December 20, 2012 edition of the Bay Area Reporter

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Vol. 42 • No. 51 • December 20-26, 2012

Report links poppers to CA gonorrhea cases

by Matthew S. Bajko

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Here come the Santas

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Rick Gerharter

ool temperatures and threatening skies did not stop nearly 400 runners and volunteers from coming out for the fourth annual Santa’s Skivvies Run Sunday, December 16. The fundraiser raised an estimated $43,000 for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. The run started at the Lookout bar then went through the Castro neighborhood, Jane Warner Plaza to Beaver Street, and then back to the Lookout.

new report issued by state health officials indicates that usage of poppers is high among gay and bisexual men in California who test positive for gonorrhea.

The data also shows that self-reported meth use in the same cohort of men who have sex with men has steadily declined since 2007. Heterosexual men and women who contracted the sexually transmitted disease who were later contacted by state health officials also reported decreases in meth use.

Based on the data, popper usage “seems fairly common in the group of MSM with gonorrhea,” said Dr. Heidi Bauer, chief of the STD Control Branch at the California Department of Public Health.

The State of California Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Branch has received special funding from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since 2007, said Bauer, for what is called the California Gonorrhea Surveillance System in order to understand the changing trends in gonorrhea rates.

Field workers interview a subset of the people who contract the STD each year and ask them a series of questions “in order to collect risk factor and clinical data on cases beyond what is rou-

tinely available through case morbidity reports,” explains the study.

In 2011 1,495 people infected with gonorrhea took part in the surveillance, with 572 identifying as MSM. “We can see over time what factors may be involved in disease transmission,” explained Bauer.

In 2007, roughly 20 percent of MSM who tested positive for gonorrhea and were contacted by state health officials said they had used meth in the past 12 months. Last year that number had dropped to 12 percent among the 538 MSM who answered the question.

Out of 84 MSM living in San Francisco County, nine men, or 11 percent, said they had used meth in the previous 12 months. The state DPH also interviewed 47 MSM from the other Bay Area counties, with six, or 13 percent, who admitted to using meth.

The numbers of MSM with gonorrhea who said they had used poppers, or amyl nitrate, was considerably higher. Statewide 109 out of the 538 MSM respondents, or 20 percent, said they had used poppers in the 12 months prior to their gonorrhea infection.

In San Francisco 28.6 percent of the 84 parSee page 8 >>

Police seek witnesses as murder cases go cold

by Seth Hemmelgarn

speaking, is getting witnesses to come forward,” Sainez said in an email. “Many times, people have information but are reluctant to come forward.”

Even when police have DNA evidence, witness accounts can be crucial to getting convictions in homicides, according to homicide Inspector Kevin Jones, an out gay man who’s been with the SFPD since 1980.

“You need to talk to the police,” he said. “You need to get this stuff out. There’s nothing we can do unless you help.”

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arlier this month, Brandy Martell would have turned 38.

A few days before her birthday, Betty Massey, Martell’s mother, talked about how she planned to mark the day by taking flowers to her daughter’s gravesite.

“I just think about the good times I had with him,” said Massey, 61, using male pronouns to refer to Martell, who was transgender. “I know he loved me, and I loved him, but I just wonder what his last moments were all about.”

Martell, who was born December 9, 1974, died April 29 after a gunman shot her as she and some friends sat in her car near 13th and Franklin streets in downtown Oakland.

As with the homicides of several LGBT people in the Bay Area in recent years, no one has been arrested for Martell’s death. Hers is just one active case in which police and those who knew the victims are hopeful that someone will come forward with something they saw or heard and help find the killer.

Massey, of Hayward, said it’s been a “mystery” to her that despite witnesses to the death of Martell, whom other transgender women regarded as a role model, nobody’s been caught.

“I imagine they’re probably scared, so I hold nothing against them,” she said.

Officer Johnna Watson, a spokeswoman for the Oakland Police Department, couldn’t say how many witnesses have come forward in the

‘Somebody knows something’

Jane Philomen Cleland

Tiffany Woods, left, coordinator of the TransVision program at Tri-City Health Center, addressed mourners at a May 9 memorial at 13th and Franklin streets in downtown Oakland where Brandy Martell was murdered April 29.

Martell case, but investigators are encouraging more people to do so.

“Witnesses are key” for identifying who’s responsible for homicides and getting convictions, she said.

“If you saw something, heard something, or if you know something, no matter how small that information may be, it may be that one piece that links all the other information together,”

Watson, an out lesbian, said.

Asked about the biggest obstacles to solving cases, Lieutenant Hector Sainez, head of the San Francisco Police Department’s homicide unit, didn’t offer complaints about tight budgets, outdated equipment, or the fact that, on average, there’s been at least one homicide every week this year.

“One of the biggest challenges, generally

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Mariah Qualls, 23, a transgender woman, was found dead of blunt force injury to the head in her residential hotel room on December 9, 2009 in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood.

“Somebody knows something,” Billie Garcia, 41, Qualls’s aunt, said recently. “People just aren’t speaking on it.” Garcia lives in San Jose, where Qualls had lived before moving to San Francisco. Christine Qualls said shortly after her daughter’s death that she had “loved the gay community” and San Francisco is where “she thought she would fit.”

In a November interview, SFPD homicide Inspector Daniel Cunningham said, “I’m almost positive I know” who killed Qualls, but he didn’t yet have any “solid” evidence he could take to the district attorney.

“There are still some investigative leads that See page 9 >>

<< Community News>>

2 • Bay Area Reporter • December 20-26, 2012

SFAF health center remains on track

by Matthew S. Bajko

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s it grapples with the pending loss of a major fundraising event in 2014, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation continues to move forward with plans to build a health and wellness center in the Castro.

The agency announced in October that it had signed a 10-year lease for 474 Castro Street in order to combine three of its programs under one roof – Magnet, Stonewall Project, and Stop AIDS Project – as well as expand services.

SFAF executives estimate they need to raise at least $7 million for the project.

What was not publicly known at the time of the announcement was that the founder of AIDS Walk San Francisco had informed SFAF – the lead beneficiary of the fundraiser since its inception 25 years ago – that he plans to part ways with the agency following the 2013 event. As the Bay Area Reporter noted in a December 13 article, MZA Events owner Craig R. Miller asked Project Inform to be the lead agency for the 2014 AIDS Walk.

While the amount has varied due to the success of the event, the walk has contributed roughly $650,000 to SFAF’s operating budget in recent years. The agency is now trying to determine how to make up the fiscal hit from losing the walk in two years.

The monetary challenge Miller’s decision has presented SFAF is not hampering its plans to open the health and wellness center in the heart of the city’s LGBT district, SFAF CEO Neil Giuliano told the B.A.R.

Rick Gerharter

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation is moving ahead with plans to relocate three of its programs into the space at 474 Castro Street next year.

“We are full steam ahead with our Castro plans,” said Giuliano.

“We are bringing three strong brands into a new home for health and wellness.”

The agency is currently developing a capital campaign it expects to launch sometime in early 2013 to begin raising the funds needed for construction on the site, which has housed a video rental store that is going out of business, as well as lease payments over the next decade. The larger storefront is costing SFAF upwards of $170,000 more a year in rent than the three current sites that now house its programs in the Castro.

SFAF is also trying to complete its plans for the space in order to begin the permit approval process with various city agencies. As of now it does not know when it

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will be ready to present the final plans to neighborhood groups or the Planning Commission, though SFAF has said it wants to be in the space by October 2013.

“We are not at that point yet. We are working very quickly to move that process forward,” SFAF spokesman James Loduca said this week.

One key question the AIDS foundation is trying to answer is what to call the new home for its programs. It is engaging various stakeholders, from staffers and board members to clients and community members, in order to come up with an answer.

“We are undergoing a branding exercise right now to look at what the new home of health and wellness will be called. No decision has been made yet,” said Giuliano. “It is a unique brand question we are studying right now. Next summer we should have an answer to what the new space will be called.”

The gay men’s health center Magnet, the substance use reduction program Stonewall Project, and the HIV prevention agency Stop AIDS Project had all been stand alone agencies with their own brand names and identities prior to merging with SFAF. Once the three programs are relocated into one space it is unclear if they will lose their individual names. Asked about such a possibility, Loduca acknowledged that is being discussed.

“All of those questions are part of this branding exercise,” he said. “Really, the focus isn’t on the name. It really is more about assuring the thousands of community members who rely on our services that we are going to still be here for them.”t

Illustrator brings singer to life in new book

by Peter Hernandez

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hristian Robinson prompted a class of second graders to illustrate Billie Holiday’s smooth voice and Pavarotti’s shrill opera and reflected on how he miraculously transformed the voice of the mysterious and unrecorded Florence Mills into vibrant, paper cut-out collages.

Those collages won him a nomination for a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People award earlier this month for his illustrations in Harlem’s Little Blackbird, a children’s book written

by Harlem, New York-based Renee Watson and published in October.

Mills was a cabaret singer who got her big break appearing on Broadway in the musical Shuffle Along in 1921. She became an international superstar in the hit show Lew Leslie’s Blackbirds, but died in 1927 at the age of 32 from complications from tuberculosis.

Robinson, a CalArts animation graduate, has a vibrant and optimistic portfolio that seeks “love and happiness,” according to his website.

But it was evident during an interview with the Bay Area Reporter that civil rights and sexuality also permeate his work, from illustrations about queer identity to cutout collages regarding racial segregation during Mills’s time, always with a youthful outlook.

“I’m like a kid,” Robinson said.

Robinson, 26, can’t remember any particular books that he enjoyed as a child, but said he would recognize them if he saw them. However, he didn’t particularly read or write

Courtesy Christian Robinson

Christian Robinson, illustrator for Harlem’s Little Blackbird, introduces his book to a class of second graders at McKinley Elementary.

growing up and adapted what he considers a black child’s mentality of quietude and introspection.

The openly gay illustrator pays regular homage to his African American ancestry and race, which plays a pivotal role in his work.

He illustrated a timeline for his grandmother’s 100th birthday, chronicling the collapse of the Titanic around her birth year to landmarks like civil rights protests of the 1950s and 1960s and Apollo 11 in 1969.

And he meticulously paginated Harlem’s Little Blackbird, for which he painstakingly collaged colorful paper cut-outs over four months.

See page 8 >>

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Community News>>

December 20-26, 2012 • Bay Area Reporter • 3

Man to stand trial in partner’s death

by Seth Hemmelgarn

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San Francisco judge has ordered a man accused of bashing in the head of his longtime partner to stand trial in the partner’s death.

But while holding Timothy Stewart, 48, to answer on the charge of murdering Terry Rex Spray, 60, Superior Court Judge Bruce Chan also said that if he were a juror, he would have a “reasonable doubt” of Stewart’s guilt, based on the evidence he had seen.

Stewart, who had been Spray’s registered domestic partner since 1994, is accused of assaulting Spray with a flat metal bar August 3 in the garage of their apartment building at 1135 Ellis Street. Spray died September 18, and police arrested Stewart September 24.

At the Wednesday, December 12 conclusion of the preliminary hearing, which lasted more than five days, Chan said, “A couple of jurors, at least, could have some real questions” about whether Stewart’s guilty, but he noted “there’s a different standard of proof” to be met at the preliminary hearing stage.

Chan pointed to surveillance video from the garage as among the evidence that raised “strong suspicion” that Stewart was involved.

The video covers about 11 minutes from around the time Spray is believed to have been assaulted, but it doesn’t show the actual attack. In the video Stewart walks into the garage from the lobby just after 7 a.m., pushes a button to open the garage door, and disappears from view.

Within moments, the camera is tilted upward, eliminating the view of a portion of the garage.

Then, Spray enters the garage

Murder victim Terry Rex Spray

from the lobby and disappears behind a column. He reappears briefly before walking out of view again.

Within three minutes, according to a time display on the video, the back of someone’s head is visible near where Spray could last be viewed. The person appears to have a white object over one hand and pushes the button to open the garage door.

Police Officer Sandon Cheung testified the door stays at least partially open for 40 seconds. According to Cheung, Stewart had identified himself as the first person in the video. It wasn’t clear from the footage who the person with the white object was.

Chan compared the timing of the footage to cell phone calls that seemed to take place just before Spray entered the garage. The brief calls were between a number belonging to Stewart and a number belonging to the San Mateo woman he told police he’d recently moved in with.

She had apparently been waiting for Stewart on Ellis Street to pick him up the morning of Spray’s assault.

Spray and the woman knew about each other, and Stewart and Spray planned to take over the woman’s condominium, according to information presented in court.

Chan also brought up a “smear” on the door of Spray and Stewart’s apartment.

San Francisco Police Department crime lab worker Sharon Barkwill testified that swabs from the door had tested “presumptively positive for the presence of blood.” However, she acknowledged that the tests didn’t reveal whose blood it was, how long it had been present, or even whether it was human blood.

Deputy Public Defender Danielle Harris told Chan there was “nothing the court has said that doesn’t require speculation.”

During a recorded interview with police that was played in court, Stewart said he had entered into a domestic partnership with Spray in order to get insurance. Assistant District Attorney John Rowland said Stewart had committed fraud and “that fraud completely takes away from his credibility.”

After the hearing, Harris said Spray and Stewart’s relationship had “worked for them for many, many years,” but according to Rowland “their relationship is criminal.”

Spray had worked as a nurse and had once been a union president. At his November 16 memorial service, he was described as a “tireless” advocate for others. Stewart, who’s in custody and was in court throughout the hearing, appeared to cry at one point during the proceedings.

During the hearing, Rowland didn’t offer any clear indication of

Suits cut gender lines

by Elliot Owen

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f you haven’t heard about Saint Harridan yet, here’s a rundown of the six-month-old clothing brand that already has a following only something revolutionary could attract.

As the first company to market ready-to-wear traditional men’s suits for masculine-leaning women and trans men, Saint Harridan is poised to become the freshest thing in queer fashion. And you don’t have to identify as masculine-leaning, trans, or queer to fit the clothes.

Saint Harridan is for studs, bois, butches, masculine-of-center women, straight-identified women who just haven’t found the right suit yet, and everyone in between.

The company is dead-set on pushing the boundaries of selfdefinition, existing outside identity boxes and validating the market to whom it speaks through its clothes.

While largely the product of community conversations grounded in those themes, Saint Harridan is also the result of one woman’s years of uncomfortably wearing traditional women’s clothes.

Mary Going, a 45-year-old lesbian-identified South Carolina native, moved to Oakland with her family in 2005 where she subsequently earned her MBA from Mills College to complement her BA in activism and social change from New College of California.

“It’s been a lifelong conversation with myself about in what clothes do I feel comfortable?” Going said.

“It wasn’t until I put on what we think of as men’s clothes that I realized this was how I wanted to dress.”

Going wanted to wear a suit to her 2008 wedding but there were plenty of obstacles. Buying a tradi-

Courtesy Saint Harridan

Models Mayumi Taylor, left, Kelly Lewis, and Mitch Selby; Lewis and Selby are wearing Saint Harridan prototype suits.

tional men’s suit meant countless fittings with a tailor costing an unreasonable amount of money with no real guarantee of an optimal end result. Additionally, Going experienced very poor customer service when she shopped in the men’s department – an all-too-common experience for many.

“It’s trauma,” Going said. “It doesn’t take that many times of not being treated well to create a sense of fear. After running into roadblocks in finding a suit I realized I wanted to start the company but I didn’t know if there were enough of us to do it.”

Identifying the market

That’s where Going started – identifying the market. She passed out fliers at this year’s San Francisco Dyke March, introducing the

brand’s concept and asking people to apply to be models who would eventually get fitted for Saint Harridan prototype suits. The night before, Going set up a Facebook page to engage in conversation with people that, no matter how they identify, have various preferences that traditional menswear omits.

Going’s goal was to get 30 people to apply for a modeling position – 270 actually did. Nine individuals were selected to be Saint Harridan Bay Area model representatives by a diverse group of judges based on fulfilling certain size and shape categories. Two models were then selected and fitted for prototype suits. By this time, Going had garnered 4,000 Facebook followers and a mailing list of 2,000.

“I started Saint Harridan with the idea of being in conversation with the community,” Going said. “I’ve had so many in-person, Facebook, and email conversations. Hearing the different issues people have with size, fit, and customer service has broadened my view of what I want to provide. Making a broad array of sizes available has become important for me not only from a business perspective, but also politically.

“It’s important to show that this market is there because visibility makes things happen. Saint Harridan is trying to expand gender representation,” she added.

The next step was getting funding for the first round of suits. Going did her research and found a socially responsible factory that was capable of making high quality clothing.

Now she would have to come up with $87,000 – the dollar value of 100 suits – the factory’s minimum order size.

“That’s where Kickstarter came See page 8 >>

what the motive for the killing may have been. People who knew the couple have indicated to the Bay Area Reporter that Spray possibly had sizable savings from retirement

and other funds, but Harris told the paper “that hasn’t been substantiated, as far as I’m aware.”

The next hearing is set for Wednesday, December 26.t

<< Open Forum

4 • Bay Area Reporter • December 20-26, 2012

Volume 42, Number 51 December 20-26, 2012 www.ebar.com PUBLISHER Thomas E. Horn Bob Ross (Founder, 1971 – 2003) NEWS EDITOR Cynthia Laird ARTS EDITOR Roberto Friedman assistant editors Matthew S. Bajko Seth Hemmelgarn Jim Provenzano contributing writers Dan Aiello • Tavo Amador • Erin Blackwell Roger Brigham • Scott Brogan Victoria A. Brownworth • Philip Campbell Heather Cassell • Chuck Colbert Richard Dodds • David Duran Raymond Flournoy • David Guarino Liz Highleyman • Brandon Judell John F. Karr • Matthew Kennedy David Lamble • Michael McDonagh David-Elijah Nahmod • Elliot Owen Paul Parish • Lois Pearlman • Tim Pfaff Jim Piechota • Bob Roehr • Donna Sachet Adam Sandel • Jason Serinus • Gregg Shapiro Gwendolyn Smith • Ed Walsh • Sura Wood

art direction T. Scott King Online Production Kurt Thomas Photographers Danny Buskirk Jane Philomen Cleland Marc Geller Rick Gerharter Lydia Gonzales Rudy K. Lawidjaja Steven Underhill Bill Wilson illustrators & cartoonists Paul Berge Christine Smith GENERAL MANAGER Michael M. Yamashita DISPLAY ADVERTISING Simma Baghbanbashi Colleen Small Scott Wazlowski NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media – 212.242.6863

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Time to man up on guns

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ast week’s horrific mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut was the last straw; 20 first grade students died, along with six adults, the gunman’s mother, and the gunman, who killed himself. Earlier in the same week a lone gunman tried to shoot up a mall in suburban Portland, Oregon, but was able to kill only two people. Just months ago a young man went to a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, and opened fire, killing 12 and wounding 58. The Newtown tragedy should be an urgent wake-up call to address gun control and mental health services.

