May 5, 2011 Edition of the Bay Area Reporter

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Polls ignore prez candidate

Eagle Tavern closes

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'Mermaid' dancing

The

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Serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities since 1971

Vol. 41 • No. 18 • May 5-11, 2011

Stanford faculty OK ROTC proposal

9/11 kin see closure in bin Laden death

by Chuck Colbert

B

y a wide margin the Faculty Senate at Stanford University approved a proposal that would return the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program to the Palo Alto campus after a 40year absence.

The 28-9 vote, with three abstentions, came on Thursday, April 28, after a yearlong review and university-wide debate. A week earlier an ad hoc committee had recommended that university President Courtesy Autumn Sandeen John Hennessy invite ROTC back to campus. Autumn Sandeen The move at Stanford follows similar action at Harvard and Columbia, where ROTC had been banned since the Vietnam War era. But with the imminent repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t tell,” the military’s ban on openly gay service – which conflicts with the private universities’ sexual orientation nondiscrimination policies – school officials there began rethinking the ROTC ban.

And while repealing DADT would enable openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual men and women to serve in the military, transgender service is still barred, a discriminatory restriction that is irksome for both opponents and proponents of ROTC’s return.

As Stanford’s provost, John Etchemendy, said in a statement, “Our support for reestablishing the ROTC program should not be misconstrued. We understand the concerns about the military’s continuing discrimination against transgender people, and we share those concerns.”

But transgender rights advocates voiced frustration with the Faculty Senate vote, as well as the statement.

“I’m extremely disappointed by the vote of the Faculty Senate,” said San Diegobased activist Autumn Sandeen, a disabled, transgender Gulf War veteran and blogger.

“That the vote was so lopsided in favor of a return of an ROTC program to campus sent a message to every transgender veteran and every transgender student that transgender people are not considered as human as members of other minority groups in California,” she added.

Sandeen traveled to Stanford to protest the return of ROTC. “Particularly frustrating,” See page 12 >>

by Ed Walsh

A

lice Hoagland noted with both gratitude and amusement a makeshift tribute to her son near her Redwood Estates home in rural Santa Clara County. Someone had attached a homemade card to a calla lily and placed it on a memorial bench that honored her son, gay Flight 93 hero Mark Bingham.

The Flight 93 memorial at Sugar Mill Landing Park in Union City features markers for the victims on the airplane that crashed into a Pennsylvania field on 9/11, including Mark Bingham.

The memorial was dedicated in 2007.

See page 13 >> Jane Philomen Cleland

Youth criticize Rec and Park policies

by Matthew S. Bajko

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olicies that the city’s Recreation and Park Department has instituted involving its youth programming at the Eureka Valley Recreation Center are being criticized by a group of queer youth and their allies, who contend the rules hamper LGBT and questioning youth from accessing the offerings.

The policy disagreement stems from the cancellation last August of programs being offered at the Castro rec center’s youth space by outside agencies under the name Queer Core. At the time queer youth 18 to 24 years in age could attend weekly Thursday night cooking classes and Friday movie nights.

The free programs were run on a drop-in basis, with up to 25 LGBT and questioning youth in attendance in a given week. They were housed in the facility’s youth space, which is a large multi-purpose room facing Collingwood Street built to have its own entrance.

Last summer the Rec and Park Department underwent a major reorganization and reprioritized its programming. Through that process, it was determined that EVRC would end its partnership with the Queer Core group and oversee usage of the youth space.

“We are changing what we are doing. We have a new model,” said Don Franklin, a recreation coordinator in charge of alternative recreation who is based out of the Castro

Programming at the youth space at the Eureka Valley Recreation Center is being revamped.

Rick Gerharter

facility. “Whatever we do and whoever we partner with, we do have to have structured activities. In the past we had some issues with straight drop-ins [programs], they haven’t been monitored as well as it could.”

But since August there have been no queeryouth specific programs offered. And the youth classes that have been offered, such as an all-ages cooking class, require a fee and registration. While the department does offer

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scholarships to help defray the costs, queer youth have complained the process to apply for the financial assistance is confusing.

“I feel like Rec and Park took the space from us for no reason. They didn’t give us an exact reason why it was closing,” said Dean Bonilla, 23, who identifies as queer and had been going to the EVRC programs since August 2009.

“The only reason was they said there was no See page 2 >>

<< Community News

2 • BAY AREA REPORTER • May 5-11, 2011

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Eagle Tavern closes

by Seth Hemmelgarn

John Nikitopoulos is the trustee.

The summons that he owners of San Francisco’s accompanies the eviction Eagle Tavern appear to have complaint says the owners had rejected bids to buy it this week, five calendar days to respond after the troubled bar closed in writing, which court records over the weekend. One of the indicate they haven’t done. The prospective buyers of the tavern summons says, “If you do not said he’s done trying. file your response on time, you The bar, at 398 12th Street, may lose the case by default,” shut down Saturday night as and property may be taken the bar’s owners apparently owe “without further warning from their landlord almost $18,000 in the court.” rent.

According to the court Mark Frazier, who owns documents, which the Bay Area the Dallas Eagle in Texas, said Reporter examined, Gardiner that he and Ron Hennis, who and Banks, operating as Hole in managed the San Francisco the Wall Saloon Inc., had agreed Eagle, made an offer to owners to pay $7,525 a month for the John Gardiner and Joseph period beginning April 1, 2005 Banks Tuesday night to buy the and ending March 31, 2010. The business. documents include a copy of the He said he had told them lease. in the offer letter that they had The agreement had been until 9 p.m. Pacific time Tuesday increased to $8,691.98 to respond, which they didn’t. beginning September 1, 2010, Jane Philomen Cleland He’s assuming that means they according to the complaint. rejected the offer.

The documents indicate that Longtime Eagle Tavern regular Parrel Frazier and Hennis said “Pipeman” Mortimer stopped by the bar last on March 7, 2011, a notice to that Gardiner and Banks were Thursday, just days before it closed. pay rent or quit was delivered talking to other potential buyers, to Gardiner and another was but neither of the hopeful posted at the Eagle. but he also said, “We didn’t give them buyers would say whom. They In a letter dated that same a deadline. ... If you do that, that just also wouldn’t say how much they had day, attorney Jonathan L. Piper said turns them off.” He also said that if the offered for the business. partial rent payments had been made, offer were rejected, he’d keep trying.

Frazier said he’s done trying to buy but about $9,076 was still due for Hennis said that he and Frazier the Eagle unless an offer Gardiner the period December 2010 through had made a previous offer Sunday, and Banks were apparently working March 2011. but “They said it wasn’t enough.” on Wednesday falls through.

The letter said that within three Late last week, as word began “I am not going to initiate any days after the document was served to circulating that the Eagle’s days were more offers,” said Frazier. “John and Gardiner and Banks, they were to pay quickly drawing to a close, some Joe both know I have an interest, so the rent or hand over the premises, or patrons hoped a solution could be should something happen, they can legal proceedings would be brought found. come back to me.” to recover possession of the premises Parrel “Pipeman” Mortimer, a He had announced last week that and recover rents and damages. regular, said that for him and many he was dropping out of negotiations.

The complaint lists the fair rental others there is no bar that can He said he had returned to the value of the premises as $289 per day. replace the Eagle, which he called a process, “because I thought there was The complaint says that Nikitopoulos “community treasure.” another opportunity, and I did not is requesting possession of the There was a full house on Saturday, want to give up on San Francisco.” premises and costs including pastApril 30, the bar’s last night.

The home to well-loved Sunday due rent of $17,767; attorney fees; beer busts, which raise money for and damages at the rate of $289 Behind on rent numerous LGBT groups, Gardiner for each day Gardiner and Banks It appears the Eagle has and Banks had been trying to sell the “remain in possession through entry experienced financial difficulties for Eagle for more than a year. of judgment.” some time.

Throughout April, community Gardiner, who didn’t respond According to the unlawful detainer members worked to keep the bar to interview requests for this story, complaint filed in San Francisco LGBT-oriented, after it looked previously said that the bar’s lease Superior Court on April 19, Gardiner like it might be sold to the owner expired more than a year ago, so “I and Banks, who own the liquor of a different bar, raising fears the guess it goes month to month.” Banks license, owe $17,767 in rent on the business could go straight. That deal also didn’t respond to an interview bar. Landlord John Nikitopoulos didn’t happen. request. filed the complaint through the San Hennis appeared more hopeful Richard Romano, the bar owners’ Francisco firm Lipton, Piper and than Frazier on Wednesday morning. attorney, declined to comment.

Sganga, LLP. It wasn’t clear that he knew Frazier Nikitopoulos and Arthur Lipton, The court documents list the was leaving negotiations again. an attorney representing him, didn’t Constantinos I. and Anthanasia He said that he hadn’t heard respond to interview requests.▼ Nikitopoulos Trust as the plaintiff. anything from Gardiner and Banks,

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Rec and Park From page 1

staffing for it when we as a group have offered several volunteers to come in and staff the space.”

Bonilla is part of a group of queer youth and advocates pressing the Rec and Park Department to revive the weekly drop-in programs.

Working under the acronym YURRS, which stands for Youth United to Reclaim Recreation Space, the group has been pressing rec and park staff to address its demands since last summer.

“I am pretty frustrated, yeah. We have had so many meetings in the past year since the place was closed,” said Bonilla.

The dispute over usage of the youth space comes down to differences in philosophy over how it should be programmed and accessed. Rec and park contends it needs to not only know who is accessing the programming but also if they are age appropriate.

“Some things we did were kind of a free-for-all. We can’t go back to that anymore,” said Franklin. “We have to track who our users are.”

This summer EVRC is launching three youth programs, two of which are geared specifically toward queer youth and a third that is being advertised as open to all youth.

Starting in June each Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. will be a class aimed at producing a queer youth zine. It will run through August and the entire program costs $36.

Each Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. from June 9 through August 11 will be a queer dinner and a movie program. The cost to participate for the entire three months is $20.

On Friday nights those months there will be a cooking class open to all youth that will also cost $20 for the entire program. The department is also looking at allowing participants to pay a lower drop-in fee to take part one-time, but Franklin said it had yet to be decided which of the three classes would offer such an option.

He urged those youth who are financially disadvantaged to apply to the department’s scholarship program, which starts at covering 50 percent of the costs and can climb to as high as 100 percent.

“It is our mandate through the

rec and park commission not to turn away anybody. We do want to have them take advantage of our scholarships,” he said.

Adele Carpenter, 28, a lesbian who was part of the Queer Core group of outreach workers, said youth who may be homeless or transitionally housed are unlikely to be able to afford the fees. And the registration requirement can be problematic for youth who are not out of the closet, she said.

As a member of the YURRS group, Carpenter has met several times with Rec and Park staff to discuss the issue. There is another meeting scheduled for this Friday, May 6 to try to resolve the situation.

“We asked them can we pay a flat program fee for 12 youth or whatever is needed to run a class but have it okay for young people to bring their friends and introduce them to the space. Can we meet the financial needs for Rec and Park and make it a space youth can go to,” said Carpenter. “We want a safe and secure space. We didn’t have problems with the space before. The youth really took care of it.”▼

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Community News >>

May 5-11, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 3

Mark Rogers

Rick Bartaleni, left, Jeremy Green, Mike Lee, Jan Wahl with Lucinda, and John Lipp enjoyed the agency’s annual fundraiser, Petchitecture, last month.

PAWS head to step down

by Seth Hemmelgarn

T

he president of an organization that helps people living with HIV/ AIDS and others take care of their pets is leaving for another agency.

John Lipp, president and CEO of Pets Are Wonderful Support, will be the executive director of the Greater Bay Area chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. His last day leading PAWS will be June 10.

He’ll start his new job June 27.

“I’ve been here seven and a half years, and I’m a big believer in term limits, not just for the board, but sometimes it’s helpful for an organization to bring in new executive leadership as well,” said Lipp. PAWS, which was founded in 1987, helps clients get pet food, veterinary care, and dog walking, among other services.

More than half of PAWS’s clients are people living with HIV and AIDS, said Lipp. They also work with people who have other disabling illnesses, as well as low-income seniors.

The agency is in “a very strong position,” and Lipp felt “if there was going to be a time for me to transition out, this is the right time for that to happen,” he said. Lipp plans to be a PAWS volunteer and supporter after he steps down as president.

Lipp, 45, said the diabetes foundation is “an organization whose mission means a lot to me personally.”

His niece’s daughter has type I diabetes.

He declined to state his salary at PAWS or what it would be at the foundation. PAWS’ IRS filing for 2009 listed his compensation at about $100,000.

PAWS board Chair John Sell said in a statement, “This is a great opportunity for John but it is with reluctance that he leaves and we see him go.”

Joanne Kipnis, PAWS’ vice president of programs and resource development, and Victoria Long, the group’s vice president of finance and administration, will serve as interim co-presidents.

Sell said in an interview that the search for Lipp’s replacement would begin “immediately,” but it would “probably take several weeks to several months.”

Asked about Lipp, Mavie Mendelson, the diabetes foundation’s associate executive director, said, “We’re looking forward to him joining us.”

PAWS has come a long way since Lipp joined in 2004.

When he started with the organization, PAWS was “very strong,” but also “very small,” he said.

The budget then was approximately $450,000 to $500,000, and there were five staff. The staff’s grown to 12, and the annual budget is about $1.3 million. There are more than 425 volunteers.

Lipp said that PAWS has also “more than doubled the number of people we’re able to serve on an ongoing basis.” The group now serves over 1,000 companion animals of more than 800 clients.

He said the accomplishment he’s most proud of is “We got off the real estate roller coaster, and after seven moves in 23 years, we bought, built out, and moved in to our very own home in the Mission.”

He said the agency has raised about $1.6 million to pay for the building, which is at 3170 23rd Street in San Francisco, and the goal is to bring in another $900,000.

Among other achievements, PAWS’ relationships with other organizations has grown, said Lipp.

“We tend to have a stronger relationship with our clients, because we understand how important their animals are to them, and therefore they tend to trust us,” he said. That means “We’re able to find out what other needs they have in their lives, and hopefully refer them to other services throughout the city.”

Regardless of clients’ backgrounds, their pets “mean everything to them ... so we don’t want them to have to give up their pets,” said Lipp.

One pair that PAWS has been helpful to is Phoenix, 50, and his “terrier mutt,” Dusty, who is 5.

Through PAWS, Dusty gets annual vet visits.

Despite Lipp being the head of the agency, Phoenix, who uses only one name, said, “No matter who you are or where you are in the grand scheme of things, he makes you feel you’re the only one speaking with him that matters at the moment.”

Phoenix, who has HIV and heart trouble, got Dusty almost five years ago after doctors told him to get a dog.

They wanted Phoenix to exercise.

“Having Dusty in my life has made all the difference in the world, period,” said Phoenix. “I even quit smoking because of this dog.”▼

<< Community News

4 • BAY AREA REPORTER • May 5-11, 2011

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Dyke March benefit Sat. Compiled by Cynthia Laird

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he men are helping the women this weekend.

Members of San Francisco’s LGBT elected family will come together to help the financially struggling Dyke March, which needs to raise money for this year’s event, scheduled for Saturday, June 25.

Out Supervisors Scott Wiener and David Campos will be joined by mayoral candidate Bevan Dufty for the party on Saturday, May 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Trigger, 2344 Market Street in San Francisco.

March organizers have said that the event in honor of women in the community faces increased costs that it is struggling to meet. The Bay Area Reporter previously reported that organizers needed to raise $15,000.

Increased costs include insurance, which have come from city budget cuts, previously covered through a city grant.

Organizers hope to raise $5,000 at Saturday’s party, and while no one will be turned away for lack of funds, a minimum $20 donation at the door is suggested.

Friends to remember patrol special officer This Sunday, May 8, friends and colleagues of the late San Francisco

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Jane Philomen Cleland

Supporters of the queer Asian women’s and trans support group took part in last year’s Dyke March.

Patrol Special Police Officer Jane Warner will gather at the plaza in the Castro named in her honor on the one-year anniversary of her death.

The day of remembrance will take place at noon at Jane Warner Plaza, at Castro and 17th streets.

Warner, a former columnist for the Bay Area Reporter, died May 8, 2010 after a yearlong battle against ovarian cancer.

She was 53.

An out lesbian and a gifted piano player, Warner was beloved by both the public and the merchants who hired her to provide additional security services in the Castro.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors last fall approved naming the plaza in her memory; people are continuing a fundraising drive to complete a permanent plaque to be installed there. Anyone wishing to donate to the fund can drop off contributions to the police credit union branch located at 2550 Irving Street. They can also be mailed to the SF Police Credit Union, P.O. Box 22219, San Francisco, California 94122-0219.

Checks should be made payable to the “Officer Jane Warner Memorial Fund.”

Workshop for gay men A three-part workshop for gay men starts next week in San Francisco and will examine the healing power of community.

Facilitated by Gregg Cassin, the workshops are a collaboration of the California Men’s GatheringBay Area; Metropolitan Community Church-San Francisco’s MenSpirit; AIDS, Medicine, and Miracles; and the Community Initiative.

The series will explore challenging topics such as isolation, loss, and self-doubt by working with the themes of forgiveness, practicing gratitude, the power of prayer, reaching out, and cultivating peace. Participants will use sharing, meditation, ritual, music, laughter, tears, and healing touch to connect with themselves and one another.

Cassin has more than 20 years of experience leading workshops and retreats for LGBT, HIV/AIDS, and youth communities throughout the United States.

The workshops will be held on Thursdays for three weeks – May 12, 19, and 26 – from 7 to 9 p.m. at MCC-SF, 150 Eureka Street. There is a suggested donation of $10 per See page 12 >>

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Commentary>>

May 5-11, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 5

Give it a rest

by Gwendolyn Ann Smith

C

hrissy Lee Polis, a 22-year-old, post-operative transsexual, was at a Baltimore County McDonald’s in Maryland recently. While there, she opted to use the bathroom. Two other women – identified as Teonna Monae Brown, 18, and a 14-year-old whose name has not been released – were also there. A now-former employee of the fast food restaurant recorded what followed.

In the video, Polis is beaten and kicked by the pair, eventually dragged by her hair, and even suffered a head blow that appeared to trigger a seizure. She’s been afraid to be seen in public since the attack. She’s further concerned that the video – which went viral on the Internet – would affect her chances for employment, or be the root of further violence against her.

While the attack itself is appalling, and the alleged actions of Brown and her juvenile friend are reprehensible, it’s also worth noting the reaction of McDonald’s co-workers. Some are seen on the video, standing idly by, watching the melee.

The employee who filmed the assault, identified as Vernon Hackett, did not do it to provide it to the police, mind you. He shared it on YouTube, adding from his Twitter page, “That Was A Man...He Was Dressed Lik (sic) A Woman...And He Was In The Females Bathroom Knowing He Was A Man...And When Told To Get Out The (sic) ladies Bathroom He Go Smart With Everybody So Tha (sic) Two Girls Beat Him Up.” The misgendering of Polis is presented as

it was written.

