3 Years Of P.S. Pride! Sittin' Down With My Biz Partner, David Richey!

Whew! Really can't wait! In 48 hours I will be en route to the airport with my girl and my bestie/biz partner, catchin' a flight to Palm Springs for another year of Pride in the desert. As Qulture Qreative, David Richey and I have been involved in planning and producing Gay Pride events the last two years at The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs and this year at a completely new venue that we are super excited about! This annual happening has become one of our favorites and this year promises to be the most spectacular yet! To commemorate the occasion, I thought I'd interview Mr. Richey in advance of the events....READ ON!

LAK: Well buddy, this marks our 3rd year queerin' it up for Palm Springs Pride. What are you most looking forward to this year?

DR : I know, It's kind of crazy but totally awesome! Not sure really? There is so much great stuff happening this year. I love starting new events and building new relationships so probably our new partners this year! It was great working with the Ace the past two years but this year with Compound I feel like we are working with a group of more supportive people. They trust our vision and we have total creative control and "Succeed or Fail" that's the best feeling ever! And in addition to that we have been working with the City of Palm Springs and that's a first this year! I love birthing new babies so to speak, hahahah!

LAK: I'm pretty excited about the new venue(s) we are working with. You opened one of the 3 on the property, Birba. Give my readers a little snapshot of what your role was there and what kind of events you planned/booked.

DR : Me too! There are now 3 properties Alcazar (Hotel), Birba (Bar/Dinner), and Cheeky's (Breakfast/Lunch) owned by married couple Tara Lazar and Marco Rossetti. They are kind of everything awesome about the Renaissance that is happening in Palm Springs right now. They asked to meet with me in august of last year and told me about there plans and asked if I would be interested in being involved. They have a great product, ideas and vision for the the future of Palm Springs, I could not resist it was a really great opportunity!

I was responsible for so many aspects of getting Birba up and running, from an empty lot to a fully functioning bar/restaurant. Conception, branding, design and overall aesthetics, PR, Staffing, Menu's, Marketing, programming and on and on! This was a lot of work but a great opportunity. I just got back from a pre-production meeting for Gay Pride and I have to say I am really proud of the work I did there. In less than a year Birba has become the hot spot in Palm Springs, featured in eater L.A., Vogue.com and voted best new bar in Palm Springs from CVAS.com.

LAK: In our partnership we tend to go back and forth project managing different clients and playing support roles for each other. This one has
been your baby. Might I say that the creative and imaging of everything is
fantastic and I am super proud of the z fold that you concepted. Where did
the inspiration come from?

DR : It's true, shit it's the the reason we work so well together! I never thought of it that way I mean essentially every project that I work on, you work on and visa versa but yeah it really has kind of been my baby! I just feel that this space, "The Compound" has such great potential to do so many awesome events. Compound will be the first "Big" event that they have done. Birba has held parties, DJ's and other special events, but this is the first that will involve all three venues. The Hotel was the last to be finished and now the triangle is complete The owners are excited to be able to provide a space that offers so many things to the guest. Amazing food, nightlife, hotel. It is the best spot in town to get everything awesome that Palm springs has to offer right now, seriously! The Z fold flier idea came organically, it's all about 3's-3 venues, 3 nights, 3rd year...Kyle Macy is the real genius here I mean I can give him a bunch of visual concepts and he always gets my ideas and executes all of it to a higher level!

LAK: ..and he does such a great job on Hard Times Press! This year we are working with lots of other groups in the community, either mutually supporting each others events or sharing talent. Is this as a result of your residency in the desert?

DR: I know it's really so exciting! I mean I feel like we get the best of both worlds. It's like the relationship that we've been able to forge with Egan at Pride Seattle. We get creative control over what and who we love and in addition we get this great opportunity to work with the city to book what I call "Gap Bridging" Talent. This year Palm springs is doing the 1st annual "Arenas Block Party" which is sort of intended to be a bit younger more edgy stage and takes place in the middle of all the gay bars. Reggie Cameron who is the talent coordinator for gay pride this year reached out to me about three months ago. Based on my reputation for the events that I produced for the Ace Hotel. We just started throwing ideas back and forth about how our event and this event could work in tandem to support each other. Ultimetly we were able to book Cazwell and Ultra Nate for the City and be the official after party for several city events. So to answer your question, yes I guess my reputation does precede me, hahaha! I was able to build a few very important relationships in the desert, it's nice when people love what you do and have some kind of respect for that.