Gun control

Far from exploiting the sad events in Newtown, now is exactly the time for President Barack Obama and Congress to pass meaningful gun control legislation. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) has pledged to introduce her assault weapons ban in the new year. A previous ban that she authored was on the books for 10 years, until it expired in 2004 when Congress couldn’t muster the votes to renew it. While the law had many loopholes, some experts believe that it did cut down on mass shootings in public places, with the exception of Columbine, which occurred in 1999.

Banning assault weapons, in our opinion, would not infringe on the right to bear arms. We are well aware of the Second Amendment and the powerful interests like the National Rifle Association that work feverishly on bills to increase the presence and acceptability of guns in society, like letting people bring loaded guns into bars – nothing like mixing bullets and beer. But there is simply no reason a hunter or other recreational gun enthusiast would need this type of weapon.

Shotguns and other pistols that are used to safeguard property wouldn’t be affected. We’re talking about a semiautomatic rifle that can fire multiple high-velocity rounds, like the Bushmaster AR-15 used by shooter Adam Lanza in Newtown.

In conjunction with an assault weapon ban Congress and the president need to examine regulating ammunition. Perhaps they could start by limiting the number of bullets that can be purchased over a period or requiring background

checks to purchase ammunition. How about requiring smaller clips and magazines for the weapons themselves? It was reported that Lanza had hundreds of rounds of ammunition, meaning that had the authorities not shown up when they did, he very likely would have continued his killing spree.

It’s interesting that the NRA waited until Tuesday to make a statement, in which it said it is “prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again.” Politicians who are supporters of gun rights declined to appear on the Sunday talk shows last weekend, probably correctly realizing that there was nothing they could say that would add to the conversation – unless they were going to announce they were changing course on the issue. This week, several politicians who have high ratings from the NRA announced that they were open to discussing gun control – that is a huge step forward in this ongoing debate. Recall that in 2011 when then-Congresswoman Gabby Giffords (D-Arizona) was shot, along with 18 other people, there was zero interest in even raising the issue of gun control among her congressional colleagues. So to hear politicians like West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat and gun owner, say that Newtown has “changed me” is remarkable.

Mental health services

The majority of the recent mass shootings were perpetrated by a lone, young male suspect who suddenly “snapped” for no apparent reason.

People who are mentally unstable should not have access to guns, yet time and time again we must bear the devastating results because nothing was done after the last killing. Seung-Hui Cho, 23, was the gunman in the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007.

Jared Lee Loughner, 24, was the shooter in the 2011 Giffords incident. James Holmes, 25, pulled the trigger in Aurora this summer. Jacob Tyler Roberts, 22, was identified as the gunman in the Portland mall attack last week. And of course, Adam Lanza, 20, committed the Newtown killings.

It is clear that in these cases the gunmen had mental health issues, yet it is very difficult to find

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President Barack Obama speaks to the Newtown, Connecticut community Sunday, December 16.

appropriate services for people before they commit crimes. The mother of a young son who is mentally ill wrote an interesting essay that has gone viral this week. She wrote that her son’s social worker told her that her son would have to be charged with a crime in order to get help. There’s something seriously wrong with this country if that is the case. “I don’t believe my son belongs in jail,” the author, Liza Long, wrote.

Political leaders need to acknowledge the fact that this country’s mental health system is broken.

We need therapists who can treat young people and social workers who can help them. Providing adequate mental health services is just as important as any meaningful gun control efforts, but more can be done. Perhaps mental health treatment should be a standard part of insurance coverage and social service agencies should be able to hire more specialists to help those who are low income. The courts and jails are overwhelmed with inmates who rotate in and out of the system and aren’t receiving adequate treatment. California has been damaged by cuts to social services and the effects of Ronald Reagan’s systematic dismantling of the mental health system decades ago.

The time to begin reforming the mental health system is now, not after the next mass shooting.

Perhaps it is the time of year, the ages of so many of the Newtown victims, or both, but there has been a collective wave of grief in the nation that is hard to shake, especially as we keep seeing images of tiny coffins at the funerals. It’s that grief that must be channeled into positive action.t

LGBT conversion quackery must go

by Jackie Speier

C

haim Levin was a teenager when a rabbi referred him to a counselor who was going to help him “turn straight.” His counselor instructed him to strip naked while saying negative things about himself, and then touch himself. Another exercise simulated a locker room scene where Benjamin Unger, another young man, was blindfolded and others dribbled basketballs and yelled out anti-gay slurs. This is the way to help children “struggling with unwanted same-sex sexual attractions” according to the group Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality, or JONAH, which charges families up to $10,000 a year to convert young people from gay to straight.

LGBT conversion or so-called reparative therapies like the ones Levin and Unger experienced are junk science based on the lie that homosexuality, bisexuality, transgender, and gender nonconforming are mental illnesses or disorders that need to be treated and corrected. The American Psychiatric Association stopped listing homosexuality as a mental disorder nearly 40 years ago, and recently, the group formally revised its diagnostic manual to reflect that being transgender is also not a disorder.

Therapists and counselors who promise they can change an individual’s sexual orientation are no better than snake oil salesmen who guarantee overnight weight loss or risk-free high-yield stocks. The American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association have each concluded that efforts to change sexual orientation are both ineffective and harmful. Conversion practices have been called psychologically and emotionally abusive, causing confusion, depression, guilt, helplessness, and suicidal thoughts and actions.

It is the role of government to protect young people from fraudulent or unsafe practices like LGBT conversion quackery, the same way we protect consumers from other harmful products

and services.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Food and Drug Administration serve as federal regulators that ensure the products and drugs we consume are safe and effective. When I found out that there were harmful levels of a toxin called cadmium in children’s glasses sold at McDonald’s, I contacted the CPSC. In turn, CPSC encouraged McDonald’s to recall all 12 million glasses and McDonald’s agreed to do so within days.

When I became aware that thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and nonconforming young people are being harmed each year by so-called therapists who seek to convert or repair their sexual orientation, I looked to California’s SB 1172 as a model solution. The federal government can’t recall a therapist’s license for engaging minors in harmful and abusive practices, but state governments can.

I introduced the Stop Harming Our Kids (SHOK) resolution to encourage other states to follow California’s lead and take efforts to prohibit state licensed therapists from engaging minors in non-scientific and abusive practices.

Legislators in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are already considering similar protections in their states.

Sheldon Bruck and Jerry Spencer, both survivors of conversion therapy, joined me and other advocates to introduce the SHOK resolution a few weeks ago. Their stories, which you can read on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s website, are devastating illustrations of the abuse and shame that we can and must spare LGBT youth.

This year the Human Rights Campaign surveyed over 10,000 LGBT youth and found that the largest problem they faced was non-acceptance from their families. Many feel pressure to change who they are.

Groups like JONAH and others that promise to “pray away the gay” have made gay conversion a multi-million dollar industry in the United States. One group spent more than a quarter mil-

lion dollars a year on its Exodus Youth program to “change” teenagers from gay to straight.

JONAH is now the subject of a first-of-its kind lawsuit filed this month by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Levin, Unger, two other young men, and two of their mothers are suing JONAH for fraud. The boys were falsely promised that they could become straight if they worked hard enough.

The SHOK resolution is designed to encourage states to weed out fraudulent efforts by professional licensees who seek insurance reimbursements for subjecting children to dangerous quackery.

I am also investigating whether taxpayer funds have been spent through Medicaid or TRICARE to reimburse health care professionals practicing conversion therapy. TRICARE is the health care program for retired veterans and their families.

In my cursory investigation, I have found two instances of so-called mental health professionals that advertise these services and appear to be eligible for federal dollars. I have sent letters of inquiry to the administrators of both federal health care programs to determine if these instances reflect systemic weaknesses that allow federal taxpayer dollars to go to harmful, illegitimate medical services.

To fully investigate whether Medicaid or TRICARE funds were spent to reimburse harmful conversion and ex-gay practices, I need to hear from the people who have survived these practices and were eligible for federal programs like Medicaid and TRICARE. Please call my office if you or someone you know was misled by a Medicaid or TRICARE provider into believing their techniques could cure people of being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or nonconforming.

No one should feel ashamed of their sexual orientation and no taxpayer funds should support efforts to cure or repair nonexistent disorders. t To provide information, call Congresswoman Jackie Speier’s local office at (650) 342-0300. Speier, a Democrat, represents the 12th District, which includes parts of San Francisco and San Mateo counties.

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Letters >>

Oh, the outrage

December 20-26, 2012 • Bay Area Reporter • 5

I keep hearing about how outraged people are over the pending ban on public nudity. I’ve read many letters to the editor about how outraged people are over the rainbow flag at Castro and Market. I heard first-hand the screaming from Michael Petrelis through his bullhorn during the tree lighting ceremony last month.

Can I interest anyone in making a New Year’s resolution to stop being so outraged?

Because I don’t think it is accomplishing the goals that so many people seem to want to achieve.

I’m not a major fan of Supervisor Scott Wiener. I didn’t vote for him. I haven’t been really impressed by how unapproachable and introverted he seems to be, considering he ran for and won public office. I don’t always agree with his ideas on the future of the Castro.

Having said that, I don’t think he deserves to be screamed at in public, stalked in a restroom, or to be compared to Dan White. People in my neighborhood, the Castro, expressed some concerns to him. He responded by introducing legislation to limit public nudity. No shots were fired. No one died as a result.

The organization that maintains the rainbow flag and pole at Castro and Market made a decision to stop making exceptions, and I think I can see why – because it seems like whenever they accommodated one group or cause, people from another group were out-

raged. What about a compromise? I think it would be great to maintain the current flag and to get another pole that can have alternating flags for various events and causes.

I really don’t think being outraged brings people around to your way of thinking. Instead, I think it just makes them defensive and causes them to become even more entrenched in their position. I realize that some people have a lot of anger and that probably won’t change. I know there are some people who are professional protesters, channeling their rage into any cause that may be handy. But, can the rest of us try to just calm down and have a real conversation? I deal with enough of this feigned indignation just watching the news. Don’t you?

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reparations are in full swing for holiday dinners for those in need as Christmas Day nears and worship services at Bay Area churches.

Tenderloin Tessie will hold its annual dinner Tuesday, December 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. at First Unitarian Church, 1187 Franklin Street (at Geary).

Board president Michael Gagne has said that volunteers are needed, including those who can serve as security.

Other shifts include helping unload the truck and picking up groceries Monday, December 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (some heavy lifting required). On Christmas Day, shifts are available from 9 a.m. to noon (set up, decorate); noon to 4 p.m. (help at the dinner and the mandatory meeting at noon); and 3 to 6 p.m. (help with the last hour of the dinner and teardown).

Help is also needed Thursday, December 27 with unloading the truck at the storage unit from 9 to 10 a.m.

In addition to a traditional dinner with all the fixings, Gagne said that donations of gently used clothing, coats, and blankets will be accepted.

People interested in donating these items should contact Claire Brees at brees.c@gmail.com.

For people interested in helping before, during, or after the dinner contact Gagne at (415) 584-3252 or email tenderlointessiedinners@yahoo.com and include the desired shift, full name and a call-back number.

In downtown San Francisco, the folks at Glide United Methodist Church are stepping up and plan to serve thousands of holiday meals to those in need and toys to area children.

The toy drive takes place Saturday, December 22 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the church, 330 Ellis Street (at Taylor).

People can also stop by with a cash donation, gift cards, or unwrapped new toys On Monday, December 24 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. volunteers will chop, dice, mix, ad slice to prepare Christmas dinners for the poor and homeless.

Glide will hold its Christmas celebrations at 9 and 11 a.m. at the church.

Those will be followed by Christmas dinner for needy families.

For volunteer opportunities, visit www.glide.org/holidayvolunteer.

In San Jose, the Billy DeFrank Center will hold a Christmas lunch potluck from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the cen-

Experienced Attorney For All Personal Matters

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Wills and Probate Certified Family Law Specialist and Conservatorships Domestic Partner and Trust Issues 400 Montgomery St., Suite 505 • San Francisco, CA 94104 415.781.6500 • BSLaw55@gmail.com

Steven Kyle Weller San Francisco

Recall Mirkarimi

Both Andrea Shorter and Joyce Newstat are right [“Lesbians look to oust sheriff,” November 22]. How would any female in town feel safe reporting a crime if we allow this? And, just what does this say to the rest of the world if our great citadel permits any officeholder (let alone the sheriff) to remain with that title once they have been convicted?

Michael Brownstone San Francisco

Holiday dinners, services mark the season compiled by Cynthia Laird

Barry Schneider, Esq.

ter, 938 The Alameda. People should bring a dish to share.

In Berkeley, New Spirit Community Church, a social justice focused community of gay and straight together, will hold Christmas Eve services at 7 and 11 p.m. on Monday, December 24 and Christmas Day services at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 25. The church has held a monthlong art project focusing on the Word Made Flesh, celebrating the connections between body and spirit in lifesize sculptures. All are welcome. Services will be held at 1798 Scenic Avenue.

Metropolitan Community Church-San Francisco, 150 Eureka Street, will hold its Christmas Eve service Monday, December 24 at 11 p.m.

Resale retailer hosts coat, blanket drive

Fashion resale retailer Buffalo Exchange has partnered with the Homeless Youth Alliance to collect coats and blankets to redistribute to those in need in the San Francisco area. The company’s Holiday Coats and Blanket Drive started last month; donations will be accepted through January 13.

People can drop off gently-used or new items at the following Buffalo Exchange stores during normal operation hours: 1210 Valencia Street, (415) 647-8332 and 1555 Haight Street, (415) 431-7733, Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and in Berkeley at 2585 Telegraph Avenue (near UC Berkeley), (510) 644-9202 Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on HYA, visit www.homelessyouthalliance.org.

Zen center offers program

Former San Francisco Health Commissioner Steven Tierney will be the guest speaker at the Hartford Street Zen Center’s program, “When is Enough Enough” Saturday, December 22 at 10 a.m.

Tierney, who has a doctorate in education, is professor and chair of the Community Mental Health Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies. A certified addiction specialist, he is the co-founder of the San Francisco Mindfulness Foundation, which provides relapse prevention and mindfulness-based services to individuals and families. Tierney has studying and practicing Buddhism for more than 20 years.

There is no cost to attend the program, which takes place at 57 Hart-

ford Street, near 18th Street, in the Castro.

SF Pride seeks talent

If you think you have what it takes to entertain hundreds of thousands of LGBTs and their friends, then the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee wants to hear from you.

The Pride Committee has announced that it is seeking submissions for the main stage for next year’s festival. Performing at San Francisco Pride is a high-profile gig that offers an artist the opportunity to perform in front of one of the largest gatherings of the LGBT community and its allies in the nation.

The committee is accepting submissions online at www.sfpride.org (go to “Main Stage” button).

Applicants can also send their materials by mail. Packets should contain contact information; a one- or two-line statement about why the artist would like to perform at Pride; a CD or DVD of the performer’s work; discography (if any); recent press; photo(s); and a return selfaddressed stamped envelope if you want the package returned. Materials should be sent to San Francisco Pride, Attn: Main Stage, 1841 Market Street, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-1112.

The deadline to apply is March 18 at 5 p.m. (Pacific time).

Challenge grant for historical society

The city of San Francisco’s Grants for the Arts program has issued a challenge to the GLBT Historical Society in the form of a $17,000 matching grant to support the GLBT History Museum in the Castro district. To qualify for the funds, the historical society must raise an equal amount of money from new individuals or increased donations from past donors.

Historical society Executive Director Paul Boneberg said the grant is an opportunity for people to consider making a donation before the end of the year.

“Now is the time for friends of GLBT history to become a member or make a donation,” Boneberg said in a statement.

Through the city’s challenge grant, he noted, every dollar new donors give will be doubled. If they give $10, the city will turn it into $20 and if they give $500, the city will make it $1,000, he explained.

In addition to the city’s challenge grant, Boneberg said that a group of historical society supporters has agreed to independently match all See page 7 >>

Barry Schneider, Esq. Experienced Attorney For All Personal Matters

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Wills and Probate Certified Family Law Specialist and Conservatorships Domestic Partner and Trust Issues 400 Montgomery St., Suite 505 • San Francisco, CA 94104 415.781.6500 • BSLaw55@gmail.com

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<< Politics

6 • Bay Area Reporter • December 20-26, 2012

Milk club to elect new president

by Matthew S. Bajko

I

t is expected that the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club will elect another nightlife denizen, DJ Tom Temprano, as its new president next month.

Current president Glendon Hyde, better known as Anna Conda, became the first drag queen to lead the city’s more progressive queer political club in January of this year. But after a bruising 12 months due to personal hardships, and now focused on earning a college degree, Hyde has opted not to seek a second term.

Hyde parted ways with his longtime partner and began a fraught apartment search at the start of 2012.

As the Bay Area Reporter noted in a May story, Hyde came close to stepping down as Milk president due to his inability to secure housing.

After publicly announcing that he might relocate to Fresno, Hyde received a rental offer from an associate who owned a house in the Excelsior district. He also enrolled at City College, juggling his studies, presidential duties, and work as a member of the city’s Entertainment Commission.

“It really took an emotional toll on me this year,” Hyde told the B.A.R. in a recent interview.

