March 2013
The Fabulous Beekman Boys
Country Living Never Felt So Good!
&
Food Jewels
The Accessory Diet
The 20s Are Back! Moonshine: From Underground to All The Rage
Complimentary Copy
Fourth Meal
It’s Last Call. Where to Eat?
1 Out of 10 Torch Song Trilogy – The Movie @ 25. Colin Murphy Chats With Ken Page
Dieta’ s Favorite Things The Ultimate Foodie’s List of Loves
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March 2013
In this issue March 2013 | Volume 14 | Issue 3
26. On the COVER:
Our own Dieta Pepsi serves up Julia Child realness at the Missouri History Museum. Make sure to check out “Dieta’s Favorite Things.” Photography by Alex Galindo
6. On the cover 7. Editor’s letter 9. Online
20. beekman boys
39. fourth meal
11. One out of 10: torch song triology
33. new york city ballet takes st. louis
44. a very mary anniversary
35. moonshine:
46. playd/a/tes 48. scene & Styling
@theVitalVOICE.com
The hit gay film turns 25 this year. Colin Murphy chats with St. Louis actor Ken Page who played Murray – the “Bigger than Broadway” Marsha Dimes.
Denny Patterson profiles The Fabulous Beekman Boys who are gearing up to take The Cooking Channel by storm with a third season of their hit show.
the 1920s are back!
Matt Jamieson gives us the skinny on the best greasy spoons, diners and dives.
14.
photo spread: the accessory diet
Stay Connected with us
Vital VOICE is printed on recycled newspaper and uses soy ink for a 100% recyclable product.
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On the
Cover team
March 2013
The Fabulous Beekman Boys
Country Living Never Felt So Good!
&
FOURTH MEAL
FOOD JEWELS
The Accessory Diet
The 20s Are Back! Moonshine: From Underground to All The Rage
Complimentary Copy
It’s Last Call. Where to Eat?
CEO/Publisher Darin Slyman
1 OUT OF 10 Torch Song Trilogy – The Movie @ 25. Colin Murphy Chats With Ken Page
Dieta’ s Favorite Things
dsly@thevitalvoice.com Executive Editor/Senior Writer Colin Murphy colinm@thevitalvoice.com
The Ultimate Foodie’s List of Loves
The one and only Dieta Pepsi recreated an iconic pose of renowned chef and personality Julia Child on location at the Missouri History Museum. Thanks to Everett Dietle, Charles Moreland, Lewis Mainieri, Sharon Smith and Osage Café. Photography by Alex Galindo.
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at a glance
Lumiere/River City Casinos 2 Gateway Men’s Chorus 3 Empower/US Bank 4 The LGBT Center of St. Louis 4 St. Louis Fashion Week 8 Touhill- MADCO 8 Dance St. Louis 10 Planned Parenthood 10 Rehab Bar and Grill 19 Washateria 19 Scott Lokitz Photography 19 Pam Schneider 25 Black Rep 25 Parktown Imports- Audi 25 Missouri History Museum 31 Tyler Olsen 32 Hamburger Mary’s 32 Planned Parenthood 38
Pasta House Lewis Reed Premiere Eye Associates Affordable Quality Writing St. Louis Science Center
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25K Issues Printed Monthly
300+ Points of Distribution Vital VOICE is your premier LGBT publication and reaches a diverse readership from thoughtful leaders and young thinkers to trend setters in culture, entertainment and beyond.
Corrections Our apologies to Shotgun Abby for adding an extra “e” to their name in one of their mentions in last month’s Entertainment Guide. Check them out at www.shotgunabby.com. 8
March 2013
Staff Writer Matt Jamieson mattj@thevitalvoice.com Art Director Andrea Piamonte andrea@thevitalvoice.com Business Manager Leon Braxton/Dieta Pepsi dieta@thevitalvoice.com PR/Digital Communications Jimmy Lesch jimmy@thevitalvoice.com Business Assistant Janae Johnson janae@thevitalvoice.com Account Executive Patrick Magnuson patch@thevitalvoice.com Photographer Alex Galindo alex@thevitalvoice.com
Contributors Photography: Alex Galindo, Darin Slyman, Mikey Berner, IMDB.com, The Cooking Channel, Robb Sapp and Paul Kolnik Writing: Colin Murphy, Matt Jamieson, Denny Patterson, Thiago Martins de Magalhães, Alex Galindo and Dieta Pepsi
Advisory Board William A. Donius, Thom Halter, Colin Murphy, Jay Perez, Pam Schneider, Kellie Trivers, Sharon Tucci
Online thevitalVOICE.com facebook.com/VitalVOICE twitter.com/VitalVOICEmag youtube.com/TheVitalVISION instagram.com/vitalVOICE
Contact Vital VOICE Magazine. 4579 Laclede Ave #268 Saint Louis, MO 63108 VitalVOICEmag@gmail.com 314.256.1196
Advertising vv@thevitalvoice.com
Editor’s letter
As the Presses
Roll...
This month’s cover doesn’t lie – we here at Vital VOICE have had a blast putting together Food Issue 2013. Throughout these 50 pages are a feast of features and other stories celebrating not just all things culinary, but our community as well. Enjoy.
As the presses roll, Marriage Equality in Illinois is fast approaching. In fact, if all things go as expected, legislation could land on Gov. Quinn’s desk even before we hit the stands. In a Valentine’s Day vote, the full Illinois Senate affirmed 34 – 21 the right of same-sex couples to legally marry and now the Illinois House, led by Rep. Greg Harris, grabs the baton. Indeed, in the relay race for equality – we are nearing the final stretch. These are exciting times we live in and to witness this play out in our region is both validating and inspiring. Relish this moment. I’d like to remind everyone to vote in the Democratic Primary Election, March 5. No matter who you pull the lever for, make your voices heard. Further, Equality Day 2013 in Jefferson City is March 27. Check out promoonline.org for details on the annual LGBT lobby day. I’ve attended many and it’s not to be missed. In closing, March is brimming with events and we hope to see you out and about. Make sure to check out our Play D/a/tes when planning your month. In Pride,
Colin Murphy, Executive Editor
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Marriage Equality in Illinois Surrounded by dozens of couples and their families, the Illinois Senate passed Senate Bill 10 on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. The vote positions Illinois to become the 10th state to recognize the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian or same-sex couples. By a vote of 34 - 21, marriage equality was approved in the General Assembly’s upper chamber – the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act now moves to the Illinois House of Representatives. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has stated he would sign the bill in short order.