Hackett has been terminated, and other actions are being taken at the restaurant in question. McDonald’s itself has released a corporate statement on the incident, “There’s no room for violence under the golden arches.” Both her attackers will face their day in front of a judge, and Polis may eventually see justice.

The attack on Polis followed by weeks the political maneuvering in the Maryland legislature that saw House Bill 235 – a transgender rights bill – killed. The bill was widely criticized in transgender circles for its removal of public accommodation language. Even with the removal of such language – presumably to help in its passage – the bill was tossed back to committee, essentially ending it for the year.

This language would have, of course, included the ability for transgender people to use the restroom of choice in, say, a fast food restaurant.

It would not, of course, have stopped this attack from happening – but it would have provided a lot more leverage for Polis’s case against the restaurant in question and, perhaps, might have served to make for a safer environment for transgender people in Maryland overall.

I’ve written about the “bathroom bill” meme a lot lately. It is a fabrication of many so-called family groups,

Christine Smith

professing that allowing transwomen to use women’s restrooms will allow mustache-twirling villains access to them, where they’ll be free under the law to assault your wife and children.

Never mind that any such people would still be committing a crime by assaulting another human being, and they would still not be allowed in opposite gender restrooms. Logic need not apply in arguments based purely on emotional reactions.

Of course, such opposition may well be a thinly veiled way of saying, “We don’t like their kind,” as we saw with Maryland Senate President Mike Miller (D), on Maryland Public Television’s State Circle program, “I have senators that are not going to hire ... people with male sexual organs who wear a dress to serve as receptionists, okay? Um, and so if they’re not going to do it, so if the senators and House members themselves wouldn’t hire someone in that category, how can we say to constituents that you’ve got to do this?”

Miller’s focused on the genitals See page 12 >>

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6 • BAY AREA REPORTER • May 5-11, 2011

Volume 41, Number 18 May 5-11 2011 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 • Matt Baume Erin Blackwell • Roger Brigham Scott Brogan • Victoria A. Brownworth Philip Campbell • Heather Cassell Chuck Colbert • Richard Dodds Raymond Flournoy • David Guarino Liz Highleyman • Brandon Judell John F. Karr • Lisa Keen • Matthew Kennedy David Lamble Michael McDonagh 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 Kurt Thomas PRODUCTION MANAGER T. Scott King PHOTOGRAPHERS 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 Colleen Small Scott Wazlowski CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING David McBrayer

NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media – 212.242.6863

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Gay GOP group is off base T

he far-right gay Republican group GOProud, which at times seems to be more interested in seeking publicity for its leaders than advancing the political dialogue, has a new game plan to take on President Barack Obama in next year’s election. “Our organization’s number one goal between now and November 2012 is defeating Barack Obama,” Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia said in a statement.

Okay. But what caught our attention was another statement in his press release.

“The Republican presidential field is shaping up to be an incredibly strong one,” he added.

Um, on what planet is LaSalvia living? Strong GOP field? That would be news even to many Republicans, who have been bemoaning the lack of a strong candidate for weeks. And that field got a bit weaker last week, when Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour dropped out. While we don’t agree with his positions on anything, Barbour is the consummate GOP good ol’ boy, and as governor and a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, he has a Rolodex that is as impressive as it is conservative.

LaSalvia’s pronouncement shows that GOProud is out of touch and cannot fashion a vision beyond rote sound bites. Events of the past several days have put the entire GOP field at a greater disadvantage in a match-up against Obama.

Just this past Sunday – before Obama announced that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had been killed in a special forces operation – the New York Times had a story on page one headlined “GOP is pursuing wider 2012 field as debate nears.” The article goes on to state that Republican leaders, party activists, and donors are “anxious that the party’s initial presidential field could squander a chance to capture grassroots energy and build a strong case against President Obama at the outset of the 2012 race.”

It added that these folks are “stepping up appeals for additional candidates to jump in, starting with Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana.”

The first primaries are still about eight months away, but most political observers believe that time is quickly running out for serious contenders to get into the race. And the problem, as many Republicans see it, is that the current field is either making a bad first impression by appearing tentative about their prospects against Obama, as the Times article stated, or, as we see it,

just a bunch of bad candidates period.

Take birther Donald Trump for instance. For the last several weeks, Trump has been soaking up air time on television with hyperbole about how he doubts Obama was born in the U.S. (Obama was born in Hawaii and released his birth certificate during the 2008 campaign.)

This mania fed into a part of the GOP base that doubts Obama is a U.S. citizen, and thus, ineligible to be president. Since Trump has no political experience, he apparently thought clinging to the birther wing of the Republican Party was a good way to become the nominee. It isn’t and he won’t.

One need look no further than last week to see how masterfully Obama played Trump. On Wednesday, the president released his long-form birth certificate and spoke to reporters about it at a televised briefing. Trump, who was traveling in New Hampshire, an early primary state, refused to look at a copy that reporters thrust at him and still exhibits doubts about its authenticity.

Then last Saturday Trump was thoroughly demolished by Obama at the White House Correspondents Dinner. To cite just one example from the president: “All kidding aside, we all know about your credentials, and your breadth of experience. For example, on a recent episode of Celebrity Apprentice, at the steakhouse, the men’s cooking team did not impress the judges from Omaha Steaks. And there was a lot of blame to go around, but you, Mr. Trump,

recognized that the real problem was a lack of leadership. And so ultimately, you didn’t blame Lil Jon or Meatloaf, you fired Gary Busey. These are the kinds of decisions that would keep me up at night. Well handled, sir! Well handled.”

Trump, still smarting from the takedown by Obama and the dinner’s headliner, Saturday Night Live’s Seth Meyers, this week compared same-sex marriage to a new golf putter (he favors the traditional putter, hence, traditional marriage).

But on Sunday night, Obama exhibited his leadership as commander in chief when he told the nation that bin Laden had been killed. It’s been nearly 10 years since 9/11, and even before that awful day, bin Laden had been linked to various terrorist attacks around the world.

While the country is still learning about the Navy SEAL operation that killed bin Laden, it was a gutsy decision by the president who authorized the strike once he and his national security team had the intelligence and other information. Obama accomplished what George W. Bush could not.

Meanwhile, the Republicans have Trump; Representative Michele Bachmann, who has declined to categorically call Obama a U.S.born citizen; Mitt Romney, who ran in 2008; Tim Pawlenty, who no one’s ever heard of; and Rick “Man on Dog” Santorum, among other potential presidential candidates. Somehow, we just don’t see that as a strong field. And certainly, none of them would lift a finger to end discriminatory treatment of LGBTs. Knock yourselves out, GOProud.▼

The demise of SOMA leather bars

by David Dehner

V

irtual is never real. Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary describes virtual as very close to being something without actually being it. It is an escape into a different world where the image represents something that ignites a spark of the real without the rest of the fire. And that is really the key; the rest of the fire.

A group of us huddle on a regular basis in front of the Castro Starbucks (location, location, location) and it has become what I call the Castro-Algonquin Roundtable where current events blend with our histories with an acerbic punch reminiscent of Dorothy Parker’s entourage. One of the current topics centers on the downturn of fate for leather bars South of Market. Of recurring interest is the role of the Internet as it relates to their demise. Yes, there are locations with the same addresses of historic note but the music is gone. A leather bar scene as described in so many aspects of gay repute may remain only as an echo. The question is how come and why.

Now that we’re well into the 21st century, communication is nothing like it used to be when furtive glances and “would he?” were part of our everyday lives. But virtual reality is not real human contact where eyes and hands and breath meet together. Over 30 years ago when I pulled up my tree by the roots and transplanted it here in San Francisco (wide-eyed and in awe), there was a hypersexual aura and blending aromas of leather, smoke, and stale beer that aroused and awakened desires that words fail to reach adequately. But it was close encounters of that leather-kind that were to draw a virtual community from all over the world into a real one where, boots-to-boots, we met in celebration: male celebration. Few can recall all of the names of our watering holes but the Brig, the Black and Blue, and the Arena

should certainly help. These were times before political correctness was even in the vernacular and no woman would dare trespass and violate the enclaves reserved for this different class of gay manhood. You would find full leather support up close and personal at every coronation event but the understanding was deeply respected that drag queens would never invade the South of Market sanctum unless dressed for it, and many an empress was also a knock-out in full leather even as many of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are today. But that was then.

I am part of the online leather websites and have even met my HuzBear of some six years through www.gearfetish.com. I knew the dangers of letting my imagination get the run of the house as beautiful men in fantastic gear flashed into view but I also have a history that included Drummer magazine as an awakening to the scene. Almost from day one my catch-phrase became automatic when the online dialogue would become too much of infatuation and less of honesty: “It is all bullshit until we’re boots-to-boots.” With just that in mind, after almost half a year of Internet, telephone, and mail contact with Jorge, we agreed to risk reality and spent three entire weeks together in his home in Lisbon, Portugal and a weekend in Sardinia. We agreed that we had gone as far as we could but would never be really in love until the wonder, awe, and surprise of being together were allowed to leave imagination behind for the reality of hand-in-hand and eye-to-eye. And here we are after six years on different shores still enjoying that less than physical contact but working toward a real life as a married couple here in San Francisco, not a virtual one.

Somehow over the course of time Internet

window shopping has supplanted a public glance and chance close encounters in the main. And as for the leather side of our community, there is such a finite set of parameters in the search engines we engage that our opportunity for surprise and amazement has all but disappeared entirely when not too long ago it sufficed to note what side your keys were hanging from. Still, humanity has not changed but the power tools to do the job definitely have.

My question is: do you honestly know how to use them to build relationships or are you satisfied with your avatars alone?

I don’t live in the past century and it is prudent to learn that any viable business won’t last that does. Even the political parties that remain too grounded in traditions and lies of the past do so at their peril, and they know it. You can only resole a pair of boots a few times and likewise redesign a leather bar before it wears out. In an age of Twitter and Facebook, every gay bar now lives and dies on the whim of a virtual community if it expects to survive at all. And if you desire to build a community that meets and greets at your watering hole, you’d damned well best recognize them when they walk in the door and offer them their identity, something we in hospitality call service (what a novel concept). And as for the South of Market community, one in fact that never lives in the hovels that can be found in the local neighborhood, you’d better stake your bar claim on the fetish community from the inside out and not expect a label or location to be your reputation and means to an end. After making the rounds of four of these on a recent Friday night, I can tell you honestly that I have no need to return again. Oh, I am not alone in this you can be sure.▼

▼

Politics>>

May 5-11, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 7

Media polls ignore gay GOP prez candidate

by Matthew S. Bajko

H

e is one of the few declared candidates running for president, yet gay GOPer Fred Karger is largely missing from the major media polling on the 2012 race.

The majority of polls about the lineup of potential GOP presidential candidates ignore Karger, a southern Californian who is a former Republican political consultant. He is the first out candidate to seek a major party’s presidential nomination.

His exclusion from the polls is a sort of Catch-22 for Karger. Not only does it reduce his visibility in the race, it also hinders his ability to take part in the upwards of 18 GOP debates among the candidates over the next year. Several of the debates require candidates to receive at least 1 percent in polling in order to participate.

“This is a battle to get the recognition to be in national polls,” Karger told the Bay Area Reporter this week.

The lack of polling led organizers of tonight’s (Thursday, May 5) “First in the South” debate, hosted by the South Carolina Republican Party and Fox News, to inform Karger Tuesday that he would not be allowed to take part. Debate participants had to have garnered at least an average of 1 percent in five national polls based on the most recent polling.

Up until last week, the only polls to include Karger had been conducted by several online websites and a GOP club at a New Hampshire college.

Then last Friday Fox News released a poll in which Karger garnered 1 percent.

Conducted by Anderson Robbins Research and Shaw and Company Research, the poll of 332 Republicans conducted in late April had Karger with the same support as Jon Huntsman, the former U.S. ambassador to China who launched a federal political action committee Tuesday to raise money for a potential presidential bid, and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, who officially announced his bid last week and is expected to take part in Thursday’s debate.

Karger called his being included in the poll a “breakthrough” and hopes other news organizations and their pollsters will now add his name to their surveys.

“I am hopeful I will be included in others,” he said.

His campaign has contacted the pollsters conducting 11 different national polls to request that they quiz voters about his candidacy.

Those conversations likely led the Fox News pollsters to include him, said Karger.

“We talked to both of the polling firms that do work for Fox. They said, ‘We were not aware of Fred and will include him in our next poll.’

That is a huge breakthrough because they are so dominant,” said Karger.

“Having a conservative news station include me might help others like NBC, the New York Times and the Washington Post to do the same.”

He has also reached out to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation for assistance in pushing the major media outlets to allow him to participate in their debates and add his name to their polls.

Courtesy FredKarger.com

Gay GOP presidential candidate Fred Karger, shown with supporters at last year’s Los Angeles Pride Parade, is struggling to be included in the party’s debates.

GLAAD spokesman Rich Ferraro told the B.A.R. that the LGBT media watchdog group contacted external legal counsel last week to determine if it could advocate for openly LGBT candidates in such a manner without jeopardizing its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

A spokesman for the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, whose aim is to help elect LGBT candidates, declined to comment when asked for its reaction to Karger’s exclusion from the polling and if the organization had reached out to media outlets on his behalf.

“We have a policy of not commenting on the campaigns of candidates unless and until they are endorsed by our board,” wrote fund vice president Denis Dison in an email.

Representatives from several polling firms, including Gallop, the Marist College Poll, and Langer Research Associates LLC, which conducts polls for ABC News and the Post, did not respond to the B.A.R.’s request for comment.

Fox News spokespeople also did not reply to the B.A.R.’s questions about its decision to include Karger in its most recent poll.

With the debate hosts’ stipulation that candidates need to meet certain polling thresholds, it would appear the news outlets are in effect helping to select those candidates that not only receive debate invites but also press coverage that stems from the candidate forums.

Yet David Steinberg, president of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, said the impact of the media’s polling decisions on fair and accurate coverage of the race is difficult to discern.

“It’s hard for me to really say if this is fair or not. I don’t know what the policies of the various polling firms and media outlets are,” wrote Steinberg in an email. “Are they limiting individuals in polls to ‘viable’ candidates? If so, how do they define ‘major candidates’ or ‘viable candidates’ or some other criteria for including people in such polls? If they are applying their rules uniformly, then I don’t believe it’s a fairness issue.”

Just because someone is a declared candidate does not “in and of itself make one a viable candidate,” added Steinberg. “I know from my years in Boston that neighboring New Hampshire has pretty liberal rules for getting on the ballot (like paying a couple grand, if I recall). Does that mean Lyndon LaRouche and an unemployed,

twice-convicted drug dealer (along with the other 40 people potentially on the ballot) should be included in polls and debates?”

Jimmy LaSalvia, executive director of the conservative gay Republican group GOProud, doesn’t believe Karger should be added to the polls or asked to the debates.

“I think his 15 minutes are up,” LaSalvia told the B.A.R. “Now that the race is on and the credible candidates are launching their campaigns, Fred should find something else to do. His run for president stunt has run its course.”

Karger remains undaunted. He plans to be at Thursday’s debate, albeit in the audience, and will likely hold a press conference at the event.

While disappointed he won’t be on stage, he holds out hope an invite to another debate will come.

“It is kind of one debate at a time,” he said. “I want to get in one debate.”

Gay cop runs for SF sheriff Michael Evans, a gay San Francisco police officer since 2007, has thrown his hat into the city’s sheriff ’s race this fall. Working the night shift, the 30-year-old cop patrols the Polk Street corridor and the Tenderloin.

A Castro resident, Evans is a member of the department’s Pride Alliance for LGBT officers and serves as treasurer of the southern California-based Protect and Defend, a nonprofit organization that represents LGBT members of the military, police, fire, and EMS around the world.

He moved to the Bay Area in 2000 and has been a Castro resident for the past six years. He said he decided to enter the race in order to improve the working relationship between the police and sheriff ’s deputies.

“In my opinion, there are things that could be done differently, such as better communication between the police and sheriff departments.

Maybe better teamwork is a better way to describe it,” said Evans.

Despite his relative youth, Evans said he doesn’t believe his age will hamper his chances with voters.

“I think me being young is a benefit in that I have fresh ideas and new ideas,” he said.

Evans comes from a large Southern family. His twin brother is a police officer in Alabama, where they were born and raised, and his eight other brothers and sisters also live in the state.

A graduate of American Intercontinental University, Evans served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 2000 to 2005. He conducted search See page 13 >>

8 • BAY AREA REPORTER • May 5-11, 2011

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

Read more online at www.ebar.com

May 5-11, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 9

10 • BAY AREA REPORTER • May 5-11, 2011

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

Read more online at www.ebar.com

May 5-11, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 11

<< Community News

12 • BAY AREA REPORTER • May 5-11, 2011

<<

ROTC From page 1

she said, was the provost’s remark. “It is an intentionally toothless comment that will have no bearing on the future actions of the school.”

Student leadership at Stanford shared her disappointment.

“We feel like a lot of universities, including Stanford, set a precedent with not brining back ROTC while ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was in place,” said sophomore Alok Vaid-Menon, who serves as president of Stanford Students for Queer Liberation and is from College Station, Texas.

“Even though transgender people still can’t serve, that doesn’t seem to be legitimate enough a reason for [school officials] not to bring [ROTC] back.”

Michael Cruz, a junior who is president of the Associated Students of Stanford University, also opposed ROTC’s return and urged the Faculty Senate to vote no during its two hours of deliberations.

“As student body president, I felt my duty was to represent a broad spectrum of views, but also to

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Transmissions From page 5

present under one’s dress, and expects that his constituents are as well. Even if, like Polis, those genitals have been surgically reconstructed to best resemble those of other women – not, of course, that one needs reconstruction to be a woman or a man in the first place.

For this, HB 235 was defeated.

Meanwhile the fight over transgender rights is heating up in Connecticut over yet another bill smeared as a “bathroom bill” by the right, claiming that it will somehow allow predators access to our families.

The same tired arguments seem to apply.

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News Briefs From page 4

session, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

To RSVP, email Cassin at greggcassin@gmail.com. Questions can be sent to Cassin or Jeff Bert, jbert@ mccsf.org.

Magnet to re-launch book club Magnet, the gay men’s health center in the Castro, will re-launch its book club this month. The center has also announced it is expanding its holistic health offerings.

The book club kicks off May 26, and will meet on the last Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Magnet, 4122 18th Street. This month’s book is Gore Vidal’s The City and the Pillar.

Magnet community organizer Greg Zhovreboff said that the club is a great opportunity for people to get together to discuss things “relative to their identity as gay men in a unique setting.”

“This summer lineup of some of the best gay fiction will surely lend

Obituaries >> Phillip Gonder Phillip Gonder passed away on December 23, 2010 in Palm Springs, California.

