FEIG’S DARINGLY QUIRKY

remake of Ghostbusters, it’s that nothing brings out the worst in internet trolls like a female-centric reimagining of a classic comedy. So it seems daring, indeed, that MGM would roll the dice on giving a similar twist to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels — the beloved 1988 film that saw Michael Caine and Steve Martin playing con men on the French Riviera. This new film, The Hustle (originally called Nasty Women) has a decided air of

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female empowerment. It features Anne Hathaway stepping into the Caine role of a higher-end con artist, while Rebel Wilson steps into Martin’s broader comedic shoes. LGBTQ fans should note that Hathaway has been a tireless and vocal supporter of the gay community (including her openly gay brother), and Rebel Wilson recently insisted that her gay BFF in rom-com Isn’t It Romantic be played by *gasp* an actual gay actor. Get hustled May 10. mgm.com

this page: the hustle photo Christian BlaCk Courtesy MgM • ariana grande By eriC lieBowitz Courtesy nBC

CULTURE

METROSCOPE

LATELY IT SEEMS LIKE ARIANA GRANDE CAN’T STOP ROCKING

Crazy ex girlFriend april 5, we Bid a sad Farewell to the Cw’s CritiCal darling

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Over the course of its five seasons, the musical dramedy served up special appearances by such divas as Patti Lupone and Tovah Feldsuh, sexy shirtless guys, memorably hilarious tunes, deliciously high camp drama and its fair share of LGBTQ representation. The good news is that the show is going out with a bang. The Yes, It’s Really Us Singing: The ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ Concert Special! will air (immediately following the

Arlequn Assisi, 1901, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ankauf Herr und Frau John L. Loeb, Schenkung 1960.

this page: VinCent rodriguez iii and sCott MiChael Foster By eriCa parise For the Cw • arlequn assisi, 1901, the Metropolitan MuseuM oF art, ankauF herr und Frau John l. loeB, sChenkung 1960.

Jpg-ForMat (3.464 kB). 1854 x 2500 pixel. © suCCession piCasso / 2018, prolitteris, züriCh Foto: © 2017. the Metropolitan MuseuM oF art / art resourCe / sCala, Florenz

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FACT CHECK series finale airs) at 9pm. The concert special will feature series co-creator Rachel Bloom and the cast of the critically acclaimed series performing live versions of fan-favorites along with full production staging, multimedia visuals and a live band and orchestra. And they’ll have plenty to choose from: The songwriters of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend have written over 150 tunes for the series, which has also spawned the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Live Tour and talks of a possible theatrical adaptation. cwtv.com

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INK SPOTTED

period pieCes

iF you adMire the work oF paBlo piCasso, you May want to

put Switzerland on your travel itinerary this spring. In February, the Foundation Beyeler launched one of the most comprehensive exhibitions of the Cubist master’s early work. His“Blue and Rose Period” catalogues the artist’s early works — assembling at the foundation’s museum in Basel. If you can’t make it to the Alps before the exhibition closes in late May, you can experience it through The Early Picasso: The Blue and the Rose Period(Hatje Cantz, $85). This tome features 300 pages with 171 color illustrations of the paintings, drawings and sculptures on display. The Blue Period covers the years Picasso spent bouncing between Barcelona and Paris with his color hues capturing the suffering of those living on the fringes of society. His Rose Period, which began in 1905, coincides with his finally settling in Paris. This captures a different feeling altogether: his portraits of circus artists, jugglers, harlequins and other performers impart an artistic dignity to these performers, who were often regarded as outsiders. These works would eventually develop into what we now know as the master’s signature form: Cubism. hatjecantz.de METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

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CIRCUIT SHAKERS

LOOKING FOR GAY DESTINATION EVENTS THIS

spring? We’ve got a Pride, a white party, a ball and some leather for you to try on.

MIAMI BEACH GAY PRIDE APRIL 1–7 BOOK YOURSELF SOME DECO DIGS AND TAKE YOUR

MARK YOUR LGBTQ CALENDARS

CULTURE

METROSCOPE

DOES SOMEONE LOOK UP TO YOU? TALK TO YOUR FAVORITE YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT WHETHER

they’re participating in the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education (GLSEN) Day of Silence this April 12th. The Day of Silence is “a student-led national event where folks take a vow of silence to highlight the silencing and erasure of LGBTQ people at school.” (glsen.org) May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The date is significant because it was on that day in 1990 the World Health Organization finally removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. Organizers describe it as “A Worldwide Celebration of Gender & Sexual Diversities” which is now observed in more than 130 countries, including 37 where homosexuality remains criminalized and some 1600 events were reported by 1280 organizations. (dayagainsthomophobia.org) We recently mourned the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Harvey Milk. Now, May 22nd marks Harvey Milk Day on what would have been the activist’s 89th birthday. Consider taking time this holiday to read The Harvey Milk Interviews: In His Own Words. (milkfoundation.org)

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WHITE PARTY PALM SPRINGS APRIL 26–29 THE DADDY OF ALL CIRCUIT PARTIES IS TURNING

30 this year. The classic gay event has a multifaceted history, celebrated by veteran and new circuit party fans alike. Get out your finest white attire, and prepare for multiple events across a few different venues, especially the Hilton Hotel Pool and Convention Center. Dance the night (and day) away and be part of the legend that is The White Party. jeffreysanker.com SUPERBALL AMSTERDAM MAY 11

LISTEN UP

LIZ IS IT

pride to the beach. Nearly 200,000 people hit up the event, now in its ninth year. Expect international DJs, steamy go-go boys from Score, stages with live performers, LGBTQ and supportive vendors — all served with Miami spice and heat. miamibeachpride.com

PARIS ISN’T THE ONLY HOTSPOT THAT’S BURNING! TO LEAVE IT TO LIZZO: SHE TICKLED OUR FUNNY

bones while looking for her“Phone,”and empowered all kinds of beauty (including gender-non-conformity) with her video of “Good As Hell.” If you’ve been clamoring for more from this phenomenon, you’re in luck: April 19, she drops her new album, Cuz I Love You. Fans are already gagging over the title single, which recalls Lauryn Hill’s masterpiece, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and a video that mixes in the sultry allure of Christina Aguilera’s “Ain’t No Other Man.” Lizzo has been center stage at many a Pride celebration, in addition to the landmark lesbian event The Dinah. However, she hasn’t definitively answered questions about her own orientation. “When it comes to sexuality or gender, I personally don’t ascribe to just one thing,” she told Billboard.“That’s why the colors for LGBTQ+ are a rainbow! Because there’s a spectrum.” Love that. lizzomusic.com

celebrate of all that is glorious European drag, get your tickets for Superball Amsterdam. “The competition is on fire, the battle is real,” proclaims one emcee. Judging by the video from last year’s event, she’s right. Superball offers an infectious blend of gay wit, hot beats, fierce lewks and a Euro-classy-trashy-kitschy vibe. superball-amsterdam.com INTERNATIONAL MR. LEATHER MAY 23–27 IF YOU LOVE LEATHER, MAKE SURE THAT YOU’RE IN

Chicago to greet the community’s new Master at the International Mr. Leather competition.

Of course, it’s the parties and events surrounding the competition which are the real draw for many guests. Such sponsors as Mr. S Leather, Sportlube, LeatherWerks and others want to ensure you and your crew have a wild time beginning with the Opening Ceremonies, the Leather Market, and culminating in the Black and Blue Ball. Look out for the Leather Bear Stampede, brand new for this year. imrl.com

Thispage: phoTo by krisTina flour on unsplash • lizzo courTesy nice life recording company/aTlanTic records

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NEXT UP

This page: sanTino fonTana in TooTsie, phoTo by roberT TrachTenberg • fosse/verson courTesy fX

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TV SET

and all This jazz in recenT years, fX has become known for iTs limiTed and

anthology series thanks to properties like American Horror Story, American Crime Story and Feud. Their latest will take a deep dive into the lives and stage collaborations of two indelible artists: Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon (Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams). His singular approach to dance helped him redefine choreography and led to his emergence as a visionary filmmaker. Her unique voice and unflagging energy earned her a place in the pantheon of great Broadway performers. Fosse/ Verdon takes a look back through five decades of their lives.

Likely on display: How Fosse fueled his manic creativity with

drugs, alcohol and sex. Meanwhile, Verdon will topple from the top of the heap (winning an almost-unbelievable four Tony awards in six years) to struggling in an industry obsessed with youth. Expect much to be made of their symbiosis: his extraordinary vision that she helped to shape — largely uncredited — and how she became Fosse’s shining star as one of the very few performers who could live up to his standards. Other legends along for the ride include Paddy Chayefsky (Norbert Leo Butz), Neil Simon (Nate Corddry) and Hal Prince (Evan Handler. April 9, get ready for music. Get ready for dance. Get ready for passion — and All That Jazz. fxnetworks.com

STAGE ADVICE

drag To The fuTure

in 1982, dusTin hoffman Took on The role of an acTor

named Michael, who was so tired of fighting his reputation for being difficult that he decided to create a whole new identity, which lands him a job (and leaves him stuck living a double life). Now, the story comes to the stage in a new, musical comedy with a score by Broadway veteran David Yazbek of The Band’s Visit and The Full Monty fame. This time, instead of a attempting to land a job on a TV soap opera, Michael is angling for a part on Broadway. And instead of Hoffman in the role of Michael/Dorothy, we have Santino Fontana. Fontana was a fan-favorite love interest in early seasons of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and reviews of the show’s outof-town tryouts indicate that his vocal prowess and comic timing are put to even more impressive use in Tootsie. It’s likely the plot makeover from being a film about making TV to a stage show about making theater might also provide a boost, considering Broadway’s long-standing affection for shows about making shows (see: The Producers, Noises Off, 42nd Street, etc.) Tootsie previews begin March 29, and opening night is slated for April 23. tootsiemusical.com METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

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Advertorial

Lexus: Leading Luxury Autos into the Future We went looking for the latest in luxury — from divine design to technological trends — and found them in the Lexus line.

BY CASEY WILLIAMS

W

hen Lexus debuted the LS 400 in 1990, the car set new standards for luxury – including quality, style, and technology – that set both German and American automakers back on their wheels. Since then, the brand has led luxury trends — introducing the first luxury crossover, the RX 300, in 1999, and leading the luxury hybrid market with the RX 400h, introduced in 2004.

And Lexus’ latest vehicles will continue to advance this tradition of luxury leadership.

For example, prior to the RX, SUVs were, essentially, trucks. Today, the RX is the benchmark in luxury crossovers and has been recently stretched to offer a third row of seats and an EPAestimated 30/combined MPG1 for the hybrid.

Lexus has also spread its ethos to a variety of sizes with the NX compact crossover and the 2019 UX sub-compact crossover.

Though it’s smaller, the first-ever Lexus UX is still big on luxury. Its beautiful NuLuxe®2 upholstery is inspired by Japanese quilting. In terms of highend technology, the vehicle comes stocked with Lexus Safety System+3, a comprehensive suite of active safety features standard on most new models*. This includes a pre-collision system4 that is designed to help recognize a pedestrian5.

Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keep Assist 6 and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control7 further enhance safety. Choose a 168 horsepower 8 four-cylinder or 176 horsepower 8 hybrid that has an EPA-estimated 39-MPG9 combined. Get the F SPORT version for a fun fling. MSRP starts at $32,00010. Move up to the NX starting at $36,38510 or the RX starting at $43,57010.

Hybrids are an integral part of the Lexus line: they offer hybrid versions of nearly every model, including the redesigned 2019 ES 300h. When it comes to a luxurious look, designers took cues from the sophisticated LS flagship sedan, including Lexus’ trademark “spindle grille” flanked by LED headlamps, detailed body sculpting, and wide LED taillamps. Interior comfort is amplified by available heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, and Mark Levinson®11 audio. There’s also a gleaming, expansive dash that includes the clock and infotainment display, while a Remote Touchpad infotainment controller, head-up display, and Amazon Alexa12 compatibility add tech touches.

The ES 300h hybrid system has an EPA-estimated 44 combined- MPG13. MSRP starts at $41,41010.

At the top of the Lexus hierarchy are the artfully crafted LS sedan and LC coupe —

cars that maintain the brand’s leadership in style, efficiency and indulgence. Since the LS 400, Lexus models have evolved to meet new standards of luxury. Their designers have embraced Takumi Craftsmanship, featuring premium wood veneers, Kiriko cut glass, and a blending of leather and suede trim, and metal to create cabins that are rolling art galleries. Amazon Alexa12 compatibility and Wi-Fi™ help keep both drivers and passengers connected.

These vehicles are luxury trendsetters under the frame, as well. The LS goes forth with a 416 horsepower8 twin-turbo V6 engine connected to a 10-speed transmission. (It also has an even more advanced safety system, the LSS+ A3, available as an optional feature.) The hybrid version is powered

by Lexus’ unique multistage hybrid system, which creates a sportier driving experience, achieving both 354 net combined horsepower8 and 25/33-MPG city/highway14. The LC shares the LS’ architecture and hybrid system. MSRPs start at $75,30010 for the LS or $92,30010 for the LC. With new technological advances amazing us all the time, it’s difficult to predict the future of the automobile, but it’s evident from these new models that Lexus will keep on leading the way in luxury.

Photography this page courtesy of Lexus.

Lexus UX 200 shown in Atomic Silver // Options shown 1. 2019 Lexus RX 450hL (AWD) preliminary 31/city, 28/hwy, 30/comb mpg estimates determined by Lexus. EPA estimates not available at time of publishing. Actual mileage will vary. 2. NuLuxe is a registered trademark of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. 3. LSS+ and LSS+A drivers are responsible for their own safe driving. Always pay attention to your surroundings and drive safely. System effectiveness is dependent on many factors including road, weather and vehicle conditions. See Owner’s Manual for additional limitations and details. *Lexus Safety System+ is standard on all new models except GX. 4. The Pre-Collision System is designed to help reduce the crash speed and damage in certain frontal collisions only. It is not a collision-avoidance system and is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness is dependent on many factors including road, weather and vehicle conditions. See Owner’s Manual for additional limitations and details. 5. The Pedestrian Detection System is designed to detect a pedestrian ahead of the vehicle, determine if impact is imminent and help reduce impact speed. It is not a collision-avoidance system and is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors, such as speed, size and position of pedestrian or bicyclist and weather, light and road conditions. See Owner’s Manual for additional limitations and details.

6. Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keep Assist is designed to read visible lane markers under certain conditions when DRCC is engaged. It provides a visual and audible alert and slight steering force when lane departure is detected. It is not a collision-avoidance system or a substitute for safe and attentive driving. Effectiveness is dependent on many factors including road, weather and traffic conditions. See Owner’s Manual for additional limitations and details. 7. Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is designed to assist the driver and is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving practices. System effectiveness is dependent on many factors including road, weather and traffic conditions. See Owner’s Manual for additional limitations and details. 8. Ratings achieved using premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher. If premium fuel is not used, performance will decrease. 9. 2019 Lexus UX 250h (AWD) EPA 41/city, 38/hwy, 39/comb MPG estimates. Actual mileage will vary. 10. MSRP excludes delivery, processing and handling fee of $1,025, which may be subject to change at any time. Excludes taxes, title, license and optional equipment. Dealer price will vary. 11. Mark Levinson is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Inc. 12. Amazon, Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Certain Alexa functionality is dependent on smart home technology.

Not all Amazon Alexa functionality is available for in-vehicle use. Always drive safely and obey traffic laws. Apps, prices and services vary by phone carrier and are subject to change at any time without notice. Subject to smartphone connectivity and capability. Data charges may apply.

13. 2019 Lexus ES 300h EPA 43/city, 45/hwy, 44/comb MPG estimates. Actual mileage will vary. 14. 2019 Lexus LS 500h (RWD) EPA 25/city, 33/hwy, 28/comb MPG estimates. Actual mileage will vary.

Should You Buy Travel Insurance?

You may not want to add to the cost of your next trip. But there are circumstances when spending saves the day. BY JENNIFER DAY WHETHER YOU’RE A CIRCUIT QUEEN HEADING TO AN INTERNATIONAL

• For cruises Cruises hit all the major areas where comprehensive travel insurance is most recommended. You’re likely committing to a big, up front payment; probably participating in international travel; and possibly facing additional complications at sea or on excursions. It’s wise to insure this type of vacation with a comprehensive plan.

The decision to buy travel insurance boils down to two major factors: • Financial risk: Are you worried about losing your money due to a canceled trip, an interrupted trip, a lost bag, a delayed trip, or an emergency medical expense?

• medical concerns: Are you traveling outside your home country, where your insurance from home won’t cover you in case of an accident or other health-related incidents?

TIME TO SKIP COVERAGE

Armed with the knowledge of what travel insurance is and what it covers, let’s discuss guidelines for why you might need it and when you can probably save money by skipping it all together:

STOCK PHOTO COPYRIGHT: DAMEDEESO

TIME TO GET COVERAGE • international trips As someone who is clumsy and accident-prone, I always worry about needing medical care in a foreign country. I’ve fallen in London. I was bitten by a spider in Spain. I had an allergic reaction in Singapore. In those instances, travel insurance saved me time and money. As I have learned, if something goes wrong in a faraway place, medical help may be difficult to come by — and it can be expensive, too. That’s when a comprehensive travel insurance policy can come in handy, by helping you avoid out-of-pocket expenses and providing peace of mind while you are watching your foot swell from spider venom.

Keep in mind that some people’s medical insurance (with the exception of Medicare) will pay “customary and reasonable” hospital costs abroad, especially if you’re in major city like London. But if you run into a serious issue, your bills can pile up pronto. Check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage.

• u.s. travel Travel within the U.S. is typically a less expensive up-front investment. Plus if you have medical insurance, you’re typically covered for any emergencies that occur. Double-check the fine print related to anything you might need to cancel, but experts generally recommend opting out of trip insurance for short trips within the U.S. • iF your credit card has you covered Some credit cards actually offer travel insurance as a perk. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card offers built-in trip interruption insurance that reimburses up to $10,000 per person if your trip is cancelled or cut short by situations that range from an illness to severe weather. The Citi Prestige and Citi ThankYou Premier cards also offer baggage and trip cancellation protection. So even if you are traveling outside the U.S., if your credit card’s coverage is thorough, you won’t need to purchase anything extra.

• For Flights It can be tempting to purchase trip cancellation insurance when a flight costs hundreds or thousands of dollars. But the basic policies are usually not worth your money to insure just your flight if you know your rights as a passenger. For example, if your flight is cancelled, you’re generally entitled to have the next available seat on the next available flight going to your destination. Having insurance is not going to make much difference in getting you re-booked faster.

culture

• Basic trip cancellation protection covers lost bags and provides reimbursements if you incur costs from missing a connection or a refund if you can’t travel because you’re sick or hurt.

• comprehensive travel insurance covers all that, plus any expenses related to medical or dental emergencies, disaster evacuations and even costs associated with accidental deaths.

FINANCE

White Party or a just-married lesbian couple en route to your honeymoon, chances are you’ll have the option to protect the money you’ve invested in planning your big adventure. But what exactly does travel insurance cover, and why would you need it?

Travel insurance can cover costs including medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost luggage, flight accidents and other unexpected expenditures. There are two main types of coverage:

Bottom line: Do your research. Check your medical insurance coverage. Learn your credit card perks. Consider if you are accident prone or if insurance will relieve anxiety. Then make your decision.

■ metrosource.com APRIL/MAY 2019

15

YOU MATTER AND SO DOES YOUR HEALTH

That’s why starting and staying on HIV-1 treatment is so important.

WHAT IS DESCOVY®?

DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people who weigh at least 77 lbs (35kg). DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. DESCOVY combines 2 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day. Because DESCOVY by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1, it must be used together with other HIV-1 medicines.

DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses, you must keep taking DESCOVY. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about DESCOVY? DESCOVY may cause serious side effects: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking DESCOVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

What are the other possible side effects of DESCOVY? Serious side effects of DESCOVY 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 DESCOVY. • Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking DESCOVY if you develop new or worse kidney problems.

• 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 effect of DESCOVY is nausea.

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 DESCOVY? • 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, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how DESCOVY works. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe to take DESCOVY with all of your other medicines.

• If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known if DESCOVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking DESCOVY. • 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.

Please see Important Facts about DESCOVY, including important warnings, on the following page.

Ask your healthcare provider if an HIV-1 treatment that contains DESCOVY® is right for you.

IMPORTANT FACTS

This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment. ®

(des-KOH-vee) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DESCOVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF DESCOVY

DESCOVY may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking DESCOVY. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

DESCOVY can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About DESCOVY” 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 effect of DESCOVY is nausea.

These are not all the possible side effects of DESCOVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking DESCOVY. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with DESCOVY.

ABOUT DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people who weigh at least 77 lbs (35kg). DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection.

• DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others.

BEFORE TAKING DESCOVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.

• Have any other medical condition.

• 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-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with DESCOVY.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

• Go to DESCOVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit DESCOVY.com for program information.

HOW TO TAKE DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine that is taken with other HIV-1 medicines.

• Take DESCOVY with or without food.

DESCOVY, the DESCOVY Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: September 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. DVYC0085 11/17

THIS PAGE: PHOTOS COURTESY VIKTOR LUNA/AMFAR

YOU LIKELY RECALL VIKTOR LUNA FROM SEASONS NINE AND 13 OF PROJECT

Runway, where he sent bold, vibrant and edgy creations down the catwalk. But now the Los Angeles-based designer is steering a different kind of platform: as an advocate to end HIV and AIDS. Luna is part of amfAR’s online Epic Voices video campaign, a program unveiled last fall to raise awareness among millennials and LGBTQ communities. In one of a series of videos, Luna candidly shares his experience of learning in 2007 that he’s HIV positive, and how that discovery transformed his outlook on life.

“When I found out I was HIV positive, I had a second chance at living,” he says in one video, “and I was not going to put it to waste.”

Epic Voices aims to renew awareness of the threat of HIV, the urgent and ongoing need to support HIV research, and amfAR’s leadership in the search for a cure. Luna, activist Maria Mejia, and other influential members of the LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS community shared their unique experiences and insights on living with HIV. “We’re so grateful to Viktor for generously sharing his personal journey and helping educate others about HIV through our Epic Voices video series,” says Kevin Robert Frost, Chief Executive Officer of amfAR. “Viktor has since joined us at numerous amfAR events, and we are delighted to count him as a friend and ally in the fight against AIDS.” Luna, who was born in Mexico, says stigma about sex in the Latino community dissuaded frank discussion about such topics when he was young. He openly discusses how promiscuity led to his status while pursuing a fashion career in New York City.

Luna disclosed his status while competing on Season 13 of Project Runway All Stars. He was the second Project Runway designer to do so,

after designer Mondo Guerra. Luna did the same on camera — for all intents and purposes to the entire world. (Though he says the delay between taping and the air date gave him time to talk with his family.)

That revelation prompted others to confide their secrets in him, and also brought Luna closer to other designers, where he flourished.

“I felt free,” the artist says.“You start to find out in your own circle who’s going to be there, who’s going to support you. I do get people who are ignorant about the information. I don’t get mad. I take the opportunity to educate them.”

Last fall, around National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day in October, Luna helped raise awareness about HIV rates in Latino communities.

Hispanics/Latinos accounted for nearly a quarter of the more than 40,000 new diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States in 2015, and about 87% of those infected were men, according to the CDC. “A lot of times people don’t see the reality of what it is like to live with HIV,” Luna says.“My message is to live my life to the fullest in a positive way.”

“When you hear about the virus you automatically think of stigma, but when you put a face to the person who has the virus,” Luna explains,“you see the potential of a future living with HIV.” And Luna is still in the process of ramping up his activism. While he’s busy producing several collections a year, he’s also committed to continuing his work with amfAR.“I was very touched by their mission and wanted to be part of the story,” he says. It’s a story he hopes will conclude eventually with a chapter about the end of the epidemic.

“The beginning of it is ending the stigma,” Luna says. “It takes a community of all of us, and supporting each other no matter what. I am so happy to be part of this campaign, and this journey.”

■ METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

METROHIV

Project Runway alum Viktor Luna famously revealed his HIV status on TV, but his journey toward raising awareness continues to unfold today. BY JEFF SIMMONS

BODY

DESIGNING AN EPIDEMIC’S END

19

BOTH SIDES NOW

CULTURE

SCREEN

One teenager turns against another after a fleeting homosexual encounter; a great author revels in her lost-to-history lesbian romance; and a hustler lavishes affection on others while remaining utterly unable to take care of himself. BY JONATHAN ROCHE

WRITER/DIRECTOR MIKE LEIGH IS SIMPLY ONE OF THE BEST. I

recommend you see all of his films (especially High Hopes, Naked, Secrets & Lies, Topsy Turvy and Another Year). One of Leigh’s greatest strengths is in composing stories of very high intellectual quality while also representing very ordinary people exceptionally well. He now follows up his biopic of Britain’s master ‘painter of light,’ Mr. Turner, with another dive into England’s past, one particularly relevant to the troubles of today. It refers to the “Peterloo Massacre” — a mash-up of St. Peter’s Field (where it took place) and the then-recent Battle of Waterloo. The film explores a 1819 event near Manchester where establishment thugs and the military attacked a peaceful assembly — including women and children — who had turned out to hear a speech about the need for labor reform. The incident occurred at the dawn of the industrial revolution, when the working poor were already being treated like annoyingly needy machines who were being asked to work harder in worsening conditions for increasingly less

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pay. But workers hungered for change. But rather than consider their needs, many of the rich thought it better to crush their spirits (lest they give an inch and lose a mile). Peterloo follows the ordinary working poor of Manchester and the reformers organizing them and speaking out for redress.

Loudest among them was Henry Hunt, the gifted orator who drew the especially large crowd on that bloody day.

Leigh portrays the working class as praiseworthy and decent, in contrast with the disconnected, uncompassionate and often cruel decadence of the rich.

The grossest example of the latter is an overfed and dribbling prince regent, played disgustingly well by Tim McInnerny (Notting Hill). The rest of the cast are too numerous and praiseworthy to mention, as Leigh’s films always draw into them the cream of England’s thespian crop. THE WORD: Historically true and unembellished, Leigh’s matter-of-fact style camouflages the brilliance of his cinematic craft. COMING TO: Theaters

THIS PAGE: PETERLOO PHOTO BY SIMON MEIN COURTESY AMAZON STUDIOS

PETERLOO

GIANT LITTLE ONES

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THE SCENE IS SET WITH 17-YEAR-OLDS AND SEXUALITY. FRANKY (JOSH

Wiggins - Max) and his best friend Ballas (Darren Mann - Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) are living a teenage dream. They’re handsome, popular, athletic, smart, kind, and they know how to have fun. But after having a blast at Franky’s birthday party, a drunken sleepover leads to an experience neither of them expected. Though we don’t see exactly what happens under the covers, we quickly see Ballas pulling away from his best friend, and then smearing Franky’s sexuality via the high school rumor mill in an attempt to protect himself. Ultimately, Ballas is caught in a classic example the prisoners dilemma, in which the only perceived safety for oneself lies in condemning someone else. What makes this movie worth seeing is how Franky handles his dilemma, which is both unpredictable and liberating. There are a few twists and turns I’d rather not spoil, but I do recommend taking the ride, as this film by freshman feature

director Keith Behrman has a lot to offer. The best reason why may be Josh Wiggins himself, who straddles the line between handsome and beautiful, all the while exuding decency and sensitivity from soulful eyes and a nearly constant, sublime smile. Darren Mann sports a lot of appeal as well; he’s more masculine and animal than Wiggins, but his performance is no less coordinated. The film also features the ever radiant Maria Bello as Franky’s mom, and Kyle MacLachlan as his father (a character who’s more than he first seems). Taylor Hickson (Deadly Class) is also strong, as another character with her own teenage-sex-problem to overcome and Niamh Wilson (Maps to the Stars) takes a nice turn as Franky’s funny lesbian friend. THE WORD: The title echoes HBO’s Big Little Lies, although here Ones seems to reference both young adults and lies. Either way, this film contains a potent message about youth and sexuality that many should receive. COMING TO: Theaters

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THERE ARE A LOT OF WELL-WORN CINEMATIC CLICHÉS THAT A FILM

about a terrorist attack could fall into. Hotel Mumbai tastefully avoids a lot of them, instead respectfully allowing heroism and horror alike to simply be what they are. The film wastes no time; opening on a small boat carrying the ten men from Pakistan who in 2008 gunned down and blew up 164 people at several locations around Mumbai. We follow them as they spread out, heading to their targets, listening to the voice of a man through earpieces as he instructs them and pumps up their murderous religious resolve. This device works well, and even though obviously fictionalized, the man’s words provide insight into the attackers, who come off as human even while unforgivable in their reckless cruelty. The bulk of the film centers on the siege at the Taj Hotel where an American (Armie Hammer - Call Me

by Your Name) and his Muslim wife Nazanin Boniadi (Homeland) struggle to protect themselves and their infant son. Despite what you might expect of a movie star, handsome Hammer does not find a gun and turn the tables, though Jason Issacs as a surly Russian millionaire does put up a fight. No, the heroes of this film are the hotel staff — like famed chef Hemant Oberoi (Anupam Kher - The Big Sick) and waiter Arjun (Dev Patel - Lion), who help the guests to hide from the gunmen instead of saving themselves by simply slipping out the back doors. Be aware that

the violence is pretty brutal in this film. There’s no torture, apart from the fear of death, but the filmmakers accurately capture how badly AK47s can tear up human flesh. Perhaps more disturbing than the blood is the callous way in which the attackers execute people that they have been programmed to believe are less than human. THE WORD: It’s a story of ordinary heroism and perseverance in the face of murderous ignorance with Dev Patel continuing to display his growing star quality. COMING TO: Theaters METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

21

SUNSET bues Sunset with the same haunted and assaulting style as his exceptional film Son of Saul, which took home 2015’s Oscar for Best Foreign Language Picture.

