The Montrose Star May 6, 2015

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MAY 6, 2015

VOL. VI, ISSUE

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TAINMENT START YOUR GLBT ENTER

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|By Mark Kariel

B

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be one of only South Beach will y mid-summer, have welcomed the country to Race. a few bars around RuPaul’s Drag of Season 7 of n with all 14 contestants city of Housto to grace our fine i!

The next queen Violet Chachk (drum roll, please) an encore after is ce presen her with s one big show photo shoot Violet perform autograph and an by d ng with this sickeni midnight, followe your photo taken !

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WEDNESDAY MAY 6, 2015

VOL. VI, ISSUE 3

The THE FRIVOLIST

8

HRH

4

Word

Reba Country icon on attending her first gay wedding, the ‘practicality’ of LGBT rights and being a proud redhead p12

6

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INDEX Editorial Crossword A Couple of Guys

of

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El Tiempo 1308 Cantina Annex opened on April 20

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| Wednesday May 6, 2015

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OP-ED

Creep of the Week: Ted Cruz “ B |

By D’anne Witkowski

efore I begin this week’s column I’d like to first offer an apology. You see, I have a bad habit of referring to anti-gay politicians and talking heads using terms like “ass,” “asshole,” “dick” and “dickhead” in the pejorative. I’ve done some soul-searching and realized that I can no longer do this in good conscience and I sincerely apologize to anyone I have offended. After all, butts and penises serve a legitimate purpose in the lives of so many people. In other words: there are plenty of people, straight and gay alike, who like backsides and wieners. Not only for the sexing, mind you, but also for the very essential bodily functions they allow for. I hope that each and every booty and schlong and the people who love them can forgive me.

Which leads me to this week’s Creep: United States Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, the first Republican to throw his hate in the ring (no, I did not spell “hat” wrong) to run for president.

On April 9, Cruz spoke in Iowa to a gathering of The Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators and – surprise! – said something anti-gay.

More specifically, he was expressing his support for the so-called “religious liberty” laws being passed across the country, the most notably recent in Indiana. He also expressed his frustration that anyone would dare challenge such laws just because they can be used to discriminate

We look at the jihad that is being waged right now, in Indiana, and Arkansas going after people of faith who respect the biblical teaching that marriage is the union of one man and one woman.v

”

against LGBT people in states where there are no anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people (like in Indiana).

“We look at the jihad that is being waged right now, in Indiana, and Arkansas,” he said, “going after people of faith who respect the biblical teaching that marriage is the union of one man and one woman.”

It is, of course, a mischaracterization, at best, to describe the opposition to so-called religious freedom laws as “jihad.” But there’s no reason to give Cruz the benefit of the doubt here. He’s clearly using “jihad” intentionally in order to arouse his audience’s inherent dislike and distrust in Muslims in order to make them even more mad at those “dern homosexers.” And while the definition of “jihad” is open to some debate, no doubt Cruz and his ilk believe that it means “gay married terrorists killing Jesus lovers for sport.” And since he’s speaking to a group of homeschoolers, said gay married terrorists were clearly trained in the public schools.

Because Cruz is apparently unaware of irony, after he laments the fact that LGBT

people are kicking up a fuss over being singled out for discrimination, he then issues a call for unity. Against gay people.

“We need to bring people together to the religious liberty values that built this country. It wasn’t long ago when this was an area of bipartisan agreement,” he said. “It used to be Democrats and Republicans, they might disagree on marginal tax rates, but when it came to the First Amendment, we all stood together and said, ‘Of course every one of us has a God-given right to seek out and worship God and to live according to our faith and our conscience and our belief.’”

Mind you, when he’s talking about the First Amendment, he means the right to the free exercise of religion, which specifically means the right to discriminate against icky LGBT people because Jesus said so.

He’s claiming discrimination as a God given right.

And this is where the old me would have called Cruz a dick. But the new me will not stoop so low. The new me declares that Cruz is a cancer. He is a tumor in the asshole of America, full of shit and recklessly multiplying and growing without regard to his host’s life or well-being. The good news is that he’s been detected fairly early.