He was 50. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Phill moved to San Francisco in 1990 where he worked for Bank of America and Mason McDuffie Real Estate. He was an enthusiastic gym addict and participated in the AIDS/LifeCycle three times. His many friends will remember his warm spirit, his generosity, and his friendly demeanor. Phill is survived by his partner of 20 years, David Wilkinson of Palm Springs.

▼

make sure the rights of every single Stanford student were protected with the official return of a program,” Cruz, who is from Fresno, said. “The official return of ROTC would discriminate against students who identify as transgender.”

And yet ROTC’s return has its supporters. In this spring’s student elections, for example, 44 percent of voters supported bringing back ROTC while 17 percent opposed it, with 39 percent abstaining on an advisory referendum question.

Out retired Navy Commander Zoe Dunning, a 1993 alumnus of Stanford’s graduate business school, said she supports the Faculty Senate’s decision.

“I don’t do that from the standpoint of leaving our transgender brothers and sisters behind,” Dunning said, “but from the perspective of not being a big fan of ROTC’s ban in the first place.”

As she explained, “It feels like the more progressive universities have banned ROTC. The military officer corps then comes exclusively from conservative campuses.” Much better, Dunning said, “To have a military

corps with a liberal education.”

Leadership from national DADT repeal advocacy groups said they, too, were supportive of the developments at Stanford.

“Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is very pleased that Stanford and other leading universities are welcoming ROTC back on campus,” said Army veteran Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN’s executive director.

Still, “We look forward to the day when transgender military service happens. In the interim, we will be working with our allies to make such service a reality,” he added.

Alexander Nicholson, executive director of Servicemembers United, said he was “glad” that Stanford and other elite schools are welcoming ROTC programs back to campuses.

“Perhaps if the armed forces had not lost several generations of Ivy League-educated officers as a result of the ROTC ban, we would have had a more liberal senior officer corps by now and would have been able to get rid of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ many years ago,” he said.▼

In Maine, a fight is brewing over LD 1046, which would remove the state’s already-existing transgender public accommodation rights – again citing bathroom use. The bill would limit access to sex-segregated public facilities based solely on “biological sex.”

For Polis, the assault was not at the hand of some male assailant somehow emboldened by transgender people being given the right to use gender presentation appropriate facilities, but was from those of her own gender.

While she was attacked, those whose job it was to provide a safe, friendly place to consume Big Macs and FiletO-Fish sandwiches stood back and let it happen, or trained their camera phone on the action while tweeting

ill-informed, transphobic slurs.

If the opposition to so-called bathroom bills is truly focused on protecting people from assaults, then there is no example better than Polis to point out why transgender people also need to be protected from assaults and other discrimination while using a restroom or other public accommodations. If you are looking for people to protect, you need not look any farther than her.

People like me and Polis simply want a safe place to go to the bathroom. It really should not be that difficult to understand.▼

itself to some fabulous and thoughtful conversation,” he said in a statement.

Subsequent books include Christopher Isherwood’s A Single Man, William S. Borough’s Queer, and Edmund White’s The Married Man: A Novel.

In other news, this week Magnet began offering acupuncture a second day a week. In addition to acupuncturist Michael Barrett’s ongoing services Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30, Eric Kerr, L.Ac., will be the center’s newest holistic health service volunteer. His clinic will run from 3 to 5 p.m. on Mondays.

Magnet will also continue to provide free chair massages twice a week with David King on Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m. and Chuck Drees on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m.

The final new addition to Magnet’s holistic services is a Wednesday morning Qigong class from 9 to 10 with Marcelo Vigo. The class will consist of 45 minutes of Qigong and will end with 15 minutes of seated meditation.

Magnet, a program of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, continues to offer confidential HIV and sexually transmitted disease testing services, along with a robust arts program and other events meant to promote the health of gay men who live, work, or play in the Castro. All of the clinic’s events and programs are free and open to all ages.

A full list of available services is online at www.magnetsf.org.

policies on prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, including gender identity and pregnancy.

Transgender rights organizations praised the move.

“We applaud Secretary Solis for acting with fairness and equity for its employees,” said Masen Davis, executive director of the Transgender Law Center, in a statement.

Solis said it’s her goal that the Labor Department maintain “a high-quality, diverse workforce at all organizational levels.”

Transgender people continue to face workplace discrimination, both in California and across the nation.

A 2009 TLC report, “The State of Transgender California,” showed that transgender people face twice the rate of unemployment as the general population.

In other news, TLC, based in San Francisco, held its annual advocacy day in Sacramento on Monday, May 2.

During their meetings with legislators, participants discussed the Gender Non-Discrimination Act, AB 887 by out Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, which calls for the strengthening of protections against LGBT discrimination in the workplace and ensures equal access to employment and housing opportunities.

Participants also discussed SB 416 by lesbian state Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), which addresses the state’s need to collect accurate data on the LGBT community.▼

Labor Dept. announces new trans policy The U.S. Department of Labor last week announced that it will explicitly prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of gender identity within the department. New equal employment opportunity policies, signed by Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, include updated

Gwen Smith deserves a break today. You can find her on the web at www.gwensmith.com.

On the web Online content this week includes the Wockner’s World and Jock Talk columns; an article on the federal Prop 8 trial; and photos from the April Follies, a visit by John Garamendi to the East Bay, and a PAWS’ staffer’s award. www.ebar.com.

â&#x2013;ź

Community News >>

May 5-11, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ BAY AREA REPORTER â&#x20AC;˘ 13

ClassiďŹ eds The

Legal Notices>> Mark Bingham in an undated photo

<<

9/11 kin From page 1

The card said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We Rolled,â&#x20AC;? a reference to Binghamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seatmate Todd Beamerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roll,â&#x20AC;? referring to the passengersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; commencing their plan to overtake the 9/11 hijackers on that day nearly 10 years ago. Their efforts ultimately forced the plane to crash into a field in Pennsylvania rather than a highprofile Washington target.

Bingham, 31, was an avid rugby player and was a member of SF Fog, a rugby team that describes itself as committed to inclusion and actively pursues the participation of gay men, women, and people of color.

On Monday, Hoagland told the Bay Area Reporter that the news that Osama bin Laden was killed in a U.S. special forces operation at his compound in Pakistan left her with both a sense of justice and a sense of closure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am going to miss my son every day of my life but this, the death of Osama bin Laden, seems to be perfect closure for the foul and evil deeds that that man has committed,â&#x20AC;?

Hoagland said Monday.

The nation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and the world â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was caught by surprise Sunday night when the White House announced that President Barack Obama would have a statement to make. Between that announcement and Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s televised remarks about 90 minutes later, reports began trickling out that the 9/11 mastermind had been killed. In his speech, Obama said that â&#x20AC;&#x153;justice has been done,â&#x20AC;? as he outlined the military operation that led to bin Ladenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death hours earlier.

Hoagland said she was heartened to see people cheering outside the White House and in Times Square in New York City after the announcement of bin Ladenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was strange and somewhat inappropriate to celebrate the death of someone,â&#x20AC;? Hoagland said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but this was a man who had cheered and celebrated the deaths of many thousands of innocent Americans so it seemed fitting that we should mark the day and realize the death of Osama bin Laden has ushered in a new era for America.â&#x20AC;?

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Political Notebook From page 7

and rescue operations in the Bering Sea and narcotics enforcement in the South Pacific Ocean. He also served during Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Persian Gulf and Operation Enduring Freedom.

He is one of seven people who have pulled papers to seek the elected sheriff position. Another gay candidate, former deputy sheriff Jon Gray, also filed papers to run. A number of current and former sheriff department officials have pulled papers to run, including Matthew Haskell, a sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sergeant; Paul Miyamoto, a sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s captain; deputy sheriff David Wong; and retired senior deputy sheriff William Angel.

Jane Philomen Cleland)

Alice Hoagland

Hoagland told the B.A.R. that she first heard the news of bin Ladenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death from a friend in Colorado whom she just saw last week during a fundraiser in San Francisco for the documentary With You, The Mark Bingham Story. Hoagland said that she appreciated hearing from Binghamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friends, who filled her voice mail and email inbox after the news broke. She was grateful that the media coverage of bin Ladenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death did not ignore his victims.

Hoagland had praise for the efforts of the three recent U.S. presidents, all of whom tried to capture or kill the al Qaeda leader. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bill Clinton made a real effort to root out Osama bin Laden. George W. Bush promised the American public that we will not rest until we have Osama bin Laden in our control, and then Barack Obama was able to make good the promises and efforts of his two predecessors.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very grateful to all three men for their strength and their persistence in this project.â&#x20AC;?

Hoagland praised Obama for opting not to bomb bin Ladenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s compound, located near a military academy in the city of Abbottabad. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Instead of doing a scattershot, mean, bloodletting, the way that Osama bin Laden did to us on September 11,â&#x20AC;? Hoagland said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;President Obama commissioned a very surgical strike against bin Laden where this man was taken out

by Navy SEALS in a well-planned, quick, and precisely planned operation. For that reason no innocent lives were lost.â&#x20AC;?

Hoagland retired from her job as a United Airlines flight attendant in 2003 and has been outspoken for the need for increased airline passenger safety. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are still not safe when we fly,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is unfortunately because the aviation industry has a vested interest in keeping their bottom line very attractive and they do that at the expense and safety of the traveling public.â&#x20AC;?

Hoagland plays a prominent role in the documentary about her son, which is subtitled, â&#x20AC;&#x153;She raised a hero. He inspired her to become one.â&#x20AC;? It will preview at the Castro Theatre on June 18.â&#x2013;ź

The front-runner in the race is District 5 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who this week received the backing of Sheriff Michael Hennessey, who has served for three decades and opted not to seek re-election this year.

In announcing his endorsement, Hennessey pointed to Mirkarimiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduating from the San Francisco Police Academy, his Naval Reserve training, and more than eight years of being an investigator for the San Francisco District Attorney as making him qualified to be sheriff. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ross brings the right combination of law enforcement training, legislative experience, and political acumen to meet the challenges ahead. I am proud to endorse him in his bid to become our next sheriff,â&#x20AC;? stated Hennessy.â&#x2013;ź

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NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are : MECIT ATES. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 71 Stevenson Street,Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 1161 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103. Type of license applied for:

41- ON-SALE BEER AND WINE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; EATING PLACE APR 21,28,MAY 5,2011 STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE# CNC-11-547648 In the matter of the application of BRANDON JAMES WARNER for change of name. The application of BRANDON JAMES WARNER for change of name having been ďŹ led in Court, and it appearing from said application that BRANDON JAMES WARNER ďŹ led an application proposing that his/her name be changed to PAIGE MARIE WARNER. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Room 218 on the 14th of JUNE, 2011 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

APR 14,21,28,MAY 5,2011 STATEMENT FILE A-033469300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CITIREPORT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; POLITICS, MONEY& ETHICS, 245 Diamond St.,San Francisco,CA 94114. This business is conducted by a corporation,signed Larry Bush. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed ďŹ ctitious business name or names on 01/03/11. The statement was ďŹ led with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/05/11.

APR 14,21,28,MAY 5,2011 STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE# CNC-11-547660 In the matter of the application of NICHOLAS KAYE ROSING for change of name. The application of NICHOLAS KAYE ROSING for change of name having been ďŹ led in Court, and it appearing from said application that NICHOLAS KAYE ROSING ďŹ led an application proposing that his/her name be changed to RICKY DAVID WRIGHT. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Room 218 on the 14th of JUNE, 2011 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

APR 21,28,MAY 5,12,2011

City and County of San Francisco For Papers May 2011 ARTS COMMISSION HOSTS CENTRAL MARKET BASH Art in Storefronts, Gallery Receptions, Debut of Temporary Public Art, and Live Music When: Friday, May 13, 5-7 p.m.

Where: Formal remarks at 5:30 at 998 Market Street.

Party is along Market Street between 6th Street and U.N. Plaza Central Market will come alive for the Art in Storefronts launch celebration. The festivities include receptions at three neighborhood galleries, the debut of two temporary public art sculptures, live music lining Central Market, and Off the Grid food trucks. The community FHOHEUDWLRQ ZLOO NLFN RII ZLWK WKH XQYHLOLQJ WKH VL[ VWRUHIURQW LQVWDOODWLRQV DQG Ă&#x20AC;YH PXUDOV designed by San Francisco artists. Gamelan X, a Balinese fusion ensemble, will lead a procession up Market Street where the public may catch performances by the John Brothers Piano Company; the Jaz Sawyer Trio playing on Bulbous, a temporary wall of drums created E\ 2IĂ&#x20AC;FH 'LYLVLRQ DQG WKH 6SDFH &RZER\V '- &ROOHFWLYH SHUIRUPLQJ RQ WKHLU KL WHFK mobile sound system called The Unimog at U.N. Plaza.

San Francisco Arts Commission Issues Call for Artists for 2012 Market Street Kiosk Poster Program

The San Francisco Arts Commission recently issued a Call for Artist for its popular Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Program, which has commissioned new artwork by Bay Area artists on an annual basis since 1992. The poster series will feature three consecutive three-month poster exhibitions on Market Street between 8th Street and the Embarcadero.

Eligibility is open to professional, practicing artists working primarily in any two-dimensional media and residing in the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma. Application deadline is Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 12 a.m. PST. Visit www.sfartscommission.org/pubartcollection for more information.

Urban Forestry Council Regular Meetings Urban Forestry Council Regular meetings are held on the fourth Friday of January, 0DUFK 0D\ 6HSWHPEHU DQG WKH VHFRQG )ULGD\ LQ 'HFHPEHU DW D P DW &LW\ +DOO Room 400 and on the 4th Tuesday in February, June, August, and October at 6:00 S P DW &LW\ +DOO 5RRP 1R UHJXODU PHHWLQJV VKDOO EH VFKHGXOHG IRU $SULO -XO\ DQG 1RYHPEHU 7KLV LQIRUPDWLRQ VKDOO EH SRVWHG RQ WKH 'HSW RI (QYLURQPHQW¡V website. Visit http://sfgov.org/site/frame.asp?u=http://www.sfenvironment.org Pier 70 Six Historic Buildings on 20th Street REQUEST FOR INTEREST In Rehabilitation Opportunity under Long-Term Lease Register and receive the RFI on the Port of San Francisco website: www.sfport.com/pier70.

Or email Lynda.Swanson@sfport.com. 6XEPLWWDO 'HDGOLQH -XQH MAY and JUNE 2011 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETINGS 23(1 72 7+( 38%/,& ² &RPH VHH \RXU 6DQ )UDQFLVFR JRYHUQPHQW LQ DFWLRQ 7XHVGD\V SP &LW\ +DOO &KDPEHU 5RRP 0D\ Â&#x2021; -XQH The City and County of San Francisco encourage public outreach. Articles are translated into several languages to provide better public access. The newspaper makes every effort to translate the articles of general interest correctly. No liability is assumed by the City and County of San Francisco or the newspapers for errors and omissions.

STATEMENT FILE A-033479100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as 1.QUIJADA REALTY GROUP 2.BAY AREA PROPERTIES,2305 JUDAH ST.,San Francisco,CA 94122.This business is conducted by an individual,signed Elisabeth Quijada.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed ďŹ ctitious business name or names on 04/11/11. The statement was ďŹ led with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/11/11.

APR 14,21,28,MAY 5,2011 STATEMENT FILE A-033428600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as QCOMEDY,1045 Mission ST., Apt. 322,San Francisco,CA 94103.This business is conducted by an individual,signed Nicholas Leonard.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed ďŹ ctitious business name or names on 01/31/00. The statement was ďŹ led with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/18/11.

APR 14,21,28,MAY 5,2011 STATEMENT FILE A-033477000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CASTRO VILLAGE WINE COMPANY, 4119 19th ST.,San Francisco,CA 94114.This business is conducted by a limited liability company,signed Todd McElhatton.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed ďŹ ctitious business name or names on NA. The statement was ďŹ led with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/08/11.

APR 14,21,28,MAY 5,2011 STATEMENT FILE A-033479800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as DOG GONE IT, 4444 17th St..,San Francisco,CA 94114.This business is conducted by an individual,signed Paul Aeschbacher.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed ďŹ ctitious business name or names on NA. The statement was ďŹ led with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/11/11.

NOTICE OF DEATH OF NOMAR DE LA TORRE To all heirs, beneďŹ ciaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of NOMAR DE LA TORRE, who was a resident of San Francisco County, State of California, and died on March 6, 2011, in the City of San Jose, County of Santa Clara, State of California.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must ďŹ le your claim within four months from the date of ďŹ rst publication with the DERMER LAW FIRM, 15720 Winchester Boulevard, Suite 1, Los Gatos, California 95030 (408) 395-5111.

Joseph D. Dermer, Esq. DERMER LAW FIRM 15720 Winchester Blvd., Suite 1 Los Gatos, CA 95030 Tel (408) 395-5111 Fax (408) 354-2797 STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE# CNC-10-547636

The following person(s) is/are doing business as WAROE LLC,71 Stevenson St.,Suite 400 San Francisco,,CA 94105. This business is conducted by a limited liability company,signed Daniel Asfaha. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed ďŹ ctitious business name or names on NA. The statement was ďŹ led with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/15/11.

In the matter of the application of SUSAN VIRGINIA BASQUIN for change of name. The application of SUSAN VIRGINIA BASQUIN for change of name having been filed in Court, and it appearing from said application SUSAN VIRGINIA BASQUIN filed an application proposing that his/her name be changed to WILLIAM VIRGINIA BASQUIN. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Room 218 on the 26th of May, 2011 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

APR 21,28,MAY 5,12,2011

APR 14,21,28,MAY 5,2011

APR 14,21,28,MAY 5,2011 STATEMENT FILE A-033492100

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Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

14• Bay Area Reporter • May 5-May 11, 2011

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apr 21,28,may 5,12,2011 statement file A-033492300

statement file A-033512800 The following person(s) is/are doing business LAW’S GENERAL SERVICE, 486 Dewey Blvd.,San Francisco,,CA 94116. This business is conducted by a general partnership, signed Marco Law.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 04/25/11.

apr 28,may 5,12,19,2011 statement file A-033511100

The following person(s) is/are doing business 1.SAN FRANCISCO REALTY, 2. .SAN FRANCISCO HOUSES, 3.BAY AREA HOUSES, 4.BAY BROKER,101 California St., #2450, San Francisco,,CA 94111. This business is conducted by an individual,signed Steve Atkinson.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 04/15/11.

The following person(s) is/are doing business PRECISION DENTAL CARE, 44 Monterey Blvd.,San Francisco,,CA 94131. This business is conducted by an individual, signed Ronald Green Tanega. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/22/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/22/11.

apr 21,28,may 5,12,2011 statement file A-033494100

apr 28,may 5,12,19,2011 statement file A-033502900

The following person(s) is/are doing business JIM XU MARBLE, 1034 Sutter St.,Apt. 5, San Francisco,,CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual,signed Ji Xin Xu.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/15/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/15/11.

apr 21,28,may 5,12,2011 statement file A-033493100 The following person(s) is/are doing business 5 STAR UNITED, 3601 Cabrillo St., San Francisco,,CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual,signed Igor Belov. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/15/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/15/11.

apr 21,28,may 5,12,2011 Statement of abandonment of use of ficticious business name: #A-0326148-02 The following persons have abandoned the use of the ficticious business name known as UNITED ARTISTS INTERNATIONAL,3601 Cabrillo St., San Francisco, CA 94121.This business was conducted by an individual, signed Igor Belov.