This worked particularly well in Saul where the camera very closely follows a slave laborer in a Nazi concentration camp as he struggles to survive, physically, mentally and spiritually, moment by moment. In that severe setting the non-stop barrage of horrors and dangers constantly flung at the protagonist (and the audience) became a rollercoaster ride through Hell; It was brutal and dazzling filmcraft. In Sunset, a similar assault takes place, as tight camera work keeps viewers almost completely within the sphere of the protagonist’s view while hostile folk and confusing threats swirl around her. Írisz Leiter (Juli Jakab - Son of Saul) has returned to Budapest after spending most of her life in exile to seek employment at the famed Leiter’s hat shop once owned by her parents before their death in a fire. The mystery of Írisz’s past (including her parent’s deaths and the shadowy brother she never knew) are slowly revealed. They come to help explain why Írisz looks so incredibly haunted

and distant, and why so many of the people she meets, even in passing, regard her with icy contempt. Be prepared to not fully know what’s going on for at least 80 percent of the film. Despite this, it’s easy enough to glean that the troubles which will soon lead to the tragic outbreak of WWI are beginning to reach a boil throughout Europe. So prepare for another well-constructed rollercoaster ride.

Though some will find it a relief that it’s less grounded in Son of Saul’s instantly familiar context of the Holocaust, they may also feel the ride loses some intensity as one’s attention leaves the tracks to figure out where you are. THE WORD: The constant immediacy of events begins to seem a bit forced by the end, but this is still top tier and dream-like filmmaking. COMING TO: Theaters

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Ralph Fiennes only chooses projects he feels genuine passion for. His first film, Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, percolates with that passion, as well as fury and blood. It could not have been easy to adapt to film, nor is it easy to take in, but it is impressive. For his second feature, The Invisible Woman, Fiennes was drawn to another legendary author,

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Charles Dickens — less the man’s work than the man himself, and the decades-long extramarital affair that so eloquently underscores his rare humanity. For his third effort, The White Crow, Fiennes tackles another towering artistic figure, Russian ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev.

But in this film, Fiennes takes a back seat as an actor, portraying only Nureyev’s sad-eyed dance teacher and leaving the lead acting role to an actual dancer. That’s something The White Crow does well — displaying at least a bit of the awesome, soaring power of dance.

Watching Oleg Ivenko (Nureyev) leap and spin might be reason enough to see this film. His angular face and intense blue-eyed gaze can captivate, and his acting is serviceable, even pretty decent. What seems lacking is the fact that the story leans too heavily on the oft-declared concept of Nureyev’s irrepressible artistic passion and a somewhat tepid dénouement in which he frantically defects from the Soviet Union before his KGB handlers can permanently lock him behind the iron curtain. The film doesn’t really fail in any distinct way, but some viewers may feel that its charms are not enough to satisfy. THE WORD: I salute Fiennes for his commitment to passion, to art, to accuracy and to artistic diligence (like actually speaking Russian in the film), but he may have been better served by departing from the truth like Nureyev defying gravity. COMING TO: Theaters

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CULTURE

SCREEN

HUNGARIAN DIRECTOR LÁSZLÓ NEMES IM-

WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY IT’S A WIDELY HELD MISCONCEPTION THAT ICONIC AMERICAN

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poet Emily Dickinson was a loveless, sexless reclusive spinster who wrote depressing poetry about sadness and death. It is true that Dickinson never married and eschewed society, rarely leaving her family’s land. And, yes, her poetry often reads as bleak (though beautiful).

But the truth is the woman knew passion better than most can ever hope to. This was suggested by the title of 2015’s A Quiet Passion, in which Cynthia Nixon portrayed Dickinson in the long-suffering, somber way one would expect. An excellent film, it might serve as a complimentary pairing with the often bawdy humor of Wild Nights with Emily. Here, the delightfully quirky Molly Shannon fills the role just as well, although quite differently.

Shannon is perfect casting for this highly unusual and refreshing mix of comedy and period poetry, because Shannon is one of those rare actors who can make you laugh and cry at the same time. (2016’s Other People is a great example). Shannon’s Dickinson, and the choppy vignette-like composition of Wild Nights, operates under

light shed by Dickinson’s Sister-in-Law’s daughter’s 1914 book. That work revealed a long, passionate, loving affair between her mother Susan and Emily. Childhood friends long before they were sisters, the two were lovers for many years. In the film, their affair is represented as both beautiful and also full of comic human foibles. Although the dialogue and frequent voiceovers feel accurate to the period, you can also feel Shannon almost want to address the camera at times, like a character on TV’s The Office.

Playful is word that best describes this unique film, as Dickinson’s story finally ought to be. For only a person possessing such an ecstatic mind and true love of life could’ve written as she did. THE WORD: You’ve heard her gloomy words; now experience her wild nights! COMING TO: Theaters

3!56!'% IN THE OPENING SCENE, A YOUNG MAN GETS A DOCTOR’S EXAM THAT

he appears to badly need. He’s handsome but has visibly been living rough. As the attentive doctor probes his naked body, the exam quickly morphs into a ‘happy-ending’ scenario, followed closely by the revelation that the young man is a prostitute acting out a client’s detailed fetish. Next the young man is standing by a verdant stretch of highway dotted with other men like him, each sporting a suggestive stance and searching stare. Their alert, hungry eyes depict them as animals, not so much base as vibrantly alive, and always searching for a meal. The young man, Leo (Félix Maritaud - BPM), is drawn to reveal how he feels about Ahd (Eric Bernard), a hunky hustler just across the asphalt. However, Ahd rejects Leo’s affections in favor of an older sugar-daddy, and he urges Leo to do the same. Through writer/director Camille Vidal-

Naquet’s potent visual storytelling Leo is shown to be both a true lover and truly incapable of caring for himself. Maritaud embodies a captivating character of mysterious beauty. His palpable need for and generous expressions of human affection are utterly disarming. His choices like failing to see a real doctor for his chronic cough or drinking from a gutter puddle are distressing.

A portrait develops of a creature teetering on the edge, caught between settling and love, between the comfort of possession and the precarious wilds of freedom. THE WORD: The film is as visceral as its title (French for ‘wild’) suggests, capturing with magnetic intensity both the vagaries of human need and the graphic carnal realties of gay sex. Easily an early contender for one of 2019’s best gay films, and a landmark performance for Maritaud. COMING TO: Theaters METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

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SHARON VAN ETTEN

Remind Me Tomorrow (Jagjaguwar Records) THE NEW YORK-BASED SINGER-SONGWRITER, INDIE DARLING AND

CULTURE

MUSIC

part-time actress returns with the most pop-driven release of her career. As Sharon tells it: “I wrote this record while going to school, pregnant after taking The OA audition. ... This record is about pursuing your passions.” Inspired by the likes of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds; Portishead, art-punk and avant-garde legends Suicide, Sharon Van Etten approaches themes including love and longing with an honest, albeit subtle approach. She also manages to sprinkle new idiosyncrasies into her signature sound. Sharon notably puts down her guitar for the bulk of Remind Me Tomorrow.

She’s replaced it with the sounds of synthesizers, a propulsive organ and a distorted upright piano. The result is glorious. Highlights include the menacing “Comeback Kid”; the wrenching Springsteenesque “Seventeen”; and the uplifting “Memorial Day.” Oh, and the album’s title is a reference to the kinds of update windows that often pop up on computer and phone screens. Sharon says that she found it oddly appropriate to these particular tracks.

INDIE DARLINGS XIU XIU

Girl with Basket of Fruit (Polyvinyl Records) ECCENTRIC, UNNERVING AND DOWNRIGHT MAGICAL, XIU XIU’S

latest release is another gem in their catalog. Fronted by queer prodigy Jamie Stewart (who also goes by Butch Jenny), Xiu Xiu’s experimentalism reaches new heights on their 11th full-length studio album. A response to the political chaos we’ve all witnessed in recent years, Girl with Basket of Fruit tackles tension, agitation, sorrow and anger. Then it transforms all those heavy emotions into something radical and transcendent. The surreal video for the album’s lead single, “Scissssssssors” is equal parts ‘80s horror film and metaphysical mind mangle — leaving viewers in head-scratching wonderment. You truly have to see it to believe it. Elsewhere, tracks including “Ice Cream Truck” and “It Comes Out As a Joke” are harrowing, brazen and otherworldly. For those looking for something slightly more accessible, venture outside of the Basket and seek out their outstanding cover of ZZ Top’s 1983 classic rock hit, “Sharp Dressed Man.”

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Sharon Van Etten trades in her guitar, Xiu Xiu packs quite the Basket, and Coachella boasts a slate that ranges from acts on the rise to superstars. BY MATT GROSS

this page: Janelle Monáe credit JUco • cardi B coUrtesy atlantic records • lizzo coUrtesy nice life recording coMpany / atlantic records

Janelle Monáe

Cardi B

COACHELLA 2019: A PREVIEW A DECADE AGO, COACHELLA WAS WIDELY THOUGHT TO BE AN

Lizzo

alternative dream festival. With top-tier acts outside of the mainstream such as Franz Ferdinand, Morrissey, My Bloody Valentine and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, it called hipsters to the desert in droves. Nowadays, Coachella has embraced hiphop, R&B and straight-up Top 40 pop like never before. Last year’s festival was headlined by Beyoncé and also included a profile-raising set from the inimitable Cardi B. This year, Solange, Ariana Grande and Lizzo have all secured prominent spots on the roster. However, if I were to suggest one must-see Coachella artist, it’d have to be Janelle Mon´ae.

The pansexual performer is truly one of the best live acts around: a vocal range to give you goosebumps, a set design to make your jaw drop, and enough vigor, positivity and zeal to lift you out of the darkest of slumps. Arrive early to check out French singer-songwriter Charlotte Gainsbourg (who has also acted in many Lars Von Trier films and is the daughter of notables Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin), trans electronic act SOPHIE, and 78-year old Caribbean firecracker, Calypso Rose.

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HAVE TECH, WILL TRAVEL Looking for some truly revolutionary tech? The answer may be about to pull up.

BY TERENCE O’BRIEN 2019 IS A BIG YEAR FOR CARS. BECAUSE OF NEW FEDERAL REGULATIONS, EVERY

LANE KEEP ASSIST/ LANE DEPARTURE Using cameras to read the markings on the road, Lane Keep Assist systems alert you with a sound or vibration when you start to drift from your lane without signaling. More advanced systems will gently nudge the steering wheel to get you centered.

Verdict: Great for highway driving where the lines are consistent, but not quite ready for prime time in city or on country roads where the markings can be faded or covered by snow or hard to see in a dust storm.

COLLISION AVOIDANCE/ PEDESTRIAN DETECTION If the car detects an imminent collision, it sounds a warning and in most cases applies the brakes — automatically, if you don’t. Verdict: As a driver, it doesn’t really benefit you, but for pets and pedestrians whose lives might be saved by this, it’s worth it.

ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS Do lights need more tech than “on” and “off”? Using ambient sensors, automatic lights will switch between low and high beams to help you see more of the road ahead without blinding other drivers. More advanced systems will pivot when you rotate the wheel. Instead being fixed in a straight ahead position, these types of lights turn into the curve, illuminating the road where you’re actually going. Verdict: This is somewhere between convenience and safety feature, but it’s far more useful than I was expecting.

ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL Instead of setting a fixed speed, Adaptive Cruise Control uses radar and cameras to maintain a preset following distance from the car in front of you. Many also include a “stop and go” feature for city traffic that will bring your car to a full stop then get going again when traffic starts moving. Verdict: Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! For everything from city congestion to long highway road trips, this is a must-have feature.

PARKING ASSIST Using ultrasonic sensors and cameras, today’s Advanced Parking Assistance systems can give you a 360-degree view around your car so you know how close you are to other cars or obstacles around you. Verdict: It won’t save your life, but it will keep you from putting dents and scrapes on your new ride when maneuvering in tight spaces.

RAIN SENSING WIPERS Often leveraging the cameras and sensors from other safety systems, this feature automatically adjusts the wiper speeds to keep your view unobstructed by rain and snow. Verdict: More often than not, I find these systems are too conservative and I end up using the traditional settings.

Chances are your eyes will detect rain before the sensors.

HEADS UP DISPLAY/VIRTUAL DASHBOARD Instead of traditional dials, Digital Dashboards use an LCD screen to cus-

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tomize and display information. Certain heads up displays can even project data like speed and navigation information right on the windshield glass to keep your eyes on the road. Verdict: Once the novelty wears off, they don’t seem to be that much better than traditional dashboard gauges.

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BLIND SPOT MONITORING/CROSS TRAFFIC ALERTS Related to collision avoidance, these features are geared toward situations where someone might be about to hit you. If you signal a lane change into a lane already occupied by someone else, you’ll get a warning. Meanwhile, cross traffic alert looks for cars or pedestrians crossing behind you (outside of the back up camera’s field of vision) when you’re backing out of a parking spot in a shopping center. Verdict: Great for new/nervous drivers, but more experienced drivers might find it annoyingly sensitive while not really all that helpful.

CARPLAY/ANDROID AUTO Rather than be stuck with the car’s infotainment system, Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto puts the contents of your phone on the car’s in-dash screen. Though you can’t play YouTube videos, you can get GPS with live traffic and streaming music apps like Spotify and Pandora, as well as voice assistant and calling features. Verdict: If the car you’re looking at doesn’t have this, you’re looking at the wrong car.

LTE/WIFI HOTSPOT Many cars offer built in LTE/WiFi hotspots for connecting tablets, phones and other gadgets to the car itself. Verdict: Hard pass, especially since CarPlay and Android Auto uses your existing data plan. Your phone should provide all the connectivity you need.

■

STOCK PHOTO CREDIT ODOROAGA MONICA

METROSOURCE

TECH

car sold in the United States must come equipped with a backup camera.

The law actually went into effect in May of 2018, but the 2019 model year is the first to include every car made. Many automakers have also used their mandate as on opportunity to bring other high tech safety and infotainment features that were previously reserved for the luxury brands and highest trim models into their more mainstream models.

Since I was coincidentally in the market for a new car, I visited a few local dealerships to test drive cars with the latest tech and see which features should be on your short list.

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.

WHY AMERICA NEEDS BLACK PRIDE CELEBRATIONS

THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY SAM BURRISS ON UNSPLASH

ful men dispersed throughout the city, and the parties are so much fun! You have options of going to rooftop parties, all-white affairs, underwear night parties and an array of other events.

As it stands, Black Pride is about learning about Black LGBT culture and enjoying that experience. Some of the biggest party entrepreneurs — including well-known promoters Daryl Wilson and Laurence Pickney — have thrown events and parties specifically to appeal to the Black LGBT community.

Some argue that these celebrations generally cater to partygoers, but Black Pride is so much more than that: As its own separate entity, Black Pride creates spaces where people from all walks of life can meet, laugh, dance, and interact on the issues they face. If you haven’t been to a Black Pride celebration, consider checking it off your bucket list. Gay, straight, black or white — you will have the time of your life during Black Pride. centerforblackequity.org ■

METROSOURCE

RAINBOW FLAGS, BEAUTIFUL TONED BODIES AND EYE-CATCHING costumes: these are some of the sights at Black Gay Pride.

Black Gay Pride — also known simply as Black Pride — is a celebration of LGBTQ Pride among persons of color. Both Black Gay Pride and LGBT Pride formed as a stance against discrimination and violence against LGBTQ persons by mainstream society. The LGBTQ equality movement started in the 1960s after the Stonewall riots, in which a group of LGBTQ persons (a large number of drag queens among them) protested a police raid that occurred at The Stonewall Inn, a popular NYC gay establishment. Since then, Pride has become one of the biggest celebrations in the country. Tens of thousands flock to attend in different cities to celebrate. While both mainstream Pride and Black Pride focus largely on the empowerment and unification of the LGBTQ community, they are (in my opinion) two separate movements.

Black Pride began in 1988 in Los Angeles as a single event called At the Beach. The event was organized by a small group of friends whose shared purpose was to bring together a community of persons of color who identified as queer. And so Black Pride always had a rich cultural component by focusing on various issues affecting LGBTQ Black communities — including safe sex, racial biases, homophobia, healthcare reform and domestic violence.

Since its debut in 1988, Black Pride has transformed from a single LA celebration into a multitude of events as far away [from Los Angeles] as Atlanta and NYC. These events include day parties, concerts, panel discussions focusing on safe sex and health seminars.

As Black Pride rose in popularity, there was a need to organize Black Prides in different communities throughout the nation. In May of 1999, a man of vision named Earl D. Fowlkes Jr. took on the task of turning that possibility into a reality: He formed a national organization known as International Federation of Black Prides (IFBE). As a result of his efforts and the efforts of those who joined him, more than 34 cities now make up the IFBE. In July of 2012, the organization was restructured and is now known as the Center for Black Equity (CBE).

Under the auspices of the center, a wide variety of businesses, individuals, sponsors and media outlets host large scale events for people of color during Black Pride.

The largest Black Pride events are in Atlanta, NYC, and Washington, D.C. Tank, Cardi B, Dream Doll and Milan Christopher are just some of the artists who’ve been featured on the stages of Black Pride.

During these events, streets are flooded with thousands of persons from cities and towns near and far. Of all Black Prides I’ve attended, I can say I enjoyed DC Black Pride the most. You’ll see scores of beauti-

GAY VOICES

BY MARCOS MARTINEZ

DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE PART OF THE LGBTQ FAMILY? SHARE IT WITH US BY GOING TO

“ GAY

VOICES” AT METROSOURCE.COM.

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Long Island Montauk Lighthouse

Weekenders

NEED TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL BUT DON’T HAVE A LOT OF TIME? WE’VE GOT EIGHT SHORT-BUT-SWEET RETREATS. BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES

Atlantic City WHETHER YOU HAVE A THREE-DAY WEEKEND ON THE HORIZON OR YOU’RE

looking to make the most of a few unaccounted for vacation days, you know you deserve a break. But just because you don’t have enough time to wing your way to Angkor Wat or skip off to Stonehenge doesn’t mean you can’t get away. Call in on Friday and (cough, cough) maybe even Monday, then pack a duffel bag and give yourself the gift of a long weekend vacation. There’s plenty of weekend options where you can fly of course, but sometimes it’s more fun to gas up the car and go.

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Beacon

ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK ATLANTIC CITY Barely two hours south of Staten Island, Atlantic City’s flashing lights and bustling boardwalk lures visitors from up and down the Eastern Seaboard and beyond. Gamers flock to big casinos like Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Caesars at Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort at Atlantic City, Tropicana Casino Resort and the Hard Rock Cafe there . These resorts are

more than just slots and craps, of course. Celebrity chefs like Michael Symon, Gordon Ramsay and Guy Fieri devise high-end meals for visitors and top-notch entertainers raise the roof and bring crowds to their feet. Recent months have found names like Mariah Carey, Fleetwood Mac and Patti Labelle on the marquees around town.

The annual Miss’d America Drag Pageant at the Borgata is a safe bet for a fun weekend trip. Queer Eye For the Straight Guy (the original) breakout star Carson Kressley is often called upon to host this glitzy pageant that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for LGBT charities since its inception.

Looking for a bit of history on your vacation? The Absecon Lighthouse, first lit in 1857, rises 171 feet from the beach and offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic City skyline. Lucy the Elephant, constructed in 1881, is located in Josephine Harron Park and listed on the National Park Registry of Historical Landmarks. And the Steel Pier, located directly on the boardwalk, has offered laughter and thrills since it was founded in 1898 with rides, games and a variety of special attractions.

Beaconcrest Hotel, Casino and a railway powerhouse station. A series of fires consumed all buildings at the overlook — and eventually the railway itself. The remains of the historic Incline were conserved by Scenic Hudon in 1995. The Mount Beacon Trail is an 8.2 mile trail that passes the casino ruins, features a waterfall and ascends to an elevation of 2,398 feet. A trip to Bannerman’s Castle (bannermancastle.org) on Pollepel (or Bannerman Island) provides an opportunity to step back in time. The castle was originally constructed as an arsenal to store old war weapons, explosives and war relics. After the island was sold to New York State in 1967, the castle burned down in a fire a year later. Storm King Adventure Tours (stormkingadventuretours.com) offer a kayak guide and tour of the island with a Bannerman Castle Trust historian.

FIRE ISLAND

OPPOSITE PAGE: MONTAUK LIGHTHOUSE CREDIT ALISSA ROSENBERG • ATLANTIC CITY CREDIT DO AC • DIA: BEACON PHOTO BY BILL JACOBSON THIS PAGE: FIRE ISLAND CREDIT SEAN MILLS

BEACON Beacon has long been a draw for weekend excursions, but it was the Dia:Beacon museum that put the town on the art world’s must list.

Dia was founded by Philippa de Menil, Heiner Friedrich and Helen Winkler in 1974 with an intent to assist artists working on “visionary projects that might not otherwise be realized because of scale or scope.”

Dia’s site-specific installations and works can now be found in NYC, out west, in Germany and (naturally) here in the extensive galleries of Dia:Beacon.

Founded in May, 2003, Dia:Beacon beckons from a former Nabisco box printing factory on the banks of the Hudson River in Beacon, New York. A trip to the museum is a rare opportunity to marvel at Dia’s extraordinary collection of artwork, ranging from the 1960s to today.

This is an especially exciting year to visit Dia:Beacon due to an expanded presentation of the work of Dorothea Rockburne, an installation of Andy Warhol’s Shadows and the first North American retrospective of Charlotte Posenenske. This summer the venue will reinstall works by Donald Judd and a site-specific display by acclaimed color field painter and lyrical abstractionist artist Sam Gilliam.

But the Beacon’s artistic reach extends beyond the walls of its noteworthy and kitschy former Nabisco factory home. If your weekend adventure falls on the second Saturday of the month, you’re in for a treat as Second Saturday is a city-wide celebration of the arts. Most galleries and shops stay open until 9pm and locals hop from gallery to gallery, stopping at spots like Beacon Fine Art Gallery (innspabbeacon.com), Bannerman Island Gallery (bannermancastle.org), beacon artist union (baugallery.com), Howland Cultural Center (howlandculturalcenter.org), Hudson Beach Glass House (hudsonbeachglass.com), Riverwinds Gallery (riverwindsgallery.com) and more. These galleries and several others are joined by a variety of unique shops, eateries, wine bars and coffee shops on and around Main Street.

Looking to get beyond the galleries and shops and into nature?

Look to Mount Beacon. The coolest part about the hike? There are old casino ruins at the first overlook. (Yes, old casino ruins!) On Memorial Day, 1902, Otis Elevator Company and Mohawk Construction opened the Mount Beacon Incline Railway. The top of the railway included the

Fire Island

What’s the summer gay destination closest to the New York metropolitan area? Fire Island, of course. A storied sandy sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community, Fire Island extends roughly 31 miles and is an outer barrier island extending along the coast of Long Island. Gay people have enjoyed taking the ferry from Sayville for decades now.

When looking at a weekend trip to Fire Island, it’s essential to choose a home base between Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines. The Pines (pinesfi.com) offers good fun — like drinks and dancing at the Sip N Twirl or the Pavilion; Low or High Tea mischief and incredible drag performances at the Blue Whale. Don’t have a share on the island? Not a problem! Plan ahead and you can rent a fabulous beach house (or a room in one), or opt for a hotel like the Madison Fire Island Pines (themadisonfi.com), the Grove Hotel (grovehotel.com) or the clothingoptional Belvedere Guest House for Men (belvederefireisland.com).

Across the Meat Rack (we’ll get into that later) there’s Cherry’s on the Bay, The Island Breeze and the Ice Palace — where drag queens like Tina Burner, Honey Davenport, and Yahua Hamasaki have all held court as“Miss Fire Island.”If you’re a fan of Logo TV’s 2017 reality series Fire Island, keep your eyes peeled at the Pines, where cast members Khasan, Jorge, Cheyenne, Justin, Patrick, and Brandon famously shared a beachfront house in the summer of 2016.

Fire Island is not completely gay, of course. There are some seventeen communities on the island. Saltaire, Davis Park, Ocean Beach, and a variety of Island places are not really a draw for the community. But they’re perfectly fine to visit. A day trip to the Sunken Forest is lovely, of course. However, if you’re looking to get down with our community, you METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

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LONG ISLAND Long Island Oheka Castle

Oyster Bay area with what’s on offer at the Oyster Bay National Refuge and the Waterfront Center.

Further out on the island, Montauk is considered one of Long Island’s crown jewels by locals and visitors alike. Known for beaches like storied Ditch Plains, the quaint village draws surfers, celebrities and sun seekers galore. The Montauk Point Lighthouse, completed in 1796, offers a 360° view of Block Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Get out and explore the sandy beaches at Hither Hills, Montauk Point State Parks, and the former military base at Camp Hero State Park. Deep Hollow Ranch (deephollowranch.com), the oldest working ranch in the United States, stills thrives on thousands of coastal acres in Montauk. Go for a beach ride along the white sandy beaches and channel your inner cowboy.

Want to explore the greater Hamptons? Get extra bougie at John Steinbeck and Truman Capote’s famed hangout Baron’s Cove in Sag Harbor or head to the National Historic Landmark Pollock-Krasner House for a little culture and abstract expressionism in East Hampton.

Have the munchies? Head to Tate’s Bake Shop in Southampton and get a taste of their scrumptious cakes and an extra fresh green bag of those craveable crisp buttery cookies.

ESCAPE FROM LOS ANGELES BALBOA ISLAND Park the car for the weekend and kick up your feet on the front porch of an adorable vacation rental on Balboa Island. This tiny man-made island has grown from an uninhabited sandbar at the start of the last century to a vacation destination for the Los Angeles community and beyond. Indulge in delicious fresh seafood at a variety of popular island restaurants, pick up the perfect Balboa Island tank top to wear at the gym after your vacation, or simply sit by the water, where you can feel the relaxing ocean breeze and allow yourself to completely unwind.

Balboa Island Boardwalk

Live your Jay Gatsby fantasy on an long weekend to the Gold Coast of Long Island, which F. Scott Fitzgerald described as the East and West Eggs. Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald moved to a modest house in Great Neck, Long Island to avoid big city prices. The lavish “Gatsby-style” parties at the nearby Gold Coast mansions inspired his literary masterpiece.

A weekend stay at the majestic and storied Oheka Castle (oheka.com) will transport you back to the opulence and decadence of the Roaring Twenties. Feel like Daisy Buchanan as you wander the castle halls for a few days! Oheka Castle has appeared in dozens of movies and television shows including the classic Citizen Kane, The Emperors Club, The Americans, Gossip Girl, The Royal Pains and Madam Secretary. Chateau rooms at the castle start at just $395/night.

In Oyster Bay, Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (nps.gov/sahi) was considered “the Summer White House” when Theodore Roosevelt was President. Roosevelt lived at Sagamore Hill from 1885 through 1919 and the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. While you can’t book a room at Sagamore Hill, you can book a guided tour to explore the home, which recently underwent a $10 million restoration. Survey Roosevelt’s private collection of books, taxidermy and curiosities. Nature lovers also have plenty to do and see in the greater

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THIS PAGE: BALBOA ISLAND CREDIT PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT NEWPORT BEACH

need to head to Cherry Grove or the Pines, period. There’s mayhem to be had at Daniel Nardicio’s Underwear Party (don’t worry, what happens at the Underwear Party stays at the Underwear Party). And “Invasion of the Pines” is a throwback to the summer of 1976 when a Fire Island restaurant wouldn’t let a drag queen stay. As sweet revenge, every Fourth of July hundreds of drag performers storm the Pines — reenacting the “invasion”that the queen and her friends had on the restaurant after the incident. The Fire Island Weekend to end all Fire Island Weekends is the Pines Party, of course. This summer’s Pines Party (pinesparty.com) will be from July 26-28 and feature an epic all-night beach party to remember.

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget the Meat Rack! The trail extending between Cherry Grove and the Fire Island Pines (known officially as the “Judy Garland Memorial Pathway”) got its Meat Rack reputation because of the sheer number of casual ... ahem... encounters that take place on any given night.“Summer lovin’, happened so fast,”indeed.

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Laguna Beach

While you’re basking in the perfect Southern California weather, get out your floaties, surfboard or paddleboard and jump in the water. Then head east of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach to get up close and personal with the large, wedge-shaped waves (local surfers’ favorite). Not into surfing? They still make for good eye candy! The area is also a great spot to clock sea lions chilling with the locals. If you have little ones with you, head over to The Balboa Fun Zone, one of Southern California’s oldest and last great coastal amusement areas. Ride the ferris wheel, show off on the bayside bungee jump, play in the arcade & game room or rent a bike from Seaside Bicycles to add some speed to your exploring.

Be sure to enjoy a Balboa Bar and/or a frozen banana before leaving the island. For the uninitiated, the classic frozen banana comes on a stick, dipped in chocolate, and can be topped with chocolate chips, nuts or even colorful sprinkles. Meanwhile, the Balboa Bar is a vanilla ice cream rectangle dipped in chocolate and rolled in toppings like toffee bits, toasted coconut, or literally any sugary treat. Where to go for such a heavenly treat? Dad’s Donut & Bakery Shop or Sugar ‘n Spice will have you covered. Arrested Development fans will immediately recognize these tasty treats from the Bluth family owned-and-operated frozen banana stand on the Balboa Island Oceanside Wharf boardwalk.

area consider the land to be holy ground with many shamen claiming they draw spiritual strength from this 5,800 square foot rock.

The Integratron, designed by George Van Tassel, is a historical desert structure known as a resonant tabernacle and energy machine. Located in Landers, the Integratron is owned by three sisters and offers “The Sound Bath,” a 60-minute sonic healing session that features a half hour of quartz crystal bowls played live, then the balance of the hour to integrate the sound and relax in the sound chamber to recorded music.