The bad news is that he’s convinced a lot of Americans, for whom religion trumps science, that he’s actually good for them. And so he grows.

| Wednesday May 6, 2015 |

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TOC MAY 6, 2015 | VOL. VI, ISSUE 2

PFLAG News

Phyllis Randolph Frye to address PFLAG

7

Gayborhood

More flowers, more royalty

15

ToC Features Op-Ed.......................................................3 HRH Report............................................ 4 What A World......................................... 6 Gayborhood.......................................... 15 Cooking with Paula Dream.................. 16 Foodie Diaries....................................... 17 Make It Happen with David Lorms...... 18 Deep Inside Hollywood........................ 21 Across the Causeway............................22 DJ Spotlight......................................... 26 Retro Rewind.........................................27 Hear Me Out....................................... 29 Guide To The Clubs............................. 34 ©2015 MONTROSE STAR All Rights Reserved.

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| Montrose STAR

| Wednesday May 6, 2015

Jenner Affirms Being Transgender, SCOTUS Hears Marriage Equality Arguments, and a ‘Role Model’ Lands in Jail

CONTACT US: 713-942-0084 EMAIL: TheMontroseStar@gmail.com Publisher Executive Editor | Laura M. Villagrán Business Dev. Manager

Randall Jobe Production

Rafa Espinosa Copy Editor

Nancy Ford News & Features

Johnny Trlica Lifestyles

Nancy Ford

HRH Report

John Buchanan Scene Writers

Jim Ayers Bob Houghton

|

Music

By Johnny Trlica

I

DJ JD Arnold DJ Mark DeLange Distribution

Miriam Orihuela Elizabeth Membrillo

T H E S TA R C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S DJ J ­ D Arnold hails from England, but has been

spinning in the Lone Star State since the 80’s. He has spun records all over Houston, from the Venture N to Rich’s, as well as writing for Billboard Magazine. His dynamic sounds can now be enjoyed at Eagle Houston.

Jim Ayres y day is an employee benefits and human

resources writer. By night he turns his creativity toward the local food and restaurant scene. Do you know of a restaurant that needs a review? Info@montrose-star.com.

John Buchanan is originally from Florida but now

calls Houston home for 20+ years. “Proud to be Gay and part of the Community – Your Gay Realtor of Choice!” johnwb214@aol.com

DJ Mark D dubbed the eternal club kid,has been a nightclub DJ over 20 years; a Billboard Dance DJ/Reporter for 9 years; spun on KRBE Houston radio for 10 years and on XM Satellite Radio/Sirius worldwide for 7 years. He’s owned and operated nightclubs with a special affinity for classic Disco. Credited with breaking new dance music through the use of the mass media.

Nancy Ford has enjoyed a front row seat to the most

remarkable and sparkly Cultural Revolution in the history of mankind. “What a world!” She reflects appropriately.

After moving to Houston from Ohio in 1981, Ford became a highly visible player in Texas’ LGBT publishing circles as an editor and contributor to myriad other local and statewide LGBT magazines and newspapers.

Daddy Bob (Bob Houghton) is owner of Black Hawk

Leather, a leather retail store and custom tailor, located at 711 Fairview and inside the Ripcord, Houston. Bob@BlackHawkLeather.com.

n what may be the year of the transgender, 2015 has been momentous for the T segment of the LGBT community. In January, Barack Obama became the first President to say the word transgender in the State of the Union address and now, an Olympic gold medal winner has announced he is transitioning into a woman. Here’s what we’ve been reading at HRH.

Jenner: ‘I am a woman’ I n an almost anti-climactic interview, an Olympic gold medal winner confirmed what the tabloids had been ­speculating for months. Bruce Jenner came out as a transgender woman in an interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC’s 20/20.

The former Wheaties cereal cover boy who married into the Kardashian clan and became a reality TV ­celebrity told Sawyer that his transition began 30 years ago. The ­interview started with Jenner explaining having “always been confused with my gender identity, since I was this big.” Jenner imagines God creating “a smart kid” with “all these qualities.” But, “Wait a second—got to give him ­something to deal with. Let’s give him the soul of a female.”

Sawyer asked, “Are you a woman?”

“For all intents and purposes,” said Jenner, “I’m a woman.”

Our Day in Court B attle lines were drawn as the Supreme Court finally heard what could be the definitive conclusion on same sex marriage. In two and a half hours of arguments over ­wheth­er the Constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry, most observers feel the Court is divided, reports the New York Times.

Justice Kennedy, whose vote may be the decider, sent conflicting signals.

“At some points, he seemed wary of moving too fast and torn about what to do. But his demeanor was more ­emotional and emphatic when he made the case that same-sex couples should be permitted to marry. He is also the author of three landmark opinions expanding the rights of gay Americans,” wrote the Times.