Looking to earn a degree in cultural anthropology, Hyde plans to apply next semester to several four-year colleges, including universities in Oregon and Washington state.

“I need to concentrate on school,” he said.

Asked about his successor, Hyde called Temprano his “heir apparent.”

Temprano, 26, who is gay, has lived in San Francisco since 2004 and is a full-time DJ and party promoter. He produces Sunday events at Mission bar El Rio, like Daytime Realness and Eagle in Exile, and is the DJ and promoter for Hard French.

Most recently he worked as the communications director for gay District 9 Supervisor David Campos’s re-election campaign in the fall. This past year Temprano served as the Milk club’s vice president of external affairs.

“It would be an honor to be the next president of the Milk club,” Temprano told the B.A.R. It is unclear if anyone will run against him. No one else has declared their candidacy, though the final day to submit nominations for Milk club board seats is this Sunday, December 23. And anyone can decide to be a write-in candidate the day of the vote.

With 2013 being an off year in terms of elections – the fall ballot is expected to be low-wattage campaigns for city attorney, treasurer, and assessor-recorder but that could change – Temprano said he would like to focus on policy work at City Hall should he be elected president.

“To me it is a golden opportunity for us to really take the time to enter discussions on policy at City Hall and work with the politicians we spent the last three years getting elected to enact legislation that is really progressive, Milk club legislation.”

He credits Hyde with giving the Milk club a higher profile this year in debates around entertainment issues, such as the fight over the future of South of Market gay leather bar the Eagle and zoning policies along the 11th Street entertainment corridor in SOMA. “He used his experience as an

Courtesy Tom Temprano

Nightlife advocate and DJ Tom Temprano is expected to be the next president of the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club.

entertainment commissioner and entertainer in the industry to really bring queer issues of queer spaces and nightlife and culture to the consciousness of the Milk club and into the city as a whole,” said Temprano.

Hyde’s tenure as club president was relatively smooth, and he is credited with helping it launch a retooled website and reformatted annual fundraising dinner. He worked with the more moderate Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club to foster ties between the two groups and co-host forums on topics like LGBT senior needs and queer nightlife.

He also oversaw the adoption of a new endorsement policy at Milk aimed at preventing candidates from stacking the club’s membership in their favor.

“Anna Conda helped to modernize the club in a lot of critical ways,” stated Kevin Bard, who holds the club’s executive board internal seat. “Her presidency laid the foundation for the Milk club entering the 21st century.”

Bard is also stepping off the board next year. At one point he had considered running for president but opted against doing so. Instead, he is overseeing the upcoming board election, which will take place the night of January 15.

“Serving as president would be a huge lift for me right now, and I need to focus on finding permanent employment as of this moment,” he told the B.A.R.

Yeager rules out 2014 Assembly bid

Openly gay Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager, 60, has ruled out a bid for state Assembly in 2014.

Instead, he plans to seek re-election that year to his seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.

The news is sure to be welcomed by gay Campbell Mayor Evan Low, who is expected to run for the Assembly District 24 seat when his boss, Assemblyman Paul Fong (D-Cupertino), will be termed out of office. Yeager

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and Low suspended their bids for the seat this year after Fong decided to seek re-election rather than run for a different office.

The county board is set to elect Yeager to his second term as president at its January 15 meeting. The board’s only out member, Yeager has served as its vice president this year and was first elected president by his board colleagues in 2010.

First reported in the B.A.R.’s December 10 Political Notes online column, the article also noted that Yeager is eligible to seek a third and final term as supervisor in 2014 or could opt to run for Assembly that year.

After the column ran, a spokesman for Yeager contacted the B.A.R. to say that the supervisor intends to announce his re-election plans during the State of the County address he is slated to give January 29.

“Given everything happening at the county and his love of his current job, Ken has decided not to run for the Assembly in 2014. He wants to provide some needed stability in leadership and plans to run for re-election as a county supervisor that year,” wrote Jim Weston, Yeager’s communications aide.

Seat open on LGBT seniors panel

Due to the resignation of transgender advocate Felicia Elizondo, there is an open seat on the recently formed LGBT Aging Policy Task Force.

The panel launched in October and has 15 months to produce a report for city officials on how they can meet the needs of San Francisco’s rapidly graying LGBT population.

Elizondo informed panel members in late November that she had opted to step down due to health reasons.

In a subsequent email she sent to further explain her reasoning, Elizondo complained that the majority of the 18 panel members were gay men and that only four women had been selected.

“Two lesbian women, and two trans women, the level was not even,” wrote Elizondo, adding that she also found her lack of higher education to be a hindrance in understanding the panel’s deliberations.

Panel members expressed disappointment in seeing Elizondo resign and informed the Board of Supervisors, which selected the members, of the vacancy. The board’s clerk posted a call for applications online December 5.

Those interested in applying can download a form at http://www.sfbos. org/vacancy_application. Applicants are required to live in San Francisco and must be an LGBT senior or have experience working on LGBT aging issues.

It is expected that the board’s Rules Committee will take up the vacancy in late January at the earliest, and applications will be accepted until the hearing date has been scheduled.t

Vigil for Newtown victims

N

early 25 people gathered in Jane Warner Plaza Sunday, December 16 and held a short vigil for the 27 shooting victims in Newtown, Connecticut. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence spearheaded the action, with Sister Pat N Leather and Sister Eve Volution leading the remembrances. Names of the victims were read and a pledge was made to take action against gun violence in the country.

Rick Gerharter

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Community News>>

December 20-26, 2012 • Bay Area Reporter • 7

E-book imagines the end of AIDS

by David-Elijah Nahmod

Longtime activist Cleve Jones

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

into public schools, White educated people, opening hearts and minds.

Other contributors recall the massive losses suffered by the LGBT community. San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener writes eloquently about his coming out process as a young gay college student in New Jersey 20 years ago. The supervisor remembers those years as a time in which there were no gay male role models for him to look up to. The previous generation’s leadership had largely died out, many before they had reached middle age.

Longtime activist Cleve Jones has lived with the HIV virus for many years. A former intern for the late San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk and founder of the AIDS Me-

morial Quilt, Jones writes of his current work in offering support to LGBT youth who live with the virus.

Jones writes that many of these kids don’t know where to turn for support.

Hank Plante, the openly gay former political editor at KPIX TV, remembers being in the trenches, reporting on the disease when the crisis was escalating to its peak levels.

Also included is a piece from Robert Gallo, who co-discovered the HIV virus. He writes of his work in advancing AIDS treatments to the point where the disease has become manageable. Even more hopeful is the essay from Timothy Ray Brown, now considered to be the first person to be functionally cured

of AIDS. O’Neill talked about a very personal AIDS recollection that helped inspire her to create How AIDS Ends.

“My mother lost her friend Steve to AIDS in the late 1980s. I remember her being shocked that when she visited Steve’s parents at their home where he had died, they would only speak to her through the screen door. They never once mentioned how their son had died, but she could smell the bleach. They had been disinfecting the house,” Reilly said. “Not long after that, we visited the AIDS Memorial Quilt on a trip to San Francisco. We walked into that storefront workshop and I saw my mom put her hand to her mouth: hanging right in front of her was a quilt for her old community theater director. She hadn’t even known he was sick, let alone that he had died. Those were my first personal introductions to the stigma around this disease, and how different communities responded to it.”

She explained the process by which she chose the e-book’s contributors.

“All of the authors were contributed to this anthology because they have something important to say about how we get to the end of AIDS. That meant reaching out to people whose stake in this epidemic is very personal or goes back to the earliest days. It also meant inviting people who eat controversial issues for breakfast, political leaders like

similar opportunities would be available at California Check Cashing, 2300 Market Street, at the corner of 16th Street, beginning in January.

Chayne Lynskey, manager of the check cashing store, said that the window would be utilized by local businesses as well as nonprofits.

“It’s something the company decided to do,” Lynskey said Monday, December 17.

While Margolis is handling the nonprofit reservations for both locations, he said in an email that all of the slots for 2013 are taken. For the check cashing window, he said that he selected

A

special anthology, looking at how AIDS ends, is now available in electronic form and draws from people living with the disease, political leaders, and advocates as they chart the final chapter of a disease that has ravaged the world for more than 30 years.

How AIDS Ends: Fifteen Visionaries Write the Final Chapter on AIDS offers a sad look back upon the LGBT community’s most tragic period. The book also shows the light at the end of the tunnel. The e-book was edited by Reilly O’Neill, who serves as the editor for BETA, the HIV prevention and treatment magazine for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Prior to her work on BETA, O’Neill edited academic books on anthropology, neurology, and political science.

“Taking over as the editor of BETA was an exciting change,” O’Neill told the Bay Area Reporter. “It let me put my skills and interests to work providing tools for people to understand HIV science and really use it to improve their own health.”

How AIDS Ends is exactly what its title implies. Contributors include Jeanne White Ginder, the mother of Ryan White, the young hemophiliac who contracted HIV through a contaminated blood treatment. Before his death in 1990 at age 18, White became the public face of youth with AIDS. At a time when children with AIDS could be denied entry

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News Briefs

From page 5

individual donations up to a total of $13,000 through the end of December.

Online donations can be made via PayPal or credit card (http:// www.glbthistory.org); checks can be mailed to: GLBT Historical Society, 657 Mission Street #300, San Francisco, CA 94105.

Rick Gerharter

New window for nonprofits

Walgreens at 18th and Castro streets has made one of its display windows available to area nonprofits for several years and now Paul Margolis, the man who coordinates nonprofits for the Walgreens window, announced that

Jane Philomen Cleland

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (DOakland), President Bill Clinton, media pioneers like columnist LZ Granderson and journalist Hank Plante. I think the diversity of voices and visions is one of the best things about this book.”

According to Reilly, the end of the AIDS epidemic is within reach.

“This is a time of true hope, with huge breakthroughs in prevention and treatment, and even living proof that HIV can be cured,” she said. “But it’s also a time for hard work and innovation. Those breakthroughs aren’t enough by themselves. We need the funding, the political leadership, and the collective commitment to put those tools to use for everybody, including people whose health is jeopardized by stigma, homophobia, racism, sexism, poverty, homelessness, discriminatory laws, and marginalization.

“By asking these 15 visionaries to write the final chapter on AIDS, to share their perspectives on the past and how their visions for how AIDS ends, we wanted to help keep up the momentum and make that future without AIDS a reality for everyone.”

In addition to its current availability at Amazon.com and KoboBooks.com, How AIDS Ends is coming soon to iTunes and Barnes andNoble.com. It is priced at 99 cents.

“All profits go to funding free HIV testing, prevention, and care services for the foundation,” Reilly said.t

organizations that have put on some of the better displays in the past.

People can put in requests for 2014 by contacting Margolis at nonprofitwindow@gmail.com.t Seth Hemmelgarn contributed to this report.

Police: Castro robber used Taser in Sunday incident

San Francisco police arrested three people last weekend after one of them allegedly used a Taser stun gun to help rob two women in the Castro district.

The incident, which occurred at about 2:35 a.m., Sunday, December 16, started with a verbal altercation at Castro and Market streets, according to Officer Gordon Shyy, a spokesman for the San Francisco Police Department.

One of the suspects “brandished a Taser,” a police summary of the incident says. The two other suspects took the women’s property, which included cellphones and money, and fled in a taxi, according to police.

The suspects are listed as two 18-year-old women and a 17-year-old male. Shyy said police weren’t releasing their names or other information as of Monday, December 17, “pending investigation.”

Clarification In the December 13 article, “LGBT Jewish group awarded nearly $700,000,” which appeared online, the Keshet Bay Area office was called Keshet San Francisco. The office, while housed in San Francisco, serves all nine Bay Area counties. Also, Executive Director David Robinson misspoke when he said the JCF grant was the “largest LGBT investment” by any Jewish organization, he meant only Jewish Community Federation. The story has been updated.

Season’s Greetings!

The staff of the Bay Area Reporter (and state Senator Mark Leno) wish you the very best this holiday season.

<< Community News

8 • Bay Area Reporter • December 20-26, 2012

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Gonorrhea

From page 1

ticipants had used the inhalant, while 18.8 percent of the 47 MSM from the Bay Area said they used poppers.

The survey did not ask why men were more likely to use poppers and less likely to use meth. Nor can health officials be certain how usage of such drugs leads a person to contract an STD. Bauer speculated that there might be some correlation between poppers used in sexual situations and a decreased ability to negotiate safer sex with one’s sexual partners.

“We don’t know if these things are driving these epidemics of STDs,” said Bauer. “They may impair people from making good decisions that may impact their health. Anecdotally, people may have difficulty using condoms or making good decisions around sexual partners.”

The detailed surveillance information is giving some insight for why gonorrhea cases are increasing in California, particularly among MSM. Health officials have long suspected that increased testing and more advanced screening was partly behind the rise in the STD among men who have sex with men. Sexually active men are not only encouraged to get STD tests every three to six months, they are also advised to get rectal and pharyngeal tests, as infections in the rectum and throat can be asymptomatic and easy to miss.

The recently released data also provides evidence that testing and screening are not the only contributing factors to the rise in gonorrhea. It also shows that the sexually transmitted disease is making inroads in California.

“That is an indication that there is increasing risk behavior or more gonorrhea is circulating in the community,” said Bauer. “I think that until a vaccine is available, we are always going to be struggling to contain infections of STDs.” In California gonorrhea cases

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Illustrator

From page 2

He is now engrossed in acrylic paintings, which have overtaken his Mission district studio.

“I think it’s great that these stories are being told, maybe even better if it’s by a black person,” Robinson said.

On the other hand, his illustrations for Kathy Belge and Marke Bieschke’s Queer: The Ultimate Guide for Teens are delicately simple and resemble an episode of the television show Daria.

“So, mom, I have a bit of news ...,” says a hunched boy in an undersized shirt to a mother wearing a mop as hair in one of Robinson’s contributed illustrations – a reflection of his playfulness and personal experience. In an opposing illustration, a black mother weeps over her son. She says, “But what about my grandbabies?”

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t

Suits

From page 3

in,” Going said.

Kickstarter is a funding platform for creative projects to get funded by donors who pledge money after viewing the project’s media – video, photos, and rewards to offer supporters. Project creators set a funding goal and a deadline. If the goal is made then the project collects. If not, all pledged money is refunded to the donors and the project creator walks away with nothing. Going’s goal was to raise $87,000 in 34 days.

“We worried we wouldn’t get there,” she said. “If we made the goal, we’d move forward. If not, it’d be time to shut the dream down.”

Saint Harridan raised $40,000 in

Courtesy CA Dept. of P lic Health

This chart shows an increase in gonorrhea among men who have sex with men.

among MSM have increased from just above 6,000 in 2007 to approximately 10,000 in 2011. Of those, 26.9 percent report being HIV-positive.

Gay and bisexual men account for 60.8 percent of the state’s male gonorrhea cases or roughly 39 percent of all cases, which totaled 27,455 in 2011.

Bauer said that the state has noticed more symptomatic urethral infections.

“The reality is when a guy has gonorrhea urethrally, it is very painful.

They will go into a clinic or see their doctor to get an antibiotic,” she said.

“It is not something driven by test sensitivity or more screening. It is really people presenting with symptoms and that was also going up.”

As the Bay Area Reporter noted in a September 6 article, gonorrhea cases in California had numbered 31,191 in 2007 and fell to 26,842 cases in 2010. But last year saw the number of cases increase to 27,455 statewide.

“When I first looked at the data I thought, of course, it is increasing because we are doing a better job of screening. But when I looked more closely at the data and saw symptomatic infections going up, I had to

step back and say it is not just more screening,” said Bauer.

Rates of gonorrhea have been steadily climbing in San Francisco for several years now. The numbers rose 15.5 percent last year compared to 2010 for a total of 2,244 cases. As of October the city had recorded 2,127 cases so far in 2012.

According to the state report, 83 percent of the city’s gonorrhea cases in 2011 were among MSM. In the other nine other Bay Area counties, MSM accounted for roughly 26 percent of gonorrhea cases.

The numbers in the report aren’t a surprise, said AIDS Healthcare Foundation Bay Area regional manager Dale Gluth. He is pleased to see the state doing surveillance around gonorrhea.

“I think it is great it is happening because it does give us a more detailed picture,” said Gluth, who previously worked at Magnet, the gay men’s health center in the Castro.t

His illustrations also reflect a similar childlike wonder, seen in an animated short titled Dinosaur Song, which features a child narrator.

“So slow, more slow, and more slow every day, until his movements were almost imperceptible. Until like an old-fashioned wind-up watch, he laid down and sunk into the soil,” the bleak and monotone narrator says as the dinosaur collapses and decays until it’s excavated and displayed in a museum thousands of years later.

The three-minute video utilizes materials like tangled yarn, green pipe cleaners, and a plywood model of a diplodocus dinosaur.

“If I see an interesting piece of paper on the street and I want to pick it up, I’ll do so,” Robinson said.

He is inspired by artists like Ben Shahn and Ezra Jack Keats, the quintessential children’s book author who wrote Snowy Day. Unlike

most American children’s books before it, Peter, the little boy in Keats’s book, was black, and some say that quiet revolution couldn’t have been done by a black author in 1962. Keats’s work is currently on display at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco. Next month Robinson is holding a children’s workshop there similar to the one for the Keats show where he asked the kids to draw the voices of Pavarotti and Holiday.

Robinson interned at Pixar a year after moving to San Francisco shortly after college and was thereafter discovered by an agent named Steven Malk, who has since obtained most illustration proposals commissioned for Robinson.

“Something magical like Hogwarts was happening,” Robinson said.

Robinson’s next book, Rain, will be released by Chronicle Books in March 2014.t

one day, $75,000 in the first week, $87,000 by day 10 and this week, had nearly $111,000 pledged from 924 backers, 5,315 Facebook followers and over 2,500 subscribers via email.

The Kickstarter campaign still has seven days left and people are already contacting Going about possibly investing in the brand.