The Noah Purifoy Museum is an open field of“Assemblage”art where Purifoy created and worked on ten acres of large-scale desert sculpture during the last 15 years of his life. The Noah Purifoy Foundation offers docent-guided tours with guides who knew and worked with Purifoy.

On the hunt for more nature? Head to the Hidden Valley and the Keys View area for Coachella Valley views, and don’t miss the Jumbo Rocks.

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK Tucked in the California Desert, Joshua Tree National Park is the closest National Park to both Los Angeles and San Diego. Known for its distinct Joshua trees (native to the Mojave Desert), the park extends across roughly 800,000 acres (that’s a little bigger than the state of Rhode Island).

The Joshua Tree Visitors Guide (joshuatree.guide) is the best local resource for what to see and do while you’re there. Whether you’re looking for lodging, tours, restaurants or an attraction, they’ve got you covered.

Checking out their “Top Ten Tips for Visiting Joshua Tree National Park” is a must for anyone venturing to the area for the first or a repeat visit.

It’s worth noting The Joshua Tree, U2’s fifth studio album (and one of the best-selling records in rock history), was inspired by not only the area but the band’s interest and“great romance”with the United States. Be sure to add this album to your playlist for your visit.

Roughly 2.8 million people flock to the park each year. There are several Visitor Centers in and around the Park: Oasis Visitor Center, Joshua Tree Visitor Center, Cottonwood Visitor Center, and Black Rock Nature Center. It’s important to bring enough water with you when visiting the park (roughly a gallon per day, two if you’re planning on hiking or cycling). Also note that there’s no cell service throughout the park. Putting together a rundown of what you want to see in this gorgeous landscape? High on the list should be Giant Rock, a giant, seven-story, freestanding boulder near Landers. Native Americans in the

Joshua Tree National Park

LAGUNA BEACH Quaint, coastal, cultural Laguna Beach provides a weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Just a short drive south of LAX, Laguna Beach is an artist colony nestled into Orange County. Boasting seven miles of coves and beaches where visitors can explore sea caves, ocean side bluffs, and natural tide pools. Many know about the area, of course, because of the popular MTV reality show Laguna Beach, The Real Orange County starring Kristin Cavallari. Keep your eyes open when visiting the area, since celebrities have lived in and around Laguna Beach for years. Stars who have called this slice of paradise home include Bette Davis, Diane Keaton, Bette Midler and Rock Hudson.

In 1918 artist Edgar Payne opened an art gallery that eventually became the Laguna Art Museum. Today there are over 70 galleries and 400 working artists and studios in the area. Be sure to check out Wyland’s METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

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One big incentive to going with Captain Dave’s is Mrs. Captain Dave’s famous Triple Fudge Brownies, served complimentary on every whale watching trip.

Old Mission Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Wine Country

famous“Whaling Wall”right on the Pacific Coast Highway. If you’re planning a trip in the summer, definitely make every effort to go between July 7 and August 31, 2019 when the art (literally) comes to life at the Pageant of the Masters. The 2019 Pageant of the Masters theme, The Time Machine, will transport audiences from the past to the future in search of great art and amazing stories. The best-selling show in Orange County is literally an enchanting 90 minutes of tableaux vivants (“living pictures”), recreations of classical and contemporary works of art in which real people pose to look like original artwork in an outdoor amphitheater. Laguna Playhouse, an historic Equity theatre, located just steps from the Pacific Ocean, has been presenting live performances on the stage there since 1920. Recent productions include Peter Quilter’s End of the Rainbow about Judy Garland’s last years, I Am My Own Wife, A Night With Janis Joplin and Million Dollar Quartet.

Looking to get your nature on? The city features more than 20,000 acres of protected wilderness for you to enjoy. It’s impossible to miss the scenic and delightful Heisler Park, stretching along the bluffs on Cliff Drive from Aster Street to Diver’s Cove. Take in this oceanfront park with its meandering walking trails, lush gardens and marine refuges.

Pack a picnic and enjoy great people (and nature) watching. Another local favorite, Thousand Steps Beach, is nestled in South Laguna just across from 9th Street and South Coast Highway. It’s tricky to find, but once you’re there, be sure to get some selfies inside the large sea cave.

Be careful if you’re heading that way during high tide! Fun fact: the dolphin population off the Laguna Beach coast is significantly greater than Florida, Hawaii and the Caribbean combined. If dolphin/whale watching is on your bucket list, it’s best to head to Dana Point or nearby Newport Beach. Newport Whales offers a $20 Whale Watch & Dolphin Cruise. Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari, a slightly more expensive option, offers exclusive underwater glass viewing pods bringing guests“face to face with some of the largest creatures on Earth.”

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Santa Barbara, tucked between the spectacular Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, was once a bustling hub for the film industry.

Flying A Studios, California’s first major movie studio, set up shop in the area and operated between 1912 through 1921 when hundreds of silent films were produced in Santa Barbara. While the industry moved south to Hollywood, celebrities still walk the red carpet at the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (sbiff.org), and many live in the area. Considered the “American Riviera,” famous residents living in Santa Barbara include Kevin Costner, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lopez and Stevie Nicks. Oprah Winfrey purchased a $48 million mansion in nearby Montecito, where Ellen DeGeneres also lives.

Stargazing aside, there’s plenty to see and do on a weekend trip to Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara County’s winemaking history goes back over 200 years when Mission vine cuttings were first planted in 1782.

Pierre Lafond opened the first Santa Barbara Winery in 1962, the first legit winery since Prohibition. California’s wine industry really took off in the second half of the twentieth century. Then Sideways came out in 2002, and the tourists started coming by the busloads. Fan of that movie? Plan a Sideways Wine Tour, featuring a two-day suggested wine trail featuring the wineries on the “Sideways Wine Route.” Some of the best wineries that should be on your list? Foxen Vineyards, Kenneth Volk Vineyards, Firestone Vineyards, Sanford Winery and Vineyards, and Kalyra Winery.

Having a good time? Extend your trip and go beyond the tour’s offerings.

There’s no shortage of great vineyards and local tasting rooms.

Back in town, be sure to hit State Street where you can spend an afternoon at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. From March 3 through October 13, Kehinde Wiley takes over SBMA’s Park Entrance with his monumental painting Equestrian Portrait of Prince Tommaso of SavoyCarignan. If you’re going next year instead, try to plan your 2020 trip around their highly anticipated Van Gogh exhibition, Through Vincent’s Eyes: Van Gogh and His Sources (opening October 11, 2020). Over on Laguna Street, don’t miss the Old Mission Santa Barbara in its original glory. Established in 1786, the Mission continues as the beating heart and soul of Santa Barbara. Tour the glorious 13-acre grounds featuring a nine-room museum of historical artwork and artifacts and featuring the Chumash Room showcasing Native American artifacts, a recreation of a 17th century kitchen, as well as a historic cemetery and mausoleum.

Whale watching in the Santa Barbara Channel is a must. The nutrient-rich waters make the area an ideal location to spot these incredible creatures. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center (sbnature.org) at Stearns Wharf provides a fun way to discover the wonders of ocean life and have unique encounters with some new favorite marine animals from the Santa Barbara Channel. On a related note, the RitzCarlton Bacara Santa Barbara - nestled in the Gaviota Coast - offers JeanMichel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment experience which introduces guests to the natural wonders and rich cultural history of the area. Discover Gaviota Coast’s natural wonders of land and sea (a kelp forest, diverse birds, the intertidal zone and traditional Chumash culture) through a wide assortment of related activities.

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THE LADY WITH THE SMILE hour, no one had budged. That’s when we noticed a large tour group (in matching shirts) was refusing to move away from the painting, despite protests to the security guard.

One man stood directly in front of the painting. Other members of his party were passing their phones to him to take picture after picture. Meanwhile, a woman beside him was taking endless selfies of herself with the Mona Lisa. First, she’d flip her hair and show her cleavage with the Mona Lisa.

Then she’d flip her hair and do fish lips with the Mona Lisa.

Finally, she attempted to match the Mona Lisa’s smile. I began to count how many selfies she was taking, and when I got to 50, Gary flipped his beret.

“There are so many other great works of art being ignored,” he said.“This is ridiculous. C’mon!”

But I couldn’t leave. I had waited my whole life to be right here, right now.“Go on,” I said.“I’ll text when I’m done.”

I waited patiently for another half hour but had made no headway. A frustrated woman looked at me and said, “It’s no use.” That’s when I decided to take action.

I got down on the ground and crawled to the front of the line.

There, I stood and said “You’re DONE!” to the picture-taking man and the selfie-taking woman. People actually applauded.

Finally, the other people in the room started getting their turns to look at the Mona Lisa. When I finally reached the front of the line, I was initially disappointed. I knew the painting was small, but in this grand space, it looked even tinier. I took one photo. Then another. But then I stopped, studied her famous face for a bit, and walked away. I could swear her eyes followed me, and her smirk suddenly seemed to say,“You go, girl!”

That’s when I realized the true magic of the painting (like the magic of travel itself) is the element of mystery. In the same way that you can’t really know what the Mona Lisa’s smile means until you’re standing in front of her, you don’t know what memories you’re creating making until you make them.

That night, we made a bit of a memory of our own. In the midst of a stunning fireworks display off the Eiffel Tower as part of Paris’s Nuit Blanche, Gary and I kissed along the banks of the Seine. And when I went to bed that night, I swear I could still see my mom — and the Mona Lisa — smile.

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VIEWS

I’VE DREAMED OF VISITING

Paris ever since I was a little boy. I remember watching An American in Paris with my mom and telling her I wanted to dance in front of the Eiffel Tower.

“One day,” she said with a knowing smile.“One day.”

In college, I read and adored Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast, about his years as a young writer in Paris. My long-distance love affair with Europe continued in art history class, where we studied Leonardo di Vinci and his Mona Lisa. I was not only mesmerized by the painting — What was she thinking? Why was she smiling like that? — but also fascinated by later reading about the painter, including research that indicated he was gay. And as an adult, I heard tale after tale of friends’ magnificent visits to the City of Lights.

I couldn’t afford to travel much as a young man. Then, when I eventually became an author, my travel tended to center around book tours. However, my parents traveled a lot in their golden years and (after a rather arduous trip to Spain) my mom told me,“Don’t wait until you’re my age to do these trips. Enjoy them fully. Young. Like An American in Paris.”

So last year, Gary and I decided we’d finally see Paris. We took the advice of well-traveled and-heeled gay friends and stayed in a boutique hotel in the gay district of Marais. We took private tours to Mont St. Michel, Giverny and Versailles. We climbed the Eiffel Tower and we ate wonderful food at intimate bistros. But I was still most looking forward to visiting the Louvre and seeing the Mona Lisa in person.

To prepare, we made sure we were doing what every expert told us to do when visiting the Louvre. We went on a day when crowds were supposed to be least congested. We arrived early.

We secured express passes to bypass long lines. And when it was our entrance time, we made a bee-line directly to the Mona Lisa (she has her own room).

We were greeted by a crowd only slightly smaller than those attending the Super Bowl. Hordes were waiting for a glimpse into her eyes. Insane tourists knocked one another about as if whomever made it to the front were about to win a performance from Lady Gaga in their very own personal living rooms.

Gary and I got in line and waited. And waited. After a half

DIARY

Wade was close to making his lifelong dream of seeing the Mona Lisa come true until something, quite literally, got in the way. BY WADE ROUSE

Check out Wade’s latest novel under the pen name Viola Shipman, The Summer Cottage, and visit him online at waderouse.com.

HAVE YOU EVER STOOD UP TO RUDE BEHAVIOR ON THE ROAD? SHARE YOUR STORY IN “GAY VOICES” AT METROSOURCE.COM. METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

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BOOKS CULTURE

BLASTS FROM THE PAST Climb aboard the Concorde, settle down in furniture fit for Mad Men, and kick back with a cocktail that brings1960s kitsch into the twenty-first century. BY SEBASTIAN FORTINO

TIKI: MODERN TROPICAL COCKTAILS

By Shannon Mustipher; Rizzoli Press; $29.95 the Vaseline lens of nostalgia) and a good drink. Perhaps that’s why we’ve seen a decade-long trend of various vintage cocktails becoming popular again. For example, the trend toward Tiki themed bars and restaurants was high in the 1960s. Hawaii had just become a state, and back East a booming economy made trips to the Caribbean much more affordably within reach — though no less exotic.

This dreamily photographed book, featuring images by Noah Fecks, invites a little bit of that Tiki magic into the present. Meanwhile, Shannon Mustipher, a rum expert from Brooklyn, teaches how to capture the whimsy of Tiki in your own home.

Chapters outline everything you need to know — from the classics to a whole chapter devoted to sours, and a section enticingly titled“Fiery, Savory and Bitter.”In sum, this book is a sweet invitation to Tiki in the 21st Century. Cocktails like the caipirinha are updated to include sugar, as opposed to the bartender’s standard simple syrup. Grog, an historical drink which became popular with English sailors given their ration of rum, also makes an appearance. More complicated beverages, like the Halekulani — which calls for seven ingredients — are also included. The writer whets even more appetites by suggesting which kind of rums she recommends for each drink. So whip up a Planter’s Punch, fire up the phonograph with some Hawaiian ‘60s beats, and float away to paradise with your Tiki tipple.

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THIS PAGE: COURTESY RIZZOLI

IN MY EXPERIENCE, TWO THINGS HUMANS LONG FOR ARE THE PAST (AS FILTERED THROUGH

THIS PAGE: COVERS AND INTERIOR IMAGES OF SUPERSONIC AGE MAGAZINE PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONCORDE SERVICE, 1974. FROM THE COLLECTION OF LAWRENCE AZERRAD. • PAN AM CONCORDE AND US SST ADVERTISEMENT, 1969.

FROM THE COLLECTION OF LAWRENCE AZERRAD. • BRITISH AIRWAYS CONCORDE LUGGAGE TAG IN ORIGINAL GRAPHIC IDENTITY, C. 1970S. FROM THE COLLECTION OF LAWRENCE AZERRAD.

SUPERSONIC: THE DESIGN AND LIFESTYLE OF CONCORDE

By Lawrence Azerrad; Prestel; $35 “CONCORDE WAS THE PROMISE OF TOMORROW DELIVERED IN THE HERE AND NOW,” SAYS LAWRENCE AZERRAD, THE AUTHOR

of Supersonic. In the late 1960s, when Concorde began to fly out of London and Paris, the plane was part of a new era of travel which birthed the term “jet-setter.” If you were lucky enough to fly Concorde, you were not only in an all-first class cabin, but you were also making the trans-Atlantic voyage (a flight which takes about eight hours these days) in a shockingly fast — not to mention glamorous — three to four hours.

Concorde continued to make the trip possible into the new millennium. Unfortunately by then, Air France and British Airways —two of the airlines known for Concorde service — were dealing with a weak global economy. Coupled with less people electing to fly after the September 11th attacks and the fact that its technology was no longer cutting edge, the last Concordes were finally grounded in 2003. In this veritable time machine, Azerrad shares a wide variety of items from his collected Concorde memorabilia, artwork and other objects. According to the book, the full collection actually numbers at least 1,000 items. If you’re a fan of the golden age of air travel, or passionate about mid-century design in all its forms, pop the champagne — because this is an ideal flight for you.

FURNITURE BOOM

By Lars Dybdahl; Strandberg Publishing; $75 THE SLEEK LINES OF DANISH FURNITURE ARE THE BASIS FOR WHAT DESIGNERS (AND SHELTER MAGAZINE ENTHUSIASTS) CALL “MID-CENTURY MODERN.”

Whole websites are dedicated to celebrating all that was stylish from that era — from clothes to clocks. In this beautifully crafted book we see why both the time and the furniture that stems from it still has the devotion of so many followers. Furniture Boom features timeless designs from artists such as Arne Jacobsen, Børge Mogensen, Poul Kjærholm and others. These designers started embracing minimal, yet comfortable lines, easily adapted to the lifestyles of the post-WWII era. Across 13 chapters of insightful text by Lars Dybdahl (accompanied by exemplary photos), we see what was behind such singular designs as Hans J. Wegner’s famous Y Chair. Significantly, we also see how that important piece from 1950, with its clear Asian influence, would go on to heavily influence the work of other designers. The book traces a transition from early more classic wooden pieces to the more colorful objects and materials which appeared during the ‘60s and ‘70s. As the pieces changed with the times, they left the legacy of varied work on display here. Whether you have these pieces in your own home or were tickled to see them while bingeing Mad Men, you can appreciate how Furniture Boom celebrates a masterful craftsmanship that continues to have lasting impact.

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Cadiz

CLIC Cadiz

MAKING LANGUAGE CLIC

Want to learn Spanish faster than in any other classroom, while immersing yourself in a rich and exciting culture? Head to a unique learning experience in southern Spain. BY ROB DAVIS different cultures, visit exotic locales, and speaking to the many people around me whose native language is not necessarily English.

It seems as though nearly everywhere I go, I hear Spanish spoken — and that makes sense. According to the 2016 U.S. Census, Spanish is spoken by more than 40 million people in this country alone. (By comparison, the entire population of Spain was 46 million at the time, according to the World Bank.) By 2060 it is estimated that 120 million Hispanics will live in the States.

So there is no doubt as to the usefulness of being able to speak the language.

But for me, the thrill of speaking another language has always been about both the challenge and the fun of learning, trying to master it so that I can converse fluently and open myself up to different friends, food, and cultures.

A few years ago, I had the chance to spend a month in Spain doing an intensive course at the Spanish language school CLIC, the Center for Language and Cultural Interchange. In 2018, I was fortunate enough to return for another immersion.

One of the great things at CLIC is that you’re able to start your classes throughout the year — for any length of time. So whether you’re looking for a one, two, six or eight week course — you’re tested to ascertain your level of proficiency, and then you join in a class already in session that’s appropriate for you. Even if you’re a complete beginner or just want a refresher course, there are great options.

CLIC is one of the top Spanish schools in Spain. (Rumor has it that Chelsea Clinton also took classes there.) The school has facilities in Cádiz, Málaga and Seville. They also offer adult housing options whereby you can secure accommodations organized by CLIC that can be rented by the week. However if you prefer, they can also place you in a Spanish-speaking home, where you’ll be able to converse daily and casually with your hosts. This is a terrific option, especially if you’re looking for total immersion, which suits my learning style perfectly.

CLIC Málaga

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Catedral de Cádiz

Classes are deliberately kept small — generally with six to 10 students (although private tutors are also available). Mornings are dedicated to Spanish classroom work, which leaves afternoons open for practicing the language while enjoying a full and varied program of leisure and cultural activities.

All three of CLIC’s schools are located in southern Spain. In the port city of Cádiz, you can find CLIC in one of the most desirable neighborhoods of the city: Bahia Blanca; it’s just a few steps from the beach and surrounding shopping areas. Cultural activities include everything from guided tours, workshops and film screenings to language exchanges with locals with a variety of other activities to help strengthen your language skills.

Málaga is the birthplace of both Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas (some decades apart). You’ll find CLIC Málaga in the city center, just off the main street and only steps away from Plaza de la Constitución. Here, after morning classes, students engage in an assortment of pastimes, including visits to museums, tapas tastings, and innumerable opportunities to chat with the locals.

CLIC Seville is also centrally located — just behind the Plaza Nueva and right off the city’s shopping hub. In addition to morning classes and a variety of weekday afternoon options, you can take advantage of weekend getaways to nearby cities, each guided by professors, art historians and other experts.

I’ve traveled extensively around the world, but the experience of visiting Southern Spain and steeping myself in their culture is far richer than visiting another city for a week or two of vacation. I found it not only a great way to visit a place I hadn’t explored, but also a sublime way to soak up the local culture while improving my Spanish far faster than if I’d taken a course in the States.

Want to learn more about what CLIC offers? Visit them online at clic.es or e-mail them via info@clic.es. For more information about traveling to Spain, go to spain.info.

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In Class at Clic

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THREE INCREDIBLE PLACES IN AUSTRALIA YOU SHOULD SEE NOW

THE AZURE WATERS OF SYDNEY HARBOUR. THE RUST COLORED MONOLITH OF

IF YOU’VE ALREADY BEEN CHARMED BY AUSTRALIA’S URBAN PLAYGROUNDS, RETURN FOR SOME UNEXPECTED PLEASURES BY THE SEA.

BY ERIC ROSEN

Uluru rising out of the desert. The wave-beaten spires of the 12 Apostles along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. Australia is not short on unforgettable landscapes. And chances are, if you’ve been, you’ve seen them already.

But what keeps me coming back to Oz time after time is the opportunity to discover new awe-inspiring and utterly unique places on every visit.

For it’s in some of these less-traveled destinations where the “real” Australia can be found. Here are three spectacular settings to consider exploring on your next visit Down Under.

THE KIMBERLEY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Western River Cove Kangaroo Island

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Roughly the size of California, the Kimberley region in Australia’s remote northwest is home to just 40,000 people. However, this mystical place is anything but empty.

The Kimberley’s seasonal lakes and mangrove-lined tidal rivers teem with wildlife. Enormous jellyfish and stingrays float along with the currents. Scaly saltwater crocodiles emerge at intervals along the shore. The terrain is strewn with craggy rock formations, some of which date back a billion years, while the bottle-silhouetted boab trees that jut out here and there measure time’s passage in centuries — or even millennia.

I spent two weeks visiting this otherworldly land aboard True North (truenorth.com.au), a luxury yacht that plies the Kimberley’s 7,500-mile-long coastline from March through September every year.

In Talbot Bay, my fellow passengers and I climbed aboard tenders to

Sea Lion - South Australia Koala - South Australia

opposite page: Western river Cove Kangaroo island • THIS PAGE: GREAT WHITE PHOTO SOUTH AUSTRALIA COURTESY OF CALYPSO STAR CHARTERS

Great White Shark - South Australia

shoot the tide-fueled rapids of the Horizontal Waterfalls, which David Attenborough called “Australia’s most unusual natural wonder.” Another morning, we moored near Montgomery Reef, a 155-square-mile marvel that emerges from the sea twice each day — towering 13 feet out of the water before submerging completely again at high tide. While navigating its narrow channels, True North’s nature guides pointed out giant sea turtles gliding beneath us, and kept watch for shy, manateelike dugongs nibbling on the sea grass nearby.

Aboard True North’s helicopter, we took scenic flights over Mitchell Falls, which dwindles to a mere trickle during the dry months, but roars into a four-tiered gusher fed by emerald-green ponds after the seasonal rains. Our chopper pilot also ferried us to Eagle Falls for an afternoon picnic. Between plates of barbecued lamb and ice-cold beers, we could swim under some of the smaller waterfalls for a“Kimberley shower” or peek over the edge for a glimpse of the freshwater crocodile who lived below.

The young Aussie crew led us on a hike up to an aquamarine swimming hole with floors of glimmering quartz stones. We floated there, watching rare butterflies flitting overhead.

I learned to fish for feisty barramundi and mangrove jack. I also managed to hook a mud crab and, yes, even a tawny nurse shark (which languidly swam away with my line). Another day, I took a chisel to native rock oysters embedded on the boulders of Winyalkin Island, harvesting a meal’s worth of mollusks the size of my hand.

The crew walked us to cave systems where nomadic peoples left

evidence of their existence in the form of “midden heaps” passed along with some of the oldest art on earth. These include colorful Wandjina rock paintings dating back some 5,000 years and feature spirit-like figures and wildlife including wallabies and turtles. Meanwhile, the elegant stick-like Gwion Gwion figures are thought to be as old as 50,000 years.

For a glimpse of the more recent past, we moored at Careening Bay to see the Mermaid Tree, a boab with a distinctive split trunk that was named after the HMC Mermaid. Aboard that ship, a dashing British naval officer named Philip Parker King surveyed this coast in 1820 and created maps that are still used today.

We spent our final afternoon luxuriating on the iridescent white sands of Silica Beach, which bubbled up like vintage champagne underfoot as we walked into the water. Afterwards, the able-bodied crew lashed five tenders together to create a waterborne cocktail party for a last spectacular sunset and sad but satisfied goodbyes.

Practicalities: True North’s Kimberley cruises leave from either Broome or Wyndham. Virgin Australia flies non-stop to Broome and Wyndham (Kununurra) from Perth. Qantas flies non-stop to Broome from Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, and to Wyndham from Perth and Broome.

THE EYRE PENINSULA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA South Australia has always been just a little bit different from the rest of Australia. Unlike the original colonies on continent’s east coast, it was established as a free state rather than a convict settlement. Its capital, METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

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Pure Coffin Bay Oysters - South Australia Hamilton Island - Queensland

Practicalities: Port Lincoln is a 50-minute flight west of Adelaide on either Rex or Qantas. Though you can book vacation homes in many of the peninsula’s small towns, the most upscale accommodations in town are at the Port Lincoln Hotel (portlincolnhotel.com.au).

THE WHITSUNDAYS, QUEENSLAND The Great Barrier Reef may well be the most famous natural wonder in the world.

But it is also perhaps the most misunderstood: The reef is actually a network comprised of a system of nearly 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands, and is the only living organism on the planet that can be spotted from space.

In recent years, the Reef has been under constant threat from tropical cyclones wreaking devastation on its underwater ecosystems and warming ocean waters, stressing coral and other marine life (both the products of unprecedented climate change). It’s not all gloom and doom, though. New studies have found that parts

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Swimming with Sea Lions - South Australia

Adelaide, was thoughtfully laid out on a well-mannered grid drawn up by Colonel William Light in 1837 that still comprises the city’s core today. Many travelers also come here to visit South Australia’s world-class wine regions, including the Barossa and Clare Valleys, and the Instagram-worthy ochre topography of the Flinders in the north. However, some of South Australia’s most magnificent natural treasures are to be found along the Eyre Peninsula to the west.

The main town of Port Lincoln is the hub for a mix of maritime adventures, although you can also go winetasting at boutique cellars like Peter Teakle Wines (peterteaklewines.com) or sample the local brews at Beer Garden Brewing (beergardenbrewing.com). My favorite landmark? The statue of explorer Matthew Flinders plotting his 1801-1803 circumnavigation of Australia — along with his trusty cat, Trim.

It seems that everyone in Australia has a shark story, and if you want one of your own, this is the place to come. I was reluctant to swim with the toothy terrors of the deep, but braver souls can swim with great whites off the nearby Neptune Islands.

In fact, this is one of the only places in the country where people are allowed to cage dive with the fearsome pelagic predators. Catch a day tour year-round with Calypso Star Charters (sharkcagediving.com.au).

Instead, I opted for a more playful pastime: the chance to swim with sea lions, which the crew of Adventure Bay Charters (adventurebaycharters.com.au) described as the “puppies of the sea.” After our two-hour cruise to Boston Bay, the sea lions seemed as excited to see us as we were them. Dozens came bounding off the beach, swimming toward the boat, as if beckoning us to dive in.

I did, and what ensued was one of the most delightful, enchanting, and just plain fun hours of my life. Sea lions swam around me, twisting and flipping, mirroring my movements and waiting patiently as I periodically surfaced for air so we could resume our games. It was with a heavy heart that I finally reboarded the boat for the return journey.

I did not have long to sulk because there were adventures in store on land. A genial guide from Australian Wildlife Adventures (australianwildlifeadventures.com.au) named Hassie was waiting to take us on an oyster-harvesting tour and tasting of briny bivalves with Pure Coffin Bay Oysters (coffinbayoysters.com.au). After a stop to observe koalas in the wild, we finished our day with a sunset hike on the sea cliffs of Lincoln National Park.

The following morning, the guides at Goin’ Off Safaris (goinoffsafaris.com.au) took me on a scenic helicopter flight over the coast. After, we spent an hour casting from the shore, during which I caught the Pacific salmon that we then grilled for our beach picnic lunch later that day.

THIS PAGE: WHITEHAVEN BEACH QUEESNLAND CREDIT TOURISM AND EVENTS QUEENSLAND

of the reef and the animals that live there have bounced back more quickly than expected from bleaching and storm events, and ecoconscious tourism might just be the best way to protect the Reef for future generations. Do your part with an adventure up the Queensland coast.

For an off-the-grid excursion to a rebounding region of the Reef that’s still close enough for a day trip to Brisbane, Lady Elliot Island (ladyelliot.com.au) is a study in considered conservation (and one of the best spots on earth to scuba with manta rays). Up in the tropical north around Cairns and Port Douglas, visitors can split their time between day tours out to little-visited sections of the Reef, and trips to the Daintree Rainforest, thought to be the oldest rainforest in the world and containing plant species that predate the dinosaurs.

However, for a truly Reef-centric retreat, I headed to Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays. The Whitsundays are an archipelago of 74 tropical islands just off the coast, about a 90-minute flight from Brisbane (or three hours from Sydney). Hamilton Island is already a hotbed of hotels and tourist activity, although you can book a sumptuous sequestered sojourn at qualia (qualia.com.au), a luxury lodge nestled into the island’s jungle-covered slopes.

Otherwise your best bet may be one of two soon-to-reopen properties on nearby islands: the Intercontinental Hayman Island (hayman.com.au), or Daydream Island (daydreamisland.com). Daydream is about halfway between Hamilton Island and the mainland resort town of Airlie Beach. The 277-room resort there will reopen this year after an $86 million renovation,

along with an expanded Living Reef outdoor aquarium containing over 100 marine species overseen by on-staff marine biologists.

Among other not-to-missed experiences in the area are a scenic flight over the recognizable Heart Reef with Air Whitsunday Seaplanes (airwhitsunday.com.au), and a charter sail to the four-milelong Whitehaven Beach, which is routinely voted among the most beautiful on Earth. You can do so aboard a vintage yacht called Lady Enid (ladyenid.com.au).

Having recently taken up scuba, I spent a day diving with Explore Group (exploregroup.com.au), which operates kitted-out catamarans from Airlie and Hamilton Island. On our day out at Bait Reef, I dove with sea turtles and reef sharks, and marveled at massive underwater geological formations.