Liberal champion Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in ­questioning anti-marriage equality lawyers’ argument that the sole purpose of marriage was to ensure a stable ­relationship for procreation, posed this scenario: “Suppose a couple, 70-year-old couple, comes in and they want to get married?”

The Notorious RBG also stated: “Marriage today is not what it was under the common law tradition, under the civil law tradition. Marriage was a relationship of a dominant male to a subordinate female,” she explained. “That ended

as a result of this court’s decision in 1982 when Louisiana’s Head and Master Rule was struck down.… Would that be a choice that state should [still] be allowed to have? To cling to marriage the way it once was?”

A decision from SCOTUS is not expected until late June.

WNBA star lands in jail D omestic violence is not reserved for male/female relationships. Houston native Brittney Griner of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury was arrested on charges of assault and disorderly conduct, according to ESPN. Griner and her fiancée, WNBA player Glory Johnson, were arrested after the two got in a fight at their home in the Phoenix area.

Less than two weeks before her arrest, Griner was in Houston at the HRC Houston 18th Annual Gala where she received HRC’s Visibility Award. During her acceptance speech, Griner discussed being a role model for young LGBT people, writes Project Q Houston.

Insulted on the island A gay couple got caught in a tidal wave of bigotry on a recent visit to Galveston. Jonathan Wang and his partner Brent were tossed from a bed and breakfast onto the streets of the island city because they are gay, reports KTRK-TV, ABC Channel 13.

Wang, a commercial airline pilot by trade, booked the B&B via an AirBNB listing that included a tiny mention from the hosts on the home description that reads “straight friendly.”

In town for a wedding party, the couple unpacked their bags and headed to the wedding reception. Upon returning to retire for the night they spoke to the B&B’s owner.

“Heather asked me, where my wife was. ‘Who is this ­person?’ I said it was my significant other Brent. She said ‘I thought you were bringing a wife.’ I said I didn’t say that specifically. I said, ‘Is that going to be OK? She said, ‘It’s not,’” said Wang.

Wang said the hosts told them to get out. “She also ­commented while we were going upstairs that was their bedroom upstairs so they were even more uncomfortable with it,” said Wang.

“I’m completely of my legal realms and morals,” said host Heather to ABC 13 reporter Foti Kallergis, who also asked her if she rents to gay couples.

“That’s none of your business. That’s my private home,” Heather replied.

AirBNB settled the controversy and issued the following statement: “We have a zero tolerance policy for discrimination on AirBNB. The host in question has been removed from the site. AirBNB has clear guidelines that a host or a guest may not promote hate or bigotry.”

Forest Riggs. No stranger to the adventures of life,

Welcome to the family The LGBT family just got a little bigger, and a tad weirder.

Mama June Shannon, better known as Honey Boo Boo’s mother, came out as bisexual in an interview on Inside Edition. In the same interview, Lauryn Thompson, AKA Pumpkin, says: “I’m attracted to females, and I’m attracted to males. You cannot hide who you truly are.”

Forest bills himself as a “raconteur with a gypsy spirit.” A former educator, public speaker, hospital administrator, counselor and gay B&B owner, he was instrumental in the formation of OutSmart Magazine in the early 1990s. He has written for several newspapers, magazines and other publications. Recently he completed a collection of short stories about his beloved Galveston and is working on a novel. He currently resides on the island where he can be found wasting bait and searching for the meaning of life.

Johnny Trlica hails from Rosenberg, Texas and has

called Houston home for more than 20 years. He has been a Human Resources professional for 6 years and is the editor of The Houston Rainbow Herald. His passion is keeping the battle for equal rights at the forefront of today's headlines and heralding the achievements of the LGBT community.

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The Houston Rainbow Herald is the Bayou City’s only daily LGBT online news source. For more information, visit www.houstorainbowherald.com.

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| Montrose STAR

| Wednesday May 6, 2015

What A World

Transition, love, and how April changed everything •

| By Nancy Ford

A

I wish Bruce Jenner all the love and luck in the world. Furthermore, Bruce, please feel free to use any restroom you want.

Then on April 28, in the Biggest Gay ­Story of All Time, the Supreme Court of the United States heard two-and-a-half hours’ worth of arguments that most likely will result in the same-sex marriage becoming legal in all 50 states.

The mind boggles. When I came out all those years ago, gay marriage was not only something we gay folk couldn’t imagine, it was something we didn’t want to imagine.