Perks for donating via Kickstarter range from postcards signed by Saint Harridan’s featured models for donating just $10, to a full package of three Saint Harridan suits, five shirts, two ties and a spot on Saint Harridan’s advisory committee for donating $10,000.

Going estimates that the suits will be ready for purchase online early next year but also through Saint Harridan “pop-up” tours scheduled in

the Bay Area, New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Portland. The pop-up tours will include Saint Harridan fashion shows and temporary storefronts to purchase Saint Harridan clothing.

“Depending on how successful the pop-up tours are, we might have a location in Oakland,” Going added. “It would give people a place to go, like a beacon of validation and legitimacy.”

“The real challenge is to avoid creating more gender boxes out of the desire to blow the boxes up,” she said.

“We’ll need to stay fresh and able to move. As gender changes – and becomes even perhaps obsolete – Saint Harridan will have to change, too. It’s important to stay creative, flexible, and engaged with the community at all times. People are ready for this.”t

For a longer version of this story, see ebar.com.

To download the state report, go to www.cdph.ca.gov/data/statistics/Documents/STD-DataCGSS-Regional-Data.pdf.

t <<

From the Cover>>

Murder cases

Preparing for Christmas

In Chicago, Lisa DiMartino, 41, said she’s hoping to take out some of her brother’s ornaments as Christmas nears.

“He used to buy tons of stuff on QVC,” DiMartino said of Philip DiMartino, laughing as she recalled his love of home shopping. “... He used to shop on there all the time.”

“He just loved the holidays, and I know he’d want us to try and enjoy them the best we can, so that’s what we’re going to try to do,” she added.

A coworker found DiMartino, 36, dead on the floor of his Hermann Street apartment in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood on Au-

“You have a murder, and nobody’s taking pictures of it, or if they are, they don’t want to release it to us,” he said. “... I don’t know if they’re afraid, or if they just don’t give a shit.”

that the arrest in the Escalon killing might lead to “some resolution in my situation, but as far as I know, there hasn’t been any link drawn.”

In January 2011, the mayor’s office authorized a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and prosecution in DiMartino’s death.

From page 1

we plan on following through in this case,” he added.

Several people had been in and out of Qualls’s and a neighboring room in her Broadway Street hotel just before she died, Cunningham said, and he suspects the killer was a male acquaintance who had been partying with her.

Cunningham said some have suggested Qualls’s former boyfriend killed her, but he said that man was in custody at the time Qualls was believed to have been killed.

He said there might be indirect witnesses in the case; the man who killed Qualls “might have told some people some things,” Cunningham said.

Police have tested a small amount of DNA from skin, he said, but that hasn’t been helpful. He’s also been making his way through surveillance footage covering a 36-hour period as he balances the Qualls investigation with cases where there are people in custody.

The inspector thinks the man that killed Qualls did so “impulsively,” and he indicated she wasn’t killed because she was transgender. The person responsible wasn’t someone who “just maliciously hurt her because she was what she was, or just wanted to kill somebody in general,” Cunningham said. “I don’t think it’s that at all.”

A $75,000 reward has been available in the Qualls case since last year.

“I’m not going to give up” on the investigation, Cunningham said.

“I know it’s going to happen, I just don’t know when.”

Garcia expressed hope that someone would provide police with information leading to an arrest.

“If you know anything, even if it’s the smallest little thing, something small could lead to something big,” she said.

December 20-26, 2012 • Bay Area Reporter • 9

Trail growing cold

Frustration

Philip DiMartino was found dead in his Hayes Valley apartment two years ago.

gust 2, 2010. The medical examiner’s office said in its report that his injuries included 48 stab wounds, most of them in his back.

Hours before he’s believed to have been killed, DiMartino, who was gay, had told co-workers at the Archstone apartment company that he was headed to the Castro neighborhood after work for happy hour. Lisa DiMartino has said she and others “are fairly confident” her brother was at Badlands, a club on 18th Street, at some point that night.

Police have said that the suspect may have cut himself during the assault. In August 2011, then-homicide Inspector Richard Martin said, “We believe we have the suspect’s DNA that was left at the scene.”

Since then, Martin has been assigned to another unit. Inspector Michael Morley, the lead investigator on the case, didn’t respond to an interview request. Jones, who’s assisted with the investigation, said it’s “one of the most exhaustive investigations they’ve done in this office.”

The work continues, he said, and he believes there will be an arrest.

“It’s science,” Jones said. “It’s science, and also, people who had contact with Philip that night.” He expressed confidence that somebody will “remember something that turns out to be really important.”

Jones pointed to the recent killing of Steven “Eriq” Escalon as an example of a homicide in which witnesses helped police make an arrest.

James Rickleffs, 46, was arrested in September in connection with the June death. He has pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery charges in the killing of Escalon, who was found bound and gagged in his home hours after he and Rickleffs were allegedly seen getting into a cab outside the bar 440 Castro.

Lisa DiMartino said she’d hoped

On August 3, 2011, just over a year after DiMartino was killed, Clyde “Leo” Neville, 51, was found gagged and beaten in his Hayes Valley apartment.

The medical examiner’s office listed the cause of his death as “multiple traumatic injuries during acute mixed drug intoxication.” While the manner of death was listed as homicide, the report also said the possibility of a fatal irregular heartbeat “precipitated by an assault and potentiated by his underlying heart disease or drug use cannot be ruled out.”

Anthony Harris, 45, recently emailed the Bay Area Reporter to express frustration with the investigation into the killing of his uncle, who’s been described as well liked and free-spirited.

In a phone interview, Harris said it seems that as far as police are concerned, his uncle “was just another gay man out there tricking.” He was also upset that nobody had told him that Martin, the homicide inspector who had investigated Neville’s killing as well as DiMartino’s, had been transferred to another unit.

Harris, who lives in San Pedro, California, said that after several attempts he made to talk to police, homicide Inspector John S. Miller finally called him.

In an email exchange with the B.A.R., Miller, who was one of several inspectors assisting Martin in the investigation and is now the primary inspector, said Martin and his team did “extensive work” on the case before Martin’s recent transfer.

“I can assure you that this case was and is being investigated as intensely as all other cases assigned to the SFPD homicide detail,” he said.

Harris now has his direct contact information, Miller said, and “I will continue to keep him updated of any major movement in this case.”

He added, “Currently there are no new developments on this case but I will be reviewing more case material to see if there is any new direction possible.”

Martin has said that police believe someone that Neville brought home with him killed him. Not long after Neville died, police released photos of a “person of interest.” The photos were taken from surveillance video that shows Neville and another man

Courtesy Anthony Harris

San Francisco resident Clyde “Leo” Neville was killed in August 2011.

entering Neville’s building, which is on Franklin Street.

The man in the video still is “our best lead,” Martin said in an interview before his transfer.

“I believe that’s the one that did it,” he said.

Martin said they have DNA evidence, which he indicated came from blood. The biggest challenge, he said, is “an ID. Somebody has to come forward and ID this guy.”

No rewards have been offered in this case or any other homicide cases for several months, due to budgetary constraints.

Pink Saturday

Like Harris, Neville’s nephew, homicide Inspector Jones has been frustrated, too.

In June 2010, Stephen Powell, 19, was shot to death around the end of the Pink Saturday festival, the street party that draws thousands of people to the Castro neighborhood the night before the LGBT Pride Parade each year. (Powell doesn’t appear to have been gay himself.)

Despite there presumably being many people who witnessed the shooting, no one has been arrested in the case.

“We’ve exhausted every lead we’ve been given,” Jones said. “We got very little help from the public, considering the size of the event.”

Powell’s death “could be easily solved if the people that witnessed it would just tell the truth,” Jones, who said inspectors work “24/7,” added.

There are people who witnessed what happened, he said, but “they’re not telling everything they saw, and everything they know.”

He said, “What’s more shocking is how many people from the [LGBT] community there were down there,” people who apparently haven’t taken action.

People who were in the car with Martell, the transgender woman killed in Oakland, when she was shot have offered at least a partial description of the killer, and it appears others also may have offered help. But Tiffany Woods is hoping for more.

Woods is coordinator of the Fremont-based Tri-City Health Center’s TransVision program, where Martell had been a peer advocate.

Woods hired and trained her.

“We know people have seen things,” she said. “We know there were a lot of people out that night, and somebody saw something, and nobody’s coming forward.”

She said it seems that “they’re afraid to come forward for a variety of reasons,” including fearing retaliation by the killer, or not wanting to interact with police.

“I don’t think it’s from lack of trying” that police haven’t made an arrest, Woods said.

Betty Massey, Martell’s mother, had a message for people.

“Just think about what his mom and sister and father are going through,” Massey, who cried as she spoke of her daughter, said. “It’s hard. It’s an everyday memory. You don’t know. It’s just hard.”t

How to contact police Anyone with information in Brandy Martell’s murder can send the Oakland Police Department tips anonymously by texting TIP OAKLANDPD to 888777, calling the toll-free hotline at (855) 847-7247, or by calling (510) 535-4867. Tips can also be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (510) 7778572. The case number is 12020709.

People with information on the San Francisco cases can contact the SFPD homicide unit at (415) 553-1145. Those that wish to leave an anonymous tip may call (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to 847411 and type SFPD, then the message.

The case numbers are as follows: Philip DiMartino: 100 704 683; Tony “Delicious” Green: 040 922 646; Clyde “Leo” Neville: 110 620 063; Stephen Powell: 100 589 764; and Mariah Qualls: 091 257 989.

No charges in ’04 transgender homicide

by Seth Hemmelgarn

P

olice arrested two men in the 2004 death of a transgender San Francisco woman, but it appears the district attorney’s office has never filed charges against the former suspects in the case.

Tony “Delicious” Green, 45, was found dead August 13, 2004 on the floor of a Third Street motel room in San Francisco’s Bayview district.

(Green’s friends also spelled her name Toni.)

According to the medical examiner’s office, the cause of death was asphyxia due to her nose and mouth being obstructed, apparently by duct tape, while she was restrained. Her hands were behind her back, and impressions resembling ligature marks were around her wrists. Blunt trauma and the presence of cocaine are listed as other “significant” conditions.

In 2005, police arrested Earl Wright and Terence Hall, who allegedly spent two days with Green prior to her death, but both were later released. San Francisco Superior Court and Califor-

Rick Gerharter

A friend remembers Tony “Delicious” Green (who also spelled her name Toni) during a memorial service for the murdered transgender woman held August 22, 2004 in the Bayview. Some 125 of her neighbors, friends, and extended family honored her with a vigil that included memories, prayers, and song.

nia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation records indicate neither man has been charged in the killing.

Asked recently about the case, John Cleary, one of the homicide inspec-

tors who has examined Green’s death, noted Wright and Hall’s arrests, and indicated the investigation is no longer active.

“It’s in the hands of the district at-

torney’s office,” Cleary said.

Not long after the arrests, Linda Porter, Green’s sister, discussed Wright with the Bay Area Reporter.

“I see him on the street,” Porter said in a November 2006 B.A.R. story, referring to Wright driving around the neighborhood. “I just keep going. It’s real hard.”

Contact information for Wright, Hall, and Porter couldn’t be found in a recent search.

According to the B.A.R. story, by November 2005, authorities had fingerprints, DNA evidence, and a motel video showing the suspects entering and exiting Green’s room, but there was not enough probable cause for the district attorney to prosecute the case.

A relative’s friend may have had information about the case. But that person refused to come forward, Porter said.

“She’s scared for her life,” Porter said. “She would sit down and tell me everything, but not to the inspectors.

It just shows how intimidating these guys are.”

Witnesses testifying in court that a suspect admitted a crime “would only show a propensity,” homicide Inspector Mike Mahoney said in the story.

“We need specifics.”

Witnesses fear being “stigmatized and ostracized in their community, by cooperating with law enforcement,” then-District Attorney Kamala Harris said in 2006, speaking in general about witnesses who do not come forward.

She called the no-snitch attitude and witness intimidation, “a huge handicap in prosecuting crimes.” A heightened response requires making those coming forward to testify about wrongdoing, “recognized as heroes,” Harris said.

For a jury to convict someone, to believe beyond a reasonable doubt the suspect’s guilt, they want to hear, “I saw it, I heard it, I was told,” Debbie Mesloh, a former spokeswoman for DA’s office, told the B.A.R. in that 2006 article. “You only get one shot at the apple.”

Cleary said this month that anyone with information in the case is welcome to contact police (see box above). t

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10 • BAY AREA REPORTER • December 20-26, 2012

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41 – ON SALE BEER & WINE – EATING PLACE DEC 6, 13, 20, 2012 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC12-549115 In the matter of the application of: ELSA F. LANTIER for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner ELSA FRANCOISE LANTIER is requesting that the name ELSA FRANCOISE LANTIER be changed to ELSA LANTIER LUNDY. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514 on the 22nd of January 2013 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034741300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ABELEY, 3 Bayside Village Pl. #317, SF, CA 94107.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Yixuan Ma. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/18/12.

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December 20-26, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 11

Legal Notices>> FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034745500

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034707300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WRJ TRAVEL BUSINESS COMPANY, 983 Major Ave., Hayward, CA 94542. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Ruijian Wang. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/30/12.

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DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034719200

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034748400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: AVENUEWEST SAN FRANCISCO, 2525 Van Ness Ave. #207, SF, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed AvenueWest Denver Inc. (CO). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/14/12.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: NATE FONG PHOTOGRAPHY, 280 19th Ave., SF, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Nathan Fong. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/03/12.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034745400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: IMPACT CARBON, 47 Kearny St. #600, SF, CA 94108. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Center For Entrepreneurship In International Health And Development (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/27/07.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/30/12.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034725000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RICKYBOBBY, 400 Haight St., SF, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Short Attention Span Kitchen Inc. (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/16/12.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034736100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GOLDEN MONTH MOTHERCARE, 605 Chenery St., SF, CA 94131. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed JoAnn W. Bennett & Marnie McCurdy. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/01/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/26/12.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034738900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FIRST EAGLE DELIVERY, 1725 Silver Ave., SF, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed Silvia Arteaga, Thalita Elias, Adelcio Pontes, Esperanza Reyes, Iraci Silva, and Leonardo Torres. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/28/12.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034740700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: JAG PROPERTIES PARTNERSHIP, 4536-40 Mission St., SF, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed Anton Jaber & Janette Jaber. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/28/12.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034739800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: 2M CREATIVE, LLC, 360 Langton St. #201, SF, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed 2M Creative LLC (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/28/2012. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/28/12.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034742600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PMK CONSTRUCTION LLC, 2722 Folsom St., SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed PMK Construction LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/29/12.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034752100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE LIQUID GARDEN; INTRINSIC EVENTS AND DESIGN. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Thomas Murphy. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/03/12.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034740100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE GENIUS OF MARIAN, 90 Mirabel Ave., SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed WeOwnTV (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/28/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/28/12.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034729400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BAYCREST CLEANERS, 201 Harrison St. #C2, SF, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed What Happened LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/01/12.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/20/12.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034747800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ASYA POGODINA PSYCHOTHERAPY, 2645 Ocean Ave. #206, SF, CA 94132. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Asya Pogodina. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/03/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/03/12.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-033814900 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: GREENWAY 420, 965 Mission St. #212, SF, CA 94103. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by Greenway Professional Support Services LLC (CA). The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/09/11.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-030906900 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: 2M CREATIVE, 360 Langton St. #201, SF, CA 94103.

This business was conducted by an individual and signed by Mehdi Sadeghi Anvarian. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/07/08.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 SUMMONS SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF ALAMEDA NOTICE TO RESPONDENT: EDWARD BALUYUT AKA EDWARD N. BAYULUT AKA E. BAYULUT, AN INDIVIDUAL AND DOES 1 THROUGH 50, INCLUSIVE YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: UNITED GUARANTY RESIDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA, A NORTH CAROLINA CORPORATION CASE NO. HG12620354 Notice: You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp). your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot

afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

The name and address of the court is : HAYWARD HALL OF JUSTICE, 24405 AMADOR ST., HAYWARD, CA 94544, UNLIMITED CIVIL The name, address, and telephone number of the plantiff’s attorney, or plantiff without an attorney, is:

BRUCE A. HATKOFF, SBN 66146, BRUCE A. HATKOFF, A LAW CORPORATION, 18757 BURBANK BLVD. SUITE 100, TARZANA, CA 91356.

Date: Mar 08, 2012; Received: Clerk of the Court PAT S. SWEETEN, by Pilipino Jungohan, Deputy.

DEC 6, 13, 20, 27, 2012 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034765600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RILLO LAW GROUP, 111 Pine St. #1400, SF, CA 94111. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Christopher J. Rillo. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/11/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/11/12.

DEC 13, 20, 27, 2012; JAN 3, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034757700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SA BEANG THAI, 312 Divisadero St., SF, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Atthapon Inkhong. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/06/12.

DEC 13, 20, 27, 2012; JAN 3, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034763100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BAYVIEW ICE CREAM SHOPPE, 1650 Quesada Ave., SF, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Robert Davis. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/10/12.

DEC 13, 20, 27, 2012; JAN 3, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034756200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SPIRO COFFEE, 826 Van Ness, SF, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Nob Hill Restaurant Ventures Inc. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/05/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/05/12.

DEC 13, 20, 27, 2012; JAN 3, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034731400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LA SCUOLA INTERNAZIONALE DI SAN FRANCISCO; LA SCUOLA; 728 20th St., SF, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed La Piccola Scuola Italiana Di San Francisco (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/21/12.

DEC 13, 20, 27, 2012; JAN 3, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034760200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SYNTROPY FITNESS, 168 South Park Ave., SF, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a limited liability corporation, and is signed The Center for Lifestyle Well-Being (CA)The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/07/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/07/12.