DR: Can I just say that when we first met, I was rocking Ultra Nate's "Free" and it was the newest, hottest track out there. It's nearly 20 years later and we're involved in bringing her to P.S. for the festival. Does that blow
your mind? It kind of blows my mind.

DR: LOL, shit gurrrl we is old! I am kind of excited actually, its funny I think part of what makes what we do together so great is that we have a healthy respect for all artists-past, present and future! The fun of what we do is not having any pretense about who we book and why. It kind of needs to make some sort of intuitive sense but at the end of the day I don't really give a fuck! If you love it and think it's cool, awesome. If you hate and think its stupid and cheesy awesome! Cuz I'm free... hahahahaha!

LAK: What's going to make this year different than the last two years of events we've been involved with for P.S. Pride?

DR: So many things! On a personal/professional level working with supportive people that are excited about what we do that's huge! Artistically and culturally speaking what we were able to accomplish at the Ace is pretty astonishing not to mention all of the artists that have supported us. I really feel like Palm Springs is headed into a Renaissance and it will be really interesting to see what happens out there in the next 5-10 years. The desert really can be a magical place, add a little night life and a dash of culture = perfection.

LAK: Did you know that the "Packages Of Palm Springs" piece that I did after our parties last year remains one of the top 3 most viewed blog posts I've
ever done? My question is this: Do you think this year will top last?
Enquiring minds want to know!

DR: Hells to the YES! Your fascination with packages cracks me up its like a straight frat dude with boobies! Keep that camera away from my crotch gurl!

LAK: Damn! Now I feel like you've issued me a challenge! You better sleep with one eye open!

For more information about COMPOUND, click here.

Stay tuned for posts and pictures from all of our Palm Springs happenings!

Here's hopin' we'll see you there....

XXX


L.A.K.

New Queer On The Block + ElektroPOP = One H.O.T. Night Out!

Clear your calendars tomorrow night (Thursday 10/27) folks because there's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on and you're gonna wanna be in on it! Two fabulous events have come together to combine for one AWE-mazing night! I have mucho love for all involved and if you don't already, you will by the time tomorrow night is over!

Get your asses out of the house early and head on down to Rebar (1114 Howell @ Boren) for “New Queer on the Block Comedy Show”! This much buzzed about show features Brian Peterson working it out with his signature stand-up comedy (and he's got some zingers for ya!), as well as Dion Vox, who will be performing an hour long show with a live band! Hosting duties are solidly on lock by none other than Seattle's legendary Mark “Mom” Finley. When Mom is on the mic, you never know what surprises are in store!

Doors open at 9pm. 21+ w/ID

Purchase your tickets online and secure your spot: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/208320

Once you get done enjoying the show over at Re-Bar, don't miss out on the afterparty....

I played this night a few weeks back and I can say it's a hella fun party, thrown by some VERY cool peeps! Hot off the heels of last weeks Official Robyn After Party with over 300 in attendance, this week ElektroPOP is back with "The Little Monsters Gagaween Party!" They'll be celebrating all things GAGA! With the skyscraper hostess Mama Tits, DJ Skiddle, DJ PBear, and a special drag performance that the organizers promise you'll go Gaga over! Games, prizes, giveaways, dancing, drinking, glitter, bubbles, and oh so much more! This party is going to give all new meaning to AFTERPARTY! HELL YES!

RSVP to this event here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lezbro/143782592343811#!/event.php?eid=208241425912539

ElektroPOP! is produced by Sinfinite Productions and happens every Thursday at The Baltic Room.

GETIN2IT KIDS! ...and don't get any on ya! Or do, whatever floats your boat!