The Emperor and The Jet Set Chris Andoe returns with further tales: Planning a big event in Tulsa, I knew anything could happen. The relationship with my hometown’s LGBT community is complicated, and it seems whenever I go out in that city some disgruntled queen tries to read me. While home to many nice people, unfortunately there are quite a few who mix with outsiders about as well as cats in a bag. I upset the apple cart simply by showing up.
Lisa Miller’s Campaign for Change Lisa Miller believes in active citizenship. This has been on full display throughout St. Louis’ 15th Ward as she campaigns to unseat longtime incumbent and LGBT ally, Alderwoman Jennifer Florida. At its core, Miller says her campaign is about change. Vital VOICE recently caught up with the out candidate post-canvassing to touch on a variety of topics ahead of the March 5 primary. For further reading, check out www. lisamiller4alderman.com or like her on Facebook: Lisa Miller for 15th Ward Alderman.
A Paper Tiger Burns
Colin Murphy chats with Empowerment Arts founder and St. Louis cinematographer Gavin Culbertson about his new film project, A Paper Tiger Burns. In the face of homophobia and bigotry, a young immigrant to St. Louis struggles to obtain true strength through martial arts while overcoming the demons of his troubled Colombian past. Culbertson shares the inspiration for Paper Tiger, which will largely be filmed in St. Louis, and its message to the LGBT community and beyond.
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One out of 10
One of 10 ain’t bad! Ken Page out
A look into LGBT Life- Past & Present
Reflects on the 25th Anniversary of Torch Song Trilogy – The Movie
O
Written by Colin Murphy – Editor Photography by robb sapp & IMdb.com
ne of my favorite gay-themed films of all time is Torch Song Trilogy – the 1988 comedy-drama adapted by Harvey Fierstein from his Tony and Drama Desk award winning play of the same title. If you haven’t seen it – I implore you to rent it online or there’s a copy or two in the library at The LGBT Center of St. Louis. Late last year when I realized that 2013 marked the 25th anniversary of Torch Song’s theatrical release, I immediately knew I wanted to write something about
it, maybe even snag an interview. Then I thought – Murrrrayyyy! That’s right – I chatted with St. Louis’ own Ken Page who played the larger-than-life Marsha Dimes in the modern queer classic.
to see the movie Torch Song Trilogy – that’s how I officially came out to her.
Oh, wonderful, wonderful! Well, I took my mother. It wasn’t how I came out, but I It was a delight to catch up with veteran entertainer of stage and screen to talk Torch took my mother to see the play when it was on Broadway in New York. It was Song’s impact, performing with Harvey one of those kinds of things where it Fierstein and Charles Pierce and more! represented another point of view – the mother’s point of view was represented I wanted to start by sharing that and well represented, I thought. I loved the when I was 17 I took my mother line where she says, “You pushed me out
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of your life and then you blamed me for not being there.” That was true of a lot of people, you know. So I love that I took my mother too.
Most lists of top gay-themed movies would include Torch Song Trilogy. How did you first discover Torch Song and how did the movie role come about? I would say very early on because when it was first done, it was done as three separate one-acts and I was in New York at the time when they did International Stud, Fugue in a Nursery, and Widows and Children First! And then they put them together to bring the show to Broadway and it was called Torch Song Trilogy. Having seen the show, of course, [my agent] called me and said, “We got a call for you to come in—they’re doing a film of Torch Song Trilogy.” And I thought, oh, wonderful – because I had seen the play and loved it. And I said, “But what would I do?” They said, “Well, there’s this character Murray.” And I thought who the hell is Murray?? I thought maybe they’d written a new part. And then it came to my mind that all through the play he talks to Murray on the phone – and that’s his
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friend that he calls every time something happens. And it got to be a sort of a running joke in the play where something would happen and he’d go to the phone and go [emulating Harvey Fierstein] Murrrrayyyy and there’s a blackout. Oh, I’m Murray – how fun – and what was kind of fun about it as well was nobody had seen Murray. If you’d seen the play, you didn’t know his character, you knew of him. So in a sense I was embodying someone that people had in their imaginations, but hadn’t seen.
So you truly got to create your own role? I did, I did. And Harvey and I knew each other in New York when he was doing the play a little bit, you know. And when it came time to go in for the film, I was a little nervous. They said, “You’ll have to do drag.” And I was like, Oh God! Because I’d never done anything like that. And I told Harvey, “How am I going to do this – what am I going to look like?” And he was like [doing Harvey again], “Oh, you’re going to be gorgeous!” [Laughs]. But it worked out well.
When Torch Song came out both on Broadway and in movie theaters the LGBT community was in the throes of battling AIDS – but then along
comes this quirky love story. Were you aware of the impact the movie would play in terms of gay visibility at the time? You know, if I’m not mistaken – when the play opened on Broadway the AIDS epidemic was just beginning to get recognition in the media – we weren’t in the throes of it yet. Because the play basically was written pre-AIDS, obviously, and production got up and the play opened in 1981/1982. So it was just previous – I think San Francisco was a little ahead of New York – so the onslaught of the epidemic hadn’t taken hold yet. But I think it was an interesting occurrence that a play that pushed our agenda so forward would come out just prior to the whole thing happening. I would say Torch Song was really more of a product of the end of the gay liberation movement more than a beginning of the AIDS epidemic story.