Many of us had already experienced the non-bliss of marriage, albeit to a spouse of the opposite sex. Not being able to get ­married used to be one of the benefits of being gay.

Make no mistake—I love love, but I always questioned why we as a culture have been so obsessed with insisting on ­admittance to an institution that boasts a fifty percent failure rate. That’s kind of like attaching leech to yourself to treat a serious illness. It sucks, and even if it does work, you end up feel completely drained.

SCOTUS will announce its big decision in June, just in time for Pride ­celebrations.

How’s that for perfect timing! Judicial experts predict a five-to-four victory in favor of marriage equality, with J ­ ustice Anthony M. Kennedy providing the ­pro-gay tipping point as he has in previous ­cases pertinent to the LGBT community. And when that happens, LGBTs all across ­America will throw a party that will make Barack Obama’s first inauguration look like afternoon tea on a cloudy day.

For those millions of queer couples who defied convention and oppression and abuse, whose love developed and grew strong and endured without that little piece of paper to legitimize it, this legal validation must be overwhelming. Their collective rush to the altar will likely create its own weather system. Deepest, deepest congratulations to them all.

On the other hand, for those for whom lasting, committed, lifelong love has been elusive for whatever reason or ­circumstance, it is an odd, bittersweet ­victory. It’s a nose-pressed-against-thewindow, selfishly hollow reminder of what might have been, but wasn’t.

Regardless, we will never forget this April. Who knows what May may bring.

pril 2015. What a month it was for our little, great big, giant LGBT community.

First, on 17, the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance passed one more, and hopefully its final test when Harris C ­ ounty district Judge Robert Schaffer ­determined that conservative opponents of the ­ordinance had not gathered enough valid signatures to force a referendum.

“I would hope that the plaintiffs would not appeal,” Mayor Annise Parker said.

“They lost during a jury trial and today they also lost with the judge’s ruling. Now all Houstonians have access to the same protections.”

It is expected that the extremist Texas pastor Dave Welch (who once called M ­ ayor Parker “a cancer on the soul of the ­people”) and his Houston Area Pastors Council will continue to beat their dead horse by ­appealing the decision because of their mortal fear of transgender folk occupying the next stall in a public restroom.

In a world of Isis beheadings and ­discriminatory wedding cake-bakers and pizzerias raking in almost $1 ­million because they don’t want to cater gay ­weddings, why on God’s green earth would anyone care about where transgender ­people go to the bathroom? Personally, I don’t give a crap. Literally.

Which brings us to Bruce Jenner. On April 24, the Olympic champion/Kardashian prop shocked absolutely no one with the official announcement that he is in ­transition. Bruce Jenner is a woman. As his step-daughter would say, “Rock it, girl!”

Far more shocking was Bruce’s announcement that he is a Republican because, you know, the Constitution.

The thing is, it’s unlikely that R ­ epublican transgender folk like Bruce Jenner would ever have to worry about where they’re going to whiz. Bruce Jenner has the ­financial advantage, if she chooses, of ­having her very own “Lowly Pissboy” ­follow her around all day with a bucket, like a scene straight out of Mel Brooks’ History of the World, Part 1? Now, that’s living.

Approximately 17 million people turned in to watch Diane Sawyer interview J ­ enner, the biggest audience ABC’s 20/20 had ever drawn. That’s a lot of viewers, by God. Undeniably, Bruce Jenner has the ­opportunity to make a huge difference in the lives of those millions of viewers with her announcement. And maybe she’ll be successful in changing the Republican Party by working from the inside—you know, like the success the Log Cabin Republicans have had since Approximately 17 million people turned in to watch Diane its founding in 1977.

Sawyer interview Bruce ­Jenner.

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Phyllis Randolph Internationally lauded pioneer and advocate for transgender equality PFLAG NEWS

Legendary equality advocate

Phyllis Randolph Frye to address PFLAG •

| By Linda Bratsen

I

t’s going to be a busy weekend for Phyllis Randolph Frye.

The internationally lauded pioneer and advocate for transgender equality speaks at PFLAG Houston’s monthly public meeting on Sunday, May 10. The public meeting begins at 2 p.m. in the Jones Building at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 Main Street. Small group discussions, where members and visitors can confidentially share their individual journeys, immediately follows the program. One of the small groups is dedicated to transgender issues, and another is available for Spanish speakers.

The following day, on May 11, Frye will be one of three people honored in Washington, D.C. at the National Center for Transgender Equality’s 12th anniversary celebration, “The Tipping Point: An Evening to Celebrate and Inspire”, receiving the Julie Johnson Founder’s Award.