XXX


L.A.K.

Rant n' Roll!

Man, is it just me or has the world gone absolutely mad lately? It's enough to make a person hunker down under a desk somewhere, eat a whole box of crayons, and shit in color. Everywhere I look there's shit that's just driving me bananas. If anyone has any valium that they want to donate, I wouldn't complain...

Where to start: Ah yes, the 99%. The Occupy Wall Street protests. I say KUDOS to everyone participating. I hope the movement grows and gains momentum and FINALLY creates a turning point for our country. What exactly is it about this that's making me wanna strap on a c-4 vest and give someone a big ass hug? Well, of course, the irritation would lead me to tell you a story about something I found on Facebook. (Fuckin' Facebook!) Anyway, I was on the 'book, perusing, posting, inviting people to upcoming events, you know, the shit I do on there. Anyway, in the feed I noticed friends of mine that were posting pictures of people that has pointed out people drinking out of Starbucks cups or wearing an Adidas hat, or having some sort of corporate branded presence. Then, without a doubt, that friend would have written something to the effect of "wow, first time I've ever agreed with Republicans". As if someone grabbing a cup of Starbucks before heading to the protest makes the protest and the reason behind it null and void. Newsflash people. WE DIDN'T BAIL STARBUCKS OUT. We didn't have to flood thier coffers with tons of taxpayer cash to keep their business afloat. As far as I know, we didn't do the same with Adidas either. People are pissed because the rich folks on Wall Street and in the banks, well, they did take our taxpayer money. To be, "bailed out". They've posted record earnings and the higher ups are still collecting record bonuses. THEY ARE THE 1%!!!! For christs sake. If you're my friend and you are reading this, I am sorry if this offends you, but I think you are wrong and it annoys me. It annoys me because as far as I am concerned as long as you continue to see it that way, they win. It makes me sad that you would want them to, or that you would be so caught up in enjoying your own snarkery (my own made up word), that you'd actually not give a shit. 'Cause that's what it looks like to me. Sorry. That's how I feel.

OMG. Then there was that recent "situation" in Seattle involving a server who had something written on the bottom of a reciept by one of her customers that was less than nice. Said reciept was posted to Facebook, passed around, and a virtual lynch mob began. Pardon me if that term is un-PC, but I don't know what else to call it when people interject for calls of violence. The guy who wrote the offensive note was tagged, but then that ended up not being the right guy, then another guy was tagged and that was wrong or something. Urban lore has twisted this around 10 ways from Sunday and every scenester aching for a moment in the sun has jumped into the fray. Supposedly the story made the MSN homepage and the Today show. One local scenester even took the opportunity to blog about cyber bullying, but that blogpost just ended up looking like shameless self promotion for another incident that happened months ago, and was very humorous to me because I know this person to be a bully themselves. I've seen thier bullying ways firsthand, when they thought I would think what they were doing was funny too (and I didn't). Everyone's gotten in on the action. Everyone's taken a side. Well, nearly everyone. It's been interesting to see how up in arms people have gotten about this. How involved and passionate, one way or another, they have participated. Ultimately it boils down to this. People need to learn to deal with shit NOT ON FACEBOOK. First of all, once case law catches up with the internet, there'll be a shitload of people prosecuted for exactly the type of shit that went on. The guy was wrong as hell to write that on the slip, despite his motivation (which was supposedly in retaliation to a comment that the server in question had made about his recovering annorectic girlfriend). Wrong, wrong, wrong. No matter how wrong though, I thought everyone else was bat shit crazy to get involved the way they did too. Banning someone or 86ing someone? Fine. Do it. It doesn't need to be national news. Don't we have bigger fish to fry???!!!

Then that brings me to the Republi-CONS running for the nomination. Come on people. This group really just has me scratching my head and wondering why we aren't just handing Obama his second term. Because if any of these jokers actually ends up being the President...well, I don't know what I'd do. Be very disappointed. Very sad. Further disollusioned. Perry is like a crazy charicature of W. Cain is just trying to sell his book. Romney, well, he reminds me of the manchurian candidate. Bachmann would be a disgrace as the first female president if she made it. ....and on and on and on. These people have nothing interesting to say, they have nothing substantive to offer. I hope they all embarrass the shit out of themselves (more than they already have), Obama gets a mandate, and then he actually gives us the change he promised us the first time around.