The ficticious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/05/10.

apr 21,28,may 5,12,2011 Statement of abandonment of use of ficticious business name: #A-0300916-02 The following persons have abandoned the use of the ficticious business name known as SUSHI FACTORY,901 Kearny St., San Francisco, CA 94133.This business was conducted by a general partnership, signed Aoieong ,Chim Peng.

The ficticious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/26/07.

apr 21,28,may 5,12,2011 statement file A-033461200 The following person(s) is/are doing business MEANINGLESS WORLD RECORDS, 4918 California St.,#2, San Francisco,,CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual,signed Nathan Pugh.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 04/01/11.

apr 21,28,may 5,12,2011 statement file A-033489300 The following person(s) is/are doing business 1.BLINK, 2.BY THE WAY, 3.BTW, 522 2nd St.,San Francisco,,CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation, signed Bruce Slesinger.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 04/14/11.

apr 21,28,may 5,12,2011 Statement of abandonment of use of ficticious business name: #A-0320452-00 The following persons have abandoned the use of the ficticious business name known as HA TIEN HUT, 1109 Ocean Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112.This business was conducted by a corporation, signed Steve Cheng. The ficticious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 06/09/09.

apr 28,may 5,12,19,2011 state of california in and for the county of san francisco file# cnc-11-547677

In the matter of the application of SARAH NICHOLE MANGAN for change of name. The application of SARAH NICHOLE MANGAN for change of name having been filed in Court, and it appearing from said application that SARAH NICHOLE MANGAN filed an application proposing that his/her name be changed to SARAH MANGAN MILLER. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Room 218 on the 28th of JUNE, 2011 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

apr 28,may 5,12,19,2011 statement file A-033473100 The following person(s) is/are doing business TAJ EXPRESS INDIAN CUISINE, 525 Valencia St.,San Francisco,,CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, signed Uday Shetty.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/07/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/07/11.

apr 28,may 5,12,19,2011

The following person(s) is/are doing business SARAH K. SPENCER PSYCHOTHERAPY, 842 California St.,San Francisco,,CA 94108. This business is conducted by an individual, signed Sarah Spencer Weinberg.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/20/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/20/11.

apr 28,may 5,12,19,2011 statement file A-033482500

statement file A-033516200 The following person(s) is/are doing business PUPPLAY, 4455 18th St., San Francisco, CA 94114.

This business is conducted by an individual, signed Eric Chamberlain.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 04/26/11.

may 5,12,19,26, 2011 statement file A-033518500

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The following person(s) is/are doing business STAR 16, 2074 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110.

This business is conducted by an individual, signed Michael Wannaviroj.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 04/26/11.

may 5,12,19,26, 2011 statement file A-033485100 The following person(s) is/are doing business PRIORE LAW, 1025 Minna St., #G, San Francisco, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, signed Kenneth Priore.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 04/13/11.

may 5,12,19,26, 2011

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The following person(s) is/are doing business SAN FRANCISCO FURNITURE OUTLET,104 9th St.,San Francisco,,CA 94103. This business is conducted by a corporation, signed Semi Hong,The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/12/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/12/11.

This year, don’t get caught with your pants down!

apr 28,may 5,12,19,2011 statement file A-033493000 The following person(s) is/are doing business HA TIEN HUT, 1109 Ocean Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, signed Jerry Cheng.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/12/11.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/12/11.

San Francisco LGBT Pride is only 11 weeks away!

Reserve your ad space early in the Bay Area Reporter’s largest and most read issue of the year.

Call 415-861-5019 for information.

apr 28,may 5,12,19,2011 statement file A-033535400 The following person(s) is/are doing business LATITUDE 20 SOUTH, 3118 22nd St., San Francisco, CA 94110-3219. This business is conducted by an individual, signed James B. Lappin Jr.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/26/11.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 05/03/11.

Ad deadline is June 10, 2011 The

may 5,12,19,26, 2011 statement file A-033500000 The following person(s) is/are doing business SAN FRANCISCO SURGICAL ARTS, 301Main St., Unit 1A,San Francisco, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a corporation, signed A. Michael Sodeifi.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 04/19/11.

Photography>>

may 5,12,19,26, 2011 statement file A-033537800

LGBT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

The following person(s) is/are doing business BABCOCK & DONNE, 233 5TH Ave., San Francisco, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual, signed John A. Hiser.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 05/04/11.

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may 5,12,19,26, 2011 statement file A-033481400 The following person(s) is/are doing business BANKERS PREFERRED, 88 Kearny St.,3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94108. This business is conducted by a corporation, signed Brett McGovern.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/15/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/11/11.

may 5,12,19,26, 2011 statement file A-033509600 The following person(s) is/are doing business KINTON GROUP, 501 Beale St.,#5A, San Francisco, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a general partnership, signed Ken Morimoto.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 04/22/11.

may 5,12,19,26, 2011 statement file A-033522000 The following person(s) is/are doing business LET’S CUPCAKE, 2255 Judah St., San Francisco, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a general partnership, signed Ken Chen.The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/27/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/27/11.

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May 5-May 11, 2011 • Bay Area Reporter • 15

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Vol. 41 • No. 18 • May 5-11, 2011

E K F L I A B AL K NDS O GAY H E RT R A

San Francisco Ballet in John Neumeier’s The Little Mermaid.

Erik Tomasson

G

ay liberation has come a long way. When it’s just an accident of scheduling that two shows the same weekend – one at a major avant-garde theater, and the other at the Opera House – each takes as its theme the suffering forced upon queers by a heartless society, we’ve arrived where public opinion is very open to listening to our version of things.

Maybe it’s possible to give two cheers for these shows, but not three.

San Francisco Ballet’s The Little Mermaid, in John Neumeier’s visionary staging, includes the back-story (unmentioned by Disney) that the mermaid’s unrequited love for a human mirrors and embodies the heartache of its author, Hans Christian Andersen, who was queer like us, and loved an unattainable straight guy. “The Poet” is a long-suffering character in the show. He is onstage almost as much as the Mermaid herself;

it’s his tears, fallen into the sea, that gave birth to her, and in the apotheosis at the end, the two of them rise together into the heaven of those whose memory we will not let die. Gay money

{

bargain [I’m quoting the Disney synopsis] with an unscrupulous seahag in order to meet a human prince on land.” In Neumeier’s version, which is nearly the equal of Disney’s

‘The Little Mermaid’ & ‘The Secret History of Love’ ~ by Paul Parish ~

(including the Bob Ross Foundation) is behind both the stage production and the film crews who’ve recorded it this past week for future broadcast on PBS. Can there be anyone who does not know the story? “A mermaid princess makes a Faustian

{

in its spectacular qualities, she rescues him from drowning, falling in love with him as she winds round him, drawing him to safety, only to lose him when she cannot follow him back into the world above ground, where it turns out he’s just as good-looking as he was but trivial,

surrounded by a heartless society, and in love with a conventional girl.

Neumeier, director of the Ballet in Hamburg, Germany, has created this spectacle on a Wagnerian scale. Everything about the look of Mermaid is his design. The costumes, lighting, sets, scenic effects – which are all first-rate, indeed astounding – all serve his vision, as does the music, which has textures, dynamics, sonorities to suit every need (though it’s harmonically banal). The underwater scenes are a triumph of swimminess, and the transitions to dry land have to be seen to be believed. He stages several scenes in the middle of the stagepicture, 20 feet above the floor of the stage, in white-neon-outlined boxes that appear like pop-up windows on your computer screen.

There are two drawbacks to my admiration See page 29 >>

Having a Shirley Jones moment Meeting the movie & TV star during her SF appearance ~ by Adam Sandel ~

Steven Underhill

H Actress Shirley Jones arrives for a screening of Elmer Gantry at the Castro Theatre last month.

aving grown up on classic movie musicals and iconic 1970s sitcoms, it feels like I’ve known Shirley Jones all my life. As the star of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! and Carousel, she was the ultimate musical ingénue. But as the smart, prim Marian the librarian, whose life and town are transformed by con man Harold Hill in The Music Man, Shirley Jones really stole my heart.

Generations of TV fans still think of her as the popsinging mom you always wanted on The Partridge Family, but there are many reasons why I’m excited as I sit with her at a small table in San Francisco’s Four Seasons Hotel bar – meeting Shirley Jones.

{ SECOND OF TWO SECTIONS }

In town for a recent Castro Theatre screening of her Oscar-winning performance in Elmer Gantry sponsored by Turner Classic Movies, the snowy-haired Jones is still lovely at 77. In an emerald green suit and multi-colored scarf, she’s every bit the queen mother of movie musicals.

I admit to her that I’m not only a lifelong fan but a former neighbor, when my family moved from Minnesota to Brentwood. She breaks into warm laughter when I tell her what a thrill it was for a star-struck kid to live four doors up from Shirley Jones. Before we’re able to continue, a woman comes up and tells her, “I just think you’re great.”

Prior to making her film debut in Oklahoma!, Jones was a See page 28 >>

18 • BAY AREA REPORTER •

<< Out There

May 5-11, 2011

▼

Men about town

by Roberto Friedman

L

ast Thursday night during the 54th San Francisco International Film Festival, the San Francisco Film Society (SFFS) bestowed its Peter J. Owens Award upon the fabulous movie star Terence Stamp. It happened at the Film Society Awards Night, held at Bimbo’s 365 Club in North Beach. Stamps’ brilliant career includes his debut in the title role of Peter Ustinov’s 1962 adaptation of Herman Melville’s Billy Budd, and roles in William Wyler’s The Collector (1965), Joseph Losey’s Modesty Blaise (1966), John Schlesinger’s Far from the Madding Crowd (1967), Federico Fellini’s Spirits of the Dead (1968), Pier Palo Pasolini’s Teorema (1968), Stephen Frears’ The Hit (1984), Oliver Stone’s Wall Street (1987) and, in a later-career triumph, Stefan Elliot’s The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994). Ever the raconteur, Stamps

told stories of meeting Bill Clinton and Colin Powell (they both loved Priscilla), and recounted a raucous Fellini tale that brought the house down.

Television star Darren Criss was in the Rolling Stone offices last week, singing some of his new songs solo, as well as songs by Neon Trees, Maroon 5 and Keane, all from his new album. His songs are poppy and not that impressive, but he’s awfully cute while performing. Then we noticed his fingernails on the frets. In the screen-grab below, we’re missing his thumbnail, which we think we recall as yellow. Criss will be the special guest when the Yale Glee Club and the SFGC Alumnae Chorus perform on Sat., May 14 at SF’s Marines Memorial Theatre, in a benefit for No Bully and YouthAware. Info: www. marinesmemorialtheatre.com. Arts writer John F. Karr says he’d like to write about Criss in his column Karrnal Knowledge, but the TV

Courtesy Julien’s Auctions

The so-called “Griffin Throne,” sat upon by Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra.

actor has not yet done a jack-off solo video. Perhaps that will be the truly spectacular season-ender for Glee.

Meanwhile Out There kept our pinkies down while sipping French champagne on the rooftop of Hotel Vitale last week with a small group including House of Krug President/ CEO Maggie Henriquez. It was a casual, intimate sundown affair, the guests including former SF Film Commission head Stephanie Coyote. Then on Sunday night, the SFFS invited us to the chic filmfestival party for Iranian lesbian film Circumstance director Maryam Keshavarz and actor Reza Sixo Safai, at 1300 on Fillmore.

A.C.T. Conservatory Director Melissa Smith announced last week that honorary master of fine arts degrees will be conferred on longtime A.C.T. actor Marco Barricelli and Senator Mark Leno (D-SF). Barricelli currently serves as the artistic director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz and was a core acting company member at A.C.T. for nine years. Leno represents District 3 in the California State Senate. They will receive their degrees at the graduation ceremony for A.C.T.’s MFA class of 2011 on Sat., May 21, at the A.C.T. Theater in SF. If you were wondering what that giant truck parked outside the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House this week was doing there, here’s its raison d’etre. San Francisco Ballet has been recording Hamburg Ballet artistic director and chief choreographer John Neumeier’s The Little Mermaid live during two performances at the Opera House (Tuesday’s and tonight’s, May 5).

Filmed in high definition using eight cameras, both performances will

Steven Underhill

Movie star Terence Stamp is honored for his long acting career at the 54th San Francisco International Film Festival.

be edited into a program to air on PBS’ Great Performances – Dance in America, and in European and Asian markets this fall. The broadcast, directed by Thomas Grimm, will also be distributed worldwide on Bluray and DVD. That little mermaid, she gets around.

Hollywood goes on the block Celebrity memorabilia auction house Julien’s Auctions will hold their 2011 Summer Hollywood entertainment auction on Sat. & Sun., May 7 & 8, at their gallery in Beverly Hills. Memorabilia from Hollywood’s most legendary leading ladies including Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Gloria Swanson, Angelina Jolie, Marion Davies and Lucille Ball will be offered at the event. Juicy examples from the catalog follow.

The auction will offer Dietrich’s personal and family photographs, correspondence to her husband Rudolf Sieber regarding his mistress, their financial situation and the FBI, and cables from Dietrich’s many lovers. The items come from Sieber’s estate. (Lot #180, Roddy McDowell-signed photograph of Marlene Dietrich, estimated $1,000-$1,500. Lot #154, emotional, six-page wartime letter handwritten by Dietrich to Sieber in 1945, est. $400-$600.)

Also on offer: Ball’s personal items spanning her early career through her films: costumes, personal correspondence, photographs, film ephemera and her station wagon.

(Lot #323, Lucille Ball’s 1980 Chrysler Town & Country Station Wagon, est. $10,000-$20,000.)

The auction also offers an opportunity to own a black cocktail dress worn by Monroe. Try it on?

(Lot #552, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio-signed photographs, est. $1,000-$1,500. Lot #578, Monroe-

worn cocktail dress, est. $20,000$30,000.)

Swanson was most prominent during the silent film era, a protégée of famed director Cecil B. DeMille.

Her career spanned 65 years. (Lot #214, Gloria Swanson-worn fox boa, est. $400-$600. Lot #244, Swansonowned vintage Louis Vuitton steamer trunk, est. $2,000-$4,000) Sci-fi lots include property from the NBC series Heroes and the sci-fi thriller The Cape, costumes worn by the cast of Serenity, props and costumes from Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and production materials from Raiders of the Lost Ark and Empire Strikes Back. One of the most popular lots in the auction includes the original Batgirl costume worn by actress Alicia Silverstone in the film Batman & Robin. (Lot #109, Batgirl costume worn by Silverstone, est. $10,000$20,000.)

Other Hollywood highlights include Audrey Hepburn’s Funny Face hat (Lot #341, est. $2,000$3,000), a Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse Club-signed album (Lot #358, est. $800-$1,000), a Zorrosigned mask (Lot #367, est. $800$1,000), 1963 film Cleopatra “Head of Hather” prop (Lot #447, est. $500-$700), Cleopatra “Griffin Throne” used by Elizabeth Taylor (Lot #450, est. $1,000-$1,500), Taylor and Richard Burton-signed guestbook (Lot #451, est. $600$800), Schindler’s List ring from film (Lot #519, est. $8,000-$10,000), and Jolie-worn diamond necklace (Lot #528, estimate $20,000-$30,000).

Auctioned items are now on display at Julien’s Auctions, 9665 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 150, Beverly Hills, CA. Registration is required to bid in this live auction, and can be done either in person, by calling (310) 836-1818, or online before the sale at www.juliensauctions.com.▼

Courtesy Rolling Stone

The painted fingernails of Glee star Darren Criss.

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Theatre >>

May 5-11, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 19

Robbie Sweeney

Peter Griggs plays a gay boxer with issues in Killer Queen: The Story of the Pink Pounder, staged at an actual boxing gym.

Boxing days

by Richard Dodds

A

band of theatergoers waiting on the sidewalk peered through windows to see bags still being punched, ropes skipped, and stomachs crunched as members of Michael the Boxer Gym were eking out last drops of sweat. Reluctantly, it seemed, they ceded the space for its quick turnaround into a performance area where ringside seats don’t necessarily mean outside the ring.

Peter Griggs is performing Killer Queen: The Story of Paco the Pink Pounder in this tiny South-ofMarket gym where barriers between actor and audience, and reality and fiction, are easily, and perhaps not always intentionally, blurred. In the almost-one-man-show, Griggs portrays a former boxing champion who has been out of the closet from his very first professional fight. The show starts casually, with Griggs entering the ring and tossing a few questions at the audience. Before we can be sure he is actually in character, Griggs suddenly curls up on the floor to take us back to Paco’s childhood, where he is most comfortable out of sight behind a sofa watching as “the lint balls danced in time with my breathing.”

Paco’s father has little patience for this overly sensitive scion, while his unprotective older brother reluctantly drags him along to a neighborhood boxing class. Only his gay uncle provides a sympathetic presence in his life, at least until he makes a firm connection between his fist and the face of one of his regular tormentors. Rather than being scolded by the boxing coach, he finds another confederate who doesn’t see why sissies shouldn’t know self-defense. A future champion is born. (The gym’s actual owner, Michael Onello, makes a second-act cameo as a trainer putting Paco through some actual exercises.)

Griggs plays Paco with an air of sleepy disdain, as his wary eyes slash across the faces of those seated

around him, and occasionally insists on small bouts of audience participation. Paco’s monologues proceed with fits and starts, and the laconic rhythms are such that a sudden change in topic can have the unsettling naturalism of an actor making decisions on the spot. That’s especially true as the character goes off on tangential diatribes that are obviously personal, but not given a foundation in what the character has previously said, and it can feel as if Griggs rather than Paco is on the soap box.

A speech on the current antibullying crusade suggests that gay sex-advice columnist Dan Savage is the gay community’s biggest bully – a notion that doesn’t get explained here – and there are harsh words for sexual connections contingent on a checklist of preferences. “We need a gay Malcolm X,” the character says in the midst of this segment, another notion that could use explanatory context.

Paco/Griggs moves at his own pace and rhythms, with director Wolfgang Lancelot Wachalovsky providing a loose forum that lets the performer glide from boxing moves into sinuous dance steps in this co-production between THEOFFCENTER and Burning Monk Collective. Griggs occasionally breaks into a song,

by Jimmy Somerville or Queen, and Freddie Mercury is invoked as both a sexual free spirit and an early victim of AIDS. In its 90 minutes on the mat, Killer Queen covers a lot of territory, and while there is sleepy-eyed hostility in the persona that Griggs presents, there is usually a wink hidden in there somewhere. After all, this is a show that celebrates pink dolphins as well as punching bags, and shadow boxing can morph into shadow puppets in the blink of a black eye.▼ Killer Queen: The Story of Paco the Pink Pounder will run at Michael the Boxer Gym through May 6. Tickets are $20. More info at www.theoffcenter.org.