DEC 13, 20, 27, 2012; JAN 3, 2013 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE Dated 09/12/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: TAO CAFE LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 33 New Montgomery St. #1230, SF, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 1000 Guerrero St., SF, CA 94110-2931. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-SALE BEER & WINE EATING PLACE DEC 20, 2012 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE Dated 12/03/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: FH SFW LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 33 New Montgomery St. #1230, SF, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 2620 Jones St., SF, CA 94133-1306. Type of license applied for

47 - ON-SALE GENERAL EATING PLACE DEC 20, 2012

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE Dated 12/07/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: KAYANNA GOOD FOODS & SERVICES INC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 33 New Montgomery St. #1230, SF, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 201 E 4th Ave., San Mateo, CA 94401-4006. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-SALE BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE DEC 20, 2012 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE Dated 12/07/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: SERENA & JAYDEN, INC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 33 New Montgomery St. #1230, SF, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 582 Sutter St., SF, CA 94102-1102. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-SALE BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE DEC 20, 2012 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE Dated 12/04/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: OSSO STEAKHOUSE LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 33 New Montgomery St. #1230, SF, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 1177 California St., SF, CA 94108-2212. Type of license applied for

47 - ON-SALE GENERAL EATING PLACE DEC 20, 2012 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE Dated 12/10/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: MARGARET FRANCES LYNCH, JOSEPH CARMEN VERNIERI. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 33 New Montgomery St. #1230, SF, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 1400 Lombard St., SF, CA 94123-3112. Type of license applied for

48 - ON-SALE GENERAL PUBLIC PREMISES DEC 20, 2012 NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Dated 12/11/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 33 New Montgomery St. #1230, SF, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 1446 Market St., SF, CA 94102-6004. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-SALE BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 2013 NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Dated 12/07/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: DOGPATCH CAFE, LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 33 New Montgomery St. #1230, SF, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 2291 & 2295 3rd St., SF, CA 94107-3125. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-SALE BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034769600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FERNANDO’S HAIR SALON, 5763 A Mission St., SF, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Jose A. Alvarado Garcia.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/13/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/13/12.

DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 10, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034765300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DATEBOOK, 472 Union St. #2, SF, CA 94133.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Melissa Edwards. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/11/12.

DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 10, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034773600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: B&B INVESTMENTS, 125 Gilbert St. #8, SF, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Brent Huigens. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/17/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/17/12.

DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 10, 2013

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034776100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FRANCESCA’S FLOWERS & GARDENS, 128 Woodland Ave., SF, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Francesca Perez. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/18/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/18/12.

DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 10, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034775600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CRENELATED DIPHTHONG PRESS, 1526 Anza St., SF, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Sarah Corr. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/18/12.

DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 10, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034760300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FILLMORE LAUNDRY, 1426B Fillmore St., SF, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed PRK Ventures Inc. (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/07/12.

DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 10, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034757200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MIKE’S GROCERY & LIQUOR, 2499 Mission St., SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed BIKO Inc. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/03/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/05/12.

DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 10, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034761400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SF SHEN YUN PRESENTER, 601 Van Ness Ave. #E808, SF, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed San Francisco Falun Buddha Study Association (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/07/12.

DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 10, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034777200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE, 301 Main St., SF, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed Woodstream Advisors LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/18/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/18/12.

DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 10, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034775900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LIME TREE, 450 A Irving St., SF, CA 94122.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Siok Ming Tjong. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/18/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/18/12.

DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 10, 2013 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-032369600 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: MIKE’S GROCERY & LIQUOR, 2499 Mission St., SF, CA 94110. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by Basem Hasan Kurd.

The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/06/09.

DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 10, 2013 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-032624900 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: FILLMORE LAUNDRY, 1426B Fillmore St., SF, CA 94115. This business was conducted by a husband & wife and signed by Hang Vuong & Sreewan Vuong. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/10/10.

DEC 20, 27, 2012; JAN 03, 10, 2013

All the news that’s fit to post.

ebar.com

Concert master

22

It's their party

Unsentimental journey

18

Out &About

17

O&A

16

The

Vol. 42 • No. 52 • December 20-26, 2012

www.ebar.com/arts

Another nut entirely Cal Performances presents Mark Morris’ ‘The Hard Nut’

by Paul Parish

T

he first great “alternative Nutcracker,” The Hard Nut, choreographed by Mark Morris, has just opened its annual run in Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall, with George Cleve conducting a glorious-sounding orchestra. It opened last Friday night, the day of the Newtown massacre. Perhaps the most significant thing that can be said about it was that many people reported at intermission that they had stopped feeling heartsick, numb and stupefied by the day’s events. It’s the glory of The Hard Nut to find a contemporary way of understanding the values of home and hearth, really valuing them, and of seeing new life arise in

David Leventhal (front) and company members of Mark Morris Dance Group perform The Hard Nut at Cal Performances.

d Epic misery d

midwinter, while giving plenty of rein to anarchic impulses.

“Alternative Nutcrackers”: maybe the first was Duke Ellington’s version, which was of course “just the music,” but it did the job of jazzing it up and making Nutcracker something a modern person with her wits about her could enjoy without embarrassment.

Morris’ Hard Nut (1991) came at the end of his controversial career as chief dancemaker at the opera house in Brussels, Belgium. It was hardly provocative compared with the ballets he’d already shocked the Belgians with, but it was solidly made, and over time, See page 24 >> Stephanie Berger

by David Lamble

V

ictor Hugo’s runaway locomotive of a novel Les Miserables turns 150 as its epic-scaled story hits the screen for the seventh time. For those of us hooked on the stage production, director Tom Hooper’s long-awaited screen version builds slowly.

It’s a matter of personal taste whether Hugh Jackman’s heavy-lifting turn as the persecuted convict Jean Valjean gets your juices flowing. Maybe it’s Anne Hathaway’s stirring embodiment of factory worker/prostitute Fantine, mother of the orphan child Cosette.

Dramatically, Russell Crowe is more than adequate as Valjean’s nemesis Inspector Javert, but his vocal range barely registers.

For me the film, with its realistic depiction of 19thcentury poverty and rebellion, really kicks in when we’re on the barricades with the lovely Eddie Redmayne as the idealistic young revolutionary Marius.

The sight of Valjean carrying the wounded Marius out of harm’s way through the Parisian sewers invokes all manner of queer fantasies.

Otherwise, Hooper, whom I’ve adored for The

King’s Speech, The Damned United and the John Adams TV bio-pic, builds the personal, romantic and political themes to a crescendo that should resonate for holiday audiences looking for intelligent escape. Plus there’s the incomparable Helena Bonham Carter finding all the right notes from her Sweeney Todd travesty to invest this somber piece with a few delicious comic pit-stops.

Catch this one for its extraordinary cast, with a great techno gimmick: the actors sing the score live on film instead of lip-synching to playback. (Opens on Christmas.)

Deadfall “It’s alright, little sis, it’s a good sign when you feel a little bad.”

No sooner does Addison (Eric Bana) utter this scrap of down-home philosophy to his scantily attired sibling Liza (Olivia Wilde) than the car they’re riding hits something in the snow, and this fast-paced, very bloody, very Freudian and quite entertaining latter-day noir gets off to a roaring start.

See page 24 >>

’S wonderful! ’S Feinstein!

The Gershwins and Me: A Personal History in Twelve Songs by Michael Feinstein (Simon and Schuster, $45, CD included)

M

ichael Feinstein has lived the kind of life we see in sophisticated drawing-room comedies of the 1930s. It’s all about American popular music of past generations. He performs the music of his idols in cabarets, on television, and on CDs. He also works diligently to catalogue and preserve the music of previous generations, and to introduce these songs to new listeners.

“I live in a unique world,” Feinstein told the B.A.R. “My life is constantly immersed in this music. It’s what I do.”

He refers to the songwriters from the first half of the 20th century as “craftspeople. It was an era that was a uniquely fertile time for artistic creativity.” He lik-

by David-Elijah Nahmod

Author and musician Michael Feinstein.

Zach Dobson

{ second OF TWO SECTIONS }

Amanda Seyfried and Eddie Redmayne in Les Misérables.

Universal Pictures

ens the period to the Italian Renaissance.

“They had a strong work ethic. They worked extremely hard. Songwriting is a very difficult craft.”

Few of these songwriters have influenced Feinstein more than Ira Gershwin, who, along with his brother George, composed some of America’s best-known and -loved pop tunes. In 1977, Feinstein, 21, was hired

by Ira Gershwin to catalogue his extensive collection of records and sheet music.

Feinstein spent six years researching and archiving the work not only of Ira, but of George, who had died of cancer many years earlier. During this period, he became close friends with Gershwin’s next-door neighbor, singer Rosemary Clooney, an interpreter of American popular song. Feinstein and Clooney would go on to collaborate extensively. In his new memoir The Gershwins and Me, Feinstein shares his personal See page 14 >>

<< Out There

14 • Bay Area Reporter • December 20-26, 2012

Year of reading promiscuously

by Roberto Friedman

I

t’s been a highly satisfying reading year for Out There, and the 14 books listed here were only the tip of the literary iceberg. OT is often asked, “How do you have time for all the recreational reading you do?” Short answer is, “We don’t watch TV.” After staring into glowing rectangular screens all day, it’s the last thing we want to do. We’d sooner gnaw off our pinkies. But maybe that’s just us.

A caveat: these are not meant to represent the best literary cre-

ations of the year, or any other such ridiculous prize. They’re simply some of the books that found their way into our hot little hands, and rewarded our attention.

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach (paperback, Back Bay Books). A great baseball novel, great college novel, and auspicious first novel: not a bad triple play.

The Bay of Foxes by Sheila

Kohler (paperback, Penguin).

Patricia Highsmith homage.

Canada by Richard Ford (Ecco). Masterlevel fiction.

Darger’s Resources

by Michael Moon (Duke U. Press). The great outsider artist.

English Graphic by Tom Lubbock (Frances Lincoln Limited).

A history of.

The Gentrification of the Mind: Witness to a Lost Imagination by Sarah Schulman (U. of Ca. Press). Somebody’s been paying attention.

History of a Pleasure Seeker by Richard Mason (Knopf, 2011).

Hedonia.

Jack Holmes and His Friend by Edmund White (Bloomsbury).

Very model of a 1960s homosexual.

King of the Badgers by Philip Hensher (Faber and Faber, 2011).

In this communal portrait of smalltown English life, we were surprised and delighted to find a description of the preparations involved in planning a provincial sex party.

“You did a small scout round, picking up anything small and valuable – a silver Georgian snuff box, a cloisonné cigarette case thought to

<<

Feinstein

From page 13

memories of the time he spent with Ira Gershwin. The book, divided into 12 chapters, each named after a Gershwin song, comes with a CD of Feinstein performing all 12 songs.

“I was trying to think of a way to present information on the Gershwins that would be anecdotal, but that people could still follow. Each song is a springboard for a particular story. I thought this might be interesting for people who want to know more about the Gershwins.”

Feinstein is part owner of Feinstein’s, which currently serves as NYC’s premiere showcase for caba-

be Cartier – or breakable.

The coked-up Bears would fling their limbs and members about the floor of the drawing room, and glass and porcelain treasures were best tucked away for the night. Stanley, the basset hound, had a graceful knack of walking between the precarious treasures, but a Bear after a drink or two would have lost whatever knack he ever possessed.”

Peter Selz: Sketches of a Life in Art by Paul J. Karlstrom (U. of Ca. Press).

Arts admin history.

The Stranger’s Child by Alan Hollinghurst (Knopf). It’s summer 1913 in London, and a boy servant rifles through the trash of his young master’s friend down f r o m Cambridge for the weekend. “Jonah went over to the waste-paper basket, as if routinely tidying a barely occupied room, and took out the handful of bits of paper.

He saw one of them was written

by George, and felt embarrassed on his behalf that his guest should have made such a mess. It was hard to read – ‘Veins,’ it seemed to say, if that was how you spelt it: ‘Viens.’

ret artists. In August 2012, he was named the new lead conductor for Pasadena Pops, succeeding Marvin Hamlisch, who died in August.

Feinstein and Hamlisch had enjoyed a long, close friendship and working relationship.

“Marvin was a remarkable musician,” Feinstein said. “He wrote wonderful songs, film scores, and dramatic scores for Broadway. He was a great musical mind who inspired people with his music. He de-mystified music and made it accessible.”

Feinstein also works with The Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative, his own foundation located in Carmel, IN. On its website, the Initiative describes its mission as twofold: to bring the music of the Great American Songbook to young people today, and to preserve it for future generations. Feinstein explains why Indiana was chosen

t

The poetry notebook, which Jonah had been told never to touch, still lay within reach, on the bedside table. Later, he thought, he almost certainly would have a look at it.”

Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon (Harper). Symphony in vinyl.

Useless Landscape, or A Guide for Boys by D.A. Powell (Graywolf ). Poetry.

Word Is Out by Greg Youmans (Arsenal Pulp). Our gay history. t

On the web This week find Victoria A. Brownworth’s Lavender Tube column, “Best (& worst) of TV 2012,” and Tim Pfaff on Jonas Kaufmann, online at ebar.com.

as the Initiative’s locale.

“American popular music is about the melting pot. It’s about the whole country, about everybody. Carmel is 24 hours from most of the country, and the city built a $180 million performing arts center. We have the support of the local community. It’s a place where this was fervently desired.”

Currently in the works is a museum. “I have quite a bit of Gershwin memorabilia. I have a billboard from An American in Paris, artifacts from the Gershwin estate, movie posters, contracts.”

The multi-tasking performer/ conductor/historian admits that he doesn’t get much sleep these days.

He derives a great deal of personal satisfaction from his work. It all began in 1977, when he worked for his idol, Ira Gershwin. In sharing his memories of those bygone days, Feinstein illustrates the path that led him to where he is today.t

t

Film>>

December 20-26, 2012 • Bay Area Reporter • 15

Miscarriages of justice

by David Lamble

I

n The Central Park Five, acclaimed documentary producer Ken Burns, creator of meticulous oral-history chronicles on how race has impacted American history – The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz – Sarah Burns and David McMahon zoom in on a terrible night in 1989 New York City. Race relations, a powerful elite’s paranoia about “crime in the streets,” an unaccountable criminal justice system, a racially insensitive mayor, and a bombastic tabloid media combined to concoct a “judicial lynching” of five multi-racial teens.

The doc chillingly illustrates why innocent kids would “confess” to a crime they had no knowledge of, the brutal rape/near-homicide of a white female jogger. We’re shown how even the introduction of exonerating DNA evidence failed to set the record straight for a public addicted to getting news in “a New York minute.” Burns and Raymond Santana, one of the five men hoping to have their innocence acknowledged and their dignity restored, sat down with me in conversation before Central Park Five’s Bay Area commercial release.

David Lamble: Does New York City not have a victim’s compensation law?

Ken Burns: The city has done almost everything they can to delay this thing. They do not see wrongful convictions as victims. They don’t want to admit a mistake.

It’s so interesting that this whole story hinges on the worst person involved, a rapist and murderer, having a conscience, but could we also add the media into this. The media, the police and the prosecutors have not seen it in themselves to issue any extensive mea culpa about it. There’s closure in their lives when the city owns up to its culpability.

The New York media is much more ideologically polarized then when I grew up there.

All of those columnists got it wrong: they all failed to challenge the story that the police and the prosecutors fed, that it was a “night of wilding,” this new terminology, that they were doing it “for the fun of it,” and the upshot is that five human beings had their humanity robbed. They were reduced to two-dimensional, evil figures, and didn’t have any chance to defend themselves. It’s now 23 years later, and we’re trying at least to say, here is a factual look at what actually happened. We do it from the point of view of the five who were never given a point of view, and that’s what our film is.

[Lamble to Raymond Santana:] Talk about your involvement with the film.

Raymond Santana: We met Sarah [Burns] in 2002, and [eventually] she asked us if she could

write a book. And by that time we had developed a trustful relationship, so we knew that she was going to tell the truth and look for the facts. We never knew her father was Ken Burns, we only knew her as Sarah, our friend. The book was great, I read it in one night. This was an opportunity to be heard: to let people see we were not the rapists, not urban terrorists, that we were just five kids who had been through a real injustice.

Experts now argue that eyewitness testimony and “socalled confessions” can be extremely unreliable. Describe your experience.

I get that question a lot: “How come people confess to things they didn’t do?” What you have to look at is the facts: we were 14, we were never involved with the law, and these [cops] were seasoned veterans, the elite of the police force.

These guys know how to do this in their sleep. It was just a matter of time before we cracked. (Now playing.)

Killing Them Softly Richard Jenkins is the consummate character actor, the dude who’s made a career out of breathing fresh life into the old joke, “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.” That’s what he did as AIDS researcher Dr. Marcus Conant in the TV movie of gay reporter Randy Shilts’ And the Band Played On. Gay film fans may recall his LSD-tripping Federal lawman in Flirting with Disaster, or his deceased dad of a gay undertaker in Six Feet Under.

In the brutal, mordantly funny gangland saga Killing Them Softly from director Andrew Dominik, Jenkins is a button-down mob bagman who speaks in euphemisms about who the big bosses want rubbed out. Picture Jenkins as one of the Watergate “followthe-money guys,” a suit who shields the bosses from getting their hands bloody. Jenkins needs to sweet-talk a motormouth hitman – another home-run for Moneyball star Brad Pitt – into giving the mob a volume discount, cutting his normal per-murder fee in a down economy.

Jenkins’ anonymous sedan operates like the psychiatrist’s office in The Sopranos. First there’s the usual pleasure-denying rules.

“Please don’t smoke in my car!”

Then it’s down to business with Pitt’s Jackie, who asks, “You ever killed anyone?”

“No.” “It can get touchy-feely.”

“Touchy-feely?”

“They cry, they plead, they piss themselves, they call for their mothers. It’s embarrassing. I like to kill them softly, from a distance, not close enough for feelings.”

The movie comes with a rich crime-fiction pedigree, adaptation from a George V. Higgins novel.

Higgins gets credit for reinventing hoodlum fiction with his 70s See page 16 >>

Courtesy NY Daily News via Getty Images

Defendant Korey Wise with his lawyer Colin Moore in Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon’s The Central Park Five: even exonerating DNA evidence failed to set the record straight.