Sigh. I could go on, but that's enough venting for now. Onward and upward is on the menu for today! Have a great week, be good to yourselves and for god's sake, make sure you wear clean underwear!

XXX


L.A.K.

Heading Down To PDX For Some Hard Times With Peep Show!

Really excited about the impending roadtrip tomorrow! A handful of the Hard Times crew is pilin' in the Lezbaru and making our way down to Portland to do a promo at Peep Show at Red Cap. It's gonna be a Hard Times Halloween people. You know I pulled out my Divine wig and packed that puppy. I'm thinking my costume will be something between Divine and Jackie Hell. You can feel that, can't you?



Peep Show teams up with Hard Times Press out of Seattle, WA for a night sure to deliver love, laughter, tears, titillation, confusion and excitement- all soaked in fake blood and rhinestone crusted.

Come enjoy the full length Queer Cabaret show and stay after to dance to the jams brought to you by DJ's Roy G Biv and Mr. Charming (of Bent, Gaycation, Blow Pony and more).

Test run your Halloween costumes in the PHOTO BOOTH brought to you by Ginger Girl Photography and Hard Times Press. Also check out their booth for copies of the latest release.

Free!!! WHAT? I KNOW, RIGHT?! Yep, its true. FREE!

21+ with ID (Try a drink from the all new specialty Peep Show drink list)

Performances by:

Fannie Mae Darling (welcome home)

SWAGGER (a queer dance movement)

Sleazy B (former Miltown King)

Slim Pickins and Laura Beth (fiddle realness)

Sterling Clark (former Rose City Siren, current badass)

Georgia Ray Babycakes (just cant get enough)

Anthony Hudson as Carla Rossi (oh no, who invited this guy)

Serendipity Jones (Drag Queen *AND* Rock Star)

Dionysius (heartmelting melodies)

The Drag Mansion (if they can sober up)

Austin Tatious

...and More!!!

****Come early to get a good seat- I'll see you there pumpkins****

See you there PDX!

XXX


L.A.K.

What's In My Box? Taste The Rainbow With DJ Skiddle!

Totally lovin' this Mashtape from DJ Skiddle right now! He's one of my favorite DJ's in this new generation of DJ's coming up. He works hard and he's talented as an MF! He has a unique perspective that he brings to the table, and is always evolving. This new mix is unbelievable and it must be shared! Perfect soundtrack for your drive time, workout, prefunk, whatever. It also features a custom remix of one of my tracks! Read on!

Hot from a sizzling summer and just in time for the shifting seasons, DJ Skiddle proudly introduces his first mixtape. Following a decade of foundational work with c89.5 FM and the Seattle electronic music scene, Skiddle has begun to focus his attention on mashups, and this culminates in a compiliation of his favorites. This flavor-packed, hi-energy dance mix is bet to set your sweaty groove on around the clock. At just over an hour, this mixtape mashes over 40 songs over 40 years of dance music together in perfect harmony. “One of my favorite things about Skiddle’s style is that he can (and does) take elements from songs in different genres and even eras and make them work flawlessly together," says producer Sammy LaForge (CyberSutra, Banger Bros, Golden Needle Records). ”His mixtape 'Taste It' is going to have you dancing." Skiddle also maintains an active presence in the local arts and culture scene outisde of the mix studio. "I really appreciate Skiddle's ability to merge the passion of his dance music with his ability to clearly speak about it with the utmost social responsibility," says scholar/ teacher/ writer Dr. Rahul K. Gairola (UW, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle Gay News). "When he speaks to the students the fire lights in their eyes, and soonafter, their feets and minds on fire -- 'Taste It' will appeal to younger listeners, as well as older generations."