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Theatre >>

Enchanted masquerade

by Richard Dodds

F

or a troupe that performed together for less than three years – mainly on the fringes, and nearly four decades ago – the Cockettes have been getting second, third, and fourth winds, thanks to Thrillpeddlers. The quirkily ribald company offered a revival of the Cockettes’ Pearls Over Shanghai as its summer entertainment for 2009.

It wasn’t until 22 months later that the oft-extended run finally came to an end, and during the middle of that run, Thrillpeddlers also managed to thread in a revival of the Cockettes’ Hot Greeks. It’s not surprising that Thrillpeddlers is again mining the Cockettes repertoire.

Vice Palace, now at the Hypnodrome, is being billed as “the last Cockettes musical.” But as composer and musical director (and original Cockettes member) Richard “Scrumbly” Koldewyn acknowledges in a program note, the Cockettes had already disbanded when the new show was created to fill a Midnight Halloween slot at the old Palace Theater in 1972. Divine and several Cockettes members still

in town performed a show based on the revue There’s Blood on Your Face written by Koldewyn and Martin Worman, but it didn’t really have the bones for a revival.

Pulling in songs from other Cockettes shows, and creating some new material, Koldewyn has created a musical revue under the Vice Palace title, with a framework that harkens back to the original production. Suggested by Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death,” and played out against a Fellini-esque, jet-set world, the sporadically invoked plot focuses on a wealthy Italian socialite (the bountiful Leigh Crow) and her efforts to keep her friends indoors and entertained so as to avoid a plague raging through the town.

That entertainment comes in the form of a wildly unrelated collection of songs that are pastiches and send-ups of numerous musical styles. Performed by a succession of the madly attired guests and their hostess (costumes are by Kara Emry), these routines are fun and often clever, but the lack of a focusing plotline can render them weightless. “Swami Hot Pastrami,”

“No-Nose Nanook,” “A Crab on Uranus,” and “Just a Lonely Little Turd” are song titles that pretty much speak for themselves. But several songs, including “Something Unspoken” and “Midnight in Manhattan” (poignantly performed

by Koldewyn at the piano), possess stand-alone beauty that noticeably stirred the opening-night audience.

Director Russell Blackwood, who also has a featured role, directs the proceedings with control that doesn’t stifle the free-spirit looseness that marked anything involving the Cockettes. The large cast mirrors that mode, and Eric Tyson Wertz, Bonni Suval, Flynn de Marco, Tony Wichowski, L. Ron Hubby, and cokeyboardist Birdie-Bob Watt are a few who get showcase moments.

Vice Palace is a diverting creation that helps fulfill a taste whetted by Pearls Over Shanghai. But this newly fabricated revue can only make fitful nods to the lightning-in-a-bottle spirit that once was the Cockettes.▼ David Wilson

Vice Palace will run through July 31 at the Hypnodrome. Tickets are $30 and $35. Call (800) 838-3006 or go to www.thrillpeddler.com.

Leigh Crow (right) plays an Italian jet-setter, and Eric Tyson Wertz is her social secretary, in the revived and revised Cockettes musical Vice Palace.

Music >>

Ripening musicians

by Philip Campbell

T

he San Francisco Symphony has been celebrating spring recently, book-ending the big religious holidays with young instrumental soloists with blossoming careers.

Before Passover and Easter, French cellist Gautier Capucon made the strongest possible case for displaying

modern works with the first SFS performances of Henri Dutilleux’s Tout un monde lointain (A Whole Distant World). We can only express the deepest admiration for the young master’s self-confidence in bringing a lengthy and unknown work to showcase his skills, after introducing himself locally in 2009 with the much more cautious Schumann Cello Concerto. It seems it was a gamble that he felt sure to win. At 30 and with that much talent, he can take all the risks he wants.

Joining him for the evening of Gallic masterpieces crowned by Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, veteran conductor Charles Dutoit returned to Davies Symphony Hall for yet another appearance in a long cavalcade of guest shots.

Last week, American pianist Jonathan Biss also returned to DSH, with a magisterial account of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor. The 31-year-old New Yorker continues to make good on the promise of his first appearances here in 2002 with the Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 2, but he is obviously not ready to shake up the

regular subscription patrons with much in the way of offbeat or daring repertoire just yet.

Biss has shown us his special understanding of Beethoven and Mozart before, but wonderful as his playing is in the classical choices, I confess to wishing he would show us another, perhaps more experimental side to his talent. We know from his recordings that he has much to offer with Schumann, for instance.

Schumann and Schubert are greatly represented in the intensive chamber music area of his performing career, but his appearances with orchestras in past seasons seem to be dominated almost exclusively by Beethoven and Mozart.

Of course, we won’t complain too much, and I can hear grateful listeners telling me to mind my own business when Biss keeps on bringing us such fabulously articulate and technically proficient renditions of the great Beethoven scores. He has a great deal to say and express about Beethoven, and playing with passion and dexterity is what sets the young prince from a musical dynasty apart from the crowd. His grandmother,

San Francisco Symphony

French cellist Gautier Capucon: making a case for modern works.

Raya Garbousova, was the cellist for whom American composer Samuel Barber wrote his Concerto.

His mother, violinist Miriam Fried, performed the Mozart Concerto in A Major while pregnant with him, and his father is violist/ violinist Paul Biss.

Biss is continuing the family tradition, and it looks like he may be the most successful of them all one day. He certainly continues to build his technique and interpretive insights with a sturdy resolve. Who knows, one of these visits he might return with a surprise choice – maybe the modern (albeit very Romantic) Samuel Barber Piano Concerto? He could salute his grandmother and make his own splash all at once.

For the next two weeks, the SFS will be back in the Mahler business with large-scale offerings of the Symphonies 2, 6 and 9 (not in that order). It is something of a spring festival and coincides nicely with Michael Tilson Thomas’ latest Keeping Score episode, shown in April on PBS.

J. Katz

American pianist Jonathan Biss.

The orchestra will go on tour after these performances, and I can’t imagine leaving town on a higher note. Tickets always go briskly for MTT’s appearances, and his way with Mahler is justifiably renowned.

It may be his greatest legacy to the San Francisco Symphony. ▼

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Theatre >>

May 5-11, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 21

Experiments in staged readings

by Richard Dodds

I

f it existed in the corporate world, Cutting Ball Theatre might be known as a “vertically integrated” company. The 11-year-old theater company has programs that include the fertilization, incubation, and production of new plays. One of the five plays in the latest installment of Risk Is This, the name it has given to its experimental festival of new plays, has already been selected for full production in the 2011-12 season.

That’s one of the faster gestations: the 2007 festival featured Marcus Gardley’s … and Jesus Moonwalks the Mississippi, which became a mainstage hit for Cutting Ball in 2010.

But the speed of this particular turnaround is not all that unexpected, since Cutting Ball did commission Eugenie Chan to write Tontlawald, and Chan is Cutting Ball’s resident playwright. The new work draws its story from an Estonian fairy tale, and its multidisciplinary concept from Poland’s Teatr ZAR. The staged reading of Tontlawald opens the festival on May 13-14 at Exit on Taylor.

Chan is also represented in the festival with Madame Ho (May 2728), in which she mines her family history for the story of a 19thcentury Chinese immigrant, single mother, and brothel hostess who became a formidable force in the old West.

Surreal language and imagery are Andrew Saito’s calling cards in Krispy Kritters and Scarlett Nights (May 20-21), the story of Drumhead and Snowflake, who deal in dead mice, Lucky Charms, and streetcorner liaisons.

Ozma of Oz (June 10-11) was the fourth in L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz series of early 20thcentury novels, and is the title of another Cutting Ball commission.

With book and lyrics by the troupe’s artistic director Rob Melrose and music by the electro-pop group Z.O.N.K., the “triphop musical” continues the story of Dorothy’s adventures in alternate realities. The SF-based Z.O.N.K. will provide live musical accompaniment for the staged reading.

In Tenderloin (June 24-25), a third Cutting Ball commission, playwright Annie Elias uses documentary techniques to explore the people and place of the neighborhood outside the theater’s doors.

Admission to the staged readings is free, though a $20 donation ($50 for all five plays) will secure a reserved seat. More info at (800) 8383006 or www.cuttingball.com.

Mr. Dodgy

The musical group Z.O.N.K. will perform live at the staged reading of Ozma of Oz at Cutting Ball Theatre.

Cole mining The Cold War was serious business in 1955, but a team that included Cole Porter, Abe Burrows, and George S. Kaufman found enough frivolity in the subject to register a hit with Silk Stockings.

It was Porter’s final Broadway score, and, opening this week, it is also the final production in 42nd Street Moon’s season.

Though the reviews were mostly favorable, the run respectable, and Hollywood thought enough of it to buy it for a Fred AstaireCyd Charisse vehicle, Silk Stockings was something of a foundling by the time it had opened. Writers, directors, and stars variously quit or were fired during the unhappy tryouts, and the show itself is almost never revived.

But that lack of attention is often what brings 42nd Street Moon into the equation. Greg MacLellan, Moon’s artistic director, is staging the musical that was based on the 1939 movie Ninotchka that starred

Amy Hume

Burlesque artist La Chica Boom will help Celebrate the Mission as Teatro ZinZanni continues its late-night cabaret series exploring SF neighborhoods.

Cutting Ball Theater

Eugenie Chan has two plays receiving staged readings in Cutting Ball’s experimentalplay series.

Greta Garbo as a Soviet envoy eventually seduced by Western ways. At the Eureka Theatre, Lee Ann Payne is playing comrade Ninotchka, and Ian Simpson is the American theatrical agent who softens the rigid comrade. Dyan McBride plays a wacky Hollywood star who somehow further stirs the plot.

Before each second Friday performance in Moon’s season (May 13 in this case), Moon presents a “Glitter and Be Gay” pre-show reception at the nearby Elephant and Castle Pub. A guest expert mixes with the crowd and leads discussions into the LGBT culture that informed so much of Broadway’s history. Show tickets are available at www.42ndstmoon. org, which includes a link for making reservations for the May 13 preshow discussion.

Traveling circus Teatro ZinZanni is making its way through eight SF neighborhoods without ever leaving its Spiegeltent on Pier 29. The Mission district is the destination of the May 14 installment of the theater’s late-night Cabaret Lunatique series that features local entertainers reflecting the ’hood of the evening. The Celebrate the Mission show headlines Herbert Seguenza as Neil Diamante, spokenword artists Alejandra Mojica and Paul Flores, and burlesque artist La Chica Boom, in addition to Ricardo Salinas and Robert Lopez from the current edition of Teatro ZinZanni’s Caliente.

Chinatown had its Cabaret Lunatique spotlight in March, and upcoming shows will focus on the Castro, Fillmore, Haight-Ashbury, SoMa, the waterfront, and the Hills.

Doors open at 11:15 p.m., with drinks and light food available for purchase. Call 438-2668 or go to love.zinzanni.org. ▼ Richard Dodds can be reached at BARstage@comcast.net.

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<< Film

May 5-11, 2011

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Her own private Soviet Union

by David Lamble

M

y Perestroika Robin Hessman grew up with what, for a kid in Reagan’s America, was an unhealthy interest in life in the Soviet Union.

Her second-grade classmates played a game called USA vs. USSR. The girls were the Americans, while the boys played the Russians. Curiosity and a natural contrariness put her with the boys. Soon she was begging her parents to subscribe to Soviet Life magazine, superficially a dull propaganda organ arriving in a brown-paper wrapper (much like The Advocate in those days).

Hessman calls it her “political propaganda.” While the prose bled on about ever-increasing grain harvests, the magazine’s pictures, often of kids her age wearing odd uniforms, piqued her interest. A freshman college trip led her to 1991 Leningrad, in time for a political coup against liberalizing leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The failure of the coup led to the rapid death of the old Soviet Union, and the beginning of a political/cultural earthquake for Robin and her close Russian friends.

Hessman’s startlingly personal doc My Perestroika (now at the Balboa) is a candid look at an American Russophile’s friendship circle: five of Hessman’s friends share their life stories, home movies and political opinions. Because the visual power of the piece derives from Super 8 home movies, there is a bias towards those who came from a relatively privileged, Communist Party background. The five friends also share the fate of having attended the 130-year-old Moscow School #57, so Hessman is able to flash back and forth between recollections of her friends, nearing middle age, and rosy-cheeked versions of themselves at school, as members of the Young Communist League.

Her subjects all reflect the dizzying

Soviet-era children in director Robin Hessman’s My Perestroika.

emotional vertigo of having virtually everything you were taught as a kid contradicted, overturned or rendered obsolete. Borya and Lyuba are married history teachers overcoming an ancient taboo about Christians marrying Jews, who now teach a radically different version of Soviet history than they were taught. The happiest member of the family is burgeoning teen Mark, who seems comfortable as part of the first generation who can come and go freely, with relatively boundless career goals.

Andrei is a member of the new merchant class. His chain of exclusive French clothing stores now has 17 outlets across Russia.

Andrei is one of the most critical of the Putin years. He relates a story of how, when he enlisted in the army and applied for Communist Party membership, he was rejected by a timid bureaucrat. Right then he knew the old system was doomed.

Olga and Ruslan are the odd people out. Olga is a single, divorced mom eking out a living working in a pool hall. She chain-smokes and seems resigned to a less-than-

prosperous future. Ruslan, who used the new openness to start a defiantly rebellious punk band, eventually found his principles compromised even among the punks, and now subsists busking in the subway.

Short on paranoia and dispatches about Putin-inspired crackdowns, My Perestroika is an engaging breath of fresh air, where five intelligent citizens can disagree with each other and – for now, at least – Big Brother.

Stake Land Jim Mickle’s dystopian vampire melodrama plays like a real movie. In the opening frames, grizzled redneck Mister (co-writer Nick Damici) is behind the wheel of a battered muscle car with a young man, Martin (Gossip Girl’s Connor Paolo), nervously riding shotgun. Suddenly there are ghoulish noises emanating from the trunk. Without hesitating, Mister empties a revolver through the back seat, silencing the cries.

Stake Land (now at the Roxie) slams immediately into flashback gear as Martin (Paolo, an engaging narrator and pretty face in a sea of blood-spurting ghouls) explains

Scene from director Jim Mickle’s Stake Land.

how the United States has been overrun by an infestation of zombielike vampires, some dropped over major cities by a diabolical Christian sect, the Brotherhood. “That’s how Washington fell.”

Apart from our delicious boy narrator, anybody in the cast can and often does fall victim to the blood-suckers. Stake Land plays it relatively straight, except for the exuberant guest appearance of out lesbian Kelly McGillis, as a nun fleeing rabid Christians and their zombie confederates. McGillis, last seen in the queer detective procedural The Monkey’s Mask, drops in unexpectedly in a drama that often feels like a mini-series.

Despite a bargain-basement budget, Stake Land is shot with a digital process that closely mimics the texture of film. The filmmakers shot the picture across several seasons, giving the story a rich, lived-in feel.

Director/co-writer Jim Mickle is a relaxed, friendly dude who’s paid his industry dues on a variety of

indie projects, including a one-day stint on John Cameron Mitchell’s Shortbus, and lighting the Felicity Huffman vehicle Transamerica.

David Lamble: I loved Connor Paolo as your intrepid boy hero.

Jim Mickle: He’s very creative for a performer so young, his dad’s a film critic. At first I resisted him because of Gossip Girl. I wanted to find some unknown kid, but my people kept saying Connor’s the one.

He has that fantastic scene playing a stoner with Michael Angarano, who finds the dead kid’s body in Snow Angels.

He’s great in that, but still a little cocky. I wanted a kid you wanted to throw your arms around and say everything’s going to be alright. But I gave in, and he brought so much to Martin.

Queer fans of Kelly McGillis will be happy to see her return.

She’s meant to represent the good side of religion. To be honest, I don’t know how we got her, pure luck.▼

The eyes in the rearview mirror

by David Lamble

I

don’t think I deliberately dragged my young painter boyfriend to a 1976 Dallas screening of Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver just so he would leap into my arms as the film’s deranged anti-hero starts assassinating the operators of a Lower Manhattan brothel, but leap he did, in the climax of one of our better movie dates.

With limbs flying and blood spurting out in a tableau the film’s cinematographer Michael Chapman would liken to a Bruegel canvas – before the censors forced him to tone down the colors – Taxi Driver might seem like a truly odd pretext for same-sex intimacy. But this stunning modern masterpiece, a cinema coming-out party for

Scorsese, screenwriter Paul Schrader and their protean leading man Robert De Niro, has in the four decades since its inception altered our taste for unhinged screen loners as profoundly as Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho did a generation earlier.

This week, the Roxie Theater, in its ongoing if unofficial Belly of the Beast series, revives this American latter-day noir classic (May 7-9).

Scorsese, expanding on Hitchcock’s patented director’s cameo, gives himself a scary backseat turn as a potentially murderous cabrider. Most poignantly, Taxi Driver is the very last thing composed for the screen by long-time Hitchcock collaborator Bernard Herrmann, who died from a weak heart on the evening of the day he conducted the

Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver: “You talkin’ to me?”

See page 29 >>

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May 5-11, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 23

aids@30

J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 1 I N T H E B AY A R E A R E P O R T E R The 30th anniversary of AIDS is generally recognized as June 5th. It marks the date in 1981 when US epidemiologists reported on mysterious cases of fatal pneumonia among young gay men. In 1983, French scientists pinned the cause on a new pathogen, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which destroyed the immune system in heterosexuals and homosexuals alike.

Since the beginning of the war on AIDS, the Bay Area Reporter has been on the frontlines, chronicling the disease and its effect on the local, national and global community.

On June 2, 2011 that tradition continues with a special report looking at AIDS as the disease enter its its fourth decade.

For advertising rates and information call Scott Wazlowski at 415.861.5019 or email scott@ebar.com

2

18 Berkeley council race draws gay challenger

Trangender woman neamed interim Dean

21

24

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Sweet Subjugation

Out & About

The

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Vol. 41• No.14 • April 7-13, 2011

DADT REPEAL VOTE FAILS

Lady GaGa helps DADT cause at Maine rally

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A

by Matthew S. Bajko

RICK GERHARTER

Pop star to throw concert in front of Castro Theater

S

•••

ince news leaked last month that Britney Spears would perform live in the Castro to promote her new album on Good Morning America, San Francisco’s gayborhood has been abuzz about the publicity stunt.

As the Bay Area Reporter disclosed on its blog Thursday, March 3, Spears will tape a performance for the ABC morning show from noon to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 27. It will be

Page 20 >>

RICK GERHARTER

Bob Smith and Hugo Chavez with the rest of the leather boys.

shown on-air Tuesday, March 29 as part of a two-day bonanza of not only Spears coverage but segments showcasing San Francisco and its LGBT community.