<< Music

16 • Bay Area Reporter • December 20-26, 2012

Seasonal concertizing

by Philip Campbell

G

etting into the spirit of the season with good music in convivial concert settings has been easy this year. Two recent events gave plenty of cheer, and even managed a sense of celebration without a single Christmas carol or holiday medley on the

bill. I actually like a lot of the Yuletide classics, but there is plenty of opportunity to hear them all around us.

The last regular subscription concerts of 2012 by the San Francisco Symphony offered a refreshing break from traditional programming in December, and the New Century Chamber Orchestra also made a clev-

er choice, celebrating all four seasons in a typically lively concert at Herbst Theatre.

Of course, I was hearing Yefim Bronfman playing Beethoven’s mighty Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor, on the first night of Hanukkah, surrounded by the hanging of the green at Davies Hall and all those pretty trees, but it only added to the general feeling of festivity.

Nothing could have been more secular than the first performances of SFS Assistant Concertmaster Mark Volkert’s Pandora for orchestral strings, which opened the program.

There is a lot of Bernard Herrmann’s string-writing for Hitchcock’s Psycho in the air, but that is more praise than criticism. Volkert has a very personal grasp (well, yeah) of the expressive range of his instrumentalists, and he also knows how to tell a story in a pleasingly linear and vivid way. Pandora supposedly started out as a purely abstract work, and the composer is still merely suggesting aspects of the mythical tale, but no listener will ever lose their place during the score’s 20 intensely pictorial minutes.

The concert began with Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks by Richard Strauss, and it was a particularly apt introduction to Volkert’s new piece.

Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas stressed the more grating and annoying deviltry of the titular character, and the moments of humor only come from the astonishingly clever touches of orchestration. Pandora is a dark retelling of a familiar story, and MTT’s Till has a rather sinister mean streak, too.

Yefim Bronfman’s account of the Emperor Concerto occupied the whole second half of the concert, and it was a suitably commanding reading. Not a note out of place or a moment of reflection was ignored, but Bronfman never attracted from an emotional standpoint. His clear

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Dario Acosta

Pianist Yefim Bronfman performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor, with the San Francisco Symphony.

articulation, even in the beautiful central Adagio, was more perfect than passionate. Still, the soloist’s easy stage presence and sense of humor (an audience member applauded between movements, so he took a bow) gave some warmth to a chilly interpretation.

A week later and a block up the street from Davies Hall, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and the New Century Chamber Orchestra presented a satisfying evening of new and old music for strings, with some notable contributions from harpsichord and vibraphone.

As Music Director of the NCCO, Salerno-Sonnenberg has managed to rein in her own personality and temperament while still urging members of the group to individual excellence and a cohesive and identifiable ensemble sound. She still clearly exhibits authority, but as a wry and genial announcer and first chair, she gives her colleagues plenty of chance to shine.

This was happily apparent during the evening’s second half, with individual soloists taking turns at bat for different movements during a complete reading of Vivaldi’s beloved perennial The Four Seasons. Hrabba Atladottir, Anna Pressler, Dawn Harms, Jennifer Cho, Karen Sor, Candace Girao, Lisa Zurlinden, Robin Mayforth, Iris Stone and Salerno-Sonneberg herself

<<

Killing Them Softly

From page 15

classic The Friends of Eddie Coyle.

On film a laconic late-career turn for Robert Mitchum, Coyle is a leisurely stroll through the last days of a petty thief, with enough poetic detail for a pulp Ulysses.

In Killing, guys living through violence-shortened lives with childish monikers – Jackie, Frankie, Mickey – make insanely bad choices. Scoot McNairy is a misfit with a drug-addled buddy, Russell (scene-stealer Ben Men-

all stood and played their moment in the spotlight with flair and sensitivity.

All deserve to be mentioned for their individual excellence and value to the NCCO as a whole.

The first half of the bill opened with some Handel and two contemporary compositions by Lera Auerbach and Clarice Assad. Auerbach’s Sogno di Stabat Mater for Solo Violin, Viola, Vibraphone and String Orchestra borrows from Pergolesi for thematic material, but manages to sound both modern and attractive on its own.

The vibraphone (an excellent Galen Lemmon soloist) lends moody and jazzy appeal to the score even when it threatens to swamp the other players.

Violist Jenny Douglass was expressive, but it took the fierce focus of SalernoSonnenberg to lend the piece some gravitas.

Clarice Assad’s pleasant Suite for Lower Strings, based on themes of Bach, was also a welcome diversion.

It may have amounted to really not much more than a bright and witty arrangement of the familiar tunes, but it certainly added charm to the program. The concluding encore, a sumptuous arrangement of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Evan Price, satisfied my holiday sweet tooth, and joyfully displayed how big a sound a relatively small ensemble can yield when they are all in harmony.t

delsohn), who cut their own throats by robbing a mob-sanctioned card game. Dominik induces almost Vertigo-like tension as the idiot stickup guys flee the crime scene only to meet up with Jackie’s Mr. Death.

Dominik overplays the hoodlum metaphors to bigger-picture money woes – we see Bush/Obama 2008 bailout brinksmanship on a bar TV. But fans of his 2007 The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford will find he’s still showing for whom crime pays in America. (Now playing.) t

Brad Pitt as Jackie in director Andrew Dominik’s Killing Them Softly.

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Theatre >>

December 20-26, 2012 • Bay Area Reporter • 17

ing the stage with their personalities, even if their characters seem to know that they are in a spoof. Stephanie Temple’s choreography is a livening touch, as are Kuo-Hao Lo’s pretty-in-pink set design and Jorge R. Hernandez’s costumes.

The Marvelous Wonderettes is a show for which the adjective “cute”

Lois Tema

Nicole Roca, Sherrell-Lee McCuin, Erin Morrow, and Kim Stephenson play the title characters in The Marvelous Wonderettes, a jukebox musical now at New Conservatory Theatre Center.

Jukebox juvenilia

by Richard Dodds

A

day of horrible news from a Connecticut school led way to an evening of uncomplicated nostalgia for extracurricular activities of yore. But not even the bubblegum spirit that encases The Marvelous Wonderettes could prevent several casual references to elementary schools, such is the sad state of affairs, from briefly opening an unwanted portal to the present. But soon enough we’re back in 1958, when the threat of nuclear annihilation could not tamp down excitement over choosing a prom queen.

The Marvelous Wonderettes, now at New Conservatory Theatre Center, is one of numerous juke-

box musicals built around pop songs of the 1950s and 60s. It’s a middling representative of the genre, though it’s hard not to fall under the sway of a show packed with nearly three dozen memorytweaking songs such as “My Boy Lollipop,” “It’s My Party,” and “Leader of the Pack.”

Even with the wall-to-wall shag carpet of songs, a considerable number of plotlines are introduced for the four characters who make up the eponymous quartet. Mostly these are small-scale affairs involving boyfriends and competition for the spotlight, although the second act set at the girls’ 10-year reunion touches on some existential issues that go on to find resolution before “Thank You and Goodnight”

brings down the curtain.

NCTC Artistic Director Ed Decker’s production does not go looking for subtlety, and there are few indications that creator Roger Bean intended any such explorations. Instead, harmless gags are repeated till they lose much of their flavor, as must the wad of chewing gum that repeatedly gets parked on a microphone.

The vintage mikes are just props, which can become regrettable when the performers’ voices prove smaller than the songs, and the three-piece accompaniment led by Musical Director Joe Simiele can wash out before a song is over. Sherrell-Lee McCuin, Erin Morrow, Nicole Roca, and Kim Stephenson have no trouble fill-

is meant as a compliment. Sometimes that is enough to provide a refreshing respite from the world as we know it.t The Marvelous Wonderettes will run through Jan. 13 at New Conservatory Theatre Center. Tickets are $25-$45. Call 861-8972 or go to www.nctcsf.org.

<< Out&About

18 • Bay Area Reporter • December 20-26, 2012

Thu 20

Foodies, the Musical @ Shelton Theater

Comedy Bodega @ Esta Nocha

Morris Bobrow’s musical comedy revue of songs and sketches about food. $32-$34.

Fri & Sat 8pm. Open run. 533 Sutter St. (800) 838-3006. foodiesthemusical.com

The weekly LGBT and indie comic stand-up night. This week, a benefit for Muttville Senior Dog Rescue featuring Morgan, Anna Seregina, Jesse Elias and Lisa Geduldig. 8pm-9:30pm. 3079 16th St. at Mission. www.comedybodega.com

Dance Brigade @ Dance Mission Theater

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus

Yule-tied

by Jim Provenzano

W

hether you’re feeling the holiday spirit or reveling in humbuggery, reeling toward the new year or battening down the hatches for a post-Mayan zombie apocalypse, take a break from boycotting the Salvation Army or binge-shopping to enjoy some holiday entertainments in diverse religious and not-so religious themes.

Thu 20: A Down Home Christmas with Nell & Jim @ Aurora Theatre Nell Robinson and Jim Nunally’s concert of classic country holiday duos and original songs, at the theatre company’s new upstairs cabaret space, Harry’s UpStage. $25-$28.

7:30pm. Thru Dec 21. 2081 Addison St. (510) 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org

Fri 21: Holiday Concerts @ Davies Symphony Hall

Fri 21: Various Films @ Castro Theatre They Live (7:30) and Miracle Mile (9:20). Dec 22, Sketchfest presents holiday-themed flicks: Bad Santa, Scrooged, Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas and The Bells of Fraggle Rock, and Elf (all-day pass $40). Dec 26, Singin’ in the Rain (4 screenings).

Dec 27, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (3pm, 7pm) and King Kong (original; 4:50, 8:50). $8-$12. 429 Castro St. www.castrotheatre.com

Festive, non-traditional, and participatory concerts include: Dec 21, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, 7:30pm ($15-$70). Dec 22, 11am, The Snowman, and animated film about a boy’s friendship with a snowman ($27-$57).

Dec 22, 7:30, Dec 23, 4pm and Dec 24, 2pm, ‘Twas the Night, a special Christmas carol-filled sing-along night ($15-$70). 201 Van Ness Ave. 8646000. www.sfsymphony.org

The musical comedy revue, now in its 35th year, with an ever-changing lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs, with special holiday-themed shows. Reg: $25$130. Wed, Thu, Fri at 8pm. Sat 6:30, 9:30pm. Sun 2pm, 5pm. (Beer/wine served; cash only). 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd (Green St.). 421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

Sat 22: Great Dickens Christmas Fair @ Cow Palace

A Winter Circus Cabaret, Sweet Can Productions’ light-hearted kid-friendly holiday romp, with jugglers, clowns, trapeze artists and more. $15-$20.

8pm. Also Dec 22, 4pm. Dec 23 & 24 at 2pm & 4pm. 3316 24th St. 2257281. www.sweetcanproductions.com

Large-scale showcase of booths, sales, displays, food and entertainment, all with a Dickensian vintage holiday theme. $12-$80. ($10 parking). Sat & Sun 10am-7pm. Thru Dec 23. 2600 Geneva Ave. (800) 5101558. www.dickensfair.com

Sat 22: It’s a Wonderful Life @ Marin Theatre Company, Mill Valley Radio play stage adaptation of the Frank Capra film about Christmas and guardian angels, with five actors portraying dozens of characters. $36-$57.

Tue, Thu-Sat 8pm. Wed 7:30pm. Sun 7pm. Thru Dec 23. 397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley. 388-5208. www.marintheatre.org

Sun 23: Christmas With the Crawfords @ Martuni’s Fri 21: Strange Christmas @ Oddball Films Enjoy a screening of odd unusual and vintage Christmas-themed short films featuring Laurel & Hardy, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, battling toys, and cartoons galore. $10. 8pm. 275 Capp St. 558-8117. www.oddballfilms.blogspot.com

Justin Vivian Bond @ The Rrazz Room The transcontinental sensation returns with a new show, Snow Angel. $30. 10pm.

2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Leslie Jordan @ The Rrazz Room The diminuitive actor ( Will & Grace ) with a big talent performs his autobiographical show, Fruit Fly. $40-$45. Dec 18-21, 8pm.

Dec 22, 7pm & 9:30pm. 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Mundo Maya @ Galeria de la Raza Exhibit celebrating Mayan culture, with works by Latino/Mayan youth. Thru Dec 29. Tue-Sat 12pm-6pm. 2857 24th St. at Bryant. 826-8009. galeriadelaraza.org

Nayland Blake @ YBCA FREE!LOVE!TOOL!BOX! , the former Bay Area artist’s new exhibit of conceptual and assembled found-object, personal installations and artworks, each with queer themes, including a DJ booth with his own large record collection. Also, Nathalie Djurberg’s amazing colorful creature sculptures. $12-$15. Thru Jan. 27. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. 9792787. naylandblake.net www.ybca.org

Pictorialism @ Robert Tat Gallery

Sat 22: Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi

Fri 21: Mittens and Mistletoe @ Dance Mission Theatre

Krissy Keefer’s political-spiritual dance company performs Voluspa: A Ghost Dance for 2012, a ritual dance performance inspired by Mayan and other ancient cultures. $12-$20. Wed & Thu 7:30pm. Thru Dec 20. 3316 24th St. 826-4441. www.dancemission.com

Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, Mark Sargent, Connie Champagne, Trauma Flintstone and others perform a cabaret version of the hilarious drag parody of Joan crawford’s holiday TV show.

7pm. 4 Valencia St. at Market. www.martunis.ypguides.net

Mon 24: San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus @ Castro Theatre SantaConcert, the hip holiday choral concert, with a formal first half, then Santa hilarity, where the 250+ members croon holiday tunes. $25-$27.

5pm, 7pm, 9pm. 429 Castro St. www.sfgmc.org

Pictorialism: The Photograph Becomes Art, a new exhibit of historic prints that visualize the posed, artistic aspect of early art photographers (Alfred Stieglitz, Imogen Cunningham and many others). Thru Feb 23. Tue-Sat 11am-5:30pm. (first Thursdays til 7:30pm). 49 Geary St. Suite 410. 7811122. www.roberttat.com

Fri 21 Chanticleer @ Various Churches The Grammy-winning men’s a cappella vocal ensemble performs Christmas-themed Gregorian chants and historic music. $30-$65. Dec 21, 6pm & 8:30pm at Carmel Mission. Dec 22, 6pm & 8:30pm at Mission Santa Cruz. Dec 23, 8pm at St. Ignatius Church, SF. (800) 407-1400. www.chanticleer.org

A Christmas Carol @ A.C.T. American Conservatory Theatre’s popular annual production of the stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story about Scrooge’s ghostly Christmas Eve visitations. $20-$95 (VIP tix include premiere seating and complimentary intermission drinks). Tue-Sat 7pm. Sun 5:30pm. Various 2pm & 1pm matinees. Thru Dec 24. 415 Geary St. 749-2228. www.act-sf.org

Desert Jewels @ MOAD North African Jewelry and Photography from the Xavier Guerrand-Hermès Collection, an exhibit of nearly 100 pieces of jewelry from Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria, plus documentary photographs.

Thru Jan 21. $5-$10. Members free. WedSat 11am-6pm. Sun 12pm-5pm. Museum of the African Diaspora, 685 Mission St. 358-7200. www.moadsf.org

End of the World Party @ Hole in the Wall Actually, it’s also bartender Miguel’s birthday party, so enjoy. 9pm-2am. 1369 Folsom St. 431-HOWL. www.hitws.com

Fishnet Follies @ The Rrazz Room Ladies perform a saucy burlesque revue. $30-$45. 10:30pm. 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

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The Hard Nut @ Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley Returning after a three-year hiatus, Cal Performances presents Mark Morris Dance Group’s delightful update, with a ‘70s style, on the Tchaikovsky score and traditional ballet, with Morris performing as well. $30-$110. Fri-Sun various times. Thru Dec 23. Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave., UC Berkeley campus. (510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org

Hedwig and the Angry Inch @ Boxcar Theatre New local production of John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask’s popular transgender rock operetta, with multiple actor-singers perfoming the lead (Arturo Galster, John Lewis, James Mayagoitia, Ste Fishell, Nikkie Arias, Nicole Julien, Anastasia Bonaccorso, and CC Sheldon). $25-$35. Wed-Sat 8pm. Also Sat 5pm.

Thru Jan 26. 505 Natoma St. 967-2227. www.boxcartheatre.org

Henry Gunderson @ Ever Gold Gallery Opening reception for Apocalypse Shelter, the artist’s exhibit of works depicting glass skulls and other pop culture end days imagery. 6pm-10pm. Wed-Sat 1pm-6pm.

Thru Jan 5. 441 O’Farrell St. 796-3676. www.evergoldgallery.com

Holiday Sale @ Creativity Explored Exhibit and sale of new beautifully charming artwork made by local developmentally challenged adults. Extended hours thru Dec 23: Mon/Tue 10am-3pm. Wed-Fri til 7pm. Sat & Sun 12pm-5pm. 3245 16th St. 863-2108. www.creativityexplored.org

Out of Character @ Asian Art Museum Decoding Chinese Calligraphy, an exhibit of modern and ancient scripted art, with numerous special events, workshops and discussions. Free-$12. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm.

Thru Jan 13. 200 Larkin St. 581-3500. www.asianart.org

Queer Open Mic @ Modern Times Bookstore Baruch Porras-Hernandez and Blythe Baldwin host the LGBT open mic night, with special guest comic Nick Leonard. Sign-ups 7pm. Show 7:30pm. 2919 24th St. www.queeropenmic.com

San Francisco Ballet @ War Memorial Opera House The acclaimed dance company performs Tchaikovsky’s holiday ballet, The Nutcracker. $20-$165. 7pm. Tue-Sun 2pm & 7pm. Additional times. Thru Dec 28. 301 Van Ness Ave. 865-2000. www.sfballet.org

The Santaland Diaries @ Eureka Theatre David Dinaiko performs Joe Mantello’s stage adaptation of the popular David Sedaris short story. $20-$50. 8pm. Thru Dec 29 (no show Dec 25). 215 Jackson St. (800) 838-3006. combinedartform.com www.theeruekatheatre.org

Smuin Ballet @ YBCA

Tony! Toni! Toné! @ Yoshi’s Oakland The dapper R&B trio returns to their home town. $30. Dec 21 & 22, 8pm 7 & 10pm.