Right – but when the film came out in 1988 – I remember that being such a powerful thing for me at 17 because everything you were hearing was very scary and I suspect that’s why so many people latched on to the movie because it was so positive. Yes, it was – and it was also, in a certain kind of a way (again, the film, as opposed to the play) – it represented a time that had just slipped through our fingers. We would never regain that innocence that the movie represents at a time just before the whole thing started. But I think for people in 1988, it was almost like a respite. And still it was
a gay story and still it was about being loved and recognized and having your honor honored – but it was an escape from what was going on at the time. Because as you said, in 1988, it had gotten pretty grim. You went to see the movie and it was like – oh, there was a time before this.
This was your first movie role – what was your experience as an actor coming from the stage to the screen? Well, it was a combination because of the kind of character I was playing – we were performers in the club – so there was still a theatricality to our personality. We were all bigger than life and we were performing in the club. I think there were three musical numbers in the film, so it was a natural bridge for me. I got to do what I knew how to do well. It was funny, because Harvey asked me at one point – we were all thinking about introductions for everybody as we came out in the opening credits and he says [as Harvey], “What do you want your introduction to be?” And I was like, “Bigger than Broadway!” So that was my introduction: “And now, Bigger than Broadway – Marsha Dimes!” So that was my first step outside of the theater. But it wasn’t as hard as it would seem. It was an acting exercise in terms of bringing a performance down to human scale in the non-musical sequences. But again, I was dealing with someone that I knew and the subject matter was very real for us. So it wasn’t hard to access it in that way.
Harvey Fierstein wrote a role in the movie especially for Charles Pierce. What a fun cast – it looks like you were having the time of your life. Well, first of all – who didn’t love Charles Pierce? I was a huge fan of his and adored
him, so getting to work with him at the time, to be honest with you – I was more excited about that than I was about the film. Because I just thought he was just the best and a lovely, lovely man – and to get to work with him and do something that I knew would be there forever was a real thrill for me. But the rest of the cast was great—Harriet Leider, who played the emcee at the club and Axel Vera and of course, Harvey – we just had a great time. Even the crew and everybody involved with the project – because in 1988, even though Torch Song was a Tony award winning, well-known Broadway property – it still didn’t have an easy time getting done in Hollywood. So all the people that were connected to it really wanted to be – it was a very different kind of project in that way. The crew, everybody was very pro-the-project and very supportive of each other. This was a labor of love for everybody involved.
As Torch Song Trilogy celebrates its 25th Anniversary, many younger LGBT viewers will be discovering it for the first time – what do you hope they take away from seeing the film? I guess the strongest message in the film – they made a joke out of it, it was such a well known entity, which was: “I just want to be loved – is this so wrong?” As we’ve gone into gay marriage and so forth, you look at the film and you realize basically, he was already dealing with that at that time. His relationship with Ed and certainly with Alan – in essence he was already forging those waters by the way they had the relationships. And I think the idea of being proud of who you are, which still we need to say to our young people, and sort of living the life you preach, if that makes sense.
I would hope that they would take away from it that their pride starts from within them, not outside of them. It isn’t something that’s bestowed upon you like a magic wand – it’s something that you have to have within yourself. And that means you have to have it with co-workers, you have to have it with your family – whoever. That’s you. And either they can accept you or they can’t but you have to know who you are. And I think in the movie, especially with Harvey’s character not only being gay but also being a drag artist or transvestite – that was double, double, double in the script of all these things that he had to stand up for to be himself. This reflects back to our young people. If they want to look at Stonewall, it wasn’t the gym boys or muscle guys who fought at Stonewall – basically, it was the drag queens. It was the guys hanging out there, a great many of whom were transsexuals and transvestites and so forth that took off their high heels and wigs and fought back. Those are the people that were so brave and I think that’s all-inclusive in the film. And I hope when young people see it, and I do hope they do because I know a lot of them haven’t now. There’s a good generation and a half, if not two, who aren’t as familiar with the film. And I hope that they walk away thinking I’m a product of those people from that period and I have every right to be me and no apologies to anybody. Make sure to check out the expanded interview at www.thevitalvoice.com where the St. Louis native talks performing in “Dreamgirls” with both Jennifers, being “talent” struck and surviving 30-plus years in the business. V
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Access
the
From Left:
Purple Marble Sunglasses, SEE Eyewear White Ice Watch, Byrd Style Lounge Blue Mod Oversized Sunglasses, SEE Eyewear
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March 2013
sory Diet STYLE
Written & Photographed by Alex Galindo
Cotton Candy &Custard
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W
hat is the easiest thing you can do to make a basic outfit pop? Oftentimes, we’ll go to the nearest, everyday thing – our accessories. Wearing a flat-rimmed baseball hat, jeweled bracelets, ray-bans, leather, rope, chain or hemp can all say completely different things about you and the look you are trying to achieve. Most of us have that one accessory we always love to sport. I, for one, always have with me my man purse (it’s actually a women’s wallet, but no reason to get into specifics) which most people make fun of me for, but I wear it proudly and I feel it defines me. Like accessories are to an outfit and person, food can be to a city. Some cities have their own “accessories” which put them on the map. St. Louis is lucky to have a wide-range of foods it is known for. They may not be healthy – but that’s what makes all of them so darn delicious! So try the following Accessory Diet on for size – it’s my version of a diet without the guilt or calorie count! St. Louis is lucky to have a wide-range of foods it is known for. V Blue Jewel Orange Flower Bouquet Crystal Flower Snowflake
From top:
Cuff, Cuff, Cuff, Cuff,
Byrd Byrd Byrd Byrd
From Left:
Style Style Style Style
Lounge Lounge Lounge Lounge
Nakamol Design Multi Color Beaded Necklace, Sole and Blues Losselliani Liquid Gold Necklace, Byrd Style Lounge Clara Bedu Medallion Necklace Snowflake Cuff, Byrd Style Lounge
Billy Goat
Toasted
Ravioli
old vienna
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March 2013
From Left:
David Yurman Tag Necklace, Neiman Marcus Wing Necklace, Neiman Marcus
Provel Cheese
Accessories From:
Byrd Style Lounge, The Silver Lady, Neiman Marcus, Sole and Blues, and Morris Fashions
Location:
Vital VOICE Studios
Special Thanks:
Julie Stotlar, Byrd Style Lounge, Tammy White, Sole and Blues, Jeff Weintrop, The Silver Lady, Cheresse Pentella, Neiman Marcus, SEE Eyewear, Michael Pagel, and Brian Smith, Morris Fashions
Gooey Butter Cake From Left:
Holly Kashi Earrings, Sole and Blues Mariana Earrings, Sole and Blues
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&Pretzel
Budweiser Beer From Left:
Dragon Moldavite Meteor Ring, The Silver Lady Multi-metal Spin Ring, The Silver Lady Studded Rope Bracelet, Morris Fashions Skull Ring, The Silver Lady Brown Leather Rope Bracelet, Morris Fashions Copper Spin Ring, The Silver Lady Black Onyx Ring, The Silver Lady
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March 2013
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Brent Ridge & Josh Kilmer-Purcell 22
March 2013
Suits
From
to
Farm Boots Written by Denny Patterson Photography Courtesy of The Cooking Channel
e all remember the 1960s show Green Acres, right? Starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor, the duo plays a couple who move from the city life of New York to a rural country farm. Apparently, green acres are the place to be – at least that’s what Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge think. Kilmer-Purcell and Ridge, also known as the Beekman Boys, are a New York couple who traded their hectic NYC lives for a life on the farm. The two bought a historic manor in 2007 called the Beekman Mansion in Sharon Springs, NY, where they started their own company called Beekman 1802. The business has enjoyed success for the past five years by selling products derived from produce raised on the farm. The name ‘Beekman 1802’ is in reference to the mansion since it was built in 1802 by William Beekman, a state senator and wealthy upstate NY merchant.