DJ Skiddle - Taste It (2011 Mashtape) by Dj Skiddle on Mixcloud

DJ Skiddle has been passionately refining his music-mixing skills for over a decade, and has been showcasing these skills in Seattle for the past three years. His dance mixes and mash-ups are staple party anthems at nightclubs across the city, namely on Capitol Hill. For two years, he has also been helping commuters unwind on Mondays and, more recently, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with C89.5 FM's "Drive at 5” mixshow. His trademark blend of Mainstream Dance, Pop, House, and Electro bring a unique music perspective to "Team Drive@5" and his shows are known for their high energy. For nearly a decade, Skiddle has been creating mash-ups, and he incorporates live mash-ups into his stage sets. His "Mashers" seamlessly blend the energies of mulitple songs. Unlike many mash-up DJs, most of Skiddle's mashups are Mainstream Dance-based and geared toward a more modern dancefloor. Skiddle released "Taste It," his first mashtape, in September 2011.

I promise you'll love it!

XXX


L.A.K.

Catching Up With The Guys From Seattle Gay Scene

I have a real special place in my heart for the guys from Seattle Gay Scene. Bill W, the founder, was very supportive of events that myself and my business partner, David "D$" Richey were throwing. Even when others weren't. Despite how successful those events were or how noteworthy the talent was that we were working with. He developed a platform that is supportive across the spectrum and connects the LGBTQ community in a way that no other platform in Seattle had until that point. There are new Sheriff's in the SGS offices. Les Sterling and Michael Strangeways continue to carry the torch that Bill W lit. With style, grace, snarkiness, and, um, goat meat? I had a chance to Q & A with these new Sheriff's recently. I pick thier brains on a number of issues. Read on!




LAK: Let's start with this: What are your official roles at Seattle Gay Scene?

LS: Creative Director -I take care of the site design & techie stuff, and produce and procure multimedia content.

MS: Editorial GOD Like figure. Which means I write 90% of the posts (Note: figure not mathematically calculated). And, I edit the contributors and try to find new contributors and marketing and the one billion other things associated with trying to make a blog/website into a business. Which is happening...slowly, but surely.


LAK: How did you come to be involved with Seattle Gay Scene?

LS: Michael and I had met at SIFF, and he mentioned one day over a cigarette that he was working with this new-ish site that covers all things gay in Seattle, and that they were looking for contributors. I'm a photographer and I love to write politics and art, so I thought it sounded like a cool, and different opportunity.

MS: Bill W. the founder of the site and I were casual web friends via The Stranger's Slog site...he liked my snarky style. One day I commented on an SGS post about the locally made gay marriage documentary "In-laws & Outlaws" and while I love the film, I rather snarkily commented that I was sick of it constantly being screened all over Seattle. Bill apparently thought his site needed my brand of "sass" and asked me to write for the site...much to his eventual chagrin I'm sure. (Also should note, Bill is STILL contributing to the site, just not as much due to real job and family commitments.)


LAK: I understand that neither of you are originally from Seattle, what brought you here?

LS: I'm originally from Kansas City, and I lived in Chicago until 2004. I was working a corporate marketing job, and after I turned 30, and did the whole "Gosh, what do I want from my life?" drama that happens when you turn 30 - I ran away to London for a week by myself, and did a lot of soul searching - actually I bummed around and drank a lot. But when I returned, I decided that I didn't want to live in a climate where blizzards were common, and I didn't want to work for corporate America on that scale anymore. I loved the salary, don't get me wrong, and working in the John Hancock Building in Chicago is pretty sweet. Even artistically, I loved Chicago - I had an almost endless supply of models, and the city itself provided so much texture and color to play with photographically. But there were 4 or 5 months out of the year where I was pretty much relegated to the indoors - I learned to love studio photography in that time, but I really do like the outdoors. That much time indoors, and spending a lot of time preparing yourself when you did have to go outside was making me nuts, and I knew that it was time for a change. I had entertained the idea of Los Angeles a few times - I'd spent chunks of time there for work, but I don't know if I have the correct temperament for LA. I'm too inclined to be direct and honest - apparently that's not good to do in LA :)
But, I had a couple friends in Chicago who were also considering Seattle, and we collectively had friends who had already moved to Seattle who were selling it pretty hard. I liked the climate, and (some of) the laid-back attitude, and really dug the creative world here. Actually, I lived in Tacoma for the first 5 months I was here in 2004 - I really loved Tacoma, but I was spending most of my time in Seattle working and playing that I just decided to move myself to the city. If I’d found work in Tacoma, things might have been very different :).