Dec 23, 7pm & 9pm. 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square. (510) 2389200. www.yoshis.com

Sat 22 Bell, Book and Candle @ SF Playhouse Romantic comedy about a mortal man and a witch (the play and film inspired Bewitched ). $25-$30. Tue-Thu 7pm. Fri & Sat 8pm. Sun 3pm. Thru Jan 19. 450 Post St. above Farallon Restaurant. www.sfplayhouse.org

Crones for the Holidays @ Stage Werx Terry Baum and Carolyn Myers’ sketch comedy and improv show with lesbian wit, that pokes fun of holiday silliness. $15-$20. Sat 3pm & 8pm. Sun 3pm. Thru Dec 30. 446 Valencia St at 16th. (800) 8383006. www.crackpotcrones.com

Dancing in the Dragon’s Jaws: Gay San Francisco @ SF Public Library Thomas Alleman’s exhibit of fascinating new large-print photos from San Francisco’s mid-1980s gay community, from the onslaught of AIDS to nightlife and arts celebrations. Exhibit thru Feb 10, 2013.

Jewitt Gallery, lower level, 100 Larkin St. at Grove. www.allemanphoto.com www.sfpl.org

Honey Mahogany @ Martuni’s The local drag singer and new RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant performs a bawdy holiday-themed song show, with Erika Von Volkyrie and accompanist Trauma Flinstone. 7pm. 4 Valencia St. at Market. http://martunis.ypguides.net/

Jasper Johns, Jay DeFeo @ SF MOMA Two exhibits of the American artists’ works. Thru Feb 3. Also, Paul Klee’s Circus, Alessandro Pessoli, the photo exhibit South Africa in Apartheid and After (Thru Mar 3), and other works and ongoing Modern art exhibits. Free-$18. 151 3rd St. at Mission.

Thu-Tue 11am-5:45pm (8:45 Thursdays).

357-4000. www.sfmoma.org

Leilani Bustamante @ Modern Eden Gallery

The Christmas Ballet, the late Michael Smuin’s holiday work, with updates by Amy Seiwart and other choreographers.

LGBT Night Out Dec 20; $10 of tickets benefit the Trevor Project. $25-$65. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru Dec 23. Novellus Theatre, 701 Mission St. 912-1899. www.smuinballet.org www.ybca.org

Solo exhibition of the artist’s evocative paintings. Wed-Sun 11am-7pm. Thru Jan 6.

403 Francisco St. 956-3303. www.moderneden.com

The White Snake @ Berkeley Rep

NCTC’s production of the upbeat hit OffBroadway musical about three women in the late 1950s who reminisce while singing ‘50s and early ‘60s pop tunes. $22-$50 (fun-pack). Wed-Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm. Thru Jan 13. 25 Van Ness Ave., lower level. 8618972. www.nctcsf.org

Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman’s ( Argonautika, Arabian Nights) visually stunning mystical drama based on a Chinese legend of romance and magical powers. $22-$99. Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 8pm. Wed 7pm. Sun 7pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. Extended thru Dec 30. Special events thru run. Roda Theatre, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

Woyzeck @ Ashby Stage, Berkeley Shotgun Players’ production of Robert Wilson’s re-conceived musical revision of Georg Buchner’s stage play, with music and lyrcis by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan; a tragic tale about a soldier who returns home to find his girl is having an affair. $25-$35. Wed & Thu 7pm. Fri & Sat 8pm. Sun 5pm. Thru Jan 27. 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org

The Marvelous Wonderettes @ New Conservatory Theatre Center

Mascara @ Castro Country Club Monthly drag show at the sober space; this month, including live and acoustic act. UPhoria hosts. $3-$6. 10:30pm. 4058 18th St. www.castrocountryclub.org

Nutcracker Sweets @ Southside Theater Mark Foehringer’s fourth annual production of his mirthful contemporary ballet take on the Tchaikovsky ballet, with a live abbreviated score (50 minutes). $25. Also Dec. 23. Sun 11am & 2pm; Sat also 4pm.

Fort Mason Center, Landmark Bldg. D, 3rd floor. Marina Blvd at Buchanan. www.mfdpsf.org www.fortmason.org

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Out&About >> Really Rosie @ New Conservatory Theatre

AEF Christmas Eve Dinner @ War Memorial Green Room

Carole King’s musical adaptation of the popular Maurice Sendak children’s book series Nutshell Kids, about some imaginative Brooklyn children; performed by NCTC’s Youth Conservatory Program. Sat 2pm & 4pm. Sun 2pm. Thru Jan 13. 25 Van Ness Ave., lower level. 861-8972. www.nctcsf.org

Fundraiser dinner for the AIDS/HIV nonprofit. $50 and up. 1pm-5pm. 401 Van Ness Ave. 558-6999. www.aef-sf.org

Xavier MTW @ Glamarama Foucault at the Food Co., a whimsical visual story exhibit by a new local gay artist, at the fab hair salon. Thru Jan. 5, 2013.

304 Valencia St. www.glamarama.com

Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads @ Gauntlet Gallery Witty group exhibit of pop art in various media, all dealing with imagery from 1980s movies, at the new gallery. 11am6pm Tue-Sat. Thru Jan 17. 1040 Larkin St. (650) 209-0278. www.gauntletgallery.com

Phantoms of Asia @ Asian Art Museum Exhibit of bold contemporary art with perspectives on life, death, nature and other themes. $12-$15. 200 Larkin St. 581-3500. www.asianart.org

Rudolf Nureyev: A Life in Dance @ de Young Museum Direct from the Centre National du Costume de Scène in Moulins, France, this exhibit displays costumes, photos, videos and ephemera documenting the amazing dancing and choreography of the world-famous gay dancer. Thru Feb 17.

Also, Chuck Close and Crown Point Press, an exhibit of the painter’s printmaking works; also, permanent exhibits of Modern art. $6-$20. Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:15pm. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park. 750-3600. www.famsf.org

Swing Jam @ Magnet Monthly dance night, with lessons and same-sex dancing. $5-$10. 7pm-9:30pm.

4122 18th St. at Castro. magnetsf.org www.QueerJitterbugs.com

December 20-26, 2012 • Bay Area Reporter • 19

Sun 23 SF Hiking Club @ Muir Beach Join GLBT hikers for a 9-mile hike in the Marin Headlands. Climb the steep and long Fox Trail out of Tennessee Valley to the Coyote Ridge trail and down the Green Gulch trail to the farm and Zen Buddhist retreat center; then hike through the farm to Muir Beach for lunch and beautiful ocean views. Bring lunch, water, hat, layers, sturdy boots. Carpool meets 9:00 at Safeway sign, Market & Dolores. 378-5612. www.sfhiking.com

Sunday’s a Drag @ Starlight Room Donna Sachet and Harry Denton host the weekly fabulous brunch and drag show. $45. 11am, show at noon; 1:30pm, show at 2:30pm. 450 Powell St. in Union Square.

395-8595. www.harrydenton.com

Mon 24 Adrianna Bozzi @ Magnet Exhibit of bold male nudes by the Argentinian painter. Thru Dec. 4122 18th St. adrianabozzi.com www.magnetsf.org

Anything Anonymous @ Castro Country Club Holiday marathon of hourly meetings at the LGBT sober space; 10pm, 11pm, 12am, 1am, 2am. Also New Year’s Eve. 4058 18th St. www.castrocountryclub.org

Ten Percent @ Comcast 104 David Perry’s talk show about LGBT people and issues. Mon-Fri 11:30am & 10:30pm.

Sat & Sun 10:30pm. www.comcasthometown.com

Bud E. Luv @ The Rrazz Room Vegas-style fun band performs a special holiday show. $35. 8pm. 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

The Drag Show @ Various Channels Stu Smith’s weekly LGBT variety show features local talents, and not just drag artistes. Channels 29 & 76 on Comcast; 99 on AT&T and 30 on Astound. www.thedragshow.org

Holiday Brunch & Dinner @ Top of the Mark Brunch/dinner buffet at the elegant hotel, with pianist Michael Athens and Ricardo Scales. $105 adults, $59 kids 4-12.

10am-7pm. 1 Nob Hill. Reservations only: 616-6941. www.topofthemark.com

Potluck Party @ Castro Country Club Annual open dinner party at the LGBT sober space. Bring a covered dish. 2pm-5pm.

4058 18th St. www.castrocountryclub.org

Safeway Holiday Ice Rink @ Union Square The popular downtown ice skating rink is open. $5-$10. Open daily 10am-11:30pm thru Jan 21 (except New Year’s Eve; closed at 9:30pm). Powell St. at www.unionsquareicerink.com

Wed 26 Art With Elders @ City Hall Large group exhibit of works by 90 artists in 30+ local arts programs, all seniors with a lengthy life perspective. Thru Jan. 4. Reg hours Mon-Fri 8am-8pm. Ground floor, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. www.sfgov.org

Play Fair @ GLBT History Museum

The Kinsey Sicks

Play Fair! The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Make Sex Safer, an exhibit of safe sex promotional efforts. Also, For Love and Community: Queer Asian Pacific Islanders Take Action 1960-1990s, an exhibit organized by queer and transgender Asian Pacific Islanders. Mon-Sat 11am-7pm. Sun 12pm-5pm. 4127 18th St. 621-1107. www.glbthistorymuseum.org

Thu 27 Comedy Bodega @ Esta Nocha

Kosher & share N

ot celebrating the carpenter’s son’s b-day? No problem, even if you are. Enjoy delish and dish with Chinese food, comedy and wacky songs with a kosher edge, and intriguing art exhibits.

Sat 22: The Kinsey Sicks @ Herbst Theatre

San Francisco Magic Parlor @ Chancellor Hotel Whimsical Belle Epoque-style sketch and magic show that also includes historical San Francisco stories; hosted by Walt Anthony. with optional pre-show light dinner and desserts. $40. Thu-Sat 8pm. 433 Powell St. www.SFMagicParlor.com

Steven J. Levin, Jacob A. Pfeiffer @ John Pence Gallery

The comic dragapella quartet returns with Oy Vey in a Manger, their holiday music laughfest. $28-$39. 8pm. 401 Van Ness Ave. www.kinseysicks.com

Dual exhibit of the two painters who explore realism, portraits and still lives with vibrant colors and imagery. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Sat til 5pm. 750 Post St. 4411138. www.johnpence.com

Sat 22: Ezra Jack Keats @ Contemporary Jewish Museum The Snowy Day and the Art of Exra Jack Keats, an exhibit of original artwork from the popular children’s book author/illustrator. Thru Feb 24. Also, The Radical Camera: New York’s Photo League. Other exhibits ( California Dreaming and Black Sabbath ) ongoing.

Free (members)-$12. Thu-Tue 11am5pm (Thu 1pm-8pm) 736 Mission St. 655-7800. www.thecjm.org

The weekly LGBT and indie comic stand-up night. This week, a benefit for Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, featuring Priya Prasad, Kevin Munroe, Gabe Morales and Dave Tomason. 8pm-9:30pm. 3079 16th St. at Mission. www.comedybodega.com

Sat 22: Kung Pao Kosher Comedy @ New Asia Restaurant 20th anniversary of the hilarious, delicious night of Jewish (and other) comedy and Chinese food! Performers include Judy Gold, Scott Blakeman, Mike Capozzola and hostess Lisa Geduldig. $44-$64. Dinner shows 6pm; cocktail shows 9:30 and 8:30pm.

Thru Dec 25. Yes, shows on Christmas Day. 772 Pacific Ave., Chinatown. (925) 855-1986. www.koshercomedy.com

To submit event listings, email jim@ebar.com.

Deadline is each Thursday, a week before publication.

For more bar and nightlife events, go to www.bartabsf.com

<< Society

20 • Bay Area Reporter • December 20-26, 2012

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Steven Underhill

The REAF’s Help Is On the Way for the Holidays XI afterparty, with Spencer Day, The Book of Mormon’s Marisha Wallace and Gavin Creel, and perennial funnyman Bruce Vilanch.

Imperial partying

by Donna Sachet

L

ong before same-gender marriages were on the radar, when LGBT rights in the military weren’t even being discussed, and at a time when even dressing in the attire of the opposite sex was illegal, Jose Sarria was standing up against discrimination, injustice, and ignorance. This LGBT pioneer was feted on the occasion of his 90th birthday last Saturday in the Main Ballroom of Hotel Whitcomb, appropriately decorated with the colors of the gay flag and blown-up historical photos of Jose from the archives of Dan Nicoletta.

After a lively cocktail hour, a hale and hardy Jose arrived dressed in elegant black with minimal jewelry in a bicycle-driven rickshaw, and the assembled crowd went wild! During the seated dinner, old friends were reunited and new friendships began among the over 200 wellwishers from all over the United States and Canada. The program was deftly emceed by Galilea and included performances by Goldie, Kitty Glamour, T.J. Istvan, and a Hawaiian dance troupe, tributes from State Senator Mark Leno, city Treasurer Jose Cisneros, and Supervisor Scott Wiener, and speeches from Michelle of New York, Nicole Murray Ramirez of San Diego, and Panzi of Connecticut. To name all of the San Francisco Emperors and Empresses in the room (roughly 30 of the 45 living monarchs) would take too much ink and risk oversight, but we were particularly proud that rarely seen Absolute Empress V Willis was in from Palm Springs, causing quite a few heads to turn.

Other notable guests were Terry Sidie of Sacramento, Larry & Jack-E of Reno, Nicole Diamond of Kentucky, Russell Roybal of Washington, D.C., Sondra of Modesto, Countess Lola Montez of Landsford & Emperor Norton I, and locals Tom Horn, Paul Boneberg, Jerry Goldstein & Tommy Taylor, Bevan Dufty, Lu Conrad, Drew Cutler, Mark Abramson, Paul Gabriel, and Cleve Jones. Too seldom do we let those whom we admire know how much they are cherished; this time we succeeded in a grand way!

The evening ended with a rousing chorus of “God Save Us Nelly Queens” led by Jose himself.

The San Francisco Ballet added Nutcracker to their LGBT Nite Out series for the first time this year, and last Friday was an unqualified success. Before the per-

formance, attendees were greeted in the ornate lobby with holiday music sung by members of the SF Gay Men’s Chorus, conducted

by Carl Pantle. As the official hostess of the night, we took advantage of the high ceilings and wore a four-foot feathered headdress with a white gown, possibly resulting in more photo ops than Opening Night of the Opera! We caught up with Philip Mayard of the Ballet, Goldblatt of the Imperial Court, Jack Garcia from the leather community, and B.A.R. colleagues Tom Horn and Roberto Friedman. This production of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker included colorful sets, rich costumes, and dramatic lighting, in addition to inspiring performances that amazed and delighted, even with a raging snowstorm at the end of Act I. The well-known pas de deux in Act II was danced with incredible discipline, grace, and mastery, reason enough for you to find a date to see this production before the month ends. After the ballet, we retreated to the Dress Circle Bar for a private reception for LGBT-affiliated

attendees, where drinks and hors d’oeuvres were complimentary, and the crowd was elegant and convivial. Within minutes, several of the dancers joined us, mingling affably with their admirers. By the time we returned to the Castro, friends were complimenting our headdress, which had already appeared on Facebook!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve attended innumerable holiday celebrations of all kinds and sizes, including Project Open Hand’s sold-out luncheon at the Fairmont Hotel, Sterling Bank’s party at City Club, Positive Resource Center’s staff celebration at the Hyatt Regency, Mama Portugal’s holiday fundraiser at the World Famous Turf Club, Gary Virginia’s PRC Holiday Leather Brunch at The Edge, and the Bay Area Reporter’s own soiree at Palio. Indications are that either the economy is beginning to return to health, or those in charge have just decided to celebrate with their loyal allies! Whatever the case, it has been a dizzying and dazzling season.

May the remainder of your month be filled with happy occasions, may you be surrounded by those you love, and may you find ways to help those in need all around us! Happy holidays! t

Steven Underhill

Jelani Remy, who plays Simba in the touring production of The Lion King, backstage during the REAF’s Help Is On the Way for the Holidays.

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Karrnal>>

December 20-26, 2012 • Bay Area Reporter • 21

Kings of cockdom

by John F. Karr

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he publicity for TitanMen’s Rigid touted, Aymeric’s Back!

Yet his return is a smaller ripple at Titan than other changes, which include a greater number of films being directed by Paul Wilde, the addition of industry vet Jasun Mark to the staff of directors, and a new film format. A handful of recent movies have exchanged the traditional four-scene set-up for three. I appreciate the extended time allotment’s breathing room, which enables the filmmakers to better approximate a real-time experience. Scenes in both Rigid, with three scenes during 90 minutes, and the even newer Powerstroke, with three scenes in an hour and three quarters, seem to bloom with their expansion.

As for the ballyhoo about Aymeric, his return is a limited one. After all, he’s in only one scene of Rigid. But it’s a good one.

As previously reported, Aymeric’s scene partner is Ty Roderick, who seems mightily enthused by Aymaric’s look – piercing blue eyes between cropped beard and sleek bald head, and a superbly toned body divided by sharply etched tan line. Aymeric’s sexuality is intense, his omnipresent cockring tight, and his cock pretty unique in all cockdom, with its clubbed head and never fully retracted foreskin. I like the way Aymeric jiggles the skin over the crown of his cock as he kneels and sucks Ty, who arches his back sharply to give his cock more thrust. And it’s all about thrust when Ty fucks. His energetic, hard punch-fucking has Aymeric moaning low and venting passionate reactions that give even greater impact to a scene that’s already been vibrantly marked by lusty kissing and hot cocksucking.

Stefano Dimarco and Jeff Stronger are manly guys who play their scene in French. Not that there’s much talking, anyway. And though the final scene begins as stereotyped porn, I was soon won over by preppy, pretty Jed Athens throwing a power fuck at blackhaired, well-hung Justin Beal.

Jed’s an all-in, all-out fucker with a smooth pumping technique. He beats Justin’s cock as he pounds the guy’s ass, which is a lot for Justin to take. Explosions of cum ensue.