Practicalities: You can fly to Hamilton Island non-stop from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney on either Qantas or Virgin Australia. Qantas now operates all its flights from Los Angeles to Brisbane – twice on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, once on other days – exclusively with Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The jets feature the airline’s newest suite-style business class seats, as well as its latest premium economy cabins and updated economy seats, as well as serving menus created by celebrity chef Neil Perry. ■

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Tivoli Palacio Seteais

Grape Expectations:

A Long and Wining Road

A GAY MAN MEETS AN IT-GIRL GRAPE IN SPAIN, INHALES A HEADY BOUQUET IN FRANCE, AND ROMPS NEAR MADONNA’S VILLA IN PORTUGAL. BY MARK A. THOMPSON AS A UNIVERSITY STUDENT IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE IN THE YEARS

before the euro, it took me only four francs to buy a bottle of vin de table — and another two from my roommate for a pack of Gauloises, whereupon we became convinced that we were as French as wine.

This was in Languedoc-Roussillon (known to many as Northern Catalonia), one of the oldest wine-producing regions of the world — and one that produces more than one-third of the grapes grown in France. Back then, the wines were less notable for quality than quantity, befitting the region’s role as producer of the daily wine ration for French soldiers. (Please remember

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that this was an era when it seemed the enitre population of France drank wine as a substitute for water.)

Meanwhile in Portugal, viticulture was dominated by massproduced wines from post-War cooperative wineries initiated by the dictatorship of Salazar. This meant that American knowledge of Portuguese wine was restricted to the sweet, sparking Mateus Rosé or Lancers. It’s worth noting that both of these would later come to enjoy retro chic status — that being more for their distinctive bottles rather than for the bottles’ contents.

During those years, the annual consumption of wine per person in France was more than 100 liters; nowadays it hovers

closer to 45 liters a year. What’s changed since then is both the quality of the wine and the passion of the winemakers. This became readily more apparent to me during my return to the region where I once drank vin de table.

As Ernest Hemingway reputedly said, “My only regret in life is that I did not drink more wine.” I was determined not to make the same mistake while traveling through Portugal and Catalonia on a mission to discover the grapes of the region, and specifically those of the multifaceted Garnacha/Grenache varietal. For how better to discover a culture than through the prism of wine — particularly in a region where viticulture’s roots can be traced to the Phoenicians?

Tivoli Palácio de Seteais, Sintra Tivoli Palácio de Seteais, Nobel Hall

OPPOSITE PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF TIVOLI HOTELS & RESORTS THIS PAGE: PHOTOS COURTESY OF TIVOLI HOTELS & RESORTS

THERE’S MORE THAN TAWNY PORT IN PORTUGAL For many, Portuguese wine is synonymous with Port, the fortified wines of the country’s northern Douro Valley, which have been globally exported for more than 800 years. There’s no question that a post-prandial port has its charms — including the ritualized protocol of passing to the left, i.e. port to port. However, Portugal cultivates more than 250 indigenous grapes in 31 designated DOCs (Controlled Denomination of Origin).

The country’s varied topography—from verdant plains to cork forests, with maritime influences — provides a diverse terroir for a broad range of wines, from the lightly effervescent green offerings of Vinho Verde to aromatic whites and robust, full-bodied reds.

Fortunately for oenophiles, the years following Portugal’s Carnation Revolution in 1974 and its entrance into the EU in 1986 have served as a boon for Portuguese viticulture. In recent decades, numerous independent wine estates have opened in former quintas. (That’s how the locals refer to large land estates originally earmarked for agricultural purposes.) So today’s Portuguese viticulture is far more than its celebrated aged tawny ports, and modern vintners now regularly showcase wines from lesser-appreciated DOCs such as Bairrada and Dão.

Four of Portugal’s DOCs are located in the Algarve along the region’s sun-kissed southern coast. Here an abundance of fish and seafood pair beautifully with the nearby floral rosés and steely Arinto whites. At Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort, Executive Chef Bruno Rocha positions Portuguese viticulture as “the centerpiece” of the five-star resort’s oceanfront restaurant. Overlooking the cliffs of the Seven Hanging Valleys, guests dine on such regional cuisine as cataplana, a traditional seafood stew. For those who wish to hike the seven-mile trail along the spectacular limestone cliffs, the hotel prepares a gourmet picnic with local rosé wines to be enjoyed at one of the Algarve’s most picturesque lighthouses.

Another perspective on Portuguese viticulture comes from the Colares DOC. It’s situated along the southwestern Atlantic coast, west of the royal retreat of Sintra where Portugal’s ruling families once escaped Lisbon’s summer heat. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Sintra resembles a mystical kingdom of fanciful castles, pastel palaces, and hilltop villas — one of which was purchased in 2017 by Madonna.

According to locals, Madge and family have enjoyed an after-lunch romp through the private gardens of Tivoli Palácio de Seteais, which includes lemon groves and camellias. Originally built as a summer residence, the 18th-century Seteais Palace has been refashioned into a five-star property with original frescoes, tapestries, and textiles.

Tivoli Palácio de Seteais, Pena Palace Tivoli Palácio de Seteais, MoorishCastle

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The property also boasts a wine room dedicated to the bounty of Colares DOC. Furnished with period antiques, the Seteais Colares Wine Room offers tasting menus paired with wines produced from the region’s signature Malvasia and Ramisco grapes. Renowned for their assertive tannins, Ramisco wines soften with age, revealing a violet aroma with herbal tasting notes underscored by salinity. At the palace’s Anantara Spa located in the former dovecote, local wines are also utilized for various body treatments, including vinotherapy facials.

THE IT GIRL GARNACHA One of the fascinating aspects of wine tourism is the manner in which local grapes can reveal a cultural narrative. During the mid-19thcentury phylloxera epidemic, the vineyards of France were almost completely eradicated by sap-sucking aphids that were thought to have originated in North America and were first identified in France in Languedoc. Throughout the next 30 years as the French wine industry sought a solution, French wine growers migrated across the border into Spain, where the rootstock had not yet been infected.

A vineyard stalwart and one of the most planted wine grapes of the world, Garnacha (also known as Grenache) originated in the hot and dry Mediterranean climate of northeastern Spain and the South of France. In other words, the wines of Garnacha provide a glimpse into the autonomous communities of both Aragón and Catalonia.

“Garnacha is the Aragonese grape, a chameleonic grape that really showcases terroir,” explains Sofia González, a sixth-generation Aragonese. ”You’ll never find two Garnacha wines that are the same.

The soils, the wind, the landscape, the people — everything plays a role in the final juice. And I no longer see bottles — but instead, everything Vineyards of Carinena, Spain

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Viñas Otoño

THIS PAGE: PHOTOS COURTESY OF MRNY AND BSV GROUP CARIÑENA / WINES OF GARNACHA

Garnacha Grapes of Spain

behind it, all the people like my grandpa, reflected in this glass of wine.”

Remarkable for its magnificent 17th-century Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, Aragon’s capital city of Zaragoza is not much more than a short drive from Cariñena, one of the oldest protected wine-growing regions on the continent. During the annual ten-day Fiestas del Pilar, the population of Zaragoza quadruples. Nearly four million visitors from around the world gather for festivities that include a massive floral pyramid in the middle of the city, as well as a spectacular fireworks display along the banks of the Ebro River.

One of the best vantage points from which to witness the numerous processions and parades is from the four-star Hotel Alfonso, which offers a rooftop pool with vistas overlooking the basilica. Designed by Pemán y Franco, the sleek and stylish hotel bridges the old city with the main shopping district of Zaragoza. Within easy walking distance is the city’s historic central market, which has remained in the same square since the Middle Ages. The current incarnation was built of iron in 1903 in the style of Les Halles in Paris. Nearby are Roman ruins of the original city, which was named for Caesar Augustus (two words that slur into Zaragoza after a couple bottles of Garnacha — hence the derivation).

Originally positioned as a workhorse grape often used for blending, Garnacha has stepped into its own spotlight over the past two decades, thanks to a new generation of winemakers who are producing Garnacha monovarietal wines. According to González, Marketing Manager of Wines of Garnacha, the recent interest in Garnacha has been a consequence of “traditional knowledge combined with recent technology that enabled us to domesticate this beautiful wild horse.”

Sometimes referred to as the Pinot Noir of southern Europe, Garnacha reflects its terroir for a diverse range of aromas and flavors and pairs perfectly with the full range of Mediterranean gastronomy.

Throughout the bucolic Cariñena DO (Designation of Origin) region, viticulture remains the primary industry, with antecedents reaching back to the monasteries of the Middle Ages. At Grandes Vinos, one of the marquee stars is Anayon Cariñena Terracota, a product aged for 12 months in 150-liter earthenware urns. As winemaker Marcelo Morales recalls, “I remembered how our forefathers made wine in … a vessel that has been used since prehistory. I was sure that aging in earthenware would enhance the fruit and mineral character, emphasizing the notes of slate and graphite.” The result is an elegant wine that merits ovation.

In the Terra Alta DO, Garnacha Blanca (or white Grenache) has

become something of an “It girl” grape, the ingénue who’s taken the stage to become a full-fledged star. That’s thanks to the grape’s virtuosity and dynamic performance among the region’s signature Terra Alta Garnacha Blanca wines. As one local attests, “Garnacha arrives with perfect acidity at harvest.”These aromatic white gems are known for their juicy acidity with notes of honeysuckle and citrus, alongside a pleasing creamy texture. In short, Garnacha Blanca is the new name on everyone’s tongue — and certainly knows how to make an entrance.

THIS PAGE: PHOTOS COURTESY OF MRNY AND BSV GROUP CARIÑENA / WINES OF GARNACHA

ON THE ROAD TO ROUSSILLON Just across the border in France, Roussillon is nestled between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. The region is blanketed by a patchwork quilt of vineyards that produce more than two dozen grape varieties. All along the Roussillon wine route, the air is redolent with garrigue, the French term for a wine bouquet marked by notes of rosemary, thyme, juniper, lavender and other indigenous wild herbs.

Whether traveling through on foot, by bicycle, or merely pausing to snap a photograph or lay out a picnic, Roussillon is visually arresting in the diversity of its landscape. Olive trees and almond groves flank fruit orchards alongside terraced vineyards overlooking the sea. The medieval Catalan village of Castelnou crowns a foothill beneath a feudal castle.

Nearby ancient dry stone structures dot the hills and valleys. Visitors to the vignerons at Terrassous in the Aspres region often enjoy e-bike tours of the vineyards and the surrounding countryside — complete with a Catalan picnic lunch and wine tasting.

More than 45% of Roussillon’s agriculture is devoted to viticulture, which has flourished in this region for millennia. In the words of one local, the fabled Mediterranean winds known as sirocco and tramontane blow to “clean the sky in southern France.” These strong sustained winds ensure more than 300 days of sunshine annually, in addition to relief from the summer heat, thereby producing optimal conditions for winegrowers and the sharp clarity of light so beloved by artists drawn to the South of France.

At the seaside town of Banyuls-sur-Mer, works by Aristide Maillol line the waterfront promenade and fill his former residence, now home to Musée Maillol. Beloved for his bronze sculptures (three of which grace the grand staircase of New York’s Metropolitan Opera House), Maillol was a native of this serene little village, which is also home to the third-generation Domaine de La Rectorie.

With more than 70 acres of terraced vineyards forming an amphitheater above the azure bay, La Rectorie has been producing Roussillon wines for more than a century, in particular the fortified apéritif or dessert wines known throughout the Banyuls AOC. Similar to the process used to make Port, these old-vine wines mature in oak barrels, and in the process impart intoxicating aromas of mocha, coffee, almonds and caramelized fruits.

One of the joys in sipping such elixirs is the subconscious connection to some of the most ancient corners of the world. At Domaine PuigParahy, they proffered a glass of Cuvée Veuve Parahÿ from 1910. At this point, I slipped into a sort of Proustian reverie, knowing I was sipping wine from my godfather’s era — wine bottled before the wars, wine that connects us all to an ancient legacy. As one Roussillon winemaker poetically put it, “We must understand what is in the land, like a musician; like an artist.”And in so doing, the art of wine lives on.

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Basilica in Zaragoza, Spain

Zaragoza, Spain Banyuls sur Mer, France

Cava

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TIM GUNN’S NEW YORK

Thunder Down Under

CONSUMMATE NEW YORKER TIM GUNN WELCOMES US HOME FROM OUR TRIP AROUND THE WORLD WITH A VIRTUAL TOUR OF HIS BIG APPLE. BY KEVIN PHINNEY FASHION GURU TIM GUNN HAS BECOME NEARLY AS CELEBRATED A PART

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of New York as the landmarks that surround his Manhattan home.

His grace, wisdom and urbane charm helped propel TV’s Project Runway through fifteen successful seasons on two networks; now he and co-host Heidi Klum are striking out on their own with a new series in development at Amazon Prime Video.

With WorldPride approaching, we asked fashion’s most famous mentor to take us on a virtual tour of his adopted hometown. On a brisk afternoon, tucked up on his sofa in jeans and black turtleneck, Gunn guided us from his Upper West Side penthouse apartment to the Hudson River Esplanade — with an assortment of his favorite distractions along the way.

METROSOURCE: I want you to take us through your idea of a perfect Manhattan day, but I know you were born in D.C., so I’m wondering: What do you recall about your first visit here?

TIM GUNN: I’m reaching back, searching... I believe I was in boarding school, and I came to New York with a roommate who lived on Park Avenue to spend the weekend. And here’s what I remember most vividly, because this was a very well-to-do family with a huge apartment. Jim and I were in the kitchen, and they had a cook who ordered out for Kentucky Fried Chicken while pretending that she’d made the whole thing. Truly. I was rather flabbergasted, and Jim said to me, “Oh she does this all the time, but Mom doesn’t know it.” And I said, “I don’t understand. This is her job to cook, and she’s making phone calls?” So I don’t even remember where we went. Ha! I remember that evening with the chicken.

So you’d have been…how old?

Oh, a teen, a young teen, probably. Then when I was an art student I came to New York all the time, because even though I lived in Washington with its own scene, great art was happening here. And we’d go to the galleries; we’d go to MOMA. For me, it was MOMA much more than the Met. MOMA and the Whitney before, when it was [uptown] at the Met Breuer. And I haunted them.You know what else I remember from those days? Something that’s a phenomenon that I’ve experienced only experienced infrequently, and it has to do with climate. It’s the fact that the Hudson would ice over completely.

Since I’ve lived here, I think that’s only happened a couple of times — and I’ve lived here for 35 and a half years now.

How do you like to start your mornings in the city?

Well I am a creature of habit — which is not to say that I feel stuck in a rut, as much as I have a certain routine that I look forward to — and it begins with getting up and getting dressed, getting prepared to go out. And I go out for breakfast to the same place every morning — at my corner, 90th and Broadway: City Diner. It’s a great place, and it’s the same breakfast every morning: two scrambled eggs and two pieces of turkey bacon. No potatoes. No toast.

Carbs are your enemy?

I think they’re everybody’s enemy. And I have to say at this juncture of my life – and you can agree or disagree – I’m constantly fighting back against the bulge. Just constantly fighting. I took up fencing four years ago and I work with a fitness trainer twice a week. But It’s still a battle, METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

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Once you’re up and about, do you have a preferred way to get around Manhattan? Town cars? Über?

I take the subway. Or I walk. Also just for your information, part of that City Diner routine is that I get The New York Times digitally and I use that breakfast time to catch up on the news. There are also a bunch of us regulars who worry about the possibility that their rent’s going to go up again and that the place will shut down because... Well, I don’t know where you live, but here on the Upper West Side, there are so many shuttered storefronts, and many have been shuttered for years.

It’s this damn rent conundrum, and it’s just awful what it’s done.

I have, and they’re great.

And I will say too on the Upper West Side — not to cast aspersions on Barnes & Noble – but Book Culture at 112th Street and Broadway is phenomenal. Basically it’s Columbia’s Bookstore.

Do you feel the same way about the Strand down off Union Square?

Oh, the Strand’s a phenomenal bookstore, and their second floor rare book section is like going to a museum.

Now you’ve had a bite to eat. Let’s say we’re going to explore the city. Where would you start? What would you want to show someone maybe visiting for the first time?

I would walk east from my apartment; I’d walk east to Central Park and across Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum.

Say you were spending your last day in the city; is that where you’d be, in a bookstore? What would you have to experience one more time?

For me? I’d have to go back to the Met and see Picasso’s portrait of Gertrude Stein.

Ha! You anticipate the question: Are you more a museum person, an art gallery guy, or someone who’d rather shop?

Oh, I’m a museum guy. I’m no longer an art gallery guy. What a bunch of crap. Sorry.

Now I’m picturing you standing before it, and I’m wondering what’s going through your mind as you’re taking it in...

Well for me, it conjures up the incredible history of Paris at that time; what the Steins did for the contemporary art world; my love of Gertrude Stein’s writing, as idiosyncratic as it is — and the phenomenon that the early 20th century brought to culture in so many ways, including writing, music, art and theater. It was an incredible renaissance.

Excuse me? What is your issue sir, with art galleries?

Well, I just am so tired of poorly-executed expensive preening. For me, the contemporary art world is just uninteresting. And I can’t believe that much of it — if any of it — is going to withstand the test of time. I mean, ultimately that’s what it’s all about. A hundred years from now, what’s still going to be relevant?

What’s your favorite thing to find on a jaunt around town: an experience, a trinket, a street musician? What comes to mind?

Well for me, it’s stumbling upon a bookstore I didn’t know about. And, of course, with bookstores in great decline, that’s getting harder and

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harder. But only recently, speaking of Chelsea – well, it’s probably more in the Flatiron – I didn’t know about the Rizzoli store at 24th and Broadway. It’s wonderful. Have you been to that Rizzoli?

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What a bunch of people to be able to hang out with...

And speaking of a last day, I went to the Met to see the Euphronious Krater, a bowl for mixing wine and water that was very prominently displayed, and it was acquired during Thomas Hoving’s tenure as director. So it’s 1970s, but it was discovered that it was stolen from Italy.

So the Met being ever-ethical, they were about to return it, and they did. But its last day of being on display was a Sunday, and I thought,“I have to go and pay my respects to this piece.”And I maintain that only

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because we metabolize slower. So I eat breakfast and I eat dinner. I do not eat lunch. But we can’t have a life that’s only self-deprivation.

in New York would this happen: There were so many people there to see it that they had – what’s the word I’m searching for? – stanchions.

And I probably waited an hour and a half in line to see it again. That’s how many people there were. It brought me to tears; I found it to be so moving that people would care so much.

New Yorkers never cease to amaze. So as twilight approaches, where would we find you? You seem like a rooftop happy hour kind of guy.

A “rooftop happy hour kind of guy?”Ha! It’s just easy to picture Tim Gunn on a Manhattan rooftop with a glass of wine in his hand at dusk.

You’re quite right, though. I have a lovely terrace and when the weather’s nice, that’s where I have my glass of wine. This may or may not surprise you, but I really dislike going out at night. I’m a nester. I like cooking. I like the sanctity of my home. And I only accept invitations that are a must, things that I really have to do. So it’s rare for me to see something like The Cher Show twice. I saw it the first time the first night of the month-long previews, and I went with one of the investors. The second time, I had a friend here from Washington and I thought he’d love the show, so we went.

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What elements go into a great Manhattan dinner for you?

An environment that’s aesthetically enticing, that’s seductive in a way.

Food that’s delicious. But I think the more important component is just having just great conversation.

So having good company...?

You never know. If they’re people who you know of, you’ll have a certain expectation of them. And then you can get to a dinner party with them and you think, “Oh God, this is a colossal disappointment.

Or it can exceed all your expectations. I have to say one of the most thrilling moments I’ve ever had here in New York at a dinner party was discovering that sitting next to me was Nora Ephron. She was fabulous, and basically, I gushed, including quoting her work - what a boor! And

she smiled and nodded. When we were leaving the party, she said that she and her sister Delia and I should have lunch, but it didn’t happen.

I — like most people — didn’t know how ill she was. Within six months of that dinner, she was gone.

If someone’s looking to lure you out, how would they do so?

I would rather it be Broadway. That would be number one on my list.

Are you a musicals guy? Could somebody get you out on the town to see To Kill A Mockingbird, or…?

Oh, no no. They couldn’t. I have to tell you, the other thing about my evolution is that I have become — I think it’s this world we’ve been living in the last two years — I am so prone to tears that for me, it’s got to be a comedy, or it has to be a musical. I cannot do serious drama now. I just fight back the tears the whole time and it’s… Well, actually, it may be good for calorie burning. I hadn’t thought about that aspect.

But it’s awful. Have you seen Colin Quinn in Red State Blue State? It is so worth it; 80 minutes, no intermission. And it is hilarious. It’s at the Minetta Lane.

Can you complete this sentence? I believe no visit to New York City is complete without...

Oh my goodness. There’s so much I love about New York. I’m just thinking… I would say no visit to New York is complete without a walk along the Hudson River Esplanade. You take in much of the scope of the taller aspects of the city, because you’re in Lower Manhattan. You take in the Statue of Liberty. You take in the great expanse of New York Harbor. And there are various stops along the way where you’ll find quotes either carved into stone or made out of metal. There’s a Walt Whitman quote down by the World Financial Center on that walkway that brings me to tears all the time. It’s very uplifting, and it’s very inspiring. I find it rejuvenating, and it always reminds me of why I’m here and why people should visit.

■ WANT MORE TIM GUNN? READ MORE OF OUR CONVERSATION WITH HIM AND SEE HIM ON VIDEO NOW AT METROSOURCE.COM. METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

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WRITING A GAME CHANGER

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A QUARTER OF A CENTURY

after its release, Philadelphia remains groundbreaking.

When it first arrived, it was rare for a commercial film to present such an unvarnished portrayal of the challenges faced by those confronting AIDS. It garnered numerous accolades and awards, including Tom Hanks’ Oscar for portraying a gay HIV-positive lawyer, Andrew Beckett.

In recognition of its 25-year anniversary, Sony recently released a special digital version of Philadelphia. The package comes with bonus features, including a documentary about the making of the project. A limited series of screenings also took place across the country.

The film may now be etched in cinematic lore as an unprecedented look inside the world of AIDS. However Philadelphia was not an instant hit with critics or the public. Some activists criticized the Jonathan Demme-helmed film for focusing too heavily on straight characters. Larry Kramer argued that it did not present the “AIDS I know” or “the gay world I know.” Others balked at the initial homophobia displayed by Denzel Washington’s character.

Rotten Tomatoes observes that the film“indulges in some unfortunate clichés in its quest to impart a meaningful message.”Nevertheless, the film review site also allows that“its stellar cast and sensitive direction are more than enough to compensate.”

Metrosource spoke to Ron Nyswaner (pictured, above), who earned a screenwriting nomination from the Motion Picture Academy for Philadelphia. Nyswaner brushes his critics aside by pointing out,“Anything that’s a reminder to people that AIDS is a very powerful and dangerous thing is something that has to be reckoned with.”

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says.“That certainly resonates now with walls being built to keep people who aren’t like us out.”

Nyswaner adds that his film was not alone in tackling the topics of AIDS and homosexuality — both considered box office kryptonite at the time. He points to such predecessors as Longtime Companion and Parting Glances. But the scale of Philadelphia’s success helped to awakened America (and beyond) to the magnitude of the epidemic.

“Our goal was to have a movie that would speak outside of a small arthouse,” says the writer. “Smaller arthouse audiences didn’t need to have their minds opened to HIV and LGBT issues. We wanted to see if we could have a movie play in a mall cineplex and people would decide to go see our movie instead of the next installment of Die Hard.” But to create a film that would reach a mass market, did Philadelphia dilute the reality of the epidemic? And did it craft its portrayals of gay relationships such that they would not dissuade audiences from showing up?

Nyswaner also dismisses intimations that the film’s creators sanitized Andrew’s relationship with his partner Miguel (Antonio Banderas).“I would have liked a little more relationship between Andrew and Miguel,” he will concede today, but “no one ever said to me, ‘That’s too gay. That’s making the film too gay’. People had said the film was 10 minutes too long, so let’s cut a scene.”

However, Nyswaner did fight to keep an emotional scene where Andrew breaks down while listening to opera.“We had to defend it,” he says. Even gay executives questioned whether a focus on opera would cement stereotypes. A lot of people didn’t like it.”

While on location, the film also hired dozens of HIV-positive actors and crew members (all but one now deceased) and consulted with healthcare providers during production. A generation later, Nyswaner believes his work remains relevant as a tool to educate those who’ve grown up since, and don’t fully grasp what HIV/AIDS were and how attitudes about them today were forged back then.

“Its legacy is that you can watch the film and you can know something that is truthful about how some people lived in the early 1990s,” he concludes.“It has a place in history — because it is part of the story of gay history.”

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THIS PAGE: IMAGES COURTESY RON NYSWANER AND SONY PICTURES

BODY

METROHIV

In honor of Philadelphia’s 25th anniversary, we talk to its screenwriter about making tough choices behind the scenes — and why the film still resonates today. BY JEFF SIMMONS

LONE STAR LESSONS no-nonsense nun who unwittingly guided me to the end of my years as a Catholic. Previously I’d been an altar boy, taught Catechism and drank deep the Kool-Aid of the Holy Roman Church.

She called me to her office one day to skewer me about beer busts in the dorm. “But sister,” I protested,“they’re allowed to have beer busts in the handbook of regulations.”

“I know they are,” she said, arching an eyebrow. “I want you to make them stop.”

On Sundays, I would twitch in a pew next to my girlfriend as the priest railed against the sins of homosexuality. Then after mass, I’d be hit on by a parade of the Order of Brothers who taught at the school. “What size waist are you ... like a 28? I have some jeans that don’t fit me. You should come over and try them on.” I soon took my diploma and left the dogma behind.

In Austin, I came out, found my first partner and got my first journalism job as an entertainment reporter for The Austin American-Statesman. That gig gave me access to Willie Nelson’s bus, where I declined a toke offered by the man himself. People like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Donna Summer and Lily Tomlin called us to publicize their latest projects. And I learned to write.

Once I came to hate life behind the wheel of a car in LA, I returned to Austin to recharge. I spent valuable time there as one of the hosts of Kevin & Kevin, a weekday morning drive-time radio show. I loved that job because it taught me to reverse engineer everything I’d learned as a journalist. Rather than agonizing over finding the right word, I learned to shoot from the hip, be funny, be fast and as quickly as possible “get to the out” — radiospeak for the commercial break.

I soaked up all Texas could teach me before I felt ready to return to New York. El Paso taught me to respect cultures other than my own and that I should stand up to bullies like my stepfather. Lubbock helped me appreciate how people who lack sophistication might still possess strength of character. And Austin helped me get that the coolest thing I could be is me.

As I write this I find myself on a flight back to Texas — where two weeks ago, a gay couple was attacked after a night out at the same Austin bars I used to haunt. And over the weekend, my Facebook page blew up with reports that St. Ed’s has just barred one of the retired brothers from campus because of what they judged ‘inappropriate contact” with a then-17-year old student.

It makes wonder: Has the Trump era pushed Texas to provide aid and comfort to the same bullies and hypocrites who defined the worst of my time there? Will the Lone Star State ever live up to all its potential? That’s a lesson I’d love to learn.

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VIEWS

EVERY YEAR, I TRY TO GET BACK to Texas, and my New York friends never understand why. And so I explain again: my politics are strictly North Eastern liberal.

But my manners, tastes in music, food and friends? Those were all forged in the Southwest.

It’s hard to leave Texas behind — at least in terms of distance. When I left Austin to take a job at The Hollywood Reporter in LA, our map reported that at the halfway point between Central Texas and California, you’re still in Texas — El Paso to be exact.

Several of my sisters still live in El Paso, where we were transplanted from New York by my Mother’s third of six husbands.

Mom had a unique gift for drifting into a bar, finding a man to get bombed with and waking up sporting a hangover, a wedding ring and someone new that we were all supposed to call “Daddy.”

“El Paso Daddy” was a piece of work — a large, boorish drunken Army lifer who adopted us for our Social Security benefits and treated us like he was our drill sergeant. From him, I learned to answer to “Mister.” As in, “Mister, that patio needs policing” and “You don’t have brains God gave a pissant, Mister” and “Mister, you’ll never amount to a Goddamned thing.”

What did I love about El Paso? Not much. I did discover Mexican food there and will swear on a stack of tortillias that I had better enchiladas in my high school cafeteria than most restaurants serve outside Texas.

After graduating high school, I did half my degree work at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. There, when the wind turns in just the right direction, you can smell the stench of the slaughterhouses barely outside town. “Oh, that?” a local once said to me with a shrug. “That’s the smell of money, son.” In Lubbock, I also witnessed something truly Biblical: In mere moments, a clear blue sky could be overcome by an approaching brown curtain, and when the dust collided with the rain, we’d find ourselves in— I kid you not — a downpour of mud. I learned to drink there and two-step there. Deeply closeted, I also learned to cruise with secret agent-level stealth. My last semester in Lubbock, I sat in front of a boy in magazine writing class. Quiet kid. His name was John W. Hinckley Jr. and soon after, he’d leave Lubbock, too — to shoot Ronald Reagan.

I moved to Austin and finished my degree at St. Edward’s University, the poor Catholic cousin of Norte Dame. I also got a job there as head resident of the men’s dorms. My boss was a butch,

POV

Through a childhood in El Paso, college years in Lubbock and coming into his own in Austin, one gay man learned the best and the worst that Texas had to offer. BY KEVIN PHINNEY

HAVE YOU LEARNED ANY LIFE LESSONS ON THE DANCE FLOOR? SHARE YOUR STORY IN “GAY VOICES” AT METROSOURCE.COM. METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

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HEALTH BODY

THINK APPY THOUGHTS These popular mobile apps deliver the powerful health benefits of meditation for people on the go. BY MEGAN VENZIN

out an hour of quiet time in your bedroom seems impossible, you’re not alone. The breakneck American lifestyle is relentless and under that pressure, sometimes nothing sounds harder than confronting your own thoughts. Lucky for you (and whatever precious heirlooms you might inadvertently destroy in a rage fit), intrepid developers are delivering some of today’s best meditation practices via a platform we all know and love: mobile apps.