“Josh and I drove past the house on a weekend applepicking excursion and fell in love with it,” Ridge said. We initially thought it was going to be a weekend getaway from the city, but it quickly became an entirely new way of life.” Kilmer-Purcell and Ridge met 14 years ago in an online chat room - back when the internet was still very innocent Ridge claims. “We chatted for several hours,” Kilmer-Purcell said. “Brent was too shy to accept a date from me, but during the course of the communication, I determined roughly the neighborhood he lived in. So, before I logged off, I type “I’ll be at this Subway stop near your house tomorrow at 8 p.m. You’ll either be there or you won’t.” He was.” Before trading in their suits for farm boots, the men were highly successful in their chosen careers. KilmerPurcell, an advertising copywriter and New York Times
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bestselling author of three books, and Ridge, a physician and former Vice President of Healthy Living for Martha Stewart Omni media (MSO) were both hit hard by the 2008 recession. Both lost their jobs within one month of each other. Faced with the possibility of foreclosure, the only way to save the farm would be to make it profitable. “I’ve been in the advertising field for over 20 years,” Kilmer-Purcell said. “Writing is my side job, I do it for pleasure. Unfortunately, these days, even bestselling books don’t bring in much income. Kilmer-Purcell’s books are primarily memoirs following his life from a drag queen named Aquadisiac (Aqua) to goat farmer. He says that his first book, “I Am Not Myself These Days,” was a very difficult book to write. “I shared many intimate, and not always flattering, episodes from my youth, but I’m very glad I put it all out there. Since then, I’ve received countless letters from young LGBT readers who learned some valuable insights from it. The same is true of my third memoir, “The Bucolic Plague.” While this book deals more from my midlife transition from NYC advertising executive to small town goat farmer, I still received many letter from people who were traveling down a similar life path. I learn as much from letters I get from readers as I do from writing my books.” Ridge, on the other hand, was a physician specializing in geriatric medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in NYC. He then went back to school at New York University Stern School of Business to get his MBA. After returning to Mount Sinai with the title of Director of Clinical Strategy, he was responsible for designing a new center for the care of older adults. He wrote Martha Stewart a
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letter while she was incarcerated, asking her to consider becoming a benefactor of the new center. After the center was open, Ridge was asked to join MSO. “Fresh out of business school, it was an exhilarating environment to work in,” he said. “Martha was really the first person to ever “brand” her own life. It’s a business model we follow closely with Beekman 1802.” By making the farm profitable, the pair hired a local gay farmer, Farmer John Hall, in search of a home for his herd of dairy goats. As he and other neighboring farmers showed Kilmer-Purcell and Ridge the ropes, they began producing soaps and cheese. Once they felt more comfortable, the two started up a website and Mercantile (Beekman 1802). Since beginning to work with other local farmers to market their goods, the company now produces a wide range of products in beauty, gourmet foods, home décor and gardening. “We really tried to re-imagine what a farm and rural life could be,” Ridge said. “When we created beekman1802.com, we wanted to become the world’s first “internet farm” where people could experience the passing of the seasons with us.” After Kilmer-Purcell and Ridge started to get their name out there, the press took notice. Soon after, World of Wonder Productions produced a reality show called The Fabulous Beekman Boys, which premiered in 2010 on Planet Green, one of the Discovery Networks. The series follows Kilmer-Purcell and Ridge as they learn how to become farmers and launch Beekman 1802. Their trials and tribulations are aided by Farmer John. As of now, there have only been two seasons - season one follows the buildup of Beekman
“We really tried to re-imagine what a farm and rural life could be�
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“Life is pretty much how it has always been. We are focused on making the farm successful and growing the Beekman 1802 business.”