Powerstroke is a nicely paced trilogy, with Paul Wilde back as director. His scenes build from smooth to punchy, and then, as Janis Joplin would give it to ya, “a combination of the two.” First up is masculine, uncut Dario Beck. He lays on his bed, lost in a dreamy-creamy jack-off reverie.

Outside the picture window, gardener Adam Russo gawks. Soon, Russo, looking like a ruffian with his beard and slight snarl of his lips, is inside, topping the handsome homeowner. Dario was a drool-heavy cocksucker; now his cock drools pre-cum.

The second scene gives us 27-year-old, six-foot, solid and stern-looking Caleb Colton. A rising star, he’s had considerable website exposure, but only four scenes in a mainstream sexo.

After this, I’ll sure be on the lookout for him. With his buzz cut, butch tats, and great big cock, well, Je t’adore.

You’d think he’d be the top, but he’s not. That would be Christopher Daniels. I love Daniels’ blond pubes, his pink cock and balls, and the mean, mean fuck he throws in Colton’s cute buns.

TitanMen

Jed Athens and Aymeric Deville in TitanMen’s Rigid.

TitanMen

Caleb Colton licking up Christopher Daniels in TitanMen’s Powerstroke, a nicely paced trilogy.

The view is especially entertaining when Colton sits on Daniels’ cock for a joy ride. For the latter part of the scene, stud-bottom Colton wears a studded black leather cockring. He cums hard, though not much, and Daniels keeps a finger in Caleb’s hole as he pumps out his own disappointingly meager pellets.

And then we get hot stuff Ty Roderick, getting it on with handsome, cappuccino-colored Jecht Parker – what a set of killer eyelashes this beauty’s got! Theirs is not an abandoned fuck, but it’s strong enough to keep you from abandoning it.

Besides, who’d want to miss a mo-

ment of Ty’s steely sluicer doin’ its thing? An RC shows Jecht’s rockhard rod bobbing around before splatting a mighty load all over his body. And Ty whips out a good load, too.

Finally, I enjoyed Orlando Moneyshot’s music scoring so much that I Googled him, looking for a commercial CD of his stuff.

Google seemed confused. Under the composer’s first name, I found a book by Ms. Woolf, a movie

by Ms. Potter, an opera seria by Handel, and the Greatest Hits of Tony Orlando and Dawn. The composer’s last name called up a clutch of orgasms. But no music.

And that’s too bad.t www.TitanMen.com

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

22 • Bay Area Reporter • December 20-26, 2012

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DVD >>

Dreadful trip

by Tavo Amador

D

uring most of the first half of the 20th century, Eugene O’Neill (1888-1953) towered over other American dramatists, and his influence was enormous. His greatest, most autobiographical play, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, was written between 1941-42, but he sealed it and turned it over to Random House with instructions that it not be published until 25 years after his death. But his third wife and widow, Carlotta Monterey, circumvented his intentions by transferring the rights to Yale University. It was first staged in Stockholm in 1956. It opened on Broadway later that year, in a landmark production starring Frederic March; his wife, Florence Eldridge; Jason Robards, Jr.; and Bradford Dillman. It won O’Neill a posthumous 1957 Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award for Best Drama. The 1962 film version has just been released in a new DVD. Following Aristotle’s unities of time, action, and place, the story unfolds over a single day in August 1912 at the summer home of the Tyrone family: James (Sir Ralph Richardson), his wife Mary (Katharine Hepburn), and their two surviving sons, Jaimie (Robards), and Edmund

(Dean Stockwell). James, a retired, once-promising actor who earned the praise of Edwin Booth, sold out his talent in exchange for commercial success barnstorming the country in a popular melodrama.

He is wealthy but parsimonious.

Mary, convent-educated, born into an upper-class family, her girlhood aspirations of being a concert pianist unrealized, complains of being lonely, and wavers between resentment towards and love for her husband. Jaimie is an actor whose reputation for drinking and womanizing makes producers wary. Edmund, the youngest, is a writer, a poet, a dreamer.

On this day they will learn if Edmund’s “summer cold” is actually “consumption,” as tuberculosis was called. Mary refuses to believe it – her father died of the disease. James fears it’s true. Jaimie knows his father will plead poverty to deny Edmund the best care available. Edmund, often frail, is apprehensive. He probably caught his illness while working on ships as he sailed around the world.

Mary’s anxiety is immediately apparent. James and their sons watch her carefully – “spying,” she calls it – to see if she will revert to the destructive behavior which she has tried, since Edmund’s birth – which

followed the death of their second son, Eugene – to avoid. All three want to shelter her, but she is furious over their lack of trust. As the tensions mount, long-held resentments are revealed and wounds reopened.

James and Mary battle and reconcile, but the truces don’t last. Jaimie, who truly loves Edmund, hurts him nonetheless. Each son confronts his parents, individually and together.

Each confrontation is more harrowing, more heart-breaking than the last. Illusions are destroyed. Fears are articulated. Each is cloaked in Irish Catholic guilt, for sins committed and for those imagined. They are

Music>>

Christmastunes, part 2

by Jason Victor Serinus

I

know. Where’s Hanukkah, where’s Kwanzaa? They’re alive and well, but the music that came my way this year has Christmas all over it.

Here’s our second installment of stocking stuffers for the holidays.

Handel: M e s s i a h (Tafelmusik) Thoug ht you could get through Christmas without another Messiah? Not a chance. Besides, when the forces are Canada’s famed Ta f e l m u s i k Baroque Orchestra and equally graceful 24-person Chamber Choir, conducted by Ivars Taurins, you are in for a treat. Soloists include two recent Bay Area visitors, the splendidly substantialsounding soprano Karina Gauvin and wonderful countertenor Robin Blaze, as well as tenor Rufus Müller and gay baritone Brett Polegato. Expertly recorded in 24-bit sound, with period practice making for a host of gracefully negotiated surprise variations, this live Messiah gets an enthusiastic two thumbs up.

James Taylor at Christmas (UM) Produced by Dave Grusin and recorded over a 10-year period, this winning album mixes the heart-warming, gentle vocals of the great James Taylor with guest spots

by Natalie Cole, Yo-Yo Ma, trumpeter Chris Botti, and harmonica

master Toots Thielemans. A team of crack musicians, headed by pianist Grusin, helps earn this album pride of place in your Xmas stockings.

Benjamin Britten: A Ceremony of Carols (Hyperion) As a warmup for the Britten Centenary of 2013, here are the great gay British composer’s lovely A Ceremony of Carols for upper voices and harp (Sally Pryce), and more dramatic cantata Saint Nicolas. Both receive wonderful performances. With Stephen Layton conducting the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, Holst Singers, Boys of the Temple Church Choir, and City of London Sinfonia, this is a modern alternative to Britten’s own recordings of Ceremony and Saint Nicholas, the latter with his life partner, tenor Peter Pears.

Engelbert Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel (Glyndebourne) I wish this fairy-tale opera hadn’t been relegated to “Christmas music,” because it’s a joy year-round.

Recorded live in 2010, with adorable young conductor Robin Ticciati and the London Philharmonic Orchestra wonderfully supporting a fine if not always personalityfilled cast that includes mezzo Alice Coote (Hansel) and soon-to-make her Bay Area debut mezzo Tara Erraught as a surprisingly mature

Sandman, it certainly deserves a listen.

A Christmas Celebration: The Nutcracker - Hansel & Gretel -

desperate for forgiveness and absolution, but cannot give it to each other or find it in the Church.

First-billed Hepburn is astonishing. Unlike Meryl Streep, she never disappeared into a part. Instead, she molded roles around her personality. In some scenes, she acts with her familiar mannerisms, but in most her characterization is unlike anything she ever did or would do again. She becomes the tragic Mary, and gives the most moving performance of her career. She’s touching recalling her lost youth, her faded beauty, her hopes, her early love for James. The final shot of her face in close-up is unforgettable. She earned her ninth Best Actress Oscar nomination, losing to Anne Bancroft as The Miracle Worker. While she would win second and unprecedented third and fourth Best Actress Academy Awards, none of those performances comes close to matching this one. She never won for her best work.

Hepburn had wanted intimate friend and frequent co-star Spencer Tracy to play James, but he declined.

Richardson, however, is superb – it’s difficult to imagine anyone else in the part. When he reveals to Edmund

the Dickensian horrors he experienced as a child, the terror of “the poor house” it instilled in him, he’s extraordinary, earning the audience’s sympathy.

Robards, an acclaimed stage interpreter of O’Neill, matches Hepburn and Richardson. Jaimie is angry, frightened, knows he’s a failure, tries to blame others for his own mistakes.

He’s fundamentally honest and cannot lie to himself for long – at least not when sober. Stockwell’s Edmund is alternatively gentle and sweet, angry and scared. He dreams about the sea, poetry, and writing. He’s the most forgiving of the four, tormented because his birth is blamed for Mary’s ruin. Jeanne Barr is excellent as the Irish maid Kathleen.

Sidney Lumet directed, generally shooting in sequence so that the actors could build their performances for the finale’s staggering crescendo.

This enhances their characterizations, but the movie at times looks stagy, a small price to pay. Exterior scenes were shot on New York’s City Island. Andre Previn wrote the original music. Boris Kaufman was responsible for the terrific blackand-white photography. Sophie Devine (as Motley) designed the fine costumes. The film runs nearly three hours, but seems far shorter.t

Royal Opera House (Opus Arte DVD) A win-win if ever there was one and a great Christmas gift, this two-DVD package pairs the Royal Ballet’s 2009 production of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, choreographed by Peter Wright after Lev Ivanov, with the Royal Opera House’s 2008 production of Hum-

perdinck’s very same Hansel and Gretel, conducted by Colin Davis, with a fabulous cast that includes an adorable Hansel (Angelika Kirchslager) and Gretel (Diana Damrau) and, in other roles, Elizabeth Connell, Thomas Allen, and, as the witch, the fabled Anja Silja.

See page 24 >>

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

24 • Bay Area Reporter • December 20-26, 2012

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The Hard Nut

From page 13

as new performers take over the roles, it’s only become more apparent that the choreography is classic, rivaled only by Balanchine’s version of the Victorian tale.

The very first “alternative Nutcracker” was the Dance Brigade’s Revolutionary Nutcracker Sweetie, a trenchant satire of Reagan-era greed that opened in Oakland in 1987, with a lesbian Drosselmeyer and the maids for the heroines. Deservedly, it got lots of national attention during its decade-long run, but though it had some great ideas, it lacked the Hard Nut’s fully-professional production values. Firstrate choreography, first-rate dancers throughout, first-rate musicians in the pit, first-rate designers, all add up to make it a grand spectacle (and cost $600,000 in 1991), including wonderful costumes by Martin Pakledinaz, to whose memory this year’s performances are dedicated.

There are more stagehands behind the scenes than dancers onstage.

A gazillion costume/wig/make-up changes keep the performers as busy being dressed and redressed backstage as they are busy dancing and acting onstage.

There’s a Christmas party scene,

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Deadfall

From page 13

Addison and Liza have just held up an Indian casino in Northern Michigan, and are escaping with a driver and a bagful of cash. After an impressive car wreck, their driver is dead, the money is scattered in the

Susana Millman

Company members of Mark Morris Dance Group perform The Hard Nut at Cal Performances.

Mama (John Heginbotham) and Papa (Morris himself, wonderful in the role), a little-girl heroine (Lauren Grant) whose brother (June Omura) breaks her toys – and it was almost impossible not to think of Newtown when Fritz pulled out his cap-gun and terrorized the

party when he did not get his way.

Marie then has a nightmare that everything has gotten out of hand, the tree has grown, the mice are out to get her, which all becomes very complicated in this version. Her uncle has to travel the world to find the prince who can crack the hard

nut and revive her.

Morris has used the entire score, and his setting of the great set-pieces are out-of-this-world fantastic: the Snow scene is unquestionably unrivalled by anyone else’s setting.

Not even Balanchine’s meets Tchaikovsky’s rhythmic challenges as well

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as Morris does, setting imaginative chains of steps and explosions of snowballs to the blizzardy crosscurrents and shifting accents in the music. Such mastery of counterpoint! And no other setting of the grand pas de deux better realizes the idea of romantic love than Morris’ does. “She is my lady, he is my love,” their dance proclaims, and every creature that’s appeared in the ballet so far shows up to back him up as he presents himself and all he has to her service.

Outstanding in small parts were Spencer Ramirez as a snippy French couturier, Brian Lawson as the second suitor in the dream-sequence, and Domingo Estrada, Jr., as a drunken party guest in the first act (dancing Morris’ original role).

As ever, Kraig Patterson as the drag-queen nanny in black pointe shoes is beyond praise for warmhearted generosity in performance.

Billy Smith was amazingly good as Drosselmeyer, and Aaron Loux as the Nutcracker Prince – both are roles I’d thought could not be replaced. But that’s how you can tell it’s a classic – the roles are so great, the whole thing is so great, it all continues to inspire young performers to bring their own gifts to it. Forever renewing itself, like the world itself.t

early Cold War pleasure of Robert Mitchum’s innocence-devouring psychotic preacher (The Night of the Hunter), then you’ll be able to appreciate Deadfall on its own terms. While it falls considerably short of these classics, in an era of morally enervating long-form TV nihilism (Dexter, Breaking Bad),

Deadfall’s true breakout performance comes from an actor well-known to queer audiences, Charlie Hunnam. snow, and they need Plan B fast or they’re not going to make it to the Canadian border.

Help arrives in the form of a state trooper who is shot dead by Addison before we can glimpse his face.

Deadfall director Stefan Ruzowitzky, screenwriter Zach Dean and cinematographer Shane Hurlbut are attempting to revive the old Hollywood B-movie in an adrenaline-fueled action picture where adults can satisfy their bloodlust with appropriate psychological underpinnings to rationalize away moments too close for comfort.

If you can take yourself back to the headspace of audiences who gorged on Humphrey Bogart’s hardened escaped convict Duke Mantee (The Petrified Forest) on the eve of WWII, through the

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Deadfall is refreshingly old-fashioned in that it allows us to vicariously identify with pitiless, selfjustifying bad boys who fall short of the Nietzschean playbook.

After killing the trooper, Addison tells Liza to fend for herself – so the authorities may not connect her to their crime spree – with the goal of meeting up later at the border. The filmmakers then play their strongest hand: parallel storylines that allow their high-performing cast to converge for a very chilly Thanksgiving Day feast.

Bana’s high point comes in a surreal moment in a snowbound cabin where Addison confesses to an oldsoul little girl, whose abusive stepdad he’s just slaughtered, about how his childhood experience of rescuing his own little sis from their bad

daddy qualifies him as her guardian angel. Another diverting subplot finds female sheriff ’s deputy Hanna (Kate Mara) rebelling against her sheriff daddy’s (Treat Williams) hopeless chauvinist ways.

Deadfall’s true breakout performance comes from an actor wellknown to queer audiences. Few will ever forget Charlie Hunnam’s extraordinary debut in the British Queer as Folk as the frisky 15-yearold Nathan, who is inaugurated into

gay sex by a ravenous older dude with a hungry tongue. Hunnam’s follow-up as Dickens’ orphan boy Nicholas Nickleby appeared to seal his screen fate as a modern, sensitive lost-boy hero: a little too sensitive for his taste, as it turned out.

Hunnam has spent most of the last decade toughening his image and perhaps his reality in a series of “real men” turns ranging from a British soccer hooligan to Deadfall’s ex-boxer just out of prison with his

own deeply rooted daddy issues.

The scenes where Hunnam’s Jay rescues Liza from a snow bank, romances her in a snowbound truck stop, then brings her home to meet the folks are a great example of how an actor can spurn “sensitivity” without turning into an Anthony Michael Hall beefcake parody.

Enjoy this lovely noir on its own terms, and skip the theatrical trailer, which contains far too many spoilers. (Opens Friday.)t

Video Game Music 2 gives some

indication of the quality of its take on holiday classics.

Christmas Concertos: Weihnachtskonzerte (Capriccio) What’s not to like about tuneful, gracefully performed baroque concertos by Molter, Handel, Werner, Corelli, Torelli, Locatelli, and Manfredini? The Neues Berliner Kammerorchester sounds as fresh as when they recorded this program 20 years ago in the, I kid you not, Funkhaus, Berlin.

Nine Lessons & Carols - The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (KGS) From the land of Queen Elizabeth and King Murdoch comes, on two CDs,

Cambridge’s complete Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The service intersperses nine familiar carols, sung by choir and congregants conducted by Stephen Cleobury, with the Lord’s Prayer and “lessons” from the New Testament. Six 21st-century commissioned carols, including one by John Rutter written for this CD, complement this prayerful English Christmas.

Coming Home for Christmas - Aaron Hardin (grooveworks ENT) Keyboardist-producer Aaron Hardin blends jazz with R&B and soul to create seven warmly swinging takes on the season. Guest vocalists, including Christie Dashiell (NBC’s The Sing Off with Afro

Blue) and Nikoletta Szöke (2005 Shure Montreux Jazz Voice Competition winner), ensure that you’ll have a warm and comfy Christmas.

On a Cold Winter’s Day Quadriga Consort (Carpe Diem) Quite brightly recorded in an Austrian church, the members of the Quadriga Consort perform unusual and attractive arrangements of British and Gaelic songs as they figuratively “traipse through the fields and meadows of England and Ireland with wassail bowls in their hands.” Voice, recorders, viola da gamba, baroque cello, and harpsichord make for a unique program, housed in a beautiful, ecologically supportive package.t

Christmastunes

From page 22

The direction is fabulous, the sets a joy, and the music sublime. Get it!

A Christmas in London - London Philharmonic Orchestra As long as your Bible-thumping Aunt Tillie can handle an mp3 download, the London Philharmonic’s compilation of 11 Christmas easy-listening tracks, tailor-made for department store elevators, will provide her with perfect background music between doses of her favorite AM talk radio hosts. That the LPO recently released Greatest

Magnolia Pictures

Troubled characters on the run Jay (Charlie Hunnam) and Liza (Olivia Wilde) in Deadfall.