A clearer mind may be closer than you think, thanks to practices that incorporate deep breathing, inviting narrations, chanting and other calming techniques to get you grounded — regardless of whether you have an hour or mere minutes to spare. The key to developing a mindful practice is understanding precisely what that means for you. These five highly-rated applications are designed to help you do just that.

HEADSPACE If the very thought of adopting a meditation practice spurs anxiety, then this is the app for you. Headspace is the perfect app for absolute beginners who desire a clear and placid mind, but don’t know where to begin. The free trial includes 10 sessions

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which provide a simple way for users to “reframe stress,” complete with guided meditations, eye-catching animations and a reward system for repeat users. With sessions clocking in as short as three minutes to start, Headspace is a great option for anyone who simply seeks a midday break or wants to explore the many health-related benefits of meditation. Premium plans with advanced features are available starting at only $12.99 per month. headspace.com

CALM When was the last time you had a restful night’s sleep? Start using Calm, an app that focuses on restfulness and relaxation, and your mornings are sure to get a whole lot sweeter. Wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on your day with the help of Calm’s more than 100 guided meditations, which focus on problem areas like anxiety, sleep, relationships and more. In addition, Calm’s premium upgrade includes access to soothing sounds, a series of gentle stretching techniques and other features all intended to make you feel great. In the meantime, the free trial will have you have you sleeping faster than you can say Rip Van Winkle. calm.com

THIS PAGE: INDIAN YOGI YOGI MADHAV ON UNSPLASH

IF THE IDEA OF ATTENDING A GROUP MEDITATION CLASS OR CARVING

THE MINDFULNESS APP Considered the “gold standard” of meditation mobile applications, the Mindfulness App goes beyond basics to help experienced and neophyte meditation practitioners develop a tailored routine based on their existing meditation habits — be they daily or non-existent. Whether you prefer silent or guided meditations, the Mindfulness app has you covered with practices ranging from three to 30 minutes in length. Plus its integration function allows you to flow statistics into the Apple Health app to promote total wellness by integrating body and mind. themindfulnessapp.com

BUDDHIFY Are you traveling? With a friend? On a work break? Buddhify asks these questions straight away, then recommends the perfect practice to accommodate your busy schedule. Its colorful interface, inviting format and ability to weave mindfulness into everyday activities have made it an international sensation, and at only $30 a year for a membership, it also tops out as one of the most affordable meditation apps on the market. buddhify.com ■

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INSIGHT TIMER With more than 4,500 free guided meditations in the palm of your hand, Insight Timer will help you reach your highest self. Experienced practitioners will appreciate the hundreds of meditation music tracks which can also be used for personal sessions. For easy offline listening, frequent travelers and instructors may wish to spring for Insight Timer’s paid subscription service. It’s currently the top-rated free meditation app for iPhone and Android, with more than 6,100,000 users calling it “om.” insighttimer.com

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Dolores Park, Downtown San Francisco

DESTINATION HEALTH IN 2011 RESEARCHER JENS PRUESSNER RELEASED A STUDY CALLED “STRESS IN

the City: Brain Activity and Biology Behind Disorders of Urbanites.” The study showed“being born and raised in a major urban area [is] associated with greater lifetime risk for anxiety and mood disorders.”Until now the biology for these associations had not been explored in much detail. Now a study shows that “two distinct brain regions that regulate emotion and stress are affected by city living.”

Does this mean we should all move to a commune? Not necessarily.

There are still plenty of healthy cities in the U.S. In 2018 Wallethub released a report of America’s healthiest and least healthy cities.

The findings compared more than 170 of our most populated cities while factoring in “40 key indicators of good health.” These indicators came from four key dimensions: health care, food, fitness and green space. For health care, some indicators included premature death rates, mental health and counselors, physical health and dentists and the cost of a medical visit. Indicators for food included fruit and vegetable consumption, farmer’s markets, healthy restaurants, dieticians and nutritionists and number of obese residents. Fitness indicators took into account health clubs (and their average cost), weight-loss centers, fitness trainers and aerobics instructors. The calculus for green spaces included local parkland acres; park quality; hiking, running and walking trails, and access to recreation, physical activity and “greenness.” Data to establish Wallethub’s ranking came from the U.S. Census Bureau, Council for Community and Economic Research, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, County Health Rankings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Trust for Public Land and Under Armour.

The top ten healthiest cities (in order) are San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Diego, CA; Washington, DC; Burlington, VT; Scottsdale, AZ; Honolulu, HI; Irvine, CA and Denver, CO. Conversely, they conclude our least healthy cities are Brownsville, TX; Laredo, TX; Augusta, GA; Shreveport, LA; Gulfport, MS; Fort Smith, AR; Detroit, MI; Jackson, MS; Corpus Cristi, TX and Memphis, TN.

GETTING AROUND BY THE BAY Wildfire smoke may blow into the area, but San Francisco has been a

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health and wellness pioneer. Consider their expansive parks and green areas, wellness centers, healthy restaurant options, beaches, markets and more. Looking to get a closer look at this City by the Bay? Meander through Golden Gate Park or Dolores Park and take in some of the most beautiful landscaping — not to mention the strolling eye candy — in the country. It’s reputed to have the nation’s most walking trails per capita, followed by Washington, DC. Here, you can get a little closer to Nirvana by walking in the footsteps of the late cult hero Alan Watts, the Buddhist philosopher whose writings influenced the hippies and the beat generations. There’s said to be over 100 spots to get your asana on in San Francisco. Some of the more popular yoga studios include Laughing Lotus Yoga Center, Yoga Garden SF, Yoga to the People and Yoga Mayu.

Once you work up an appetite, San Francisco also boasts the fifthhighest number of healthy restaurants per capita. Consider checking out Asian Box, where everything is gluten-free; Dabba, a popular Caribbean, Indian, Mexican and Cajun spot in the Marina; Mendocino Farms, where you can indulge in“the healthiest side salad ever;”and Kitava, the super-healthy paleo diet-friendly hotspot ironically doing business out of a former McDonald’s location on Mission Street.

CAPITAL WAYS TO EAT CLEAN The abundance of scenic landscaping in and around Washington, DC, is undoubtedly part of the reason it lands as the fifth healthiest city in the lineup. Pierre L’Enfant, DC’s first urban planner, designed the nation’s capital to be beautified by public gardens and spaces. Some of DC’s incredible gardens include the U.S. National Arboretum, which boasts one of North America’s largest collections of bonsai trees; the 1,700-acre Rock Creek Park, established in 1890; the Hirshhorn Museum’s 1.5-acre Sculpture Garden in the middle of the National Mall; Merdian Hill Park; Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill; Kenilworth Park & Acquatic Gardens; the U.S. Botanic Garden, and Georgetown’s Tudor Place Historic House & Garden. “Eating Clean”has also taken off all over DC with an expansive selection of vegetarian, vegan and ultra healthy restaurant options like HipCityVeg, NuVegan Cafe, the DC homegrown Sweetgreen chain, swank Blagden Alley farm-to-table favorite The Dabney, and the EatWell

STOCK PHOTO COPYRIGHT: JEJIM

BODY

HEALTH

We look at a study ranking the nation’s healthiest cities, then take a look at how LGBTQ citizens and visitors alike can make the most of them. BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES

Scottsdale

Seattle’s Downtown Skyline and Mt. Rainier, Washington

DC collection of seven distinct restaurants in the area: Grillfish, Logan Tavern, Commissary, The Pig, The Shaw, The Charles and Frenchy’s Naturel. Every DC resident (yes, that’s 100 percent) lives within two miles of a recreation center and there are over 70 miles of bike lanes in the city with more than 1,100 bikes available in their expanding bike sharing system.

STOCK PHOTO COPYRIGHT: SORINCOLAC

VALLEY OF THE SPAS Scottsdale is part of the “Valley of the Sun” in the Sonoran Desert.

The term is a nod to the area’s roughly 330 days of total or at least partially sunny days. Wellness is a way of life Scottsdale, which boasts the highest number of spas per capita in the U.S. Unique treatments available include the cannabidiol (CBD) remedies offered at the Agave, and the Arizona Spa at the The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. After your treatment, be sure to visit the spa’s Tea Leaf Reader/Astrologer and Intuitive Consultant to forecast your next wellness experience.

The Four Seasons at Troon North features a number of signature treatments, including The Pinnacle Facial with anti-inflammatory properties of gold and gold-infused sugar scrub and shimmer oil and a Jojoba and Prickly Pear Polish treatment to heal your body and leave it smooth and moisturized. Joya Spa at the Omni Montelucia (inspired by the Moroccan desert and Andalusia) provides a wide range of healing experiences, taking guests through Hamam-inspired spa rituals. The journey begins with an escorted walk up a grand staircase to the “Joy of Intention Room” where guests choose a healing stone to set the tone for the day (Tiger Eye, Blue Lace Agate, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, or Hematite). Guests then move to the room of purification where sits a 55-pound quartz crystal radiating light before transporting to the authentic Hamam in the Sonoran.

Spagoers looking for Native American-inspired treatments should head to The Boulders Spa, to take in the “Journey of the Sacred Circle.”

Created using Native American belief systems as a guide, this is a series of spa services that follows a “medicine wheel” of human experiences which emulate the natural cycle of Earth, its moon phases and the four seasons. You might opt for the Sun Suite Celebration, which is a full day experience where you can soak up the sweeping views of the Boulders while taking in three 50-minute services: one 50-minute nail service, a

spa lunch and amenities like a private outdoor whirlpool, fireplace and steam shower.

Looking for something more physical? Some of the best hiking trails in the country are right in Scottsdale’s backyard. There’s the Pinnacle Peak Summit Trail, a 3.5-mile hike. Or try the strenuous 4-mile Tom’s Thumb Trail, with an elevation gain of 1,236 feet. Out in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, you can explore the peaceful Gateway Loop Trail, a 4.5-mile trail with a manageable 655-foot elevation. If you’re looking to beat the heat, Salt River Rafting is definitely an option. Salt River Rafting offers a full day 10-mile adventure featuring 14 Class III rapids and a riverside lunch for $129. Their longer excursions include a threeday wilderness trip that provides Indian ruins and a unique opportunity to explore the Salt River Canyon Wilderness. Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain offers Standup Paddleboard Yoga, which combines a variety of yoga poses — encouraging you to be mindful about your breathing with an incredible backdrop. WOGA (Water Yoga) is also offered at the spa/ resort/sanctuary CIVANA Carefree. Cool off in their unique 50-minute yoga class; just don’t be afraid to get wet.

AND AS FOR THE LEAST HEALTHY CITIES...

Our advice to those living in the least healthy cities? Get outside and move your body! The ACSM American Fitness Index’s 2018 rankings states“regular physical activity is one of the most important ways people can improve and maintain their health. ... While a significant proportion of Americans are physically active, less than 25 percent of adults meet national physical activity guidelines. With obesity rates climbing to 40 percent of adults and obesity-related medical costs exceeding $147 billion yearly, increasing physical activity has never been more important to the nation’s health and economic outcomes.”

Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and eating fruits and vegetables rich in water and nutrients. Make healthy food choices by eating seasonally and planning your meals so that they’re continually well-rounded. Lastly, get plenty of sleep. Consistently getting a good night’s sleep is just as important as eating well and exercising.

You might not be able to change your physical surroundings to give you maximum access to parks and fitness instructors and haute vegan cuisine. But you can certainly take a few steps in the right direction. ■ METROSOURCE.COM APRIL/MAY 2019

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SOMETHING IN THE AIR you to call out of work, close your windows, and start Googling “How can I eliminate toxins?” While there’s little you can do to control the local air quality when you step outside, there are definitely a few key things you can do to make sure the air quality in your home is serving purity eleganza for your upcoming RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing party. Two easy steps you can take towards cleaning your home air are investing in a quality air purifier and picking up some new house plants.

Molekule (molekule.com), backed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is an excellent investment

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HEALTH

THESE DAYS, A QUICK LOOK AT THE AIR QUALITY INDEX MIGHT PROMPT

Molekule

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in detoxifying the air in your living space. Considered the world’s first “molecular air purifier,” Molekule’s patented technology brings a new approach to air purification — completely eliminating the full spectrum of indoor pollutants and breaking them down at a molecular level. “For over a decade, the EPA has recognized that indoor air is often five times – and in some cases even 100 times – more polluted than the air outside. Since people spend more than 80 percent of their time indoors, it is essential that they breathe healthy air in their homes,” according to April Richards, EPA SBIR Program Manager. “Molekule’s technology has the potential to offer an efficient method of purifying indoor air. EPA’s SBIR Program provided the initial funding for this project, and helps support the development and commercialization of technologies like these.”

The technology behind Molekule was developed from of over 20 years of research led by Dr. D. Yogi Goswami, a globally recognized expert in solar technology. In 1995, he sought to use his background in solar energy to find a way to relieve his son’s debilitating asthma symptoms. Think your air purifier with a builtin HEPA filter is enough? Many pollutants are smaller than 0.3 microns, which HEPA filters simply aren’t able to remove.

Once you’ve got your air purifier, it’s time to really go green and, as Voltaire would say, “cultivate your garden.” In 1989, NASA published its findings in the NASA Clean Air Study. It states, “If man is to move into closed environments on Earth or in space, he must take along nature’s life support system.” They examined certain chemicals abundant in indoor spaces. These chemicals, including benzene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde (and others) are irritants, trigger allergies and asthma, and are proven to be cancer-causing after prolonged exposure. NASA proposed an expansive list of plant options to combat these chemicals. We’ve distilled those down to a simple list of five plants that will not only help you to breathe easier (and better), but just might impress friends and family at your next game night.

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Simple tips to reduce toxins in the air so that you can breathe better, and stay healthier at home. BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES

4. MOTHER-IN-LAW’S TONGUE:

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2. PEACE LILY: Peace lily plants are also easy to grow and maintain. These tropical evergreen plants shine in shady or partially sunny spots. Their pretty white flowers will typically bloom and open up in the summer, adding a subtle aroma to the air. They are known to remove pollutants like ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air.

3. ALOE VERA:

Though you’d have a tough time getting through customs if you tried bringing an aloe vera plant home from vacation in Aruba, it’s easy to find one of more than 300 different species of this popular succulent. Long celebrated for their healing properties, Aloe barbadensis provides an extremely useful addition to your indoor garden. Aloe plant leaves are chock full of amino acids, enzymes, vitamins and other goodies useful in an anti-inflammatory or antibacterial capacity — or a quick way to help heal a wound.

Indoor Aloe vera will thrive best when placed on a partly sunny windowsill where it can receive bright but indirect light.

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5. BAMBOO PALM: Have a dark apartment? Adopt a bamboo palm plant, known by botanists as chamaedorea seifrizii. Bamboo palms are pet friendly and can grow up to 12 feet high, but they don’t require much attention. Be sure to plant yours in a pot that allows for well-drained soil. These plants are dramatic and add a bright flair to any room they inhabit. Their cousin Parlor palm also appreciate being nestled in a dimly lit corner. They’re known to remove benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.

Plants and purifiers aside, what else can you do? Perhaps the most simple thing is to doff your shoes as soon as you get home. You never know what you walked through out in that big bad world. You could be tracking in a variety of allergens, chemicals, pollen, dirt and whatever your neighbor’s dog left for you on the sidewalk. Do your best to leave it outside. Next, do a survey of what’s in your home.

Are there aerosol cans or chemical air fresheners around? Throw them out and opt for greener alternatives. The EPA has information on their website about volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted as gases from solids or liquids and can have both short and long-term adverse health effects. Additionally it’s important to clean, and not just for aesthetics. Keep your floors and carpets free from dust and debris. Make sure there’s no mold or mildew on your ceilings and walls and do your best to ventilate and keep air moving throughout your home. Now take a deep breath and enjoy!

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Yes, you read that correctly, Mother-in-law’s tongue, or “Snake Plant,” is a recognizable house plant that is extremely easy to care for. This succulent responds to a variety of light conditions from bright light and full sun to a shady corner. However, something Mother-inlaw’s tongue does not respond to is lots of water. Native to tropical parts of West Africa from Nigeria to the Congo, the plant is unique because it stores and releases oxygen only at night. The plant is known to remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene from the air.

HEALTH

1. SPIDER PLANT: Haven’t had a houseplant before? Go with a spider plant. Formally chlorophytum comosum, these plants produce long, thin, arched foliage that can be solid green or green with hints of white. They were a favorite of the Victorian era, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer like a Brontë Sister to maintain them. Spider plants like shady or partially sunny parts of the home. They’re hard-working air purifiers, removing both formaldehyde and xylene.

IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING Go camping with BangOn!NYC, have a (Governors) Ball. Then get ready for the sounds of summer with Amanda Palmer, the New York Philharmonic and more. BY MEGAN VENZIN The Dresden Dolls. Her new album and its accompanying artbook is a crowdfunded project three years in the making. amandapalmer.net

The Gloaming

THE GLOAMING Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall April 6 The traditions of Celtic music get a 21st Century makeover when The Gloaming, a fivepiece band from Ireland, hits Carnegie Hall this spring. Presented in collaboration with the citywide festival MIGRATIONS: The Making of America, The Gloaming’s enchanting jazz-meets-contemporary sound is a perfect way to celebrate their homeland’s storied past and the cultural melting pot that is our shared future. carnegiehall.org Mahler’s Symphony

piece that’s tackled by only the world’s most prodigious orchestras. Experience it as never before when the masters at The New York Philharmonic perform its 90 minutes of soaring movements and mesmerizing passages, most of which are autobiographical in nature.

Among them is “Alma Theme,” an audio-sensory portrait of Mahler’s wife. nyphil.org

AMANDA PALMER: THERE WILL BE NO INTERMISSION The Beacon Theatre April 20 The inimitable Amanda Palmer (or Amanda F*cking Palmer, if you prefer) brings her solo tour to the Upper West Side this spring in support of her forthcoming album, There Will Be No Intermission. Palmer rose to fame as the lead vocalist, pianist and lyricist of the groundbreaking indie rock-meets-punk cabaret duo, Amanda Palmer

THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC: MAHLER’S SYMPHONY NO. 6 David Geffen Hall April 11-13 Beautiful; yet tragic. Dramatic and daring.

Mahler’s Sixth is a heart-wrenching master-

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New York Hall of Science at Flushing Meadows Park Open April 20 Soak up the spring air starting on Saturday nights with a visit to the Queens International Night Market, located just inside Flushing Meadows Park. Now in its fifth year, the popular market (which attracts some 10,000 people every night), will host 200 vendors, among them a collection of the borough’s best food trucks, specialty retailers and local artists. queensnightmarket.com

WYNTON MARSALIS AND KEN BURNS: COUNTRY MUSIC Jazz at Lincoln Center April 25-27 Prolific documentarian Ken Burns and jazz and classical trumpet master Wynton Marsalis join forces on a fascinating journey through the nation’s musical foundations for three nights this April. Featuring never-before-seen footage from Burns’ upcoming Country Music documentary and live performances from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, this presentation promises to explore the stories behind America’s most beloved country musicians and the songs that transformed good ol’ folks like Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash into the stuff of legend. jazz.org

MUNDOS ALTERNOS: ART AND SCIENCE FICTION IN THE AMERICAS ALIEN SKINS Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art April 25-May 26 Science-fiction fans love how the genre provokes them to think about the future’s yetto-be-tapped potential. That’s in the spotlight

This Page: The gloaming PhoTo crediT rich gilligan • amanda Palmer PhoTo By Kahn and selesnicK

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THE QUEENS INTERNATIONAL NIGHT MARKET

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION 2019 Audubon Center at Prospect Park April 28 Salute the awesomeness of our endangered environment at Prospect Park Alliance’s annual Earth Day Celebration. This familyfriendly outdoor event features catch-andrelease fishing,“raptor demonstrations,” arts and crafts activities, volunteer cleanup opportunities and much more. Give Mother Earth a break — and take one for yourself while you’re at it. prospectpark.org

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that define their lives here on Earth. Alien Skins features work from contemporary artists like AZTLAN Dance Company, Claudia Dichochea and Robert“Cyclona”Legorretta, to name but a few. leslielohman.org

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The Metropolitan Opera May 3-11 Set in Paris at the start of the French Revolution, Dialogues des Carmélites weaves the mournful tale of a nun’s undying faith and her path to martyrdom. John Dexter’s riveting production of Francis Poulenc’s classic tragedy will be led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and sung in French by leading ladies Isabel Leonard (mezzo-soprano) and Karita Mattila (soprano). metopera.org

BANGON!NYC PRESENTS ELEMENTS LAKEWOOD CAMPING FESTIVAL Lakewood, PA May 24-27 Pack your bags, because this Memorial Day

THIS PAGE: ALIEN SKINS CREDIT COURTESY UCR ARTS

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Alien Skins

of Mundos Alternos, a multi-satellite exhibition organized by UCR Arts at the University of California, Riverside. It will be on display at a number of New York City institutions including Queens Museum, the Museum of the Moving Image and The Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art. One “constellation” of this exhibition is Alien Skins, a showcase which uses unique costumes to remove artists from the physical characteristics and social constructs

THE GOVERNORS BALL MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL

THIS PAGE: BANGON!NYC ELEMENTS LAKEWOOD JULIAN CASSADY • GOVBALL 18 - BILLY EILISH- RON HO

BangOn!NYC Elements Lakewood

Weekend, you’re going camping! Brooklyn’s favorite partymakers bring their critically acclaimed Elements Arts and Music Festival to a beautiful locale just across state lines in the Poconos. You’ve never seen anything quite like this adult summer camp-themed music festival, which features an all-star lineup of bands and DJs including live electronic duo Big Gigantic, synth-pop tastemakers Sofi Tukker, and techno legend Seth Troxler (and a full slate beyond). When you’re not raving in the forest or hunting for booty aboard a floating pirate ship, awaken your inner child with outdoor activities like kayaking, rock climbing, yoga and field games, or simply catch some rays with your beach bud besties.

This is a four-day weekend to make you feel young again! bangon-nyc.com

Randalls Island May 31-June 2 Now in its ninth year, The Governors Ball Music and Arts Festival returns to beautiful Randall’s Island for three days of performances from such world-renowned acts as English indie rockers Florence + The Machine, hip-hop legend Nas and electro visionary Gesaffelstein. In addition to four stages of non-stop entertainment, the festival also features a decadent food lineup, which in the past has included critically

Governors Ball Music Arts Festival

acclaimed bites from the renowned Ramen Burger to Korilla’s signature Korean BBQ tacos.

Finish your visit with a few rounds of mini-golf and you’ll understand why GovBallNYC may be the best way to kick off summer in the city!

Three-day and one-day tickets are now available. governorsballmusicfestival.com

SPILLING OVER: PAINTING COLOR IN THE 1960S The Whitney Museum of Art Through Summer 2019 The notion of color is tied to countless constructs, from race to gender to politics. Spilling Over: Painting Color in the 1960s is an exhibition which draws from The Whitney’s existing collection and features an array of artists who also served as activists during the Civil Rights and Women’s Rights movements. Their work reveals just how powerful these varying tones can be. A mostly abstract presentation invites viewers to draw their own conclusions regarding perception and presence, shades and shapes. whitney.org/exhibitions/spilling-over ■

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HOME NEW YORK

Poliform Contemporary Furniture

MODERN ROMANCE Add a touch of chic to your digs with the clean lines and sculptural forms of modern furniture.

BY DEBORAH L. MARTIN MANY PEOPLE SAY THEY LOVE MODERN FURNITURE, BUT THEY OFTEN DON’T

really know what modern means. Furniture catalogs and showrooms can be confusing, tossing around words like Midcentury, Bauhaus, or the ubiquitous“contemporary.”Thus, for someone who just wants to inject a little edge into their homes, choosing new furniture can produce a serious case of decorating anxiety.

Don’t despair; it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Incorporating modern elements into your existing décor doesn’t require a decorator, just some thoughtful decision-making.

It’s a good idea to know what style you are looking for before you shop.“Modern”has essentially come to mean anything that doesn’t look

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like you’d find it in a dusty antique shop or your parents’ house in suburbia. But when correctly used in reference to furniture, modern refers to a specific period and style. Beginning in the 1940s, designers like Charles and Ray Eames, Verner Panton, and Finn Juhl began to create furniture using new forms and materials. Think sleek lines, engineered materials, and interesting color palettes. For example, there’s the iconic Eames lounge chair made of steamed plywood and leather. Or picture the curvaceous Panton chair in bright, molded plastic. If those designs intrigue you, don’t be afraid to add a piece to your space. However, if your primary furnishings are Chippendale style, you might want to consider something less over-the-top modern.

Bardot Chair in Slate and Nude by Gabriel Scott

THIS SPREAD: ALL PHOTOS COURTESY THEIR DESIGNERS.

Dean Oval Dining Table in Brass-Gray

by Gabriel Scott

“Contemporary” pieces can be a good way to introduce a modern-esque look into your home, without having to make a huge commitment. Contemporary can bridge the gap between hyper-modern and colonialstyle furnishings. Its pared-down profiles with very little in the way of embellishment can go with almost anything. Clean-lined sectionals with stainless steel legs, pedestal tables, and sculptural chairs all fit the bill, and can be mixed with more traditional pieces. Start small, by adding a chic contemporary side table that functions as sculpture, as well as a place to rest your drink.

Another way to add a contemporary or modern element is choosing industrial or sculptural sconces and floor lamps. Finishes are important as well. Look for pieces made from polished cement or metallic chrome to add a reflective touch. Graphic pillows or rugs can also add a contemporary feel without necessitating a full-room redesign.

No matter how you choose to introduce modern edge, the most important factor is love. Don’t buy a chromed-up, cutting edge coffee table just because you want to impress your friends. No matter how au courant it is, if you don’t love the piece, you will end up kicking it to the curb.

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New Hope

SYLVAN DELIGHTS

DESTINATION WEDDINGS SAYING “I DO” IN PENNSYLVANIA

NEW YORK

METROMONY

LOOKING FOR A RUSTIC PICTURESQUE SPOT FOR A

foliage-infused destination wedding? Consider Bucks County, PA. Located just north of Philadelphia and bordered by the Delaware River, fans of the founding fathers flock to the site where Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776. History buffs can opt to get married at a variety of venues at Washington Crossing Historic Park (washingtoncrossingpark.org), including a 248-seat auditorium.

Washington's crossing aside, there are plenty of places to say “I do” around Bucks County.

Crossing Vineyards and Winery (crossingvineyards.com) was founded by the Carroll Family in 2000, but the property sits on a 200-yearold-estate with sweeping views of the 20-acre vineyard. Weddings can accommodate 25-175 guests. The Vistas at the Vineyard Wedding package, for larger groups, is available May through October; more intimate Winery Weddings offers guests a quaint indoor space surrounded by oak barrel-lined walls and wrought iron chandeliers.

Doylestown and New Hope are two of the most recognizable gay destinations in the area.

Wedding venues close to New Hope include Hotel du Village and Centre Bridge Inn. Hotel

du Village (hotelduvillage.com) is a historic French countryside estate about a mile and a half north of town. The property is perched on 12 acres of countryside and features two newly updated event spaces: the “Historic Ballroom” and “Colt Ballroom” — each with its own fireplace and unique touches of Pennsylvanian antiquity. The property also boasts 22 guest rooms for your wedding party. Further up the river, Centre Bridge Inn (centrebridgeinn.com) has a main floor ballroom and a second story riverfront terrace.

Nearby in Chalfont, Nostalgia 1720 (nostalgia1720.com) opened in April, but dates back to 1720 when its original farmhouse sat on a plantation owned by Welsh immigrants. Outdoor spots to grab Insta snaps include a garden, a vintage gazebo, a kissing bench and an adorable fountain. Nostalgia 1720 can accommodate up to 250 guests.

Further up the Delaware River, The Golden Pheasant Inn (goldenpheasant.com) can easily host up to 100 wedding guests. The Inn, built in 1857, is the longest continuously operating restaurant/hotel along the Delaware Canal. Recognized on the National Registry of Historic Places, the property got a complete upgrade in 2012.

Around the corner, Sand Castle Winery (sandcastlewinery.com), founded in 1974, hosts opu-

lent weddings in and around their Bratislava castle-inspired property. The 10,000-squarefoot castle includes a tented Garden Pavilion, the second floor Grand Hall, an expansive tasting room and a 7,000-foot wine cellar for up to 225 seated guests. Further inland, Rose Bank Winery (rosebankwinery.com) is even more rustic. Situated on a subdivision of land originally deeded by William Penn to his daughters, it has structural roots dating back to 1719. The Rose Ballroom is capable of holding 250, while The Buckman Barn (built in 1835) can accommodate 60 or up to 100 with an adjoining patio. The Vitner’s Ballroom has a large open downstairs, upstairs loft and enormous second story outdoor deck for up to 200.

AISLE ADVICE WHAT'S FOR DINNER? THOUGH MANY VENUES REQUIRE YOU TO GO

with in-house caterers, if you're free to pick your own, you've got some homework to do:

BUDGET FIRST Sit down with your fiancée and set a clear budget for all food and beverages for your big day. Take everything into consideration: ap-

Yachts for All Seasons Let’s Start Planning Your Special Day Today

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Fonthill Castle

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Have a rustic wedding in Pennsylvania, consider your catering options and get our updates on marriage equality. BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES

petizers/passed food, the meal itself, bar costs, the Venetian Hour, and last but not least your big beautiful cake. Be realistic.