1802 and how Ridge lives full-time at the farm while Kiler-Purcell works in the city during the week and commutes to the farm on weekends. Due to low ratings, Planet Green declined to renew the show. However, the Cooking Channel announced it will pick the show up for a third season. “Life is pretty much how it has always been,” Ridge said. “We are focused on making the farm successful and growing the Beekman 1802 business. We have products in stores such as WilliamsSonoma, Henri Bendel, John Derian, etc. and like any entrepreneur, our focus is always on finding the best opportunity for the business. ‘Fame’ is not really something we think about. It’s not as if paparazzi hang out in Sharon Springs (population 580).” “The Fabulous Beekman Boys” isn’t the only TV show KilmerPurcell and Ridge have been on. Last year, the duo was chosen to compete on CBS’s The Amazing Race. Overcoming gameplay, riddles, language barriers and bickering with each other paid off – they won the million dollar grand prize. The two finished secondto-last six times throughout the race. They are a prime example that underdogs should never give up. “The race was extremely difficult, even more so than it looked like to television viewers,” Kilmer-Purcell said. “What isn’t conveyed onscreen is the level of endurance necessary. The entire race around the world takes only 3.5 weeks. That’s 9 countries, countless challenges and endless traveling. You aren’t made aware
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of anything coming up, so you’re never certain when, or if, you’ll be eating, sleeping, doing laundry, showering, etc. With all of the lengthy travel times, and time zone changes, there truly is no day or night. It’s just one continuous race to the end. Dealing with the unpredictability was much tougher for me than the challenges themselves.” Kilmer-Purcell and Ridge plan to use the winnings to pay off the mortgage on the farm so the two can live together again after five years of weekly separation, invest in a building on their Main Street in Sharon Spring to become the new headquarters of Beekman 1802 and start a food brand in which 25 percent of the profits will go to helping small American farmers pay off their mortgage. “Winning The Amazing Race gave me the cushion to leave finally my job in NYC and focus fulltime on Beekman 1802,” Kilmer-Purcell said. “We just sold our city apartment and moved everything upstate, and it turns out I’d been right all these years when I told people that our entire NYC apartment would fit in the front hallway of the Beekman – it’s still all sitting there in boxes.” Fans can be on the lookout for their second cookbook, “Beekman 1802 Heirloom Desserts” which will be published in September. People may join their community on Facebook (Beekman1802Boys) or stay up to date with the Beekman Boys through Beekman1802. com. V
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Dieta’s favorit
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favorit
COVER STORY
te things Written by Dieta Pepsi Photographed by Alex Galindo
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Ok, so Oprah has her “favorite things,” why can’t I? But before I begin, I have a confession. I am a foodie (keenly interested in food, especially in eating or cooking). That sums me up to a T. With that said, let me share with you some of my favorite things about the food world I cannot live without.
The Kitchen Aid External Blade Food Processor No longer do you have to spend countless hours trying to find the correct blade in your appliance graveyard or cutting your fingers to bloody nubs. Move the external blade control and it allows you to raise and lower blades with the simple shift of a lever. Besides slicing and chopping, it can mix dough and shred chocolate or coconut. The cuts are clean and precise allowing even delicate foods like mushrooms to be perfectly sliced without crumbling or shredding. This food processor is a bit pricey but is well worth the money, time and fingers saved. It’s a must have for any serious foodie. BUY IT!
Chicken Wings Now ya’ll know that I am infamous for my love of chicken wings. Through the years I have probably eaten my weight in chicken wings, twice (Ok, maybe thrice.) I have eaten them fried, baked, smoked and grilled. I have had them BBQ, garlic, parmesan, wasabi, Asian, buffalo, Italian, honey mustard, teriyaki, curry, Cajun, jerk, molasses, bourbon, sweet and sticky, wicked, mild, naked and dirty. WHEW, that’s a lot of wings, baby! There are only a handful of places that can satisfy my craving for “wangs.” By far the best wings in St. Louis are at Rehab Bar and Grill. They are moist, juicy and sauced to perfection. Plus on Mondays the wings are only $.25. Honorable shout outs go to O’Shay’s, Culpeppers and Hamburger Mary’s. BTW, I still make the best wings in the STL. But this is not about me. EAT IT!
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“I make everything with a twist”
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“Butter makes everything better� 31
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“Put the Dieta Stank in it” Spice Island Thai Seasoning
Speaking of my Asian Kick Chicken Wings, Spice Island Thai Seasoning is the main ingredient that brings all the boys to the yard. Sprinkle a generous amount of this on chicken wings, let them marinate overnight and your wings will be well on their way to making you a star. This can also be used on beef, seafood, vegetables, noodles, stir-fry, dressings, soups and sauces. Thai seasoning creates a balance of hot, sweet, sour and salty with a spicy kick. TRY IT!
Rachael Ray Bench Scrape Shovel I love watching Rachael Ray’s cooking shows, especially at the beginning when she gathers all her ingredients and carries them to the counter all in one trip. One day she was cutting up veggies and transferring them to a pot using a scoop or something. I was like, “What the hell is that thing?” It was — chop, scoop and drop. I had to have one, found it and ordered one. This is a very inexpensive and simple little tool every foodie needs. This bench scrape makes scooping and transferring chopped food from your cutting board to a pot on a stove top mess-free in a snap. Two snaps up! You also can use this for clearing away food debris or cutting dough. I don’t know how I cooked before without it. This should be part of every cook’s arsenal. USE IT!
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“It ain’t finished until it’s garnished” Spaghetteria Mama Mia Spaghetteria Mama Mia was one of my favorite restaurants. This Italian eatery served spiedini, antipasto and tons of other Italian favorites. The owner Carrie Bellon-Wappel and her staff were always very nice and accommodating. I went there exclusively for the appetizer of mussels in red wine and chorizo. They were always fresh and the chorizo was cooked to perfection. The dish had the perfect balance of garlic, wine and aromatics.. It was probably the best seafood dish I had ever eaten. Sadly, Spaghetteria Mama Mia closed June 16, 2012. MISS IT!
Southern Comfort
I know you all didn’t think for one minute that I would have a Dieta’s favorite things list without including Southern Comfort or SoCo for short. Come on now. For those of you who do not know, Southern Comfort is an American liqueur made from neutral spirits with fruits, spice and whiskey flavorings. I was first introduced to SoCo when I did a tour of the south in the early 1990’s. I came back to St. Louis a changed woman. SoCo is available in 100 and 70 US proof. I don’t touch the 100 US proof. That is the devil’s urine. It will never cross my lips again. Soco also comes in Southern Comfort Lime (tolerable) and Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper (vomit). SoCo also produces ready-to-pour cocktails of Sweet Tea, Hurricane and Lemonade. Those are quite tasty and can be sipped on a sultry summer day sitting on a veranda. However, I prefer my Soco in a shot, chilled. Can I get an Amen? DRINK IT!