The award culminates a lifetime of accolades recognizing Frye’s efforts on behalf of equality. As a passionate LGBTI political activist, Frye established the International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment History in 1992. The six ICTLEP conferences brought together activists throughout the country and resulted in groundbreaking legislation covering transgender rights in employment, health care, housing, insurance, probate, criminal and family law, as well as military service.

In 1995, Phyllis was awarded one of the National LGBT Task Force’s Creator of Change awards, and in 1999, she was awarded the Virginia Prince Lifetime Achievement Award from the International

Foundation for Gender Education. In 2001, she was awarded the Dan Bradley Award, the highest honor given by the National LGBT Bar Association. In 2009, she was honored by Texas A & M University with an annual Advocacy Award given in her name.

In November of 2010, history was made in the transgender legal community. On November 2, Victoria Kolakowski became the first transgender trial judge in the nation when she was elected to Alameda County (California) Superior Court. On November 17, Frye became the first transgender judge in Texas when Houston Mayor Annise Parker appointed her as an Associate Municipal Judge. The Houston City Council unanimously approved her appointment.

In 2013, the Houston Transgender Unity Committee gave Frye its Lifetime Achievement Award.

A senior partner at Frye, Oaks and Benavidez, PLLC, (www.liberatinglaw.com) which is an out LGBTI and Straight-Allies law firm that practices law in a variety of areas, but Frye devotes her practice exclusively to transgender clients.

PFLAG Houston invites all family members, parents and/or youth who are having problems with coming-out issues, and welcomes everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, ethnicity or political persuasion. The group is proud of its rich history and the continued contributions of members, and invites all to learn more about the organization and join in efforts to create a more diverse, accepting society.

For information and support, visit www. pflaghouston.org, or email PFLAG Houston’s hotline at helpline@pflaghouston.org or call 713-467-3524.

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| Montrose STAR

| Wednesday May 6, 2015

THE FRIVOLIST

6 Gay Places to Kick Off the

Best.

Summer.

Ever.

Houston, Texas

by Mikey Rox

S

kip Palm Springs, forget Fire Island and put P-Town on hold. This year, you’re headed to a new LGBT-friendly destination for an unexpected getaway with all the perks to which you’re privy. Time to get packin’.

HOUSTON, TEXAS T exas isn’t the first state that comes to

mind when you think “progressive,” but its traditional shade of Republican red comes with a few tinges of pink. Houston, specifically, embraces its LGBT community, thanks in part to openly gay mayor Annise Parker, who will vacate her office at the end of the year.

MyGayHouston.com, a popular source for LGBT-specific news and happenings, will celebrate its fifth anniversary this year, and Pride Houston will be held June 27. The fourth-largest city in the United States – it’s true! – also boasts a budding art scene and culturally diverse cuisine, which was singled out by Community Marketing’s LGBT travel study last year.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO L ike playing the odds? They’re in your favor at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, a stunning island property nestled in the middle of a bustling metropolitan city. From your home base in the heart of the trendy Condado neighborhood filled with shopping, international cuisine and nightlife, embark on adventures

Miami Beach S ure, the LGBT community has been flocking to Miami for decades, but now that marriage is legal in Florida, you can have the best of both worlds while hitting the sand to say “I do” this summer. Eden Roc Miami Beach offers an affordable LGBT Wedding Celebration Package with plenty of perks.

First, the stunning hotel waives the ceremony fee – freeing up about $1,500 for other activities, like a luxurious spa day on the grounds – along with discounts on food and beverage and complimentary breakfast in bed. And so you can concentrate on enjoying your big day, Eden Roc will have its social media concierge – fancy, huh? – available to capture all your memorable moments. Up until the boom-boom begins, anyway; you’re on your own with that AV.

like ATV, horseback riding and zip lining at Haciendo Campo Rico by day, then let loose at night in Old San Juan at La Factoria. Santurce and La Placita of Santurce, the arts and culture center, is just a short taxi ride away, as is the El Yunque Rainforest.

Seems like a lot to see and do, but there’ll be plenty of lazy beach time with your boo, too.

St. Pete Beach, Florida N ot to be outdone by some of the flashier Florida cities, sunny St. Pete Beach allows for a different kind of vacay – one void of thumping techno music and throwback boardwalk body builders. The Spanish-influenced Hotel Zamora features a destination restaurant and rooftop lounge serving a locally sourced menu of creative tapas entrees; a marina; fresh-water pool; fitness center; and access to white, sandy beaches.