SHOP AROUND Check with your venue for a list of preferred caterers they work with, then visit their websites.

Consider references and reviews. Set up phone calls or preliminary meetings with any who stand out. Look at their social media accounts, and ask for opinions - especially from people who have worked with them. Request an additional initial estimate so you can factor in pricing when weighing relative advantages. Once you’ve narrowed down your list, inquire about an actual tasting. Often caterers will charge a fee for their tastings; this is standard.

THE DISCUSSION Once you find your dream caterer, go through the nuts and bolts of your wedding. Things to cover in your conversation include staffing: bartenders, waiters, runners, chefs, coordinators; any necessary licenses or certificates; rentals

(what’s included and what might be extra); the bar (can you save by supplying your own alcohol?); how they handle tips/gratuity; and most importantly, the menu. Be clear about your expectations. If it's important to you, ask about things like whether their food is locally sourced, farm to table, and sustainable.

THE CONTRACT Go over this in detail, especially the (heaven forbid) cancellation policy so there are no surprises later. Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate, and while caterers will do their best to accommodate, they need to cover themselves as well. This is why insurance is essential. Once you have reviewed your contract, ask a friend or family member to go through it with you. Request any necessary changes you deem necessary, and be prepared to look elsewhere if the final agreement is not to your liking.

ding date to your favorite world cuisines. You don't need to serve salmon, chicken or marinated beef tips. If you want British Pub fare, menu straight out of Chinatown menu, or a mouthwatering Thai buffet, go for it.

BUFFET OR SEATED? There are pros and cons to consider. A potential plus is that buffets can reduce your overall price by requiring fewer servers. Consider whether the size of the wedding and the layout of the venue means guests will lose more time on a buffet line or waiting to be served. Make sure the buffet will be restocked such that table 1 and table 99 both get well served. Buffets also have the advantage of getting guests out of their seats and chatting with people they might not otherwise meet. This choice may also offer a wider range of options.

SPECIAL NEEDS TO THEME OR NOT TO THEME You may wish to tie your choices together with a theme. Consider everything from your wed-

It’s important to take allergies and eating philosophies into account. You may have guests who are vegan, pescatarian or gluten-free.

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Consider incorporating the opportunity to share this info into your RSVP, and coordinate with your caterer to ensure they can deal with any dietary restrictions long before the wedding date.

a cotton candy booth, a donut wall or even an ice sculpture shot station might bring to the party. Make sure your location has enough space (and power outlets) to handle what you'll have cooking.

FOOD STATIONS

NEW YORK

METROMONY

If you’re having an elaborate sit down dinner you might not initially consider food stations, but consider the fun that a popcorn station, a candy buffet,

WED IN THE WORLD ARIZONA Scottsdale residents Nick Caprio and Matt Jacobi are planning a May wedding.

In preparation, they created a same-sex wedding Barbie set for their eight-yearold niece, Natalie. To do so, they had to buy two heteronormative wedding sets.

Then, they took their creation to Instagram with this message: “Hi @mattel! Happy Holidays. We had a difficult time finding a same-sex wedding set to give to my niece for her 8th birthday. She and her little sister are flower girls in our upcoming May wedding. We thought it would be special to give her something with a little meaning behind it. What a bummer you don’t make one with two grooms. Anyway, we had to get creative and make a couple purchases.

I hope our custom gift inspires you to make a #GayWedding set!...Kindest Regards, Matt Jacobi (America’s Favorite #Guncle)” Mattel has asked the couple to meet in Los Angeles to talk about the idea.

ART AFTER

April 24 - July 21

1969-1989

April 24 -July 20

Adam Rolston, I Am Out Therefore I Am, 1989, © and courtesy the artist.

STONEWALL 68

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LeslieLohman.org

greyartgallery.nyu.edu

2/14/2019 11:47:38

Rowan County clerk Kim Davis may face $222,000 in legal fees. Davis broke the law in 2015 when she refused to issue marriage licenses because of her opposition to same-sex marriage. A district judge ruled in 2017, but the $222,000 in legal fees was paid for by Kentucky taxpayers. Governor Matt Bevin, who previously supported Davis, now says Kentucky taxpayers “should not have to collectively bear the financial responsibility for Davis’ intransigence.”

TEXAS Engaged couple Jeffrey Cannon and Aaron Lucero started planning their wedding this past January and had their sites set on The Venue at Waterstone in Celina, TX. Then The Venue sent an email refusing to host the couple on religious grounds. Popular wedding-planning website, The Knot, has removed the Venue at Waterstone as a result of the discriminatory exchange.

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THIS PAGE: STOCK PHOTO CREDIT ALFREDO COSENTINO

KENTUCKY

STRING OF PEARLS

How a store intended to educate through retail became an NYC institution. BY MEGAN VENZIN

THIS PAGE: COURTESY PEARL RIVER MART

sales were copies of Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book, slippers and soy sauce. The selection has expanded far beyond these meager offerings over

the past 48 years, but the driving mission behind Pearl River Mart remains: to treat every customer like a good friend. pearlriver.com ■

NY HOTSHOPS

items behind Pearl River Mart’s windows stop pedestrians in their tracks. The Asianinspired home furnishings and decor outlet is filled with gifts and household items representing an astonishing array of Asian culture. There’s a lot of love inside these walls, too.

“My father-in-law started Pearl River Mart as a ‘friendship store,’ and at its essence, that’s what it still is,” says President Joanne Kwong. The original location on Catherine Street in Chinatown was founded in 1971 at a time when relations between China and the United States were frozen. Despite the trade embargo in effect, Kwong’s father-in-law Ming Yi Chen and a few activist friends set out to open a shop with a subtly political mission: to bring household goods and tasty treats from China. The hope was familiarity would overcome looming suspicions.

Although rising rents have forced the shop to relocate over the years, the institution continues to thrive. Pearl River Mart now boasts a multi-level flagship location in TriBeCa, a lively hangout in Chelsea Market and a new spot inside the Museum of Chinese in America. They continue to educate about Asian culture while helping designers and artists realize their potential.“We have an art gallery in our TriBeCa store where we host shows for Asian and Asian American artists, and in all our stores we feature Asian-American entrepreneurs whose creations [vary from] Asian-fit sunglasses to bespoke ties made from kimono fabric,” Kwong says.

“People can expect to see something new every time they come inside Pearl River Mart, which adds excitement and purpose to their shopping experience. We love to surprise people and meet them where their interests lie.”

One glance at the collections of highquality fashion, decorative fans and Lunar New Year supplies and customers are hard pressed to believe that the store’s first

NEW YORK

THE COLORFUL CLOTHING AND CULTURAL

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BAR SOURCE Edited by Jeffrey James Keyes

CHELSEA BARRACUDA This Chelsea lounge features cool music, cute crowds, wild drag shows and talent competitions hosted on the tiny stage in the rear.

275 W. 22nd St. at Eighth Ave., NYC 212-645-8613

FLAMING SADDLES

WEST VILLAGE

When they’re not mixing up vodka sodas in glass steins, bartenders jump up on the bar to do choreographed boot-scootin’ to Achy Breaky-type tunes at this one-of-a-kind Hell’s Kitchen tavern. 793 Ninth Ave. at 53rd St., NYC 212-713-0481

THE DUPLEX

HARDWARE

BOXERS CHELSEA

It’s the city’s oldest continuing cabaret/piano bar. Downstairs, the staff performs in between bouts of serving. Upstairs is a more traditional boy bar and an intimate room that books cabaret acts.

61 Christopher St. at Seventh Ave. South, NYC 212-255-5438

Big gay sports bar outfitted with flat-screens broadcasting all manner of games, multiple counters, pool tables and a smoking patio out back. A long bar faces a pizza oven dispensing mouth-watering pies. Hottest bartenders in town? See for yourself! 37 W. 20th St. between Fifth and Sixth Aves., NYC 212-624-5942

Cheap drinks are poured at the front bar and fun tunes are spun for the rear dance floor at this breezy neighborhood haunt. Live performers like Monet X Change, Miz Cracker & Showbiz Spitfire Paige Turner also hit the stage. Opens at noon daily. 697 Tenth Ave between 47th and 48th Sts., NYC 212-924-9885

HENRIETTA HUDSON

THE EAGLE

INDUSTRY

This dark and cruisy leather-and-Levi’s clubs boasts a great rooftop deck. Some of its popular events include Foot Fetish Mondays, Wednesday Jockstrap Night, and Frisky Saturdays. 554 W. 28th St. between Tenth and Eleventh Aves., NYC 646-473-1866

The owners of Barracuda and Elmo opened this capacious venue with couch-filled nooks, a game room with pool table, and industrial design that’s a nod to its parking-garage past. Tina Burner, and Kizha Carr shake things up on a weekly basis. 355 W. 52nd St. between Eighth and Ninth Aves., NYC 646-476-2747

The Village’s oldest continuously-operating bar went gay in the 1950s and became the city’s oldest gay bar. It’s comfy for cheap drinks, burgers and fries; don’t miss the once-a-month Mattachine party. 159 W. 10th St. at Waverly Pl., NYC 212-243-1928

GYM At this popular after work sports bar, a team of plasma-screen TVs broadcasting the hottest games, a pool table and a basement dugout. Who are those cuties behind the bar? Pop in to get meet and get to know them (you already follow them on IG, after all).

167 Eighth Ave. between 18th and 19th Sts., NYC 212-337-2439

REBAR

9TH AVENUE SALOON This decades-old neighborhood fixture attracts tourists, locals and Broadway professionals from both sides of the footlights with strong drinks, cheap prices and friendly staff. 656 Ninth Ave. at 46th St., NYC 212-307-1503

Sexy Chelsea hangout where G Lounge (may she rest in peace) used to be. This neighborhood bar has a masculine industrial décor, a hot staff, and draws all kinds of men (especially local muscle bears) and boasts no distractions – sports, porn, dancers or otherwise. Their concept is simple: people meeting people. 225 W. 19th St. between Seventh and Eighth Aves., NYC 212-929-1085

POSH

EAST VILLAGE

Nightlife royalty John Blair, Beto Sutter, and Ted Arenas joined forces for this fab yet unpretentious Hell’s Kitchen watering hole right in the middle of everything. 859 9th Avenue., NYC 646-892-3313

CLUB CUMMING Everyone’s invited to this East Village performance-based club from Cumming, Benjamin Maisani, Darren Dryden and Daniel Nardicio with the spirit of an actual Berlin Cabaret where anything goes.

505 E. 6th St. between Aves. A and B, NYC 212-777-2555

THE COCK Longtime late-night haven for naughty go-go boys and those in search of debauched shenanigans. Late nights are the infamous and popular “Playpen Mondays,” drawing naughty boys and nightlife glitterati. 29 Second Ave. between First and Second Sts., NYC

NOWHERE Ultra-mellow East Villager with distressed rustic décor, a pool table and what may be the smallest back room ever. Enjoy daily drink specials and see nowherebarnyc.com for weekly events. 322 E. 14th St. between First and Second Aves., NYC 212-477-4744

PHOENIX The typically-crowded Phoenix holds video games, a pool table, a jukebox and a diverse crowd in an exposed-brick space as uncomplicated as its vibe. Daily Happy Hour runs from 4-8 and Saturday nights RAMPAGE party brings all kinds of cute boys to the East Village. 447 E. 13th St. at Ave. A., NYC 212-477-9979

A mixed bag of Hell’s Kitchenites and even an occasional celebrity spill out onto the sidewalk at this lounge known for spinning pop and dance tunes. Daily Happy Hour specials include $3 for all draft or bottled beers. 405 W. 51st St. at Ninth Ave., NYC 212-957-2222

RISE BAR

THE RITZ This upscale boy boîte boasts places to perch on multiple levels inside and out, though the kickin’ sound system makes it hard to settle down. 369 W. 46th St. at Ninth Ave., NYC 212-333-2554

THERAPY The beautifully designed, modern duplex draws a fierce crowd.

Weekly shows include legendary performers like Peppermint and Showbiz Spitfire Paige Turner’s infamous Sunday night Slurp. 348 W. 52nd St. between Eighth and Ninth Aves., NYC 212-397-1700

VODKA SODA/BOTTOMS UP The fun neighborhoody two-bar, two-story HK hangout is luring all cute boys from every nook and cranny of NYC. Pop in to see what all the fuss is about. 315 W 46th St., NYC 212-969-0460

Find your centaur in this cozy, way-west enchanted-forest lounge with heme parties, specialty cocktails and guest DJs. 500 W. 48th St. between Tenth and Eleventh Aves., NYC 646-648-3897

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MONSTER

A Sheridan Square stalwart where mature men and their admirers sing along to their favorite show tunes upstairs while a heavily Latino crowd jams to the latest dance tracks on the floor downstairs. 80 Grove St. at Seventh Ave. South, NYC 212-924-3558 Open Mon-Fri, 4pm-4am; Sat & Sun, 2pm-4am

PIECES

You’ll either be singing to retro dance tracks or laughing at the antics of drag queens at this longtime West Villager. Ms. Vodka Stinger’s B-Movie Mondays are always worth a stop. Show starts at 8:30 sharp. 8 Christopher St. at Sixth Ave., NYC 212-929-9291

ROCKBAR

For boys who prefer fur over sheen, there’s this butched-up bar with a fist-pumping soundtrack and cheap drinks. 185 Christopher St. at Weehawken St., NYC

STONEWALL

Daddies, faux thugs, and girls who like girls rule the roost at this two-story birthplace of gay pride. Every night offers a different theme, from drag-hosted game shows to karaoke to beer blasts. 53 Christopher St. at Seventh Ave. South, NYC 212-488-2705

TY’S

Ye Olde Boy Bar serving a loyal clientele: young, old and everything in between. NYPD and NYFD especially welcome. 114 Christopher St. between Bleecker and Hudson Sts., NYC 212-741-9641

OUTER BOROUGHS & BEYOND 3 DOLLAR BILL

FRIEND’S TAVERN

THE TOWNHOUSE

FAIRYTAIL LOUNGE

Old-school sing-alongs are on tap at this long-running piano bar.

There’s no fuss and no frills at this late-night theater queen hot spot. Stop in and “sing out, Louise!” 59 Grove St. at Seventh Ave. South, NYC 212-243-9323

BOXERS NYC UPPER EAST SIDE

ATLAS SOCIAL CLUB

The Hell’s Kitchen–clone of the Chelsea gay sports bar stalwart features a large ground floor, a basement game room dubbed The Dog Pound, and a spacious rooftop patio. Days and nights are equally as busy with crowds flocking to the increasingly popular Boozy Brunch. 742 Ninth Ave. at 50th St., NYC 212-951-1518

MARIE’S CRISIS

This huge queer bar and performance venue offers plenty of room to dance it out. 260 Meserole St., Brooklyn 718-366-3031

HELL’S KITCHEN/MIDTOWN WEST

BOXERS HK

JULIUS’

EAST SIDE Why head downtown if you’re an uptown boy? This fun new Boxers location great after work, but stay late for fun events like Justin Zirilli’s Sucker Punch stand up or Karaoke Wednesdays.1664 3rd Ave., between 93rd and 94th Sts., NYC 646-869-1420

Josh Wood, Benjamin Maisani, Pablo Raimondi, and Asi Mazar hit a home run with the starry opening of the Hells Kitchen hotspot, where celebs like Andy Cohen, Anderson Cooper, and Cher have made cameos. 753 9th Ave. between 50th and 51st Sts., NYC 212-262-8527

Jam-packed lesbian club/lounge with a multicultural crowd that’s gay-boy friendly. 438 Hudson St. at Morton St., NYC 212-924-3347

Two levels of mature gents and their younger fans sway to dance tracks or sing everything in the Jerry Herman oeuvre. 236 E. 58th St. between Second and Third Aves., NYC 212-754-4649

UNCLE CHARLIE’S This effervescent lounge, atop of an unassuming store on a quiet block, boasts a patio and piano with live entertainment. 139 E. 45th St. between Third and Lexington Aves., NYC 212-661-9097

This bar seduces its crowd of largely Latinx fans with theme nights and drink specials. 78-11 Roosevelt Ave. at 78th St., Jackson Heights, Queens 718-397-7256

ICON ASTORIA

Beefcake dancers and NYC nightlife legends flock to this unassuming watering hole for great beats, impressive drag performances, and friendly faces. 31-84 33rd Street., Astoria, NY 347-808-7592

GINGER’S

Especially popular with lesbians, this long and dark bar has a popular jukebox and an outdoor garden. 363 Fifth Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn 718-788-0924

METROPOLITAN

UPTOWN

This B-burg bar is comfy and cozy with a fireplace, jukebox and a sprawling warm-weather patio. 559 Lorimer St. at Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn NYC 718-599-4444

BOXERS WASHINGTON HEIGHTS

THE ROSEMONT NYC

New uptown bar featuring NYC’s Best Happy Hour seven days a week. Pop in to check out incredible eye candy that’ll make you feel like you’re in the DR whenever you like. Head up to the heights to see what the fuss is all about. 3820 Broadway at 159th St., NYC

Sexy mixed Williamsburg cocktail bar with a great happy hour and fun weekly entertainment. Looking for Mr. Right, Mr. Right for tonight or just a fun gurls night out? They’ve got you covered. 63 Montrose Ave., Brooklyn, NYC 347-987-3101

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

RESTAURANT BITES Edited by Jeffrey James Keyes

CHELSEA CAFETERIA

Super-popular 24-hour dining scene offering great American fare and a trendy, heavily gay clientele. In warm weather, the sidewalk becomes one of the sexiest spots in town. 119 Seventh Ave. at 17th St., NYC 212-414-1717

ELMO

This mod restaurant, featuring comfort food with a spicy edge, takes its name from fabulous 40’s nightclub El Morocco. Whether you’re seeking some comfort food, hearty salad or an after work cocktail with friends Elmo is always a quality hotspot.156 Seventh Ave. between 19th and 20th Sts., NYC 212-337-8000

THE PARK

There’s something very ski chalet about this restaurant, serving American and Mediterranean cuisine in a sprawling space. There’s a large patio and, after dinner, the entire venue becomes a party. 118 Tenth Ave. between 17th and 18th Sts., NYC 212-352-3313

TENTH AVENUE COOKSHOP

Executive chef Marc Meyer takes American cuisine to the next level: Only hormone-free animals, humanely raised in local farms, are used in simple but flavorful meals. The furnishings are at once rustic and urbane. 156 Tenth Ave. at 20th St., NYC 212-924-4440

EAST VILLAGE/LOWER EAST SIDE BEAUTY & ESSEX

This eatery’s entryway is set up like a pawn shop but leads to two sprawling levels of dining rooms, bars and mid-century trappings. The menu of shareable small plates brims with eclectic tastes. 146 Essex St. between Rivington and Stanton Sts., NYC 212-614-0146

METROGRAPH COMMISSARY

GRAMERCY TAVERN

The restaurant at a LES cinema is inspired by the great studio eateries from Hollywood’s golden age. Check out the swank lobby bar, restaurant bar, and private dining room with snacks like burrata, panzanella, Sardine Nicoise, and Chicken Paillard. 7 Ludlow Street between Hester and Canal St., NYC 347-348-

At Danny Meyer’s creative American emporium (famous for relaxed service and an award-winning wine list), enjoy a meal in the formal dining room or the easier-on-the-wallet Tavern Room. 42 E. 20th St. between Broadway and Park Ave. South, NYC., 212-477-0777

THE STANTON SOCIAL Celebrity Chef Chris Santos, restaurateur Richard Wolf, and Peter Kane of Happy Endings collaborated to create the ultimate homage to the Lower East Side garment industry past with the AvroKo design team. The menu includes a full raw bar and forty favorites like Lobster Roll Sliders, French Onion Soup Dumplings, and the Stanton Social Beef Wellington embodying the spirit of the neighborhood. 99 Stanton St. at Ludlow., NYC 212-995-0099

VESELKA Nightlife legends dine beside eclectic locals at this Ukrainian comfort food staple after wild nights in the East Village. Handmade Pierogies have been the star of the show since Veselka opened in the 50s. The restaurant is open 24 hours/7 days a week and always there for you when you’ve had one too many and looking for a late night bite. 144 2nd Ave. at 9th St., NYC 212-228-9682

GRAMERCY PARK/FLATIRON DISTRICT EATALY NYC FLATIRON Five eateries, each with its own focus (among them are pizza and pasta, cheese and wine, fish, vegetables, and meat), make this massive Italian Flatiron food hall a dining destination. Only upscale Manzo, the beef specialist, takes reservations. 200 Fifth Ave. at 23rd St., NYC 212-229-2180

JOHN DORY OYSTER BAR This seafood destination in the hipster Ace Hotel commands tabs that are upmarket among decor that’s decidedly not, with sea-blue and -green seating, a dining counter, subway tiles and sea-creature sculptures throughout. 1196 Broadway at 29th St., NYC 212-792-9000

HARLEM DINOSAUR BAR-B-QUE Consistently voted the “best BBQ in NY” Dinosaur began as a mobile concession in Syracuse in 1983. The Harlem location opened next to the Hudson River in 2004, then quickly expanded to meet the demand for fried green tomatoes, St. Louis Ribs, and Churrasco Chicken. 700 W. 125th St., NYC 212-694-1777

RED ROOSTER Practically the most exciting thing to happen to Harlem since jazz, this hot spot features regional American comfort food by Marcus Samuelsson and a casual, lively environment filled with neighborhood-centric art and artifacts. 310 Lenox Ave. between 125th and 126th Sts., NYC 212-792-9001

SOLOMON & KUFF RUM HALL Harlem elites and Columbia intelluctuals mix at this delicious, upscale Caribbean eatery. It offers incredible rum cocktails, delicious bites like yuca fries, and dishes like Sangria Braised Short Ribs. 2331 12th Ave. between 133rd St. & 12th Ave., NYC 212-939-9443.

May 7th The Lighthouse, Pier 61 New York City For more information please visit www.liveoutloud.info

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

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RESTAURANT BITES Edited by Jeffrey James Keyes

HELL’S KITCHEN

MORIMOTO

AÑEJO

Upscale, creative, beautifully prepared Mexican small plates are served in a rustic setting at this hotspot with a hopping bar scene and plenty of pavement tables in nice weather. The cocktail selection, features a variety of refined margaritas, plus tequila and mezcal flights. 668 Tenth Ave. at 47th St., NYC 212-920-4770

Two floors of high-design touches — like a wall made of 17,000 Ty Nant water bottles and upholstered walls and ceilings — create a fitting setting for the haute Japanese cuisine of Masaharu Morimoto.

88 Tenth Ave. between 15th and 16th Sts., NYC 212-989-8883

MIDTOWN/TIMES SQUARE 21 CLUB

44 & X HELL’S KITCHEN

A bit of South Beach on Tenth Avenue, this sleek haven of upscale comfort food has large and plentiful windows and a sidewalk cafe.

The perfect spot for people watching... 622 Tenth Ave. at 44th St., NYC 212-977-1170

EL CENTRO

The tiny space packs a big punch with low-priced Mexican street food, tumblers of frozen margaritas and light fixtures made of Corona bottles. El Centro recently celebrated their ten-year anniversary in Hell’s Kitchen, pop in for a fajita and stay for more! 824 Ninth Ave. at 54th St., NYC 646-763-6585

HELL’S KITCHEN

Just when you thought NYC didn’t need another Mexican restaurant Hell’s Kitchen brought a taste of the south over the border of Ninth Avenue. Whether it’s tacos, quesadillas, or an after work margarita you crave they’ve got it. Grab a booth or a seat at the bar for the best eye candy in the gayborhood. 754 9th Ave. between 50th and 51st Sts., NYC 212-977-1588

HUASCAR & COMPANY BAKESHOP

Dominican-born Chef Huascar Aquino won Cupcake Wars on Food Network in 2013, the same year they opened. They’ve since moved to 54th Street offering cupcakes, brownies, cookies, cheesecakes, flans, French macarons, coconut macaroons, brigadeiros and custom cakes for everyone to write home about. The bakery is small but mighty, you may have caught the adorable Huascar was a contestant on Food Network’s Chopped in the summer of 2018. If you’re looking for delicious Latin American and Caribbean inspired treats do not pass go, do not collect $200, get to Huascar’s! 453 W 54th St, NYC 212 933-1041

IPPUDO WESTSIDE

Belmond’s crown jewel in Manhattan is the most infamous speakeasy from the Prohibition Era. Designed with a disappearing bar and secret wine cellar chock full of epic stories about Ernest Hemingway and Zelda Fitzgerald, this landmark remains the ultimate spot to live it up or have a fun night out with friends. 21 West 52nd St. between 5th Ave. and 6th Ave., NYC 212-582-7200

ORTZI NYC

Nestled in the swank new LUMA Hotel, Iron Chef Jose Garces brings a scrumptious journey through Basque Country cuisine. Perfect for an after work Charcuteria or a pre-theatre bite. For the ultimate experience plan for the four-course traditional Basque Tapas Experience with Chef Jose Garces’ Tasting Menu. Bring your appetite! 120 W. 41st St. between Sixth Ave. and 7th Ave., NYC 212-730-8900

SOHO/TRIBECA DOS CAMINOS

This intimate hipster offers fine Mexican cuisine in a stylish setting, with a warm-weather dining garden. Highlights include guacamole made tableside and 150 types of tequila. 475 W. Broadway at Houston St., NYC 212-277-4300. Also, check out the other branches in the Meatpacking District, Midtown East and Murray Hill.

THE DUTCH

UPPER WEST SIDE

WEST BANK CAFE

CAFE LUXEMBOURG

Ladies who lunch, incognito celebrities, and high rolling executives mix and mingle at this classic French-American Bistro on the Upper West Side. Regulars nuzzle up to the full service bar while locals gossip over power lunches at this unpretentious neighborhood gem.

200 W. 70th St. at Amsterdam Ave., NYC 212-873-7411

JEAN GEORGES

A spare décor means there’s nothing to distract you from JeanGeorges Vongerichten’s haute French cuisine. Reservations for the more casual Nougatine Cafe are slightly easier to procure. 1 Central Park West between 60th and 61st Sts., NYC 212-299-3900

This elegant neighborhood fixture attracts not only theatergoers, but also tons of Broadway, off-Broadway performers, & former (and upcoming) contestants on RuPaul’s Drag Race who load up on the latest gossip while downing American eats. 407 W. 42nd St. between Ninth and Tenth Aves., NYC 212-695-6909

LANDMARC

MEATPACKING DISTRICT

MAREA

BUDDAKAN NYC

Dining guru Stephen Starr’s destination draws gasps from the moment you step down the grand staircase. A hodgepodge of modern Asian cuisines is served in a golden space of European tapestries, chandeliers, cozy banquettes and a lengthy communal table. 75 Ninth Ave. between 15th and 16th Sts., NYC 212-989-6699

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Chef Nicholas McCann blends French, Italian and Spanish fare in this neighborhood-approved hotspot. Perfect for a date spot, birthday dinner or drinks and light bites at the bar, you can’t go wrong with this fun find on the Upper West Side. Wine Lovers pay special attention to the TESSA Reserve list with over fifty labels. 349 Amsterdam Ave. between 76th & 77th Sts., NYC 212-390-1974

Known in certain circles as one of the Obama Family’s favorite places to eat in NYC, Carbone is the creation of Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick. This dreamy Italian supper club is a throwback to the great Italian-American restaurants of mid-20th century New York. Order an Old Fashioned and channel your inner Godfather as you drool over the menu. 181 Thompson Street at Houston 212-254-3000

PIO PIO

ViceVersa puts a sublime spin on run-of-the-mill Italian. The atmosphere is also darn near perfect — with elegant accents and a nicely tended outdoor seating garden. 325 W. 51st St. between Eighth and Ninth Aves., NYC 212-399-9291

TESSA

WEST VILLAGE

This gorgeous Theater District destination serves casual yet upscale contemporary American fare in a retro-swank supper-club environment with long red-leather banquettes, chrome torchères, head shots of movie stars and a huge, roaring-in-the-winter 18th-century fireplace. 132 W. 44th St. between Sixth Ave. and Broadway, NYC 212-997-5262

Though it looks like a neighborhood joint, this multi-room eatery is actually SoHo’s sizzling boîte du jour, with a crowd that’s half Downtown scene-makers, half-foodies and all hot. Opt for Andrew Carmellini’s comfort-skewing menu, featuring imaginative renditions of American Southern staples, international leanings and raw fare at an oyster bar. 131 Sullivan St. at Prince St., NYC 212-677-6200

VICEVERSA

The same people behind the Mermaid Inn opened a delicious pizzeria serving Neopolitan pizzas and rustic Italian fare. Stop by between 5-7pm for their happy hour (seven days a week) for one of their $12 pizza specials, an $8 Aperol spritz and more! 568 Amsterdam Ave. between 87th & 88th Sts., NYC 212-799-7401.