According to the GMA producers, not only is the concert timed to the release date for Spears’s latest album Femme Fatale, it is also meant to be a travelogue about the Bay Area. One of the GMA stars, likely either cohost Robin Roberts or out weatherman Sam Champion, will be in town that weekend to shoot segments showing off San Francisco’s famous attractions.

“On our show we know our viewers like to travel but can’t always afford to do so. So we like to bring them places. In our mind, there is no more beautiful city than San Francisco Page 20 >>

STRUGGLING LYON-MARTIN LOOKS TO CITY FOR FUNDS SF HEALTH

DIRECTOR UP FOR LA JOB

by Matthew S. Bajko

Leather Walk raises 80K

A

Page 20 >>

Page 20 >>

RICK GERHARTER

director, put out that amount at a Board of Supervisors budget and finance subcommittee hearing Wednesday, March 2.

Since late January, when the clinic’s board made the surprise announcement that it was

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by Matthew S. Bajko

O

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by Lisa Keen

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by Seth Hemmelgarn

T

he new director of Lyon-Martin Health Services, the San Francisco-based clinic that’s been on life support, is looking to the city for as much as $150,000 to help it survive.

Eric Fimbres, the clinic’s interim executive

{ FIRST OF TWO SECTIONS }

24 • BAY AREA REPORTER •

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

May 5-11, 2011

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With dozens of talented performers and diversionary “recess” intermissions between amazing set changes, the five hours fly by.

Dinner ($15 sandwich box), beer, wine and beverages available. $20-$75.

Tue-Sat 7pm. Also Sun 2:30pm. Bldg. D, Fort Mason Center, Marina Blvd at Buchanan St. Thru May 22. 441-8822. www.theoffcenter.org www.magictheatre.org

Loveland @ The Marsh Ann Randolph returns with her solo show about a sexually frustrated woman who flies home and faces the greatest love of her life.

Fri 8pm. Sat 5pm. $20-$50. Thru May 8. 1062 Valencia St. at 21st. (800) 838-3006. www.themarsh.org

Magnificat @ SF Conservatory of Music

Ultimate Mommie Dearest @ Castro Theatre, see Sat. 7

Fri 6 >> Angels in America @ LGBT Center Local restaging of the classic Tony and Pulitzer-winning Tony Kushner play about AIDS, Mormons and Reagan’s America in the 1980s. $15-$30. Thru May 14. 1800 Market St. (800) 838-3006. www.angelsinamericasf.com

Assassins @ Randall Museum Theatre Teen production of the Stephen Sondheim musical about assassins. $10-$25. Thu-Sat 7:30pm.

Sun 2pm (Mother’s Day Tea). Thru May 8. 199 Museum Way. 554-9523. www.yptmtc.org

Betty Buckley @ The Rrazz Room The captivating Broadway, TV and film actress performs new and favorite musical theatre songs chosen by her fans. $45-$55.

8pm. May 6 at 8pm. May 7 at 7pm & 9:30pm.

May 8 at 7pm. Two-drink minimum. Hotel Nikko lobby, 222 Mason St. at O’Farrell. (866) 468-3399. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Cats @ Orpheum Theatre Longrunning Andrew Lloyd Webber musical based on e.e. cummings’ cat poems. $30$175. Wed-Sat 7:30pm. Sun 6pm. Also wed, Sat & Sun 1pm. Thru May 15. 1192 Market St. (888) 746-1799. www.shnsf.com

The Cripple of Inishmaan @ Zellerbach Playhouse Cal Performances presents Druid Theatre’s production of Martin McDonagh’s comic drama (based on a true events) about a small Irish village that gets stirred up when a film crew shoots a documentary. $68. Tue-Sat 8pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru May 14. Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave., UC Berkeley campus.

(510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org

Born and Raised @ Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, Berkeley Jon Tracy and Scott deTurk’s play about gay families. $15. Thu & Fri 7:30pm. Sat 2pm & 7pm. Sun 12pm & 5pm. Thru May 8. 2640 College Ave. www.berkeleyplayhouse.org

Cirque Noveau @ Brava Theater Devil/Fish, an acrobatic musical theatre variety show with contortionists, aerialists and more. $26. Fri & Sat 7pm. Sun 6pm. Thru May 22. 2781 24th St. www.cirquenoveau.com www.brava.org

Dean Larson @ John Pence Gallery Opening reception for an exhibit of remarkable realist oil paintings. Free. 6pm-8pm.

Reg. hours Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Sat 10am5pm. Thru June 3. 750 Post St. 441-1138. www.johnpence.com

The Eccentricities of a Nightingale @ Aurora Theatre, Berkeley Tennessee Williams’ fascinating 1976 revision of his 1951 play Summer and Smoke. $10$45. Tue 7pm. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm & 7pm.

Thru May 8. 2081 Addison St. www.auroratheatre.org

Happy Trails @ Oddball Films Imagining the Western Frontier, a collection of historic documentary and fiction onereelers. 8:30pm. Also, May 7, Life on Earth, short films about the mysterious aspects of our planet. 8pm. Both $10.

275 Capp St. 558-8117. www.oddballfilm.com

Hugh Jackman @ Curran Theatre Handsome star of stage and films performs a musical review with a 17-piece orchestra. $40-$250. Tue-Sat 8pm. Sat & Sun 2pm.

Thru May 15. 445 Geary St. (888) 746-1799. www.shnsf.com

International Banned Pride Photos @ Magnet Photographers Sarah Baxter and Chad Meacham’s fascinating 15-country photo exhibit of banned and underground LGBT Pride marches in Moscow, Lithuania, Istanbul and other cities worldwide.

Opening reception, May 6, 8pm-10pm.

Exhibit thru May. 4122 18th St. at Castro. www.walkwithpridenow.com www.magnetsf.org

Killer Queen @ Michael’s Boxing Gym Off-Center presents Peter Griggs’ unique solo show, The Story of Paco the Pink Pounder, about a gay boxer with a penchant for Freddy Mercury, is restaged at the intimate SoMa boxing gym. $20. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 7pm Thru May 8. 96 Lafayette St. at Howard. www.theoffcenter.org

The Conservatory Chamber Choir performs J.S. Bach’s choral work, and other music.

Free. 8pm. 50 Oak St. at Franklin. www.sfcm.edu

Passion Play @ Live Oak Theatre, Berkeley

Fri 6 Cinematic Titanic @ Castro Theatre SF Sketchfest presents two wacky screenings of B-flicks, Samson and the 7 Miracles of the World (starring beefcake toga-clad Gordon Scott), 7pm; and Rattlers (killer snakes!) with Joel Hodgson and cast members from Mystery Science Theatre 3000 doing hilarious comments. $35. $60 for both shows. 429 Castro St. www.sfsketchfest.com www.castrotheatre.com

Actors Ensemble performs the West Coast premiere of Sarah Ruhl’s new play about the meaning of devotion, identity and performance, with historic scenes set in Elizabethan England and Nazi Germany. $12-$15. Fri & Sat 7pm. Sun 2pm. Thru May 21. 1310 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman. (510) 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org

at 6pm. Donations. 399 9th St. at Harrison. www.studsf.com

The Real Americans @ The Marsh

Pastor Tom Show @ Live365.com

Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi

Weekly LGBT-themed talk show; archived shows available, too. www.Live365.com

Musical comedy revue, now in its 35th year, with an ever-changing lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. $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

A Place of Her Own @ SOMArts Cultural Center

Dan Hoyle’s moving and funny solo show, with multiple characters based on Midwesterners on the right and Coasters on the left, asks how a politcially divided America can survive. $25-$35. Fri 8pm, Sat 8:30pm. Thru July 24. 1062 Valencia St. at 22nd. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

SF Follies @ Theatre 39 The popular alternative city parody musical revue returns, with jokes on and about San Francisco’s illustrious history. $35. Saturdays 8pm, Sundays 3pm. Thru June 5. Pier 39, Beach St. at Embarcadero. (800) 838-3006. www.sffollies.com

Bearracuda @ Club Eight Monthly bear dance night with extra-friendly guys, and snacks! DJs Medic, 50 Pound Note and Boyshapedbox. $6-$8. 9pm-3am.

1151 Folsom St. www.bearracuda.com www.eightsf.com

Silk Stockings @ Eureka Theatre

T Teatro Zinzanni @ Pier 29

42nd Street Moon’s production of Cole Porter’s final Broadway musical, about Hollywood stars and Russian spies. $24-$44.

Wed 7pm, Thu & Fri 8pm. Sat 6pm.

Sun 3pm. Thru May 22.

215 Jackson St. 255-8207. www.42ndstmoon.org

C Caliente is the new show at the theatre-tent-dinner extravaganza, with twin acrobats Ming and Rui, Vertical Tango rope dance, plus magic, comedy, a fivecourse dinner, and a lot of fun. $117-$145. Saturday 11:30am “Breve” show $63-$78. WedSSat 6pm (Sun 5pm). Pier 29 at EEmbarcadero Ave. 438-2668. www.teatrozinzanni.com w

Smuin Ballet @ Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

The Lily’s Revenge @ Magic Theatre

Shelley Mitchell’s solo play tells of multiple characters searching for meaning and survival in Nazi-occupied Hungary. $21-$35. Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru May 21. 2901 Mariposa St. at Harrison. www.talkingwithangels.com www.roycegallery.com

Playwright-performer Taylor Mac’s vaudeville drag theatre music extravaganza about a flower who wants to become a man.

Trans March Benefit @ Dolores Park Café Shawna Virago, Storm-Miguel Florez, Tonilyn A. Sideco, and MCs Luis Gutierrez-Mock and Anna Rivera. $5-$10. 7pm. 501 Dolores St. at 18th.

TThree Sisters @ Berkeley Rep

Sun 8 Balenciaga and Spain/Olmec @ de Young Museum Fashion exhibit focusing on the influence of Spain on the work of haute couture master Cristóbal Balenciaga.

Thru July 4. Also, it’s your last chance to see Olmec, an exhibit of colossal ancient Mesoamerican face sculptures and other artifacts. Closing day May 8. $6-$17. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park.

750-3600. www.famsf.org

Vice Palace @ Hypnodrome Thrillpeddlers, the fabulous ensemble that brought us Pearls Over Shanghai and Hot Greeks, now brings forth the last Cockettes musical (which originally starred Divine and Mink Stole), the saucy 1972 revue of songs and sordid silliness, a very loose Fellini-esque parody of Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death. $30-$35. Fri & Sat 8pm Sun 7pm. 575 10th st. at Bryant/Division. Thru July 31. www.thrillpeddlers.com

Xanadu @ Retrodome, San Jose

Fri 6 Romare Bearden @ Museum of the African Diaspora From Process to Print: Graphic Works by Romare Bearden, one of the greatest 20thcentury collage artists, includes 85 lithographs, prints and displays showing his process and inspiration in capturing Black culture, jazz and urban and Southern scenes. Opening 7:30pm. $5-$10. Thru July 3. Wed-Sat 11am-6pm. Sun 12pm-5pm. 685 Mission St. at 3rd.

358-7252. www.moadsf.org

Touring production of the mirthful muse-filled musical comedy based on the strangely lovable film, complete with roller-skating disco numbers set to the original music, and a script that takes a satirical edge. $24-$44.

Fri & Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Extended thru May 8. 1694 Saratoga Ave. (408) 404-7711. www.TheRetroDome.com

Sat 7 >> A”L”C Glee @ The Stud AIDS LifeCycle fundraiser with music from the hit TV show Glee. With a campy live show

Join GLBT outdoors fans on a 10-mile hike near Novato; ancient Miwok homes will be along the route. Carpools 8:45am at Safeway sign, Market St. at Dolores. (650) 615-0151. www.sfhiking.com

Film screenings screen of Manoel de Oliveria’s film about a man obsessed with a woman in dreams. $6-$8. his dre Thu & Sat 7:30pm. Sun 2pm.

Thru May 8. 701 Mission St. Thr www.ybca.org ww

SCUBA Touring Network presents choreoggraphers Katie Faulkner, Amelia Reeber andd Chris Yon. $15-$18. 8pm. Sun 7pm. Thru May 8. 3153 17th St. www.odctheater.org

Talking With Angels @ Royce Gallery

SF Hiking Club @ Olompali State Park

The Strange Case of Angelica Angel @ YBCA

Shared Concert @ ODC Theater

World premieres and repertory dances are performed, including Choo-San Goh’s Momentum, Amy Seiwert’s Requiem, and Smuin’s To the Beatles. $20-$62. Tue-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm & 7pm. Also Sat 2pm. Thru May 15. 701 Mission St. 978-2787 (Also later concerts thru June in Walnut Creek, San Mateo and Carmel). ). www.smuinballet.org

Group exhibit of art about the lives of Asian American women. Thru May. 934 Brannan St. 722-4296. www.aplaceofherown.org

Eadweard Muybridge @ SF Museum of Modern Art

Sarah Ruhl’s re-written version of Sar Anton Ant Chekhov’s classic drama. $14.50-$73.

Tue-Fri,Thu, Sat 8pm. $14.

Wed 7pm. Thu, Sat, Sun 2pm. Sun 7pm. Thru May 22. Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. at Shattuck.

A (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 647-2

Ultimate Mommie M i Dearest @ Castro Theatre Enjoy the world premiere of a restored copy of the camp classic Mommie Dearest , starring Faye Dunaway. Peaches Christ and Heklina MC the pre-screening stage show hilarity.

No wire hangers! $20-$40. 8pm.

429 Castro St. www.peacheschrist.com www.castrotheatre.com

Sun 8 >> Bali: Art, Ritual, Performance @ Asian Art Museum

British ska band performs their pop hits and new music. $22-$25. 21+. 9pm.

1025 Columbus Ave. 474-0365. www.bimbos365club.com

Expansive exhibit of more than 100 historic art works in exhibits that showcase the practicality of the performing and visual arts in this beautiful culture. Special performances and interactive workshops throughout exhibit run; May 12, Makrokosma Bali, a musical work with video and soundscapes. $10 includes exhibit admission. 5pm-9pm. Also May 13, 8pm; May 14, 7pm & 9pm, May 15, 1pm. $20-$37. Reg. admission: $7-$17. Reg. hours Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Thu til 9pm. Thru Sept.

11. 200 Larkin St. www.asianart.org

Magna Carta @ Legion of Honor

Hair @ Red Vic Movie House

Fascinating exhibit and the first-ever retrospective examining all aspects of artist Eadweard Muybridge’s pioneering photography. $9-$18. Daily 11am-5:45pm (closed Wed.).

151 Third St. 357-4000. www.sfmoma.org

The English Beat @ Bimbo’s

Actual document from 1217, considered one of the most important legal artifacts in Western civilization. Also, Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave, an exhibit of amazing paper costumes by the acclaimed Belgian artist based on classic historical royal garb. $12-$17. Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:15pm. Both thru June 5. 100 34th Ave. at Clement St. 750-3600. www.legionofhonor.famsf.org

Milos Forman’s groovy film adaptation of the hit hippie Broadway musical. $6-$9. 2pm, 4:30, 7pm, 9:30. Also May 9, 7 & 9:30.

1727 Haight St. 668-3994. www.redvicmoviehouse.com

Happy Hour @ Energy Talk Radio Interview show with gay writer Adam Sandel as host. 8pm. www.EnergyTalkRadio.com

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Read more online at www.ebar.com

May 5-11, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 25

Wed 11 >> Civil Liberties Virtual Tour @ Citywide Wherever There’s a Fight authors Elaine Elinson and Stan Yogi show images of, and talk about, local sites of interest to the labor, immigrant and other civil rights causes. Free. 7:30pm.

1310 Mission St. www.counterpulse.org

Geezer @ The Marsh Veteran clown and actor Geoff Hoyle’s witty solo show about his young life in England and his ruminations on aging. $25-$50. Wed & Thu, 8pm. Sat & Sun 5pm. Thru July 10. 1062 Valencia St. at 22nd. (800) 838-5750. www.themarsh.org

John O’Reilly, Reed Danziger @ Hosfelt Gallery Dual exhibit of homoerotic saint and wrestler montages by O’Reilly, and abstracts by Danziger. Thru May. 430 Clementina St. 495-5454. www.hosfeltgallery.com

Sat 7

Napa Cellars Wines Dinner @ 1300 on Fillmore

Hot & Tangy @ The Bellevue Club, Oakland Diane Amos and Karen Williams perform comedy at the 5th anniversary of Smart Women Network, and a benefit for Lyon-Martin Health Services. Reception and silent auction, 6:30pm. Show 8pm. $50-$500. 525 Bellevue Ave. at Lake Merritt. www.bettyslist.com

Sunday’s a Drag @ Starlight Room Donna Sachet and Harry Denton host the fabulous weekly 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 9 >>

Tom Schmidt @ LGBT Center Sons of God, an exhibit of stunning allegorical male nude photos. Exhibit thru May 13.

1800 Market St. at Octavia. www.sfcenter.org

West Coast Painters @ John Pence Gallery Group exhibit of realist painters, from landscapes and still lifes to portraits and nudes.

Thru April 30. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat til 5pm. 441-1138. www.johnpence.org

The Swing of Things, a concert of great swing jazz classics sung by the popular local vocalist. $30. 8pm. Also May 16, 8pm. Two-drink minimum. Hotel Nikko lobby, 222 Mason St. at O’Farrell. (866) 468-3399. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Sun 8 Bijou @ Martuni’s Celebrate the six-year anniversary of the classy cabaret night, with Rita Braga from Lisbon, Portugal; host Joe Wicht (or possibly the recently MIA Trauma Flintstone). Tom Shaw and Roberta Drake accompany. $5.

7pm. 4 Valencia St. at Market. www.dragatmartunis.com

David Perry’s new talk show about LGBT local issues. Mon-Fri 11:30am & 10:30pm, Sat & Sun 10:30pm. www.davidperry.com

Tue 10 >> Cryptecology @ Visual Aid Group exhibit of works by four artists combining nature and other themes; curated by Gary Weiss and Jeff Shipley of Ixia florist shop. Tue-Fri 2pm-6pm or by appointment.

Thru May 31. 57 Post St. www.visualaid.org

Funny Tuesdays @ Harvey’s Ronn Vigh hosts the weekly LGBT and gayfriendly comedy night. One drink or menu item minimum. 9pm. 500 Castro St. at 18th.

431-HARV. www.harveyssf.com

Thu 12 Thoroughly Modern Maupin @ Swedish American Hall Litquake, American Conservatory Theatre and BARtab present an evening of readings and music celebrating Tales of the City author Armistead Maupin as ACT prepares for the world premiere of the musical theatre adaptation. Marga Gomez MCs. Readings by Michelle Tea, K.M. Soehnlein, Kevin Simmonds, Scott James and others. Music by Precious Moments. Surprise celebrity guests.

Proceeds benefit Litquake’s 2011 literary festival. $15-$18. 8pm. 2174 Market St. www.act-sf.org www. litquake.org www.cafedunord.com

Katya Takes You Home @ The Jewish Theatre

Our Vast Queer Past @ GLBT History Museum

Marga’s Funny Mondays @ The Marsh, Berkeley

Ten Percent @ Comcast 104

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s annual cyclecommute day. Stop by major intersections to get info, stuff and encourage new riders. www.sfbc.org

Brian Copeland’s longrunning autobiographical solo show about racism in San Leandro. $20-$50. 7:30pm. Thru June 16.