MS: I'm from Nebraska via Minnesota, Missouri and Kansas. My original hometown is the same town featured in the movie "Boys Don't Cry" about Brandon Teena and his murder. Fun place! I finally managed to escape Red State Country in 2000.

Also, I like clouds, mold, banana slugs and passive aggressiveness.


LAK: Personally, I think the Seattle Gay Scene is pretty responsible about covering a diverse cross section of Topics & Happenings throughout the Northwest. Bill W was super on top of this in the beginning, and you guys have continued. Is this something you guys strive for, or is this happening naturally?

LS: Oh god, yes! I have to confess, I did get spoiled in Chicago, culturally. I think there was an open studio, experimental theatre or gallery event every night there.

But, after living here a few years, I had become rather exhausted by (what seemed to be) a lack of art, events, theatre, happenings that were outside the mainstream. It turns out, that the mainstream was really all that was getting attention in the other media outlets. I'm so glad Bill came along when he did - the calendar has become invaluable. Honestly, that was why I was so keen to get involved. Seattle Gay Scene was where I could find out about stuff that wasn't mentioned elsewhere. Of course, we can't talk about it if we don't know about it - so hopefully people continue to advertise their stuff on the site, and keep us posted so we can share it with the world.

MS: We try to mix it up and I seriously try to include events that are not specifically designed for LGBTQ audiences. I want to talk about stuff that's not 100% queer. There are many gay people who like Nirvana, and Sci Fi Conventions, and Monster Truck Rallies, and Mexican Wrestling...it shouldn't JUST be about Glee, drag queens, muscle bears and Lady Gaga. And, yeah, it's something I strive for AND something that just happens naturally to reflect our own personal interests. Queer life doesn't only revolve around queer things. We're very, very diverse just like everyone else.


LAK: How many contributors do you guys have at Seattle Gay Scene?

LS: There's only a few of us at the core, and a half-dozen or so folks that contribute regularly. We're always looking for people who want to work with us, though! It's tough, because no one is getting paid yet, but as we expand, and more advertisers come on board, we're looking to change that. People should always be paid for their work in some way.

MS: It varies. Many people sign on, then get busy and move on. Blogging is harder than it looks. But, we add people all the time and we're always looking for people to feature. Especially different kinds of contributions...video, comics, animation...all are welcome. And, we have some exciting new people contributing...Mark "Mom" Finley is coming out of journalistic retirement to do Celebrity Interviews for us, like he used to do at SGN. And, we're working on some more new folks as well. TBA.


LAK: This year, we've seen Seattle Gay Scene start to host parties. Can we anticipate more of this in the future?

LS: I hope so! We're not really in the party production business, but they are an awful lot of fun aren't they? I like being able to showcase talent of all kinds! I'd love to do some art showings, movie nights, or micro-film festivals. Isn't it about time we had a small festival devoted to the early experimental queer filmmakers? I can see it "Early Homo-Erotic Experimental Works" and a screening of The Killing of Sister George for the lesbians :).

MS: Yup. We're doing some co-sponsoring things in the fall, and we hope to do some more party/theater/performance/fundraiser events next year, to be determined and announced.


LAK: David and I have been guests on your podcast, and we've had a great time! When did you guys start the podcast, and what were your intentions behind it?