LAMB’S CLUB

Decadent Japanese bites, small plates, craveable ramen and cocktails that could be considered arousing, Ippudo throws it down like no other. Discreetly nestled on 51st Street just between the theatre district and the gayborhood, this stylish outpost is worth a visit... every week. 321 W. 51st St., NYC 212-974-2500

Guests sip pisco cocktails and craveable sangria while grazing over family-style Peruvian dishes, Chinese-Peruvian stir fries, steak, and fish below an elaborate ceiling made from thousands of tree branches intricately woven together. Pio Pio has eight locations but this one takes the cake (Tres Leches, of course!) 604 Tenth Ave. between 43rd and 44th Sts., NYC 212-459-2929

PIZZERIA SIRENETTA

This Time Warner Center eatery serves wonderfully flavorful, affordable French bistro fare all day in a setting that stylishly mishmashes industrial and woodsy, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Central Park. 60th and Broadway, 3rd Floor, NYC 212-823-6123

Chef Michael White, famous for homemade pasta and a commitment to seafood, has been awarded two Michelin stars, the 2010 James Beard Award, and an impressive list of accolades. Marea mean’s “tide” in Italian, and the collaboration of high-end Italian cuisine, over 750 wine options, and outstanding service makes it an exciting and fresh interpretation of “coastal cuisine”. 240 Central Park South Between Broadway and Seventh Ave., NYC 212-582-5100

CARBONE

COWGIRL This Texas-style West Village favorite is hopping every night of the week. Conceived after Sherry Delamarter visited the Cowgirl Hall of Fame Museum in Texas, the restaurant has been serving great food and no frills fun for twenty-five years. Blood Orange and Prickly Pear frozen margaritas in mason jars go perfectly with Tex-Mex food to make you feel like you’re that much closer to the border. 519 Hudson St. at West 10th St., NYC 212-633-1133

THE LITTLE OWL Nestled in the middle of the historic Greenwich Village, this bold Mediterranean spot boasts gravy meatballs and pork chops that rival your grandmother’s secret recipe. No room at the inn? Try to get a seat at the bar so you can take everything in. 90 Bedford St. at Grove, NYC 212-741-4695

TEA AND SYMPATHY The Queen would be over the moon at the adorable sliver of the village serving traditional British fare. Indulge in classic British favorites like Afternoon Tea, Bangers & Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, Welsh Rarebit, Roast Beef with Yorkshire pudding. Be sure to save room for some Sticky Toffee Pudding and Rhubarb crumble (extra custard, please!) Pop into their shop next door for popular British groceries, sweets and maybe even a new tea-pot. 108 Greenwich Street, NYC between Jane & Horatio Sts., 212-989-9735

BROOKLYN THE BROOKLYN STAR Joaquin Baca brings gives comfort food a mouth watering upgrade in this popular Williamsburg hotspot where traditional American fare meets Southern Soul cuisine. Dinners are decadent and amazing, but the cat’s out of the bag that it’s the best brunch in Billyburg. 593 Lorimer St., Bklyn, NYC 718-599-9899

CHEF’S TABLE AT BROOKLYN FARE This sophisticated, decadent eatery summons foodies from all corners to visit an intimate, 18-seat space for a truly unique dining experience. Michelin-stars are difficult to come by and (thanks to this eating adventure) Brooklyn boasts one of the only three-starred restaurants in town! Immerse yourself in the mouth-watering French & Japanese infused culinary brainchild of Moe Issa before taking a stroll through old-school Brooklyn. 200 Schermerhorn St. between Hoyt and Bond Sts., Bklyn, NYC 718-243-0050

CLOVER CLUB Frequently featured as one of the “Best Bars in America”, the Brooklyn hotspot’s offerings include pre-Prohibition drinks, a decadent brunch, American Caviar Service, and Seasonal Specials like Steak Over Toast and Deviled Eggs. 210 Smith St. at Baltic St., BKLYN, NYC 718-855-7939

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

ACCOUNTING – CONTRACTORS/CONSTRUCTION

ADOPTION SERVICES

ACCOUNTING Dikman, Bernard L., C.P.A.

Friends in Adoption

Sexual Health Men

290 Madison Ave 6th Fl NYC............................................973 493-7607 www.sexualhealthmen.com

37 W 20th St, Ste 703 NYC............................................212 929-4299

NYC............................................. 800 982-3678 www.friendsinadoption.org

Woloshen, Robert A. CPA

AESTHETIC SERVICES

ALLERGIES

Advanced Dermatology Associates

Aziz, Michael, M.D., FRSM

200 Central Park South #107 NYC ............................................ 212 262-2500 NYC ............................................ 212 246-0800 www.adv-derm.com

Midtown Integrative Medicine 509 Madison Ave @ 53rd St, Ste 1111 NYC............................................212 906-9111 www.michaelazizmd.com

(SEE AD PHYSICIANS PAGE 81)

ARCHITECTURE

29 W 15th St, Ste 1 NYC ...........................................212 843-3486 www.rawcpa.com

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

ACUPUNCTURE Acupuncture-NYC

80 Fifth Ave, Ste 906 NYC............................................212 874-0898 www.acupuncture-nyc.com

Lexington Plastic Surgeons

113 E 39th St, NYC...................... 646 374-2410 www.try.lexingtonplasticsurgeons.com/ metrosource

David Stern Architecture

www.davidsternarchitecture.com

Torre, Martin B. RA AIA

Architecture + Planning PLLC 605 E 14th St, #8 NYC............................................646 257-9081

ATTORNEYS Bing, Steven E.

276 5th Ave, Ste 1008 NYC............................................212 286-1666

Chianese & Reilly Law, P.C.

122 E 42nd St, Ste 3900 NYC............................................212 953-6447 100 Merrick Rd, Ste 103E Rockville Centre, NY ...................516 599-2020 www.awclawyer.com

Chou, Luna, Esq.

NYC............................................212 226-2610 www.lunachoulaw.com

ABS

Design & Construction

Premiere Home Remodeling Service Specializing in Kitchens & Bathrooms

Goldman, Jeffrey E., Esq

501 Fifth Ave #1900 NYC............................................212 983-8999 NYC............................................212 949-5085 www.jgoldmanlaw.com

Law Offices of Thomas Sciacca, PLLC

44 Wall St, 12th Fl, NYC .............212 495-0317 www.sciaccalaw.com

Long & Associates

NYC ...........................................212 360-0394 www.landapllc.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Tesler, Richard, Esq.

41 W 72nd St NYC ...........................................212 362-6961 (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

BARS

GET SCREWED? GOT SUED? CALL US. LO N G & A S S O C I AT E S Litigation / Corporate / Intellectual Property Attorneys NY • SF • LA (212) 360-0394 info@landapllc.com www.landapllc.com

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(SEE BAR SOURCE PAGE 70)

We Provide a Reliable & Skilled Team Offering Complete Renovations from Planning to Completion Smaller Projects

Painting New & Refinished Floors

For a Full Consultation & Free Estimate, Call 212-731-0642 www.abs-construction-nyc.com 26 Years of Turning Your Vision into Reality 24 We are licensed/certified in NY & NJ.

CATERING Li-Lac Chocolates

West Village: 40 8th Ave, NYC Greenwich Village: 162 Bleecker St, NYC Grand Central: 43rd & Lexington, NYC Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave, NYC Industry City: 68 35th St, Brooklyn NYC............................................212 924-2280 www.li-lacchocolates.com

Paul Evans Catering

20 W 20th St NYC............................................212 321-1822 NYC............................................212 243-4494 www.paulevanscatering.com TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

CLOTHING – DATING SERVICES

CLOTHING Dave’s New York

581 Ave of the Americas, NYC Toll Free ......................................800 543-8558 www.davesnewyork.com

Jackson Boutique

www.jacksonboutiquenyc.com

Schuetz, Volker, PsyD

1133 Broadway #913, NYC ...... 212 470-9024 www.nychangemanagement.com

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Schwartz, Alan, M.D., Psychiatrist

West Village/Chelsea, NYC.......... 212 727-0923

Tallent, Marc, Ph.D.

CONTRACTORS/CONSTRUCTION

51 Fifth Ave, NYC ....................... 212 645-5795 http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/33692

ABS Design & Construction

COUNSELING/SUBURBAN

NYC ...........................................212 731-0642 www.abs-construction-nyc.com

(SEE AD OPPOSITE PAGE)

Kingan, Peter L., Ph.D.

31 Oak St Patchogue, NY ............................ 631 447-6425

DATING SERVICES SEE ALSO INTRODUCTION SERVICES

ManMate

NYC .......................................... 212 564-4025 www.manmate.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

ManMate Dinners For 8

NYC .......................................... 212 564-4025 www.manmate.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Wheaton, Grant

Dating Coach NYC............................................212 564-4025

COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY Angers, Marc E., M.A. Oxon, L.C.S.W./L.P.

Licensed Psychoanalyst, NCPsyA NYC............................................917 678-7929

Barneson, Jeff, LCSW

119 Washington Place, NYC .......212 252-2314 www.jeffbarneson.com

Volker Schuetz, PsyD Clinical Psychologist

Call 212-470-9024 for a FREE phone consultation

Blatter, Andrew, LCSW

NYC ...........................................917 442-5213 www.andrewblatter.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Individual & Couples Therapy for Gay Men Sexuality • Intimacy • Relationships

Bloom Psychotherapy NYC

19 W 34th St, PH NYC............................................347 921-0431 www.nycbloomtherapy.com

Davies, Ann Conant, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

740 West End Ave, Ste 1 Cell .............................................917 923-2257

Dicker, Phyllis D., L.C.S.W., A.C.S.W., B.C.D.

NYC............................................718 855-5171

Factor, Rhonda J., PhD

85 5th Ave, Ste 912 NYC............................................347 834-6057 www.rhondafactorphd.com

Jarratt, Kent, L.C.S.W.

19 W 34th St, NYC ....... 212 947-7111, ext 119 Oceanport, NJ .............................917 686-6179 www.kentjarratt.com

Johnson, Thomas E., L.C.S.W.

Chelsea.......................................212 645-3952

Kingan, Peter L., Ph.D.

99 University Pl, 4th Fl NYC ................................................917 428-2431

1133 Broadway #913, NYC 10010 www.NYChangeManagement.com

Andrew Blatter, lcsw Psychotherapy

• Anxiety and Depression • Relationship and Social Difficulties • Body Image and Self-Esteem Issues • Career Transitions Convenient Flatiron Location andrewblatter.com 917-442-5213 ablatterlcsw@mac.com

Koetting, Michael E., L.C.S.W.

NYC............................................212 741-2606 www.koettingpsychotherapy.com

McFadden, Stephen, LCSW SEP

435 W 23rd St NYC............................................212 627-8419 www.smcfadden.com

Nelson, Joshua, Ph.D.

71 W 23rd St, Ste 1115 NYC ............................................. 646 512-0043 www.jnelsonphd.com

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Rayhill, Daniel, Ph.D.

276 Fifth Ave #1101, NYC ..........212 683-2454

Ross, Steven, LSCW

Union Square ..............................917 406-7900 www.stevenrosstherapy.com TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

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DENTISTS – EVENT PLANNING & EVENT SPACE/RENTALS

DENTISTS

Lew, Spencer, D.D.S.

Babushkin, Howard, D.D.S., L.L.C. 525 West End Ave #1G NYC ................................................212 874-2880 www.manhattanoasisdentistry.com

Cassidy, J.R., D.D.S. West 10th Dental P.C. 45 W 10th St, NYC .....................212 982-5883 www.west10thdental.com

De Bonis, William B., D.D.S. World Wide Plaza Dental Associates 370 W 50th St NYC............................................212 333-2650 www.wwpdental.com

30 E 40th St #706, NYC..............212 286-1717 www.nycdental.com

LuxDen Dental Center

2579 E 17th St, Ste 11 Brooklyn ...................................718 382-3444 www.luxden.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Rosa, John D., D.D.S., P.C.

40 Newport Parkway, Ste P-1 Jersey City, NJ ...........................201 626-2700

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Sengos, Demetrios, D.D.S. West 10th Dental P.C. 45 W 10th St, NYC .....................212 982-5883 www.west10thdental.com

West 10th Dental P.C. 45 W 10th St NYC............................................212 982-5883 www.west10thdental.com

DENTISTS/PERIODONTISTS Bizzell, Steven J., D.M.D., D.A.B.P. 50-02 5th St Ste B, Long Island City ..........................718 530-6539 www.licdentalassociates.com

OMNI Aesthetic MD Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St, NYC .......................212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

DENTISTS/SUBURBAN Rosa, John D., D.D.S., P.C.

40 Newport Parkway, Ste P-1 Jersey City, NJ ...........................201 626-2700

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

DERMATOLOGY SEE ALSO PHYSICIANS

Advanced Dermatology Associates

200 Central Park South #107 NYC ...........................................212 262-2500 NYC ...........................................212 246-0800 www.adv-derm.com

(SEE AD PHYSICIANS PAGE 81)

Arora, Navin, DO, FAAD

Arora Dermatology 115 Broadway, Ste 1800, NYC ....212 244-1252 www.aroraderm.com

Goldman, Barry D., M.D.

150 Broadway #111 NYC............................................212 962-1115

Juva Skin & Laser Center

60 E 56th St #2 NYC........................................... 212 421-9501 www.juvaskin.com

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St NYC............................................212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

EMPLOYMENT Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)

1700 Stadium Way LA...............................................213 847-LAFD www.joinlafd.org

“Stressing prevention through education and quality dental treatment... ...while making it affordable for everyone in our community.”

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)

700 E Temple St, B-38 LA...............................................866 444-LAPD www.joinlapd.com

EVENT PLANNING & EVENT SPACE/RENTALS SEE ALSO CATERING, WEDDING SERVICES

Elite Private Yachts

JOHN D. ROSA D.D.S., P.C.

GENERAL AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

NYC ...........................................866 862-7245 www.eliteprivateyachts.com www.entertainmentcruises.com/new-york (SEE AD PAGE 63 & OPPOSITE PAGE)

Hornblower Cruises & Events

Pier 40 NYC ...........................................646 832-2805 www.hornblowerny.com/metrosource

(SEE AD PAGE 67 & OPPOSITE PAGE)

Houston Hall

Office conveniently located via PATH, 15 minutes from 14th Street station.

Office on ground floor of James Madison Building, directly across from Newport Mall.

40 Newport Parkway Jersey City, NJ 07310 201.626.2700 BY APPOINTMENT drrosadds@aol.com

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222 W. Houston St NYC........................................... 212 582-2057

The Riverside Church

490 Riverside Dr., NYC ................212 870-6762 www.trcnyc.com

Yachts for All Seasons

NYC ...........................................212 534-6380 Cell ............................................917 864-7670 www.y4as.com (SEE AD PAGE 66) TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

EVENT PLANNING & EVENT SPACE/RENTALS (CONTINUED) – HOTELS

EVENT SERVICES

HAIR REMOVAL

Big Apple Event Audio Visual

Advanced Dermatology Associates

519 8th Ave, Ste 815 NYC ...........................................212 518-3175 www.avnycrentals.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

FINANCIAL SERVICES Ameriprise Financial Services Lance R. Kash, Financial Advisor, CFP® 122 E 42nd St #2215 NYC ............................................. 646 964-9400

Law Offices of Thomas Sciacca, PLLC 44 Wall St, 12th Fl NYC............................................212 495-0317 www.sciaccalaw.com

New York Life/NYLIFE Securities Marlon J. Altoe 420 Lexington Ave, 15th Fl NYC........................................... 646 227-8605 Cell ............................................ 646 761-4372 www.newyorklife.com/agent/maltoe

Scholar Financial Group

245 Park Ave, Ste 1800 NYC ...........................................646 366-6588

(SEE AD PAGE 65)

FLORISTS la Fleur d’Harlem

203 W 144th St NYC ..........................................646 850-5973 www.lafleurnyc.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

FRAMING 14th Street Framing Gallery 225 W 14th St NYC............................................212 691-8156

GIFTS Li-Lac Chocolates West Village: 40 8th Ave, NYC Greenwich Village: 162 Bleecker St, NYC Grand Central: 43rd & Lexington, NYC Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave, NYC Industry City: 68 35th St, Brooklyn NYC............................................212 924-2280 www.li-lacchocolates.com

200 Central Park South #107 NYC ...........................................212 262-2500 NYC ...........................................212 246-0800 www.adv-derm.com

(SEE AD PHYSICIANS PAGE 81)

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St NYC............................................212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

HAIR REPLACEMENT/REPLICATION OMNI Aesthetic MD

HOTELS The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Atlantic City, NJ ..........................609 317-1000 www.outatborgata.com

Incentra Village House

MisterBandB www.misterbandb.com TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

212-518-3175

www.avnycrentals.com

YOUR LOVE STORY CONTINUES ON THE WATER.

The Graham & Co

80 Route 214 Phoenicia ..................................845 688-7871 www.thegrahamandco.com (SEE AD PAGE 62)

HornblowerNY.com/Metrosource 646-832-2805 | @HornblowerNY

Holiday Inn Manhattan 6th Ave - Chelsea

125 W 26th St NYC............................................212 430-8500 www.hi-nyc.com

Hotel Hayden

127 W 28th St, NYC ...................844 423-6004 www.hotelhaydennyc.com

YOUR M O MENT

Hotel Henri

37 W 24th St, NYC .....................844 277-9123 www.hotelhenrinyc.com

Opus Hotel Vancouver

322 Davie St Vancouver, BC Canada .......................................604 642-6787 www.opushotel.com

Sandman Suites on Davie

Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel

32 8th Ave @ W 12th St NYC............................................212 206-0007 www.incentravillage.com

Weddings Corporate Trade Shows Conferences Conventions

Foxwoods Resort & Casino

Chelsea Pines Inn

Colonial House Inn

• • • • •

www.foxwoods.com

GUEST HOUSES/B&B’S

318 W 22nd St NYC............................................212 243-9669

BIG APPLE EVENT AV

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St NYC............................................212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

1160 Davie St Vancouver, BC Canada .......................................604 681-7263 www.sandmanhotels.com

317 W 14th St NYC............................................212 929-1023

Make Your Next Event FABULOUS

LUNCH | BRUNCH | DINNER | P RI VATE EVENTS

EntertainmentCruises.com/New-York

1088 Burrard St Vancouver, BC Canada .......................................604 331-1000 www.sheratonvancouver.com

Sunset Marquis

1200 Alta Loma Rd West Hollywood CA ..............................................800 858-9758 www.sunsetmarquis.com

VIVE Hotel Waikiki

2426 Kuhio Ave Honolulu, Hawaii ........................808 687-2000 www.vivehotelwaikiki.com METROSOURCE.COM

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INSURANCE – PHARMACIES/DRUGS

INSURANCE

GayVan.com Travel Marketing www.gayvan.com

HealthSherpa Christopher T. Coad MD, FACS Advanced LASIK Premium Lens Implants Comprehensive Eye Care Visian ICL/Refractive Castle Connolly Top Doctor 2018 Complimentary Evaluations (on elective procedures)

0% financing available 157 West 19th St. NYC 10011 212-220-0066

www.ChelseaEyeOphthalmology.com

Toll Free ......................................844 346-9476 www.metrosource.healthsherpa.com

OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

INTRODUCTION SERVICES

Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology 157 W 19th St NYC ...........................................212 220-0066 www.chelseaeyeophthalmology.com

SEE ALSO DATING SERVICES

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

ManMate

NYC .......................................... 212 564-4025 www.manmate.com (SEE AD DATING SERVICES PAGE 75)

• Guidance from pharmacists

specially trained in HIV therapy • Medication refill reminders • Pick up at our location (below)

or any CVS Pharmacy® or get delivery by mail at no extra cost*

Call 1-212-807-8798 or stop in.

CVS Pharmacy Specialty Services 126 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OMNI Aesthetic MD

LASER VISION CORRECTION

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St, NYC .......................212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

SEE ALSO OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

OPTOMETRISTS

Coad, Christopher T., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Personalized HIV Care and Support

Coad, Christopher T., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology 157 W 19th St NYC ...........................................212 220-0066 www.chelseaeyeophthalmology.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Coad, Christopher T., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology 157 W 19th St NYC ...........................................212 220-0066 www.chelseaeyeophthalmology.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St NYC............................................212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

LIPOSUCTION

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St NYC............................................212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

West Village Eyecare Associates

Marfuggi, Richard M.D., D.M.H, F.A.C.S.

50 E 69th St NYC............................................212 317-1188 Denville, NJ .................................973 377-8950 www.askdrm.com

10 Sheridan Square, NYC............212 242-6592 www.eyecarenyc.com

PAIN MANAGEMENT Samuelson, Stefan T., MD

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St NYC............................................212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

MARKETING SERVICES Brand2Fly

44 E 12th St, Ste MD1 NYC............................................212 993-8573 NYC............................................212 594-1600

PERIODONTISTS Bizzell, Steven J., D.M.D., D.A.B.P.

San Jose......................................408 763-7924 www.brand2fly.com

Periodontist 50-02 5th St Ste B Long Island City ..........................718-530-6539 www.licdentalassociates.com

Continuing to Provide Courteous, Compassionate, Professional Customer Service. *Where allowed by law. In-store pick up is currently not available in Oklahoma. Puerto Rico requires first-fill prescriptions to be transmitted directly to the dispensing specialty pharmacy.

Products are dispensed by CVS Specialty® and certain services are only accessed by calling CVS Specialty directly. Certain specialty medication may not qualify. Services are also available at Long’s Drugs locations. ©2019 CVS Specialty. All rights reserved. 75-47585C 112618

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APRIL/MAY 2019

METROSOURCE.COM

883 Ninth Avenue @ 57th Street Ask AAHIVM Specialists Michael and Krista About PrEP, Your Current Regimen, or How to Best Take Your Medication

Tel 212.245.8469

Serving New York Since 1940

Fax 212.586.1502 TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

PET SUPPLIES – PHYSICAL THERAPY

PET SUPPLIES Automated Pet Care Products Inc.

40 W Howard St, Ste 101 Pontiac, MI .................................877 250-7729 www.litter-robot.com

PHARMACIES/DRUGS Ansonia Pharmacy

446 6th Ave NYC............................................212 477-0762 www.ansoniapharmacy.com

Apthorp Pharmacy

2201 Broadway, NYC ..................212 877-3480

Arrow Pharmacy

883 Ninth Ave NYC ...........................................212 245-8469 www.arrowpharmacy.com

(SEE AD OPPOSITE PAGE)

Avalon Chemists

7 2nd Ave, NYC ..........................212 260-3131

VILL AGE APOTHECARY T H E C O M M U N I T Y P H A R M AC Y T H AT C A R E S

FREE WELCOME KIT! COME IN

FOR YOUR

Bigelow Chemists

414 Sixth Ave, NYC ....................212 533-2700

Chelsea Specialty Pharmacy

BRING THIS CARD IN AND RECEIVE $10 OFF ON ANY PURCHASE OF $25 OR MORE

171 Seventh Ave ,NYC................212 255-9900

CVS Specialty

126 8th Ave NYC ...........................................212 807-8798 (SEE AD OPPOSITE PAGE)

Mayfair Chemists

STORE HOURS: Mon - Fri 8aM - 8pM • Sat 9aM - 6pM • Sun 10aM - 5pM 346 Bleecker St • Greenwich VillaGe, nY 10014 • VillaGeapothecarY.com

2 1 2 . 8 0 7. 7 5 6 6

21 Seventh Ave, NYC..................212 242-1444

New London Pharmacy

246 Eighth Ave NYC............................................212 243-4987

New York Chemists

77 Christopher St NYC ...........................................212 255-2525 www.newyorkchemists.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Thompson Chemists &

Thompson Alchemists 137 Thompson St 449 West Broadway NYC............................................212 598-9790 www.thompsonchemists.com

Village Apothecary

346 Bleecker St NYC ...........................................212 807-7566 www.villageapothecary.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

PHYSICAL THERAPY Galán, Antonio, PT, DPT, MBA, CHC

RestoreRehab Physical Therapy 664 10th Ave NYC............................................212 245-5259 www.restorerehabpt.com

Symbio Physio Therapy

214 W 29th St, Ste 901 NYC............................................917 338-6268 www.symbiopt.com TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

Personalized attention from experienced and knowledgeable Pharmacists and staff • Free prescription pickup and delivery Most insurance plans accepted • Carrying some of the hottest health and beauty brands on the market

For all your Pharmacy needs and more New York Chemists 77 Christopher Street (Btw 7th Ave and Bleecker St.) T: 212-255-2525 F: 212-255-2524 nyc@newyorkchemists.com

Store Hours Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 8 pm Saturday 10 am – 6 pm

www.newyorkchemists.com

Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

METROSOURCE.COM

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PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL SERVICES

PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL SERVICES Advanced Dermatology Associates

Lexington Plastic Surgeons

Fonville, T.W., Int. Med. 29 Fifth Ave @ 10th St, NYC .......212 674-1020

Goldberg, Edward S., M.D.

200 Central Park South #107 NYC ...........................................212 262-2500 NYC ...........................................212 246-0800 www.adv-derm.com

Int. Med., Gastr.

121 E 60th St, 3rd Fl, NYC ..........212 980-8800

(SEE AD OPPOSITE PAGE)

Hsu, Ricky K., M.D. 154 W 14th St, 4th Fl, NYC ........212 627-7560

Amida Care

NYC............................................855 462-6432 www.amidacareny.org

117 E 18th St, NYC.....................212 387-9199

Astor Medical Group

Jaeger, Lawrence D., D.O.

67 Irving Place, 5th Fl @ E 18th St NYC............................................212 253-2968 www.astormedical.com

Central Park Medical Associates

200 Central Park South #107 NYC ...........................................212 262-2500 NYC ...........................................212 246-0800 www.centralparkmedicalassociates.com

(SEE AD OPPOSITE PAGE)

Coad, Christopher T., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology 157 W 19th St, NYC ..................212 220-0066 www.chelseaeyeophthalmology.com (SEE AD OPHTHALMOLOGISTS PAGE 78)

Dillon, Stephen, M.D.

Int. Med., Inf. Dis. 314 W 14th St, NYC ...................212 620-0144

Dormer, Anita L., M.D., F.A.C.C.P.

22 E 72nd St, 5th Fl, NYC ...........212 535-5905

Icochea, Rosendo S., M.D.

200 Central Park South #107 NYC ...........................................212 246-0800 NYC ...........................................212 262-2500 www.adv-derm.com

(SEE AD OPPOSITE PAGE)

Jarratt, Kent, L.C.S.W. 19 W 34th St, Penthouse Ste NYC.............................. 212 947-7111, ext 119 Oceanport, NJ .............................917 686-6179 www.kentjarratt.com

Mandell, William, M.D. Infectious Diseases 31 Washington Sq West NYC............................................212 475-8833

Marfuggi, Richard A., M.D., D.M.H., F.A.C.S. 50 E 69th St, NYC.......................212 317-1188 Denville, NJ .................................973 377-8950 www.askdrm.com

Maze Sexual & Reproductive Health

Maze Men’s Health Maze Women’s Health Maze Labs Maze Cord Blood 633 Third Ave, Ste 9B NYC ...........................................646 585-8980 www.mazehealth.com (SEE AD PAGE 69)

Leach, Eric G., N.P. 154 W 14th St, 4th Fl NYC............................................212 627-7560

Lefkovits, George, M.D., P.C.

113 E 39th St NYC............................................646 374-2410 www.try.lexingtonplasticsurgeons.com/ metrosource

9 E 62nd St NYC ......................................... 212 888-MALE www.parkplazaplasticsurgery.com

Midtown Integrative Medicine Aziz, Michael, M.D., FRSM 509 Madison Ave @ 53rd St, Ste 1111 NYC............................................212 906-9111 www.michaelazizmd.com

(SEE AD PAGE 82)

PHYSICIANS CONT. ❯

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- can’t-miss upcoming events - exclusives you won’t find in print - hot pop culture updates and more

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METROESPRESSO brought to you by METROSOURCE 80

APRIL/MAY 2019

METROSOURCE.COM

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

Advanced Dermatology Associates Proudly Serving the Community for Over Twenty Years MEDICAL, COSMETIC & SURGICAL DERMATOLOGY

All Skin, Hair & Nail Disorders.

All Skin Growths On-Site HIV & STD Screening, Immediate Results

Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Board Certified.

University Affiliated.

Confidential Treatment of All STD’s

www.adv-derm.com 200 Central Park South, Suite 107

212-262-2500 Day, Evening, Weekend and Same Day Appoitments Available.

All Major Credit Cards and Insurance Plans Accepted.

The Genital Wart Treatment Center A private medical facility specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of genital warts and all STD’s in a caring, supportive and confidential environment.

Board Certified Specialists • Diagnosis and Treatment of ALL Sexually Transmitted Diseases Painless Treatment with the Latest & Most Effective Therapies Available • On-Site HIV Antibody Testing • Immediate Results • Specializing in the Successful Treatment of Recurrent Genital Warts

www.CentralParkMedicalAssociates.com Central Park Medical Associates 200 Central Park South, Suite 107

212-246-0800

COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL

Day, Evening and Weekend Appointments Available. All Major Credit Cards and Insurance Plans Accepted.

PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL SERVICES (CONTINUED) – REAL ESTATE Namdar, Isaac, M.D.

Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist 425 W 59th St NYC............................................212 262-4444 1090 Amsterdam Ave NYC............................................212 663-2210 www.newyorkentspecialist.com www.namdarmd.com

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St, NYC .......................212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

Pearl, Alan, M.D., Psychiatrist

135 W 70th St NYC............................................212 724-5188

Samuelson, Stefan T., MD

44 E 12th St, Ste MD1, NYC .......212 993-8573 NYC............................................212 594-1600

PLASTIC SURGERY Dr. WW Med Spa and Laser Clinic

85-16 Queens Blvd, 2F, Elmhurst, NY 139 Centre St #224, NYC ...........718 457-0707 www.drwwmedspa.com

Lefkovits, George, M.D., P.C.

9 E 62nd St NYC ......................................... 212 888-MALE www.parkplazaplasticsurgery.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Plastic Surgery Exclusively for Men A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in men - in an office with only men in the waiting room

Brazilian Butt Fill™

Using Fat Transplantation Male Chest Reduction Liposuction Tummy Tuck Hair Transplantation Eyelid Surgery, Facelifting Nasal Profiling Med Spa Services: )V[V_ ࠮ 1\]LKLYT ࠮ 9HKPLZZL :J\SWZ\YL -H[ 9LTV]HS

Dr. Lefkovits has been an international guest speaker on Male Plastic Surgery.

COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION FINANCING AVAILABLE

GEORGE LEFKOVITS, M.D., P.C. OUTPATIENT SURGERY

This is a model, not an actual patient

82

9 East 62nd Street, NYC (212) 888-MALE www.parkplazaplasticsurgery.com email: info@drlefkovits.com

APRIL/MAY 2019

METROSOURCE.COM

Lexington Plastic Surgeons

113 E 39th St NYC............................................646 374-2410 www.try.lexingtonplasticsurgeons.com/ metrosource

Marfuggi, Richard A., M.D., D.M.H F.A.C.S.

50 E 69th St NYC............................................212 317-1188 Denville, NJ .................................973 377-8950 www.askdrm.com

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St NYC............................................212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

Sexual Health Men

290 Madison Ave 6th Fl NYC............................................973 493-7607 www.sexualhealthmen.com

Skintology

Cosmetical Aesthetics 157 E 57th St, NYC 181 7th Ave NYC............................................212 989-6555 www.skintologyny.com

PODIATRISTS Ciment, Ethan J., D.P.M.

Collins, Michael, D.P.M. Chelsea Foot & Ankle Center 37 W 20th St, Ste 308 NYC............................................646 929-4149 www.chelseafootandankle.com

REAL ESTATE Bonavita, David

Corcoran NYC ...........................................212 501-8281 www.davidbonavita.com (SEE AD OPPOSITE PAGE)

Chroughan, Judy

Julie B. Fee Sotherby’s 49 Purchase St Rye, NY ......................................914 262-5323

Coldwell Bank Residential Brokerage

JC Waterfront – Team Francesco Robert G. Harris 1 2nd St, Ste 1 & 4 Jersey City, NJ .............................201 604-4200 Cell .............................................646 334-0559

Enzo Morabito Team

Douglas Elliman Real Estate Bridgehampton .......................... 631 537-6519 Cell .............................................516 695-3433 www.theenzomorabitoteam.elliman.com

Hendler, Lisa E.

Berkshire Hathaway Blake Realtors Kinderhook, NY ..........................518 929-4519 TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

REAL ESTATE (CONTINUED) – WINE & SPIRITS McGrotty, Amy, JD

Castelli Luxury Real Estate Services Fort Lauderdale, FL ..................954 347-1732 www.amy.castellihomes.com (SEE AD PAGE 64)

Powell, DeWayne A.

Town Residential NYC............................................917 748-5100 www.townresidential.com

Prince, Keith A.

Brown Harris Stevens NYC............................................917 826-3451 www.brownharrisstevens.com

REAL ESTATE/SUBURBAN Habeeb-Clark, Deborah

Keller Williams Hudson Valley, NY .......................845 800-5413

Perasso, Matt

Prominent Properties/Sotheby’s International Realty 2 Main St, Edgewater, NJ ............201 840-8898 Cell .............................................917 834-0454 www.goldcoastcribs.com

RESTAURANTS (SEE RESTAURANT BITES PAGE 71)

RETAIL Eva’s Supplements

11 W 8th St (bet 5th & 6th Aves) NYC........................................... 212 982-2500 www.evassupplements.com

SCHOOLS Brooklyn Heights Montessori School

185 Court St Brooklyn .....................................718 858-5100 www.bhmsny.org

Rudolf Steiner School

15 E 79th St NYC............................................212 535-2130 www.steiner.edu

TRAVEL Kennedy Travel

130 W 42nd St #401 NYC............................................212 398-0999 Toll Free ......................................800 237-7433 www.kennedytravel.com

Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce

36 Main St Ogunquit, ME .............................207 646-2939 www.visitogunquit.org TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

TRAVEL/GETAWAYS Foxwoods Resort & Casino

www.foxwoods.com

WEDDING SERVICES Bespoke Matchmaking

1180 Avenue of the Americas, 8th Fl NYC............................................888 422-6464 www.bespokematchmaking.com

Paul Evans Catering

20 W 20th St NYC............................................212 321-1822 NYC............................................212 243-4494 www.paulevanscatering.com

Proposition Love

www.propositionlove.com

The Riverside Church

El Conquistador Resort

490 Riverside Dr. NYC............................................212 870-6762 www.trcnyc.com

Elite Private Yachts

NYC ...........................................212 534-6380 Cell ............................................917 864-7670 www.y4as.com

(SEE AD PAGE 63 & EVENT SPACE PAGE 77)

WILLS

1000 El Conquistador Ave Fajardo, Puerto Rico ................... 787 863-6565 www.elconresort.com

NYC ...........................................866 862-7245 www.eliteprivateyachts.com www.entertainmentcruises.com/new-york

Feinstein’s/54 Below

Yachts for All Seasons

(SEE AD PAGE 66)

Law Offices of Thomas Sciacca, PLLC

254 W 54th St, Cellar NYC................................... 212 302-5559 x114 www.54below.com

44 Wall St, 12th Fl NYC............................................212 495-0317 www.sciaccalaw.com

Gatherings Floral Design

WINE & SPIRITS

Hornblower Cruises & Events

1450 Washington St Hoboken, NJ ...............................201 942-9964 www.corkwines.net

5 Tudor City Place NYC............................................212 682-2083 www.gatheringsfloraldesign.com Pier 40 NYC ...........................................646 832-2805 www.hornblowerny.com/metrosource

(SEE AD PAGE 67 & EVENT SPACE PAGE 77)

Houston Hall

222 W. Houston St NYC........................................... 212 582-2057

Li-Lac Chocolates

Cork Wines & Spirits

David Bonavita

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson The Corcoran Group david.bonavita@corcoran.com (m) 212.501.8281 www.davidbonavita.com

West Village: 40 8th Ave, NYC Greenwich Village: 162 Bleecker St, NYC Grand Central: 43rd & Lexington, NYC Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave, NYC Industry City: 68 35th St, Brooklyn NYC............................................212 924-2280 www.li-lacchocolates.com

The Corcoran Group is a licensed real estate broker located at 660 Madison Ave, NY, NY 10065

Make My Cake

NYC............................................212 234-2344 www.makemycake.com

Manhattan Penthouse

NYC............................................212 627-8838 www.manhattanpenthouse.com

New York Zoos and Aquarium

NYC............................................718 741-3836 www.nyzooevents.com

Get FREE weekly updates

from NYC’s only comprehensive site for talks, lectures, and offbeat events thoughtgallery.org/signup

Oheka Castle

135 West Gate Dr Huntington, NY ..........................631 659-1400 www.oheka.com

Our Wedding Officiant NYC

Peter Boruchowitz NYC............................................917 523-1438 www.nyc-gay-weddings.com METROSOURCE.COM

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FIRE ISLAND PINES – CHERRY GROVE Horizon Beach House

BARS Blue Whale

Cherry Grove ..............................631 597-6278 NYC............................................212 689-2699 www.horizonbeachhouse.com

Cherry’s

Cherry Grove ..............................917 763-9029

Pines ...........................................631 597-6500 www.bluewhalefireisland.com Cherry Grove ..............................631 597-6820

Cultured Elephant

Pines ...........................................631 597-6500 www.thepinesfireisland.com

Harbor Club

SeaBreeze Rentals

GYM Steel Gym

Pines www.steelgym.com

Pines ...........................................631 597-6500 www.thepinesfireisland.com

HARDWARE

Sip n Twirl

Bay Walk Pines ...........................................631 597-6237

Pines Hardware & Sundries

36 Fire Island Boulevard Pines ...........................................631 597-3599

LANDSCAPING/FLORAL

The Pavilion

Pines ...........................................631 597-6500 www.pavilionfireisland.com

Pines ...........................................631 597-3746

CLOTHING/GIFTS

LIQUORS/WINES

Gostoso

Beachscapes

The Pines Liquor Shop

Pines ...........................................646 262-1910

Summer Solstice

Harbor Walk Pines ...........................................631 597-6442

Harbor Walk Pines ...........................................631 597-4200

POOL MAINTENANCE

CONTRACTING

Pines ...........................................631 597-7748

Walter Boss, Custom Builder

REAL ESTATE

Pines and Pools

Main & Bayview Cherry Grove .................................... 631 597-6140

Dependable Pools

Pines ...........................................631 597-6262 Pines ...........................................631 597-6262

A Summer Place

D. Karen Fire Island Properties, LTD

Pines Propane

Pines ...........................................631 597-9191

GROCERIES

Pines ...........................................631 597-7000 www.fireislandpines.com

Pines Harbor Realty

Grove Market

Main Walk Cherry Grove ..............................631 597-6239

The Pines Pantry

Harbor Walk Pines ...........................................631 597-6200

GUEST HOUSES/HOTELS Belvedere Guest House

Bay View Walk, Cherry Grove......631 597-6448 www.belvederefireisland.com

Carousel Guesthouse

36 Fire Island Blvd Pines ...........................................631 597-7575

RESTAURANTS Blue Whale

Pines ...........................................631 597-6500 www.bluewhalefireisland.com

Cultured Elephant

Pines ...........................................631 597-6500 www.thepinesfireisland.com

Grove Pizza & Restaurant

Cherry Grove ..............................631 597-6766

185 Holly Walk Cherry Grove ..............................631 597-6612

Pines Bistro & Pizza

Cherry Grove Beach Hotel

TRANSPORTATION

Cherry Grove ..............................631 597-6600

Sayville Ferry

Dune Point

Cherry Grove ..............................631 597-6261

84

APRIL/MAY 2019

Pines ...........................................631 597-3597

METROSOURCE.COM

River Rd NYC............................................631 589-0810 TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

NEW YORK COMMUNITY RESOURCES Metrosource is committed to helping non-profit organizations in their ongoing efforts to serve our diverse community.

ATHLETIC BIG APPLE SOFTBALL LEAGUE 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10011 212 696-7482 CHEER NY CHEERLEADING Felipe Hernandez 888 671-7312 www.cheerny.org

GOTHAM VOLLEYBALL P.O. Box 961 New York, NY 10034 212 388-8208 info@gothamvolleyball.org KNIGHTS WRESTLING CLUB P.O. Box 720161 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 718 815-3244

CITY CRUISERS MC Old Chelsea Station PO Box 1614 New York, NY 10011 www.citycruisers.com (gay men’s motorcycle club)

LONG ISLAND RAVENS MC CLUB c/o Long Island Eagle 94 Clinton Ave Bayshore, NY 11706 631 968-2750 www.liravensmc.org

EZRYDERS SNOWBOARDING 445 W 46th St #4D New York, NY 10036 www.ezryders@ondbdx.com

MONDAY NIGHT FOURPLAY BOWLING LEAGUE Syosset Bowl 631 842-5166

FAST AND FABULOUS CYCLING P.O. Box 23008, Ansonia Sta New York, NY 10023 212 567-7160

NORTH JERSEY G&L BOWLERS Belle Aire Lanes West Caldwell, NJ 201 823-2250

FRONT RUNNERS NY P.O. Box 87 Ansonia Sta New York, NY 10023 212 799-8781 www.frny.org

NY GAY POOL LEAGUE PO Box 1502 Ansonia Sta New York, NY 10023 212 496-4585

GARDEN STATE GAY BOWLING LEAGUE www.gsgbo.com

NY RAMBLER’S SOCCER CLUB, INC. 917 767-9789 www.nyramblers.com

NYC GAY BASKETBALL LEAGUE www.nycgaybasketball.org OUT OF BOUNDS NYC & TEAM NEW YORK PO Box 372, Times Sq Station New York, NY 10108 www.oobnyc.org PINK PONG NY Sunnyside, Queens 718 623-2926 www.pinkpongfoundation.org SUN/MON/TUE NIGHT TEAMS c/o Chelsea Piers AMF Bowl Pier 60, New York, NY 10011 212 835-2691 SUNDANCE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SOCIETY www.sundanceoutdoor.org sundanceoutdoor@yahoo.com TEAM NEW YORK AQUATICS 212 691-3440 (hotline)

CULTURAL, ETHNIC & SOCIAL APICHA 400 Broadway New York, NY 10013 212 334-6029 www.apicha.org BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY 5001 Angel Canyon Rd Kanab, UT 84741 435 644-2001 www.bestfriends.org

The NGLCCNY is the NY Metro headquarters of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) — the business voice of the LGBT community and the certifying body for LGBT Business Enterprises.

Join Us: @NGLCCNY nglccny.org | info@nglccny.org Certifying LGBT Businesses.

Connecting Our Communities.

BIG GAY MEN OF NEW YORK 9111 Liberty Ave #662 Ozone Park, NY 11417 631 780-2807 www.convergence.nyc EMPIRE CITY MEN’S CHORUS P.O. Box 1017 New York, NY 10185 empirecitymenschorus.org GAY & BI FATHERS FORUM OF GREATER NY PO Box 1321, Midtown Sta New York, NY 10018 212 721-4216 (recording) 718 728-0476

GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION (GLAAD) 150 West 26th St New York, NY 10001 212 807-1700 www.glaad.org GAY FATHERS OF NY 245 Eighth Ave #897 New York, NY 10011 212 388-2618 GAY MEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT 44 Court St, 10th Fl, Ste 1000 Brooklyn, NY 10201 718 222-6300 www.gmad.org

LESBIAN & GAY NATURAL HISTORY GROUP OF NY 80 Garfield Pl Brooklyn, NY 11215 718 965-0013

PRIME TIMERS c/o Don Hargus 208 Anderson St, Suite 8DS Hackensack, NJ 07601 201 488-4839

LESBIAN HERSTORY ARCHIVES PO Box 1258 New York, NY 10116 718 768-3953

QUEENS L&G PRIDE COMMITTEE PO Box 580445 Flushing, NY 11358 718 460-4064

LESLIE-LOHMAN MUSEUM OF GAY AND LESBIAN ART 26 Wooster St New York, NY 10013 www.leslielohman.org (SEE AD PAGE 68)

QUEENS PRIDE HOUSE 76-11 37th Ave Jackson Heights, NY 11372 718 429-5309

GAY MEN OF THE BRONX PO Box 511, Bronx, NY 10451 www.gmob.org

LIVE OUT LOUD 45 West 36th Street, 6th Fl New York, NY 10018 212 378-4095 www.liveoutloud.info (SEE AD PAGE 71)

IMPERIAL QUEENS & KINGS OF NY 70-A Greenwich Ave #120 New York, NY 10011 212 229-5900 x3655

THE LOFT-LOWER HUDSON VALLEY LGBT Center 252 Bryant Ave White Plains, NY 10605 914 948-2932 www.loftgaycenter.org

IN OUR OWN WRITE 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10014 212 620-7310 x305 (monthly readings)

THE L.I. GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL ORG P.O. Box 360 East Northport, NY 11731 www.liglff.org

IN THE LIFE 30 West 26th St, 7th Fl New York, NY 10011 212 255-6012 JERSEY CITY LESBIAN & GAY OUTREACH (JCLGO) 113 Pavonia Ave #247 Jersey City, NJ 07302 201 333-5725 LATINOS & LATINAS DE AMBIENTE/NY (LLANY) 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10014 212 367-1092 LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL & TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10014 212 620-7310 www.gaycenter.org

LONG ISLAND GAY & LESBIAN YOUTH 34 Park Ave Bay Shore, NY 11706 631 665-2300 www.ligaly.org LONG ISLAND RAVENS M.C. c/o The Long Island Eagle 94 North Clinton Ave Bay Shore, NY 11706 631 968-2750 www.liravensmc.org MALES AU NATUREL (MAN) 332 Bleecker St #133 New York, NY 10014 347 704-0704 www.man.shuttlepod.org MEN OF ALL COLORS TOGETHER NEW YORK PO Box 1518 Ansonia Station, NY 10023 NYC GAY MEN’S CHORUS 561 Seventh Ave, Ste 803 New York, NY 10018 212 344-1777 www.nycgmc.org NYC PRIDE 154 Christopher St, Suite 1D New York, NY 10014 212 807-7433 www.nycpride.org (SEE AD INSIDE BACK COVER) PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS (P-FLAG) PO Box 553 New York, NY 10021 212 463-0629 THE POINT FOUNDATION 5757 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 370 LA, CA 90036 866 33-Point www.pointfoundation.org (SEE AD PREVIOUS PAGE)

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QUEENS RAINBOW COMMUNITY CENTER 30-74 Steinway St, 2nd Fl Astoria, NY 11105 718 204-5955 SERVICES AND ADVOCACY FOR GLBT ELDERS (SAGE) 305 Seventh Ave New York, NY 10001 212 741-2247 www.sageusa.org SOUTHERNERS/L&G MEN IN NY PO Box 881 New York, NY 10008-0881 STONEWALL CHORALE Box 920, Old Chelsea Sta New York, NY 10011 212 971-5813 STONEWALL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 119 West 24th St, 7th Fl New York, NY 10011 212 367-1155 www.stonewallfoundation.org TRI STATE LG&B STUDENT COALITION 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10014

HEALTH/ COUNSELING AIDS CENTER OF QUEENS COUNTY 97-45 Queens Blvd #1220 Rego Park, NY 11374 718 896-2500 AIDS DRUG ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ADAP) 800 542-2437 AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION 475 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn, NY 11217 718 637-2970 888 AIDS-CARE www.ahfpharmacy.org AIDS HOTLINE/NYC DEPT OF HEALTH 311 Broadway, 4th Fl New York, NY 10007 800 TALK-HIV AIDS RELATED COMMUNITY SERVICES 2269 Saw Mill River Rd Elmsford, NY 10523 914 345-8888

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

NEW YORK COMMUNITY RESOURCES Metrosource is committed to helping non-profit organizations in their ongoing efforts to serve our diverse community.

AIDS SERVICE CENTER NYC 64 West 35th St New York, NY 212 645-0875 www.ascnyc.org

GAY MEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT 44 Court St, 10th Fl, Ste 1000 Brooklyn, NY 10201 718 222-6300 www.gmad.org

THE ALLIANCE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE 64 West 35th Street, 3rd Fl New York, NY 10001 212.645-0875 www.alliance.nyc (SEE AD PAGE 73)

GAY MEN’S HEALTH CRISIS 446 West 33rd St New York, NY 10001 212 367-1273 212 367-1489 800 243-7692 www.gmhc.org

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR AIDS RESEARCH 120 Wall St New York, NY 10005 212 806-1600

GOD’S LOVE WE DELIVER 166 Ave of the Americas New York, NY 10013 212 294-8142 212 294-8100 www.godslovewedeliver.org www.racetodeliver.org

ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECT 240 West 35th St, 12th Fl New York, NY 10001 212 714-1184 212 714-1141 (Hotline) BAILEY HOLT HOUSE 180 Christopher St New York, NY 10014 212 337-3000 BAILEY HOUSE 275 Seventh Ave, 12th Fl New York, NY 10001 212 633-2500 BETH ISRAEL MEDICAL CENTER AIDS CLINICAL TRIAL UNIT DIV OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES 350 East 17th St, 3rd Fl New York, NY 10003 212 420-4519 BODY POSITIVE OF NY 19 Fulton St Suite 308B New York, NY 10038 212 566-7333 800 566-6599 BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS 165 West 46th St #1300 New York, NY 10036 212 840-0770 BROOKLYN AIDS TASK FORCE 465 Dean St Brooklyn, NY 11217 718 783-0883 CALLEN LORDE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 356 West 18th St New York, NY 10011 212 271-7200 CHEST (CTRHIV/AIDS EDUCATION STUDIES & TRAINING) 250 West 26th Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 212 206-7919 DESIGN INDUSTRIES FOUNDATION FOR AIDS (DIFFA) 200 Lexington Ave #1016 New York, NY 10016 212 727-3100 F.E.G.S. MANHATTAN COUNSELING CENTER 80 Van Dam St New York, NY 10013 212 366-8289 FRIENDS HOUSE IN ROSEHILL PMB#248 50 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10010 212 995-5000 www.friendshousenyc.org

GREENWICH HOUSE 80 Fifth Ave New York, NY 10011 212 691-2900 HEALTH EDUCATION AIDS LIAISON PO Box 1103 New York, NY 10113 212 873-0780

NYC DEPT OF HEALTH OFFICE OF G&L HEALTH 125 Worth St, Suite CN67 New York, NY 10013 212 442-6944 PROJECT ACHIEVE New York, 212 305-2201 Project ACHIEVE (Union Square) New York, 212 388-0008 www.nycvaccine.org www.hopetakesaction.org THE SAMARITANS OF NEW YORK SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE PO Box 1259 New York, NY 10159 212 673-3000 (24 Hours) TALK SAFE + PLUSES 203 West St #408 New York, NY 212 604-1500 TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 VILLAGE NURSING HOME DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM 133 West 20th St, Ground Fl New York, NY 10011 212 633-1616

HETRICK MARTIN INSTITUTE 212 674-2400 www.hmi.org

LEGAL

HEALTHSHERPA 844 346-9476 www.metrosource. healthsherpa.com

LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND 120 Wall St #1500 New York, NY 10005 212 809-8585

HISPANIC AIDS FORUM, INC. 213 W 35th St, 12th Fl New York, NY 10001 212 868-6230 www.hafnyc.org

LEGAL (L&G LAW ASSN OF GREATER NY) 799 Broadway #340 New York, NY 10003 212 459-4873

HIV STOPS WITH ME www.hivstopswithme.org (SEE AD PAGE 59 & OPPOSITE PAGE) INSTITUTION FOR HUMAN IDENTITY 322 Eighth Ave, Suite #802 New York, NY 10011 212 243-2830 www.ihi-therapycenter.org LI ASSN FOR AIDS CARE (LIAAC) 631 385-AIDS (hotline) 631 385-2451 MEN OF COLOR AIDS PREVENTION PROGRAM (MOCA) 125 Worth St, Box 67 New York, NY 10013 212 788-4402

LESBIANS LESBIANS ABOUT VISUAL ART 118 Fort Greene Pl Brooklyn, NY 11217

POLITICAL EMPIRE STATE PRIDE AGENDA 16 West 22nd St New York, NY 10010 212 627-0305 LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS OF NY Radio City Station PO Box 2321 New York, NY 10101 212 202-6431 www.newyork.logcabin.org PRIDE DEMOCRATS 70 Greenwich Ave New York, NY 10011 212 613-6039 STONEWALL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 119 West 24th St, 6th Fl New York, NY 10011 212 367-1155 STONEWALL DEMOCRATIC CLUB 212 561-9008 www.stonewalldems.com STONEWALL REPUBLICANS PO Box 650052 Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 718 357-7075

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LESBIAN AND GAY AFFIRMATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPISTS 250 West 15th St New York, NY 10011 212 517-1722

LES HERSTORY ARCHIVES PO Box 1258 New York, NY 10116 718 768-3953

FSIX FINANCIAL SERVICE INDUSTRY EXCHANGE www.fsix.org

LESBIAN MOTHERS @ THE LOFT 180 East Post Rd Lower Level, White Plains, NY 914 948-4922

GAY OFFICERS ACTION LEAGUE PO Box 2038, Canal St Sta New York, NY 10013

NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NY 340 West 42nd Street New York, NY 10108 646 964-5027 www.nglccny.org (SEE AD OPPOSITE PAGE) OUT PROFESSIONALS 332 Bleecker St #149 New York, NY 10014 212 462-9255 THE PUBLISHING TRIANGLE 332 Bleecker Street #D36 New York, NY 10014 www.publishingtriangle.org

REFERRALS/ SWITCHBOARDS G&L SWITCHBOARD P.O. Box 693 New York, NY 212 989-0999 THE GAY PARENTING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FUND New York, NY 10011 www.menhavingbabies.org LESBIAN THERAPISTS REFERRAL NETWORK 119 Washington Place, Suite C New York, NY 10014 212 206-1589 TREVOR PROJECT 212 545-0081 www.thetrevorproject.org

RELIGIOUS BROADWAY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 263 West 86 St, 3rd Fl New York, NY 10024 212 316-5700 www.bwayucc.org CHURCH OF ST PAUL & ST ANDREW 263 West 86th St New York, NY 10024 212 362-3179

COMMUNITY CHURCH OF NY 40 East 35th St New York, NY 10016 212 683-4988 www.ccny.org CONGREGATION BEIT SIMCHAT TORAH 130 West 30th St New York, NY 10001 212 929-9498 DIGNITY NEW YORK PO Box 1554 New York, NY 10150 646 418-7039 Brooklyn - 718 565-2171 Metro NJ - 973 857-4040 New Bruns. - 732 968-9263 Nassau - 516 781-6225 Suffolk - 631 654-5367 INTEGRITY/NEW YORK (LBGT EPISCOPALIANS) PO Box 20067 New York, NY 10011 212 691-7181 MARBLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH 1 West 29th St New York, NY 10001 212 686-2770 www.marblechurch.org METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF NY 446 West 36th St New York, NY 10018 212 629-7440 www.mccny.org MIDDLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH 112 Second Ave @ 7th St New York, NY 10003 212 477-0666 www.middlechurch.org NOT SO CHURCHY www.notsochurchy.org ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH Reverend Mark Erson 81 Christopher St. New York, NY 10014 212-242-5737 www.stjohnsnyc.org

MEN’S HIV SUPPORT GROUP 212 877-8227 x214 MINORITY TASK FORCE ON AIDS 475 Riverside Dr New York, NY 10115 212 870-2691 NAMES PROJECT NJ P.O. Box 716 New Brunswick, NJ 732 249-3933 NAMES PROJECT NYC 75 Varick St #1404 New York, NY 10013-1917 212 226-2292

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

METROSOURCE.COM

APRIL/MAY 2019

87

COULD HE BE THE FIRST GAY PRESIDENT?

VIEWS

LAST CALL

PETE BUTTIGIEG COMES FROM A VERY DIFFERENT WORLD THAN THE CURRENT

Oval Office occupant. Not only is Buttigieg from the Midwest and the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, he’s also a Harvard graduate, a Rhodes scholar, and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. At 37, he’s barely old enough to run for the office (the required age is 35). And if elected, he’d be the youngest ever to serve. He also just happens to be gay.

METROSOURCE: When you talked to people in the armed services, how did they feel about working alongside gay and trans Americans?

Pete Buttigieg: Most people I served with couldn’t care less. They wanted to know if you were prepared to do your job, and if they could trust you to handle a weapon or read an intelligence brief or whatever else was expected of you. The military, if I’m not mistaken, is the largest employer of transgender Americans, and these are Americans who just want a chance to do a good job and serve their country like everybody else. I do not understand what motivates this president to attack people who are willing to serve — fellow Americans — especially given that he was somebody who got out of his obligation to serve when it was his turn.

Like Mike Pence, you’re a Hoosier: What do you think about the way he practices the politics of division?

I think what really matters is whether our leadership pulls Americans apart or brings them together. In an odd way, Mike Pence helped unify Indiana around LGBT issues in the sense that Republicans and Democrats, mayors from both parties, business leaders — even organizations like NASCAR and the NCAA — all stood up to him on the so-called“religious freedom” bill and said, “That’s not who we are.” So while it was divisive in one sense, it actually brought out the best in many of us. We responded and stood up to say that we believe our state is better when its inclusive and when everybody is made to feel welcome.

How do you plan to cope with the insults that are bound to come your way from Donald Trump in a presidential contest?

I’ve had a fair amount of batting practice over the course of my life when it comes to dealing with bullies. And I’m not that worried about it. I think the more the conversation is about him, the less it’s about us — the less it’s about people going through everyday life in places like South Bend and across America. One of the unfortunate attributes of this presidency is that it’s a bit like a computer virus. It ties up all of our processing power and makes it hard for us to think or do anything else. But at the end of the day, it’s not about him. I think he’s a symptom more than a cause of a political

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and economic system that’s let a lot of Americans down, and really does need to be changed in a number of deep ways in order to serve us well for the years ahead.

How will being gay influence the kind of president you’d be?

My marriage happens to be same-sex. That’s also probably the most normal thing about my life. It holds me down to Earth, and it widens my perspective, and it’s something I have in common with people who are married who are not gay. I’ll also say that, as someone whose marriage exists by the grace of a single vote on the Supreme Court, I have a deep understanding of how political choices affect everyday life. And that’s an understanding I carry with me not only when thinking about LGBTQ issues, but just more generally when thinking about what’s at stake in American politics and policy. I tell this story at length in my book, Shortest Way Home, so if anybody wants to get a deeper sense of what that was like, that would be the place to look. But to make a long story short: We met on a dating app called Hinge. And I’m really glad that I clicked the right button because as soon as I met him, I knew that I’d met somebody special. Our first date was a pint at an Irish pub followed by a baseball game in South Bend. It didn’t take long to realize that something really special had happened.

Some will see your run as a symbolic quest to shatter a glass ceiling for LGBTQ people. But the way you’re talking, it seems like you have some expectation you could win.

I understand that this is an underdog project, but I think it’s a good season for underdog projects. … PeteforAmerica.com is our website, and we’re very eager for people to add their names so that we can ask people to volunteer when we need it and also [help] in fundraising. We don’t have the sort of gilded fundraising base that a senator from one of America’s biggest cities might have. So we’re really counting on grassroots support from people who, for whatever number of reasons, believe it makes sense for us to be part of this conversation. And it wouldn’t hurt if somebody who wants to be supportive got a copy of the book, too. You’re going to hear us talking a lot about freedom. … It means freedom to marry the person you love. It means freedom to be who you are. It means freedom to organize for better working conditions. And I think it’s high time that people on my side of the aisle got comfortable once again talking about freedom.

■ THIS IS JUST A TASTE OF OUR CONVERSATION WITH PETE BUTTIGIEG. VISIT METROSOURCE.COM FOR OUR FULL, UNABRIDGED TRANSCRIPT, AND FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT HE STANDS FOR.

THIS PAGE: COURTESY PETE FOR AMERICA

We talk to gay presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg about trans military issues, dealing with Trump and Pence — and whether he might actually win. BY KEVIN PHINNEY

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JUNE 2019

PHOTO BY DIANA DAVIS MANUSCRIPTS AND ARCHIVES DIVISION THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

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