(800) 838-3006. www.themarsh.org

Shazia Mirza, Kurt Bodden, Natasha Muse, Reannie Roads and MC Lisa Geduldig share multicultural jokes that are actually funny. $7$20. 8pm. 3158 Mission St. (800) 838-3006. www.koshercomedy.com www.elriosf.com

Group exhibit of photos of visitors and organizers of the Castro sober space’s 28 year history. Thru May 31. 4058 18th St. 552-6102. www.castrocountryclub.org

Bike to Work Day @ Citywide

Not a Genuine Black Man @ The Marsh, Berkeley

Comedy Night @ El Rio

Past & Present @ Castro Country Club

Thu 12 >>

Exiled drag Russian royal Katya SmirnoffSkyy (actually talented comedic singer/actor Conrad Frank) returns to the stage with Songs and Stories for the Gypsy, Vamp and Vodka Drinker in Your Soul, a hilarious campy autobio with music from Bizet to Katy Perry. $20.-$30. Thu-Sat 8pm. Also May 17, 8pm.

Thru May 22 (4pm). 470 Florida St. at 16th. www.russianoperadiva.com

Amanda King @ The Rrazz Room

Marga Gomez, “the lesbian Lenny Bruce” (Robin Williams), brings her comic talents, and special guests to a weekly cabaret show. $10. 8pm. 2120 Allston Way. (800) 838-3006. www.margagomez.com www.themarsh.org

Betty’s List presents a benefit for Project Open Hand, with wine-tasting and dinner, featuring chef David Lawrence. $85.

6pm-9:30pm. 1300 Fillmore St. at Ellis. www.bettyslist.com

In Paths Untrodden @ SF Public Library Walt Whitman’s Calamus Poems and the Radical Faeries, curated by Joey Cain; an exhibit of the gay poet’s influence on contemporary queer culture. Thru May 19. James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center, 100 Larkin St. third floor. www.sfpl.org

New exhibit from the GLBT Historical Society, with a wide array of rare historic items on display. Free for members-$5. Wed-Sat 11am-7pm. Sun 12pm-5pm. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org

Out in the Bay @ KALW 91.7 FM Audio Slices of Queer History, interviews and recorded stories from the archives of the GLBT Historical Society, including Divine, Armistead Maupin, Tom Ammiano, Joan Baez and more; with archivist John Raines and host Eric Jansen. 7pm. www.KALW.org www.OutintheBay.com

Out to Eat @ Computer History Museum, Mountain View 12th annual dinner gala for the Peninsula’s largest LGBT event, benefitting the youth programs for Outlet. Campbell Council Member Evan Low MCs, with Lenny Broberg hosting the live auction. $125. 5:30-9:30pm. 1401 North Shore Blvd. www.projectoutlet.org

SF Hiking Club @ Laurel Canyon Hike the Oakland hills’ eucalyptus tree-filled Tilden Park with GLBT outdoors enthusiasts.

Carpool at 4:45pm at Safeway sign, Market St. a Dolores. 577-9367. www.sfhiking.com

Yisrael K. Feldsott @ Paul Mahder Gallery Still Standing, an exhibit of vibrant neo-primitive paintings by Chicago-born California artist. Thru May 28.

3378 Sacramento St. at Walnut. 474-7707. www.paulmahdergallery.com

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

Deadline is each Thursday, a week before publication.

Tanya Bello @ The Garage Moveable Feast , a dance in three parts, with the same moves manipulated thrice. $10-$20. 8pm. Also May 11. 975 Howard St. www.975howard.com

Wesla Whitfield @ The Rrazz Room The talented local cabaret singer performs with the Mike Greensill Trio. $35-$45. Tue-Sat 7:30pm. Sundays 5pm. Thru May 29.

Two-drink minimum. Hotel Nikko lobby, 222 Mason St. at O’Farrell. (866) 468-3399. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

For more bar and nightlife events, go to

www.bartabsf.com

www.ebar.com

26 • BAY AREA REPORTER •

<< Leather +

May 5-11, 2011

▼

Lusty month of May?

by Scott Brogan

sex clubs that don’t? The sex clubs require memberships t’s time to work that and sometimes additional maypole. But is May or any fees that allude to privacy other month really “lusty” and sexual freedom. But here in the so-called “City of once you’ve paid and you’re Sin” we call San Francisco? inside, you have to contend Can we really be lusty with the Condom Police. without fear of recrimination Oh yes, even though you or judgment? plunked down money for that This issue popped assumed sexual privacy and up recently while I freedom, you don’t get it. Staff interviewed a noted local members routinely patrol the psychotherapist. In talking clubs and interrupt people in about the progression of our the middle of fucking to check community and society’s for condoms. I’ve even seen view of us, the conversation them make a guy pull out to turned in part to how things prove he really does have one change and how things on, while shining a flashlight remain the same. I love that seemed brighter than a San Francisco for the many Broadway spotlight. Without liberties we have. The pot getting into a dissertation clubs. The fact that one can on the barebacking debate legally walk down the street (which could be multiple naked (although it’s usually columns), I don’t think not anyone you want to see it’s anyone’s business to naked). Same-sex couples so blatantly interrupt two Courtesy of Jim McGhee can kiss and hold hands consenting adults just to in public without hassle Fun at the Bare Chest Calendar booth at the check and ensure they’re (usually). But go any further 2004 Folsom Street Fair. having sex the way someone than something you’d see in a else believes they should.

1960s Disney film, and you’ll Things are even tougher for “sexual,” you’ll get tapped on the be in a heap of trouble. bars with smoking rooms, or areas shoulder and told to stop. Why? It’s The Sex Police are alive and well where guys do more than smoke not the folks at Folsom Street Events’ in San Francisco. It’s an odd game and chat, possibly because they’re doing, but our city that stepped the city plays with our community’s considered public. It’s the same in because of alleged complaints. sexual “freedom.” For example, they game as the TV porn: Police crack Ev e n the once-horny Bare Chest used to crack down on bars and down, the bar then monitors, things Calendar men can’t get forbid porn on their TVs loosen up, the police crack down frisky with anyone in because, you know, again. Never in all my many, many any way. They can’t booze and boys and (well, not that many) years have I even touch themselves porn equals one ever seen any of these consenting “ i n a p p r o p r i a t e l y.” thing: horny boys. adults in any danger.

They blame it on Can’t have that. They The point I’m getting at is that the sponsor, but I lightened up, and the I feel we’ve sacrificed much of our believe the reality is bars again showed sexual freedom for mainstream that they’re paranoid porn.

Then they acceptance. It’s fantastic that we that someone might be cracked down. Then it have positive gay images like the “offended.” Geez. Don’t was okay. Right now I characters on Glee and in much of go to the biggest fetish think it’s still okay, as today’s media. The understanding fair in the world, or walk up to a some places have been showing “it” of our community has definitely booth of hot, bare-chested men, if for some time. progressed. Except when it comes you’re that easily offended, Mary.

That’s a minor quibble. What to sex. Today, we have a whole new This fear has crept into the sex gets me about this negative attitude generation conditioned by fear and clubs as well.

It’s well-known that towards sexual freedom is the issue guilt to look over their shoulders we can’t even have bathhouses of “public” sex. I’m not talking with paranoia that what they’re in the city because of the panic about the parks, but the street fairs, doing might offend someone as 30 years ago.

Instead we have sex sex clubs, and bars. Folsom Street “bad” or “wrong.” Didn’t we fight clubs, many of which don’t have Fair is all about the freedom to all those years to avoid this? Just proper cleaning facilities. Isn’t it show off and celebrate your kinky remember that whatever you might better to have a bathhouse with fetish side. You can flog, mummify, judge as inappropriate, someone private rooms and showers that piss – all kinds of kinky fetish play. else will judge as perfectly fine.▼ help avoid the spread of bugs than Yet if you do anything considered

I

Coming up in leather and kink Thu., May 5: Underwear Night at the Powerhouse (1347 Folsom), 10 p.m. Wet undie contest and drink specials. Go to www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Thu., May 5: Locker Room Thursdays at Kok Bar SF (1225 Folsom). 9 p.m.-close. Jockstraps, sports gear, wrestling singles, etc. Free clothes check. Hotwire on deck. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Thu., May 5: 100 Ways to Play: A Catalog of Kink with Angela and Iain at the SF Citadel (1277 Mission). 7:30-10:30 p.m. Door opens at 7. $15-$25 sliding scale. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.

Fri., May 6: Truck Wash at Truck (1900 Folsom).

10 p.m.-close. Enjoy the live shower boys and drink specials. Go to: www.trucksf.com.

Sat., May 7: 2011 Leather Pride Contingent Meeting and Voting for 2011 Leather Marshals. You must attend to vote. 2 p.m. at the SF Citadel. Go to: www. sfleather.org.

Sat., May 7: Steamworks hosted by Michael Brandon at the Edge (18th & Collingwood). 9 p.m.Midnight. Anything with Michael hosting is fun. Bar specials and surprises. Go to: www.edgesf.com.

Sat., May 7: Boot Lickin’ at the Powerhouse, 10 p.m. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Sat., May 7: Open Play Party at the SF Citadel. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $25 per person. Go to: www.sfcitadel. org.

Sun., May 8: SF Men’s Spanking Party at The Power Exchange (220 Jones St). This is a male-only event. You must be 18+ with valid ID. 1-6 p.m. Go to: www.voy.com/201188/

Sun., May 8: Jock Off, a Fundraiser for the Sisters Stop the Violence Campaign. Hosted by Sister Pat of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at Kok Bar SF. 5-9 p.m. $8 Beer Bust, Jello Shots, enter Jockstrap Contest and win prizes. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Sun., May 8: Castrobear presents Sunday Furry Sunday at 440 Castro. 4-10 p.m. Go to: www.castrobear.com.

Sun., May 8: PoHo Sundays at the Powerhouse. DJ Keith, Dollar Drafts all day. Go to: www.powerhousesf.com.

Sun., May 8: Sunday Service hosted by Miss Bee at the SF Citadel. 2-6 p.m. $20, or $10 with potluck food to share. $10 annual membership required. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.

Mon., May 9: Dirty Dicks at The Powerhouse.

Starts at 4 p.m. $3 well drinks. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Tue., May 10: 12-Step Kink Recovery Group at the SF Citadel. 6:30-8 p.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.

Tue., May 10: Busted at Truck. 9 p.m.-close. $5 beer bust from 9-11 p.m. Great music, and the notorious Truck boys. Go to: www.trucksf.com.

Tue., May 10: Ink & Metal followed by Nasty at the Powerhouse. 9 p.m. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Wed., May 11: Golden Shower Buddies at Blow Buddies. This is a male-only club. Doors open 8 p.m.12 a.m. Play til late. Go to: www.blowbuddies.com.

Wed., May 11: Bear Bust Wednesdays at Kok Bar SF. $6 all you can drink Bud Light or Rolling Rock drafts. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

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Karrnal >>

May 5-11, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 27

Shaggerific

by John F. Karr

I

’ve had a bug up my ass for a while now, for Landon Conrad.

Sure, I wish it were Landon Conrad buggerin’ up my ass, but hey, what’s a guy to do? So I watch his movies.

And a little impatiently wait for him to claim the star’s status Falcon’s giving him. They put him on the box cover of Hot Property, gave him the movie’s opening as well as closing scenes, topping in one and bottoming in the other. In Fleet Week 2, the sequel to a big success, they gave him what’s frequently expected to be a movie’s best scene, the first-up launcher.

One thing’s for sure – his look is his own. Manly. An admirable physique – what pecs! The requisite cock of a star, that’s for sure. Tranquil, clear blue eyes.

Cheekbones? He’s got ’em. He’s also got the Marlborough Man’s square jaw, with a cleft chin, even.

But above all, he’s got an underbite.

Why does that always read butch to me?

He’s got a complete lack of attitude. His basic expression isn’t accosting or aggressive, like the majority of butch stars, but instead, rather wistful. This suggests reticence, a touch of vulnerability.

Yet sturdy looks and an interesting personality aren’t necessarily the attributes that’ll lift a welcome performer to stardom. Where’s the oomph, charisma, ambition – simple hunger? And what if his lack of ultimate effect isn’t his fault?

What if his director isn’t capitalizing on those uniquely Landon qualities?

I expected the concentrated focus and assured mood director John Bruno brought to Inntrigued and White Hot. But most of his two new movies is bland, formulaic.

Their standard progression of sex acts precludes spontaneity, and if there was an organic flow to them, it’s been jettisoned to fit standard, 20-minute scenes.

What’s admirable about the movies is that they get to the sex without much ado. The easy plot of Hot Property details the sale of a mansion. This engages in successive scenes the owner, the real estate agent, his staff photographer and some prospective buyers. Fleet Week 2 is even simpler: sailors on shore leave. One in a bar, two others in a back room, a fourth whisked to a private home, and, last, the crew’s two commanding officers shacked up in a hotel room for a shagging they can’t give each other aboard ship.

Hot Property starts off with Landon and relative newcomer Jake Steel – lanky, taut and six-packed body, nicely girthed cock, and an

invitingly unclenched asshole (puts a dildo in there in a bonus scene).

He squirms his ass right down on Landon’s cock and gets sharp and strong strokes. No special chemistry here, but lovely sights.

A scene for extra-hung Rafael Alencar and extra-hungry Roman Heart finds Roman’s mouth is as cavernous as his ass. In a scene with uncut, eager Dylan Roberts, John Magnum gets to keep his body hair, and there are good shots of his broad cock plugging in and out. And the finale brings back Landon, getting boffed by Brad Star. The guy’s a good looker with a long dong, but he’s never been a sparkler.

Perhaps Landon and he shouldn’t have been shoehorned into huffing and puffing faux passion, but allowed to work slower, build steam at their own pace. I think it would have paid off more. Theirs is as good as the other scenes. Which is to say, standard fare.

The stupid and unnecessary voice-over scene introductions of Fleet Week 2 come off like tourguide platitudes. Oh well, they’re brief. In the opening, Landon is paired with Parker Perry, who’s not too special.

Hairy, nearly corpulent, got a nice cock. Landon’s cock is really lookin’

good – harder and shinier than ever.

I love the way he jerks it while facefucking Perry. There are some nasty views of their assplay. Robotic acting underscores lack of connection, and the excess of moaning is not commensurate with lackadaisical action. The scene is loud, energetic, not particularly involving.

Next, the first of the movie’s two really good scenes. First, a three-way for Cliff Jensen, Cole Streets, and Connor Habib that is belabored by that pervasive, intrusive oofing and grunting, but offers some rousingly nasty sex as Connor is rimmed round the world, spit-roasted with fury, then caught in a chain fuck that’s downright exciting.

The movie’s third scene left me indifferent. But the finale? This one’s a winner! Aiden Jaric is paired with Bobby Clark in what I hear is the last (or second-to-last) scene of Bobby’s porn career. I’ll miss him.

His low-down, cocky attitude has always worked for me, and I adore his cock – a long, long, slender tube crowned with a broadly ringed head. Aiden obviously feels the same as I, and gives it royal service. And Aiden smolders – no flimflamming hyperventilation for him. His seems true excitement, and the guys’ climactic JO is socko.

Wow, Bobby spurts!▼ www.FalconStudios.com

www.ebar.com

28 • BAY AREA REPORTER •

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

May 5-11, 2011

▼

Music >>

Rock of ages

by Gregg Shapiro

I

t’s almost impossible to imagine Justin Bieber experiencing the same career longevity as fellow Canadians Neil Young and Robbie Robertson. Even when they’re not at their very best, Young and Robertson are still worth listening to. Young’s Le Noise (Reprise) is the right name for the squawk rock of “Sign of Love” and the aptly named “It’s an Angry World.” But there are also signs of beauty present among the rubble, on “Someone’s Going to Rescue You” and the acoustic “Love and War.” Robertson’s latest release How To Become Clairvoyant (429/Bella Coola) may pale in comparison to the brilliant first two albums of his solo career, but that doesn’t mean you should bypass it. With most tracks clocking in at an average of five minutes, the album is not a casual listen; it needs to be savored. Soulful tracks “When the Night Was Young” and “This Is Where I Get Off” make good use of female vocals provided by guest artists Angela McCluskey and Dana Glover.

There are plenty of reasons to take pleasure in Paul Simon’s remarkable

new disc So Beautiful or So What (Hear Music/Concord). Nearly 40 years after the release of his solo debut disc, Simon is at the peak of his talents as a songwriter and musician. Co-produced by Simon and Phil Ramone (who teamed up for the Grammy-winning Still Crazy After All These Years), the new album brings the elements of his extraordinary solo career together in one place. The use of samples, which he employed to great effect on his 2006 Brian Eno-produced Surprise disc, is taken to the next level here.

Mortality and religion, two themes Simon has been writing about all his creative life, come into sharper focus. But Simon’s take on faith has more in common with Susan Werner’s The Gospel Truth than with, say, Sufjan Stevens. There’s humor and cynicism sitting side-by-side with awe on “The Afterlife,” “Love and Hard Times” and “Questions for the Angels.” Simon’s fascination with world music rhythms and instrumentation continues in the musical arrangements, making this an ambitious and fulfilling masterpiece.

As he did on 2003’s The Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 1, Randy

Newman revisits a selection of his songs with only his voice and his piano on the sequel The Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 2 (Nonesuch). Newman includes songs as new as “Losing You” and “Laugh and Be Happy” from his 2008 Harps and Angels album, and as old (but timeless) as “Cowboy” and “Suzanne.”

It’s not clear how the promising concept of Ray Davies’ See My Friends (Decca/Universal Music), on which the former Kinks frontman is joined by a host of music superstars to cover Kinks “klassics,” could go so horribly wrong. But it happened.

Things don’t get off to too bad a start

on the Davies and Bruce Springsteen duet “Better Day,” but they quickly take a turn for the worse when Davies is joined by Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora on “Celluloid Heroes,” the audio equivalent of melting film. In “Tired of Waiting,” when Davies and Gary Lightbody sing that they are “so tired,” we have to take it at face value.

They sound as exhausted as the listener by the time the album comes to a close on the “All Day and All of the Night/Destroyer” collaboration with Billy Corgan. There are a few friendly moments, such as the “Days/ This Time Tomorrow” medley featuring Mumford & Sons, the extended gender-fuck metaphor

of ““Lola” with Paloma Faith, and the twilit “Waterloo Sunset” duet with Jackson Browne.