“I put my foot in it”
Now Open! Free admission
As the song goes, “These are few on my favorite things”-
things I simply cannot do without and I think you will enjoy as well. So pick one of these items and ENJOY IT! V
Missouri History Museum
Forest Park | (314) 746-4599 | mohistory.org
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Dancing Through Life:
New York City Ballet Takes St. Louis Written by Matt Jamieson – Staff Writer Photography by Paul Kolnik There’s something absolutely beautiful about ballet. It hearkens us back to another time and place, especially when set to some of the most beautiful classical music. That’s what’s on tap when New York City Ballet MOVES arrives at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, March 9-10. We chatted with MOVES principal dancer Sterling Hyltin about her experiences and what audiences can expect.
What is it like being a part of the New York City Ballet? It’s a labor of love. I feel very lucky to be part of a company with such a rich heritage and history. We
have this amazing repertory, and we always have new choreographers coming in creating new work for the Company. Even though we may dance some of the same pieces from season to season, they’re all timeless. No pieces ever look the same with different casts of dancers performing them.
What have been some of your proudest moments? My first tour as a member of the Company was to St. Petersburg, Russia in 2003 for the Balanchine Centennial. Beyond it being my first tour, the fact that we were in Russia, the home of Balanchine, and were so well received – that was definitely one of the most special moments I’ve felt personally and at large for the company.
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How did you come to be involved with NYCB? How long does it take? What all is involved? We are selected from the School of American Ballet [SAB, official training school of NYCB]. When I first auditioned for SAB’s five week summer course, I already had plans for the summer, so I didn’t think I really cared about it. But I walked in and was so nervous that I couldn’t even pick up a combination. That’s actually when I knew I cared about ballet – that I liked it and really wanted to be accepted in both ballet and at SAB. I got rejected that first summer, and that’s when I started working hard. I came back the next summer and got in. As a Company member, it’s 12 hour days. Even if you have a few hours off during the day, you’re always preparing for your next rehearsal, or the next show, or sewing ribbons on your pointe shoes. The whole day is built around your dancing. It doesn’t really stop when you turn the lights off in your dressing room for the night.
What can the audience expect from the show in St.Louis? We have some great ballets going in St. Louis. The first ballet In the Night, by Jerome Robbins, is a romantic piece. There are three couples and it’s really about all the ins and outs of a romantic relationship. Increases is exciting. It’s choreographed by Justin Peck, he’s only 25 years old, but spreading like wildfire and really taking off. Red Angels by Ulysses Dove is danced to an electric violin, which is different for us. It’s definitely a performer favorite, so hopefully that will translate. Duo Concertant is one of the most sublime Balanchine ballets to dance. It’s really Balanchine’s homage to women, which you’ll see. It’s a wonderful marriage of music and dance, with the musicians and dancers all on stage together. The final ballet, Polyphonia, is choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. It’s a ballet that really put him on the map. You’ll see a lot of ways he first experimented. It’s a wonderful dynamic program. For more information on New York City Ballet MOVES performances, visit www. fabulousfox.com V
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FOOD
s
iago Martins de M y Th b ag al ten ography by Alex Ga t i h達 r lin t do e W P ho
Moonshine the 1920s are back!
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I
ntroduced by the U.S. Congress and ratified by 45 states, the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect in January 1920. Influenced by many religious groups and other conservative organizations, the prohibition era had started. The intention was to stop the “evil spread” of alcohol consumption, diminish criminality and improve the lives of the working class.
patrons pack modern Speakeasies to have a taste of modern day moonshine.
Now, the upper class made sure to stock as much alcohol as they could – the law prohibited commercialization and transportation but not consumption of alcoholic beverages. Bootleggers brought liquor from borders North and South and the black market boomed. Organized Crime would never find more favorable economic conditions to thrive. Hence, Al Capone was a very successful “businessman” controlling over 10,000 underground establishments in Chicago. It was a happy hour for the American Mafia.
According to Pitliangas, moonshine is the most popular drink in the bar – more specifically, the cherry moonshine.
Enter The Speakeasy – a place where people could illegally purchase and consume alcohol during the prohibition era. Discretion was the code and patrons had to “speak easy” to avoid attracting officials’ attention. Speakeasy customers had access to moonshine, a homemade alcoholic beverage made by fermenting grains and fruits found locally. Because of the lack of regulation and the high percentages of alcohol found in “shine,” its consumption was dangerous, sometimes lethal. Nevertheless, it was a hit during the prohibition era. Throughout the decades, some families have kept the tradition of making their own moonshine, even though prohibition has longsince past. Indeed, the Roaring 20s have returned for many as
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In 2008, Kim Pitliangas and Peter Venezia opened St. Louis’ own Speakeasy after restoring the 1928 Thaxton building. Their retro establishment operates in the lower level and can only be entered after whispering a password to a door keeper.