LS: For about 5 years, I've loved the podcasts I've found online, but it's taken this long for it to come into its own as a medium. When I got involved with SGS, I was looking for a cool way to do a weekly roundup of some sort, and have another outlet to bring voices out to the world. Michael and I can talk all day long, but we also wanted to have folks out in the community come in and share their perspectives and thoughts on what was happening out there. Then adding the video/SGS-TV component was just a visual extension of that experience. I read a lot and listen to several podcasts, but at my heart, I'm a visual artist and tech geek - I love media of all stripes and I don't think I'm alone in that. We want to offer a multimedia experience to satisfy many tastes, not just the written word.

MS: We started the podcast this last spring. The podcast is just another way to get info out there...and, it's fun to do. Also, we've added SGS-TV and plan on doing a lot more video in the future as well...some of it to be announced shortly. AND, we LOVE having you guys. You’re fun guests! You have OPINIONS and you're not afraid to share them with the world. AWESOME!


LAK: What are your goals for Seattle Gay Scene looking forward?

LS: I think for me, creatively, expanding the multimedia offering is what I'd love to see more of. I want more original photo, audio and video content out there, as well as content from contributors. I want to see what the Queer experimenters are doing. I want to see work without boundaries. I want us to be able to continue to inform and entertain using any medium possible - we just need to hear from the creatives out there. It would be easy to promote myself and my own work, but I want to see the broad selection of work out there. I think the creatives in Seattle who are doing really awesome things tend to be too shy about talking about themselves - I'd love to help cure them of that shyness.

MS: Bigger. More content. Better content. Different content. More video and podcasts. Full media domination. (not really kidding there.) More ads. Bigger community presence. Reach out to other cool artists and business people to work together and help each other out. Continue to promote deserving new talent. Financial viability. Hot, otter boys as our personal assistants. Fighting the good fight against the Daleks and the Borg. The works, baby!


LAK: Biggest challenge for you in covering Seattle's "gay scene"?

LS: Probably having enough time and resources to get to everything and cover it. There's so much happening, and I hate the thought that stuff might fall through the cracks. We're getting there, but we are in the same boat as a lot of folks - needing more time, needing more technology and needing more money.

MS: People confusing us with SGN. Getting our brand out there. Navigating between all the various factions of LGBTQ society. Dealing with a few morons. People getting butt hurt over stupid shit. Trying not to get butt hurt over stupid shit that doesn't matter. My ability to constantly irritate people. Digging up info from uncooperative sources. The usual. Oh, you only asked for one challenge...oops!


LAK: You just moved in to new digs in the Central District. Proof that the gays are migrating. Can we expect an "office warming" party soon?

LS: I'm so excited about the Cherry Street Studios :). Originally, I was just looking for an artspace for myself, but when it turned out that there was space aplenty for rent, it became an opportunity to create a new community, and have a home for SGS as well as a lot of other creative folks. We're working with the other folks at the building to do an open studio day/building warming party - hopefully in October some time :).

MS: Sure. We're near Twilight Exit and several Ethiopian restaurants...it'll be a helluva party. Hipsters and Goat Meat for EVERYBODY! And, plenty of cabs to make sure people make it home safely. Every Ethiopian cab driver in Seattle hangs out over here.

Photos by Shauna Hargrove. Big ups to Pony for the shooting location!


I, for one, cannot wait for that party! Bring on the goat meat!

XXX


L.A.K.

Katey Pants On We Were Here

It's hard to figure out where to start when meditating on the importance of We Were Here, a documentary by Daniel Weissman. It was the premier movie of the Portland Gay and Lesbian Film Festival which was not only a bold move but an great start to a necessary conversation. Weismann's film illuminates the social, personal, political and cultural issues of the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco. The film itself has a small scope and because of that scope- it is able to highlight the broader issues of this epidemic. Its characters: Ed Wolf- an AIDS activist and caregiver; Paul Boneberg- executive director of the GLBT Historical Society; Daniel Goldstein- a visual artist and founding President of Under One Roof; Guy Clark- a local queer florist based out of SF's Castro District; and Eileen Glutzer- a nurse in the height of the crisis and feminist health care activist. Weismann's focus on these characters and their personal experience allow the film a lot of depth that captures the profound personal stories that highlight a larger collective experience.