Will we ever see the bottom of the well from which the early recordings that comprise Bob Dylan’s Bootleg Series are drawn? Although it’s not “officially” part of the series, In Concert - Brandeis University 1963 (Columbia/Legacy) feels like it shares a kinship, and rightfully so, since it was offered with early editions of the ninth volume. The disc is what it says it is: seven Dylan songs (including three talking blues) recorded in May 1963, providing “a rare snapshot” of Bob Dylan at 21.▼

Albéniz’s guitar glories

by Jason Victor Serinus

T

he mind boggles when contemplating the relatively short life of Isaac Albéniz (18601909). A child piano prodigy of Mozartean precociousness, he gave his first concert at the age of four.

Three years later, his mother took him to France to study. Nine months later, when the French Conservatoire refused to admit him because of his age, he returned to Spain to tour Catalonia with his father and sister.

Then, a year after he enrolled in the Conservatory in Madrid, he ran away from home to northern Spain, where his astounding feats included playing the piano with the backs of his fingers while facing the other way.

A host of colorful tales, including his childhood stowaway on a liner bound for Cuba and his subsequent

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performances in South America, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the U.S., are recounted in Richard E. Rodda’s excellent liner notes to David Russell’s new CD, Albéniz: Spanish Music for Classical Guitar (Telarc).

The excesses of Albéniz’s youth provide a fascinating counterpoint to 15 beautiful selections distinguished for their melodic grace.

Russell recently played in Herbst Theatre courtesy of San Francisco Performances, and won a Best Instrumental Soloist Classical Grammy in 2005 for his Telarc CD Aire Latino. He plays with the authenticity that comes from having grown up in the town of Minorca, one of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea that is governed

by Spain. Recording engineer Thomas Knab has taken special pains to illuminate the warmth of

the guitar’s heartfelt midrange.

This results in performances distinguished as much by their masterful range of colors as for their heartwarming glow.

Four of the tracks on Russell’s CD were also recorded by John Williams in London toward the end of 1980. The performances could not be more dissimilar.

Williams’ more tangy tone and faster tempos on “Tórre Berjeja” from Doce Piezas Caracteristicas (1888-89), and “Granada” and “Cádiz” from Suite Española No. 1, Op. 47 (1886) may initially seem more idiomatic, but Russell’s immediately touching warmth on “Granada” reminds us that Spain is as much about heart as being consumed with flamenco fire.

While Williams’ arrangement

Shirley Jones From page 17

naïve girl from Pennsylvania who was on her way to college when her voice teacher suggested she stop by New York to audition for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s casting director. “I sang for him, and he said, ‘Miss Jones, what have you done before?’ and I said, ‘Nothing.’”

They sent for Richard Rodgers, who was rehearsing his orchestra across the street. “I didn’t know who this man was, but he came down the aisle, and I said, ‘What was your name, again?’” After she sang, he sent for his partner Oscar Hammerstein to come hear her, but her pianist had to leave to catch a plane. Rodgers said, “Don’t worry, I have the City Center Symphony across the street.”

So at her very first audition, the 18-year-old Jones (who couldn’t read music) sang three songs from Oklahoma! for Rodgers and Hammerstein, backed by a symphony orchestra. “I never got to college, but three weeks later I was on Broadway,” in a small role in South Pacific, and later in Me and Juliet.

Jones auditioned for the lead in the film Oklahoma!, but the studio worried about casting an unknown, so they auditioned every young girl on both coasts, including stars like Debbie Reynolds. They brought Jones out to screen test with Gordon

Steven Underhill

Actress Shirley Jones with TV reporter Jan Wahl at the Castro Theatre.

MacRae (on whom she had a huge crush, and who became a life-long friend), and the rest is movie musical history.

After Oklahoma!, Jones was the natural choice to star in the film of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel opposite Frank Sinatra. “He was thrilled, he said it was the role of a lifetime, and we did all the costume tests and pre-recordings.” But when Sinatra pulled up to the location in Maine where the cast had been rehearsing for weeks, he saw two cameras (to film both standard and widescreen versions). “He said, ‘I signed to do one film, not two,’ and he

got back in the car and left.

“The director said to me, ‘Where’s Gordon MacRae? Get him on the phone.’ Now, I’m on a dock in Maine with a pay phone, so I said, ‘Give me some quarters.’ I got him on the phone right there, and I said, ‘How would you like to play Billy Bigelow?’

He said, ‘Give me three days. I need to lose 10 pounds.’”

So Carousel became the second film to star Jones and MacRae. Jones was recently told another reason why Frank Sinatra backed out of the film so suddenly. According to an old-timer journalist, “Ava Gardner [Sinatra’s wife at the time] was filming

of “Córdoba” from Cantos de España (1896) adds to Albéniz’s original, Russell thankfully plays it unadorned. It’s an exceptional performance, successfully transitioning from the liveliness of the opening to a more reflective

Mogambo in Africa with Clark Gable.

She called Frank and said, ‘Unless you get your fanny down here, I’m gonna have an affair with Gable.’”

Jones almost starred with Sinatra once again in The Music Man, since the studio brass were looking for a movie star to play Harold Hill, and were unsure about using Robert Preston, who’d created the role on Broadway. The show’s creator Meredith Willson finally gave them an ultimatum: cast Preston or the deal is off.

Jones agrees that Marian is one of the most complex and interesting female roles in musical theatre. “I loved playing her because she’s not just a mamby-pamby girl, she’s a real woman. And I loved working with Preston. After years of doing it on Broadway, he came to the film like he was doing it for the first time.

“The very first scene we had to shoot was the ‘Marian the Librarian’ number. Onna White, the choreographer, was a real character, sitting there with her legs crossed, smoking a cigarette. I told her I was thrilled to work with her, but I’m not really a dancer. She said to me, ‘Dear, by the time we finish this movie, you’ll be a damn dancer!’”

Good girl gone bad After establishing her squeakyclean musical ingénue image, Jones proved her mettle as a serious

m middle section that delves d deep into the Spanish soul.

T twists and turns Albéniz The t takes in this six-minute e exploration are as rich with a atmosphere as with feeling.

Spanish music scholar G Gilbert Chase characterizes “ “Córdoba” as “the piece that b represents Albéniz in this best p period, with its hauntingly b beautiful melody, set against th acrid dissonances of the the p plucked accompaniment ir irritating the notes of the Moorish guzlas. Here is the heady scent of jasmines amid the swaying palm trees, the dream fantasy of an Andalusian Arabian Nights in which Albéniz loved to let his imagination dwell.” If that doesn’t encourage you to get this CD, I don’t know what will. ▼ actress by playing a young prostitute opposite Burt Lancaster in Elmer Gantry. Lancaster had seen her play an alcoholic in a Playhouse 90 drama, and insisted on her for the role.

“I got letters up the wazoo from all the church people saying, ‘Are you crazy? Your career’s going to be over,’ but it was the best thing that ever happened to me.” The film earned Jones a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, and a Best Actor Oscar for Lancaster.

Once the heyday of movie musicals ended, Jones appeared in a series of romantic comedies, and television series offers began to come in – including the role of Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch, which she turned down. But being able to stay at home and raise her three sons while doing a series made The Partridge Family an offer that she couldn’t refuse – despite the fact that her agent warned that doing a series would be the end of her film career.

The biggest surprise was when her stepson David Cassidy arrived to audition for the role of Keith Partridge, unaware that Jones was already cast as the mom. The show ran for four seasons, earned Cassidy and Jones a #1 hit song with “I Think I Love You,” and endeared Shirley Jones to generations of new fans. But she’ll always be Marian the librarian – and my first famous neighbor – to me.▼

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Read more online at www.ebar.com

May 5-11, 2011 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 29

Music >>

Eroticizing Wagner

by Tim Pfaff

A

t this point, the only good reason to add to the mountains of Wagner scholarship is to add another peak, which is precisely what Lawrence Dreyfus has done in Wagner and the Erotic Impulse (Harvard University Press). As Dreyfus writes in his first chapter, “Echoes,” “Most writers have steered clear of tackling what has long been blatantly obvious – that Wagner was the first to develop a detailed musical language that succeeded in extended representations of erotic stimulation, passionate ecstasy, and the torment of love.” That is, to write, and compose, about sex.

Dreyfus tackles, and in a magnificently readable, scholarly examination of all things sexual in Wagner, delivers the goods. His book’s scholarly bona fides are patent in every sentence, but what makes his writing so incisive and memorable is that Dreyfus – better known as a Bach scholar and too little known as the violist who founded the consort Phantasm – approaches his subject as a musician and a human being of rare perception and sensitivity. The payoff for following him through his 250-page argument is that Wagner’s music sounds deeper, richer and better than ever.

With a Ring around the corner, the time is ripe for some ear-

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Taxi Driver From page 22

score’s first recording.

But this masterwork, ranked among the American Film Institute’s Top 100 films, and listed in The National Film Registry, is especially known for a potent combination of fetid images and excoriating language, a combination that played no small part in inspiring the Disney makeover of Times Square.

“All the animals come out at night: whores, skunk pussies, buggers, queens, fairies, dopers, junkies.

Someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets.”

The film is so relentlessly on point in defining the Vietnam walkingwounded veteran that more than a few young American men in 1976 felt that screenwriter Schrader had somehow tapped into their most unlovely dreams by creating his volatile, profane, hyper-violent

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cleaning and looking beyond the tired controversies about Wagner’s anti-Semitism, “womanizing,” and general kinkiness that surface every time a new Ring is unveiled.

What Dreyfus gives us is a Wagner whose well-documented antiSemitism marked him as a “political crackpot” even in his own day – and a man whose “devotion to depictions of sexual desire was exceedingly unconventional, indeed unprecedented in the history of art.”

The Wagner Dreyfus unveils was, while uninterested in sex with men, predisposed to man-love (MaennerLiebe) in a way that would make him something of a model in today’s sexual-political climate. As he writes in “Pathologies,” “Wagner’s obsession with sex even extends to a surprisingly positive assessment of male homosexuality.”

One of Dreyfus’ main points is that Wagner’s view of sex was, besides far “outside outside the box,” anything but doctrinaire. It was not just one thing – and appeared even more strongly in the music than in the composer’s voluminous writings – and it kept transforming throughout his life, as he sought (unsuccessfully except perhaps in his operas) to escape its tortures.

Dreyfus returns the favor by writing a book as subtle and undoctrinaire as its subject. Even in his examination of the compelling extra-musical material – Wagner’s

love of silk and satin, perfumes (particularly rose), and the color pink (and what shade of pink); his habit of doing his most flagrant cross-dressing while composing, and in order to compose; his profound susceptibility to dominating women; and his lifelong pattern of establishing manlove friendships with both heterosexual and (Dreyfus’ own preferred term) same-sexual men – Dreyfus is unflinching, even-handed, clichéaverse, and anything but sensationalist. The material he presents is amply sensational.

When he lays out the non-musical content, such as in “Fetishism and Cross-dressing,” you can tell Dreyfus is serving up the best of the documentary evidence he has unearthed, and that he has certified that it is true as well as savory. We learn, for example, that Magnus Hirschfeld, who coined the term “transvestite,” did so in a book an entire chapter of which is devoted to Wagner’s superficial effeminacy and not at all superficial transvestitism.

Even so, Dreyfus’ greatest achievement, a great deal of it pioneering, is in his investigation of

Wagner’s eroticism in the music itself. It’s the hardest kind of work a writer about music can do, and Dreyfus does it with rare insight and imagination, and in language as accessible to the interested lay reader as it would be to fellow scholars. His writing about the “Tristan chord” is the most penetrating and evocative since Michael Steinberg’s, and he traces its effects beyond Tristan und Isolde, calling Kundry’s kiss in the second act of Parsifal “a palimpsest overlaying the Tristan chord. In fact, Wagner situates the Kiss on the very same pitches which, over and over again in Tristan, have proclaimed

h his theme of insatiable yyearning.”

Still, it’s not for nothing that D Dreyfus’ final chapter is on ““Homoerotics.” His analysis of tthe role erotic if not copulative rrelationships with men played tthroughout Wagner’s life b builds to this observation: “It m may or may not be relevant tthat, of these Friends close tto Wagner at the end of his llife, three were either born or id identified themselves as Jews – aand at least three, Joukowsky [[a painter who designed the ssets for the first Parsifal], the K King of Bavaria, and Levi [who cconducted the first Parsifal and m many subsequent ones], engaged in homophile relationships with m men, though none of them seems to have desired a sexual relationship with Wagner!”

My sole regret is that in his discussion of The Ring, Dreyfus (though for clearly stated reasons) writes only a few paragraphs on the final scene of Siegfried, that socalled “love duet” that is one of the great erotic nervous breakdowns in opera. But his writing about that sexually seething first act of Die Walkuere more than compensates.

Wagner and the Erotic Impulse tears the roof off Wagner scholarship. The artistic cosmos it finds inside is a vastly more vital and compelling place.▼

if ultimately impotent anti-hero Travis Bickle. It’s a career-defining descent into madness by Robert De Niro, whose improvised tag-line for the character would forever define the American underground man: “You talkin’ to me?” A prime reason Travis remains a scary figure is De Niro’s underplaying of his loony arc.

You never dismiss him as a stock villain, but rather see this essential American type as a man deserving but sadly past the point of being able to accept help for his self-inflicted loneliness.

appeased that they’re both exMarines, the dispatcher grants Travis his license to drive his metal coffin through a phantasmagorical Gotham nightscape.

Cinematographer Chapman tweaks the views through the cab’s windshield, giving them a nightmarish feel that is both pulpy and slightly suggestive of a neverending acid trip. This allows us to see the teeming streets and their vagabond denizens through the filter of Travis’ growing paranoia.

A man utterly alone, without friends, family, with only the most tenuous ties to his fellow hackies, Travis reveals himself to us through an ongoing diary. Schrader based this device on the Arthur Bremer diaries, discovered after the young Milwaukee malcontent attempted to assassinate 1972 presidential candidate George Wallace. Scorsese and Schrader cleverly link Travis’ one attempt at establishing a normal relationship with a Bremer-like

plot against a liberal presidential candidate, Senator Charles Palantine (TV critic Leonard Harris).

When Travis bursts into the Senator’s Midtown HQs and confronts the gorgeous woman running the joint, Betsy (Cybill Shepherd, asked to play a “Cybill Shepherd type”), they embark on one of the screen’s oddest of oddcouple dates. Travis takes her to lunch and expounds on his “philosophy.”

Betsy, with a nonjudgmental but devastatingly accurate assessment of this modern primitive, deadpans, “I’ve never met anybody quite like you.”

Their real date implodes with farreaching consequences when Travis takes Betsy to a porn movie and she flees the scene in disgust. Travis will then turn his attention first to killing Senator Palantine, and when that move is thwarted, embark on an almost missionary attempt to rescue a teen prostitute, Iris (a riveting, very

grownup turn from the then-12year-old Jodie Foster).

The result is still not for the squeamish. A decade-and-a-half later, I flinched at an “Alphabet City” sight that reminded me of Taxi Driver’s hellish end. It’s a crescendo of brilliantly orchestrated mayhem that would, in real life, inspire a close-call attempt on the life of newly elected President Ronald Reagan, and in art, produce a host of sincere imitators, such as Larry Clark’s crime-family rondo Another Day in Paradise.

Taxi Driver is the second in a quartet of films about an American archetypal figure that novelist Thomas Wolfe labeled “God’s lonely men”: Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and the underappreciated King of Comedy.

For years, my late roommate Marty and I would debate which Scorsese underground classic it was appropriate to base your life on.▼

you should see it. This is a “really big show,” very ambitious piece of theater of a kind we do not often see. It will be very interesting to see how Mermaid looks on TV. Editing, pacing, framing of the imagery may change things drastically.

toward sentimental history. The strongest dance was a cabaret number to “Fever,” sung with panache by Shawna Virago, featuring splayed legs and other lascivious poses by a quartet of guys on bent-wood café chairs. Peggy Lee’s uncredited music was the only music that had enough rhythmic interest to require dancing.

Dorsey has an almost fatal facility as a writer. Much of the dancing is gestural, acutely observed tics and twitches by people awkwardly trying to get a date. One can watch a lot of this, set to his monologues drawn from GLBT diaries, letters, news, and oral histories, but after a while the absence of large rhythmic organization makes it lose its snap.

And there’s the problem that afflicts all politically correct re-imaginings of history: you imagine an unjust situation, then supply all the events that could make a story that pushes the suffering to the front. But what must have happened is a far cry from the real thing. It just doesn’t ring true.

The four excellent dancers were Brian Fisher, Nol Simonse, Dorsey himself, and Juan de la Rosa.▼

Hack job Taxi Driver commences with one of the film’s many funny moments as Travis applies for an all-night hackie shift, informing the dispatcher that since he can’t sleep and spends his nights wandering across the city, he might just as well get paid for his troubles. Warning the applicant “not to bust his chops,” and somewhat

San Francisco Ballet

Yuan Yuan Tan and Tiit Helimets in John Neumeier’s The Little Mermaid.

From page 17

of the ballet. The movement is for the most merely decorative and does not build an overall rhythmic structure.

Yes, the ballerina Yuan Yuan Tan’s arms swim in gorgeous undulations, and the three men in black who manipulate her body as if she were a Bunraku puppet sweep her around the stage in some charming curves; yes, the scene in which she discovers her legs is charming; yes, the sailor dances are fun; yes, the dancers have built characters for themselves, and look like they relish their chance to add human touches to their dancing.

But it doesn’t pay off for us. Every scene goes on too long, like a Warhol movie.

The more disturbing thing is the grinding misery of the Poet and the Mermaid. This ballet may do for us what Uncle Tom’s Cabin did for African Americans. Thanks, but maybe no thanks. Yes, it feels good to have injustice exposed, and really good to have the society we live in take the side of queers – but the feelings depicted in The Little

Secret history

Erik Tomasson

Mermaid make me queasy. It’s more than I can endure to see the mermaid cringe for 55 minutes. Her shoulders hunch, her supplicating neck looks broken in its curve; the pleading eyes, the abject way she lunges at the Prince in his wedding procession reminded me, yes, of some of the worst moments of my life in high school. But the way she persisted in loving a rather trivial guy who actually loved someone else began to look predatory and foolish,

and I couldn’t abide it.

The dancers give it their all. From Tan on down, everyone was superb: Tiit Helimets and Sarah Van Patten as the royal couple, Pascal Molat as the Poet, Davit Karapetyan as the Sea Witch, all the Mer-folk, the sailors (especially Matthew Stewart and James Sofranko), Luke Willis, Courtney Elizabeth and Pauli Magierek as socialites, the darling bridesmaids.

You may feel otherwise, and

Meanwhile across town at Theatre Artaud, the brilliant transgender dancer/poet/activist Sean Dorsey showed a new piece, The Secret History of Love, about the social worlds and the private hopes and fears of queers looking to find someone to love. It’s a suite of dances arranged chronologically around Prohibition-era speakeasies, 60s Tenderloin queer bars, and Craigslist.

Dorsey’s first danced-shortstories a few years ago were the greatest thing since 29 Effeminate Gestures. He can “do” awkward adolescent guy better than anybody, and awkward girl equally well. He’s a highly gifted mime, writer, dancer, maker of dances, and maker of community.

The trend of his work is, alas,

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