“It seems there is a new appreciation for all things vintage,” Pitliangas explains. “There is a lot of mystery and romance associated with the Prohibition era.” Afraid to take a belt? Fear not. “Ours differs vastly from the Prohibition era moonshine,” says Pitliangas. “We do not serve our moonshine in its raw form. After it is distilled, we infuse it with fruit to bring the taste and alcohol levels to a much more enjoyable and safe level.” While it is legal to make and distribute moonshine today, Pitliangas believes it will always be connected to underground culture: “There has always been and always will be plenty of unregulated ‘home brews’ out there.” For a taste of the 1920s and an evening trip into days gone by go to the Thaxton Speakeasy website, www.thaxtonspeakeasy.com, get their address and password, and remember to “speak easy!” V
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Raffle prizes and awards for table decorations and team names
03.23.2013 SATURDAY, M ARCH 2 3 Doors at 6 | Trivia at 7 CENTR AL REFORM CONGREG ATION 5020 Waterman | St Louis, MO 63108 TA B L E S O F 10 F O R $2 5 0 Tables must be purchased in advance at http://sextrivia.bpt.me
B R I N G YO U R O W N S N AC K S & B E V E R AG E S (please, no pork or shellfish)
friends@ppslr.org | 314.531.7526 x 337 40
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03.23.2013
FOOD Photo Credit: Khrystal Leight (left) & KaMartina Blu Leight
Dining in the StL Featuring Khrystal Leight & KaMartina Blu Leight Written by Matt Jamieson – Staff Writer Photography by Alex Galindo 41
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It’s after midnight and you’ve just left the bar after a night of fun. And you only have one thought on your mind: damn, I’m hungry. But with so much money spent at the bar, you’re a little short, but still hungry. Fear not, for I have selected some of St. Louis’ best “fourth meal” destinations where you can get the most bang for the least buck. (For the most part. Sometimes you just gotta splurge and go with your gut!) And just a friendly tip – most of these places are cash only, so make sure to check before you go!
Hot Dog Stands (along Manchester Ave. ...location varies week-to-week and night-to-night) This one is right out of the bar, quite literally AS you’re exiting any bar on Manchester and heading to your car. The location of these stands tends to vary – either at the corner of Manchester and Sarah, sometimes down by Atomic Cowboy at Manchester and Talmage. But the result is always the same: tasty hot dogs at a more than reasonable price. Get one before you go to your car... you can eat it on the way as you walk!
Courtesy Diner (3153 S Kingshighway Blvd.) If you’re coming home from The Grove one night, swing by here. You will not regret it. This is the perfect post-night out destination when you’re driving home on Kingshighway. This is one place where anything you get is good – I’ve had breakfast, burgers, sometimes both in one meal. The St. Paul sandwich (a St. Louis tradition, mostly found in some Chinese restaurants but also in some diners) here is outstanding, and for a diner, I have seen some of the best service ever – at a great low price.
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noun, plural (drəŋk -chēz)
The desire to consume large amounts of food. Like the “munchies,” except a direct result from drinking alcohol. Also known as the black hole of hunger.
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Eat-Rite Diner (622 Chouteau Ave.) This place may not have ambiance, but it more than makes up for it with good food and a great staff that have been doing this for years. Eat-Rite is a hole in the wall, in the middle of downtown. No tables, you have to sit at the counter and watch how everything’s made – for me, that’s part of the fun. But I have great memories coming here after dancing at The Complex, getting buzzed in (yes...you have to be buzzed in after dark) to the diner and ordering up a slinger and scarfing it down. Best of all, it’s cheap and it’s good after a night of dancing and drinking (all that grease will sop up the excess alcohol). Don’t let the small space scare you away — this is a St. Louis post-drinking institution for a reason!
Uncle Bill’s Pancake and Dinner House (3427 S Kingshighway Blvd.) This is another St. Louis landmark. Who hasn’t been to Uncle Bill’s after (or during) a night out? While I have enjoyed many a country-fried steak here, it’s all about the breakfast – that’s what they’re famous for. And what separates Uncle Bill’s from all the other places on this list are the pancakes, which are some of the best in town. They’re usually hot and fresh and the perfect cure to a night out!
Tiffany’s Original Diner (7402 Manchester Ave.) If you’re leaving the bars, heading back into the county, stop by Tiffany’s. I tend to side on the greasier side here – I don’t do
breakfast here. I do an actual fourth meal, usually a burger. The burgers at Tiff’s are bathed in grease, and that’s what the charm of it is. At 2 (or 3, or 4, or 5) a.m., it doesn’t really matter, and you’re just having a good time. That’s what I like about Tiffany’s — and it really is a standout in Maplewood for late-night dining.
Billie’s Fine Foods (1802 S. Broadway) This one is an LGBT institution and perfect if you’re heading back to the Illinois side of the river after a night out. Nestled right in the heart of Soulard, Billie’s is an old-fashioned diner doing it right. Saturday mornings here are the best, especially right after closing time at the bars. Make sure to go for the Big Breakfast, and trust me when I say, it’s quite mammoth! You can keep the night going with some great food (the portions are HUGE here, just a fair warning!), excellent service and some local LGBT history all in one.
City Diner (3139 S Grand Blvd.) Another fun one nestled in the Tower Grove neighborhood – this is a blast from the past. I absolutely love the fifties’ feel to it – whatever’s on the jukebox makes me smile. The staff is always on their game, even in the wee hours of the morning. And the food is spectacular here. It’s a bit pricier, but it’s well worth it. I tend to switch every time between the breakfast menu and either the country-fried steak, a slinger or the Blue Plate Special, which is always delectable! So there you have it – now you have plenty of options to cleanse your pallet of all that alcohol and stave that hangover off just a little longer! V
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melissa marnier
Adria Andrews
krista versace
Kenadie st. james Lady bunny
A very Mary
Anniversary adria andrews
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Erica Leigh Foster and Lady Bunny
Chad Cox
Written by Thiago Martins de Magalhães Photography by Darin Slyman and Mikey Berner January 19th marked Hamburger Mary’s one year anniversary in the STL and to celebrate the occasion the LGBT-friendly eatery brought in gay icon and drag superstar Lady Bunny for two special weekend performances — complete with a pre-show meet and greet. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lady Bunny has lived in New York since the 1980s. The diva is known for her myriad drag shows, online parodies— and appearances in television’s RuPaul’s Drag Race and films such as To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and Wigstock: The Movie. “She was amazing, such a treat to have a drag icon perform on our stage,” said Tracy Moore, acting managing partner at Hamburger Mary’s St. Louis. In addition to Bunny, St. Louis entertainers Krista Versace, Erica Leigh Foster, Alexis Principle and Jade Sinclair took the stage on Saturday with Trixie LaRue, Melissa
Marnier, Kenadie St. James and our very own Miss Spirit of St. Louis Adria Andrews all delighting on Sunday. DJ Jimmy No Show kept Bunny and her fans hopping during the pre show meet and greets. All proceeds from the VIP parties were donated to PAWS (Friday) and Pride St. Louis (Saturday). Founded in San Francisco in 1972, Hamburger Mary’s slogan is “an open air bar and grille for open-minded people.” The eatery actively markets itself to the LGBT community. “The food is awesome, the drinks are fantastic, and the atmosphere is amazing,” Moore added. “Gay and straight, men and women come together and have fun. Many of our customers are seeing their first drag show ever and loving it! It is our hope that Hamburger Mary’s becomes a St. Louis staple and people will enjoy it for many years to come!” V
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March
PlayD/a/tes Briefs
March 1, 2 and 3
La Perla, 312 N 8th St., St. Louis, MO 63101
http://brownpapertickets.com/event/315009 That Uppity Theatre Company, in partnership with Vital VOICE will produce a festival of 7 short LGBT plays, collectively called BRIEFS. Don’t miss what everyone will be talking about. All of these wonderful works can be seen in just 90 minutes at every show.