It is alarming to imagine a time where people did not have access to information. And without access to information many are simply left to desperation, conjecture, strange study, and a demand for good community care. During this epidemic in the 1980's all people knew at the beginning is that there was a gay cancer and that it was killing almost everyone that they knew. And this cancer was effecting almost everyone. In 1979- ten percent of the gay male community was infected. By 1981- it doubled to twenty percent and at the end of 1981 it skyrocketed to fifty percent. How people responded to this crisis was intriguing, inspiring and calls into question how quickly a community can form under such an intense crisis.

Setting the stage for confusion and crisis- Weissman highlights some early coping methods. The imagery and narratives in this film not only convey the highly personal stories of those affected by the epidemic but the brave responses and simultaneous collective trauma on a community. Take: A scene of a drug store where people would post Polaroids of themselves infected and warning others that something was out there. A scene of lesbians in SF hosting blood drives for their queer brothers infected since this population was so demonized that their access to blood and other essentials to live were sparse. A scene of rapidly rising support and healthcare groups for those infected so people would not have to die alone. A backdrop of when healthcare is not healthcare but merely helping people die. A experimental drug that killed all but one of its patients.

How this community was able to provide those dying with dignity but without knowledge, resources, or broad-based public support set an unbelievable progressive model of healthcare where people bonded rapidly and loved in a time of a plague. And this love was unapologetic and fearless.

This film is not only important for historical reasons but it is imperative for inter-generational conversations in the queer community. The San Francisco model calls out how to build collective care, how to develop human structures to those in pain, and overcoming a larger society that renders queer people invisible and not worthy of love and care. Weissman writes:

“2011 marks 30 years since AIDS descended. Like an unrelenting hurricane, the epidemic roiled San Francisco for two decades and only began granting some reprieve with medical advancements in the late 90s. The death years of AIDS left the City ravaged and exhausted, yet, as in most of the developed world, the worst seems past. Though thousands are still living with HIV, and new infections continue at an alarming rate, the relentless suffering of the 80s and 90s has given way to a kind of calm, and, understandably, a degree of willful forgetfulness.”

We Were Here stops that collective forgetfulness and silence and forces the queer community to continue dialogs on not only stopping this epidemic but to recognizing an ethic of entanglement that is needed to love in a time of crisis.

Review by my good friend Katey Pants aka Roy G Biv, aka one of the coolest chicks I know!

XXX

L.A.K.

Tonite! Hard Times Hits Bacon Strip!

Tonite I will be scootin' on down to Rebar to catch the Halloween Whore-Or show and hang with the Hard Times crew! Can't wait to share the new issue with another crowd! Really proud of this issue as it's power packed with awesome content and some AWE-mazing photos by Debora Spencer! Plus, Sylvia O Stayformore always puts on a good show! Come join us if you are out and about! You know we'll be up to no good!

Here's the press release with all the dirty details:

Sylvia O’Stayformore, local performer and founder of the outrageous Bacon Strip The Big Gay Variety Show, is getting kind of spooky for the Halloween Season! Come down to Rebar for some Halloween Whore-ore and see what the girls have in store for you at Bacon Strip. Sylvia O’Stayformore and the cast of crazies will bring you a night of horror and mayhem with some meaty bacon thrown in.

Sylvia will lead an all-star lineup, including:

• Maxine
• James & Kerry Darling
• Honey Bucket
• Ade
• Miss Homo Arigato
• DisGrace Jones
• Jinkx Monsoon
• Ursula Major
• Mitzy Sixx

And more!

And of course, Bacon Strip would not be complete without our very own meaty twink, Corey Bacon Boy Nunn, serving up the main course – BACON! So come on down to Rebar. What do we have in store? Imagine something like Frankenhooker meets Dracula and a little Nightmare on Elm Street thrown in. Expect anything.

Parties of 10 of more will also get a discount at the door. Contact Sylvia O’Stayformore for more info.


Check out Bacon Strip Videos at http://baconstripvideos.com/

Sponsored by Seattle Gay Scene
http://www.seattlegayscene.com/

I smell bacon!

XXX


L.A.K.