Mr. Missouri Leather - Mar. 1-2 JJ’s Clubhouse, 3858 Market St., St. Louis, MO 63101 http://www.gatewaymc.org/mml.htm The 30th MML contest will be held on March 1-2 at JJ’s Clubhouse. The weekend kicks off with a “Meet and Greet” on Friday at 10 pm. for contestants, judges and MML 2012 Scott O’Brien. The contest continues at 10 pm. on Saturday with the Mr. Missouri Leather 2013 competition, admission $10. Leathermen will be judged on Cruise wear, Physique and Personality, Formal wear as well as deliver a short speech to the crowd. The annual MML silent auction presented by Gateway MC and a used leather sale presented by Blue Max will also be held during the event.
New York City Ballet Moves, Dance St. Louis - Mar. 9-10 Fabulous Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Street, St. Louis, MO 63103 http://www.dancestlouis.org New York City Ballet has a brand-new venture—New York City Ballet MOVES, a nimble new touring group peeling out of the monumental troupe of nearly 100. New York City Ballet MOVES is made up of a rotating selection of about 20 principals, soloists and corps de ballet. All performances will feature live music by members of the New York City Ballet Orchestra. The ensemble performs dynamic works from the company’s unparalleled active repertory of more than 150 works, including new dances as well as classics by Jerome Robbins and founder George Balanchine.
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Playd/a/tes
War Horse - Mar. 13 Fabulous Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Street, St. Louis, MO 63103 http://www.fabulousfox.com This powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness that is currently playing to packed houses in London, New York and Toronto. At its heart are astonishing life-sized puppets created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, that bring to life breathing, galloping, charging horses strong enough for men to ride.
Gateway Men’s Chorus & Vital VOICE Present The Fred Schneider Meet & Greet, Mar. 13 SubZero Vodka Bar, 308 N. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63108 Join Vital VOICE and the Gateway Men’s Chorus at SubZero Vodka Bar for a very special meet and greet with The B-52s out and proud front man, Fred Schneider. The event goes from 7pm - 10 pm. A $5 suggested donation benefits The Chorus.
Gateway Men’s Chorus Presents Bad Boys! - Mar. 15 560 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63130 www.gmcstl.org With songs from The Full Monty, Showboat and The Life, along with their special guest artist, Fred Schneider of the B-52s, this will be one hot ticket! The Jets and the Sharks, the Bandits from Verdi’s Ernani, drunken sailors and Republicans… Bad Boys, indeed.
A Chorus Line – Mar. 21 The Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103 http://peabodyoperahouse.com/performance/a-chorus-line The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line is back on tour with an all-new production, coming to Peabody Opera House for four performances, March 21-23.
Band Together 16th Anniversary Concert - Mar. 23 The 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity Ave, St Louis, MO 63130 http://www.bandtogetherstl.com Band Together organized and first rehearsed on March 22, 1997, with the initial goal of participating in that year’s St. Louis Pride Parade. Since their first rehearsal with 10 members, Band Together has grown to more than 100 musicians strong. Join our “community” band and celebrate Band Together’s 16th anniversary with a free concert at the 560 Music Center.
Spring Fever Rugby Tournament Mar. 30 Buder Park, 215 Valley Park Road, Saint Louis, MO 63026 http://www.stlouiscrusaders.org The annual Spring Fever Rugby tournament is presented this year by the STL Crusaders. Team registration, meet and greet and a drawing to decide the tournament brackets will be held on March 29 at Just John’s Nightclub, 4112 Manchester Ave, St Louis, MO. The tournament will be held on March 30 at Buder Park. Make sure to access the STL Crusaders’ website for more details and complete schedule of events.
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&
Scene Styling Photography by Mikey Berner
Justin LaMantia, Micah Moorehead and Shelly Hickman at Meyer’s Grove
Jason Benge, Jacob Norton, Jeromy Ruot, Tony Corso and Max Edele at Just John’s
Robert Wright at Soulard Farmer’s Market
Susan Timm and Roberta Roseboom 50
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Mike Camp and Rick Bartlett at Rehab
Scene & Styling
Drew A., Jackie Florian and Edward Noud at Rehab
Kitty Litter crowned Miss Gay StL at Hamburger Mary’s Shawn and Shawn Karaoke at Rehab
Ryan Shannon and Travis Paluck at Rehab
Charlie Buttons, Steve Miner and Corey Zaborowski at Attitudes
Monte J-Love and Tracy Banks-Bridges at Novaks
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Building ONE St. Louis. VOTE Tuesday, March 5th!
S A I N T
SCIENCE CENTER
L O U I S
Join the campaign at www.LewisReed.com
SAVE
UP $ TO
8
Present this coupon at any Science Center ticket station for $2 off any full-price, non-member admission to [OPZ Ă„ST 3PTP[ May not be redeemed for cash, duplicated or combined with any other discount. Tickets subject to H]HPSHIPSP[` *V\WVU L_WPYLZ H[ [OL LUK VM [OL Ă„ST Y\U Tickets and showtimes at slsc.org
M642
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