Zamora also will offer a Beachside Pride package this summer in celebration of St. Pete Pride, June 26 to 28.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

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| Montrose STAR

| Wednesday May 6, 2015

St. Maarten

ST. MAARTEN A lthough the Caribbean is breathtaking in landscape, some islands have ugly views

toward the LGBT community (we’re looking at you, Jamaica!). St. Maarten, however, takes pride in its LGBT community, and several resorts, including Sonesta Ocean Point and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa are now registered with the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), the leading global resource in LGBT tourism. Both locations offer same-sex wedding ceremonies – if you want to tie the knot in flip-flops – with a Gay Wedding Institute-certified in-house wedding coordinator. Spend your first few hours as a legally bound couple canoodling in a private gazebo or partying down at an unforgettable reception at Ocean Point’s Azul Rooftop Bar.

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA S tep out of the box this summer – and into a boat! – during the country’s only Pride

boat parade, in Norfolk, Va. Part of PrideFest, June 26 and 27, the celebration by sea is open to all maritimers with access to a vessel. The Norfolk Waterside Marriott offers a PrideFest Hotel Package for the weekend, which includes a buffet breakfast for two guests daily, a $25 food and beverage credit per night at Shula’s 347, and self-parking.

After you drop your bag, head out into Hampton Roads for waterfront activities, a thriving dining scene, and unique arts and culture.

Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and blogger whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He splits his time between homes in New York City and the Jersey Shore with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Twitter @mikeyrox.

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Norfolk, Virginia

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| Wednesday May 6, 2015

The Word of Reba Country icon on attending her first gay wedding, the ‘practicality’ of LGBT rights and being a proud redhead |

By Chris Azzopardi

E

ven by phone, Reba McEntire makes you feel right at home. “Thanks for the visit; I’ve enjoyed visitin’ with you!” the singer drawls, wrapping up our conversation as if I’d just stopped by for buttered grits and a cup of hot coffee.

A music, television, film and theater superstar with a trove of prestigious awards, Reba is enormously famous, but talking to her, you wouldn’t know it. She comes across more like a friend. Fancy? Not so much. And she certainly won’t let her rabid gay following down – she has delighted in a friendship with the LGBT community since the beginning of her 40-year career.

Now, as she releases her 27th studio album, _Love Somebody_, the country icon’s ready to take some serious stands.

In our chat, Reba stresses the importance of gay marriage, how “sad” it is to know that some country artists feel they can’t come out, and her message to parents who can’t accept a child who’s not straight.

You grew up in a town with, like, 16 people and lots of cows. I imagine there weren’t a lot of gay people in Chockie, Oklahoma.

Nope, nope. Not at all that I know of, or in high school. I guess in college was the first time I was around any gay people, and they became my friends first and then I found out they were gay, so there ya go! Didn’t change my opinion of ’em; I still liked ’em a lot.

One was a very dear friend of mine who helped me a lot with my singing and my music, and he was just a super sweet, gentle man who loved music with all his heart. I’m pretty sure that was my first introduction, the first time I met anyone who was gay.

As a longtime ally, how important are LGBT equality and same-sex marriage rights to you?

Very important. I just went to my first gay wedding a couple of months ago in California for Michael and Steven, my two great friends. They’ve been together for 20 years! I thought that it was not fair, and I didn’t understand why they couldn’t get married. It wasn’t because they just wanted to get married. If one of them had gotten injured and gone to the hospital, the other one couldn’t make decisions for them. It’s very upsetting. It’s not only for convenience or for romantic reasons – it’s for practicality. For practical reasons! I get a kick out of what Dolly said: “Why shouldn’t they get married and be as miserable as the rest of us?” (Laughs) You don’t seem so miserable in your marriage, though.

No, not at all. But I don’t understand why people have a problem with it. I’m a very spiritual person, but I don’t judge. I try not to; I’m only human. To each his own, and everybody is different. God did not make us all the same. So, I just pray for an open mind and a loving heart, and I think that’s all I can do.

In your four decades as a country musician, how much progress do you think the genre has made when it comes to embracing LGBT fans with open arms?

Well, I’ve always embraced gay and lesbian fans with both arms. I have a huge gay following!

Absolutely. But country music as a whole – do you see progress when it comes to LGBT equality?

Yeah, I do. There are more (artists) speaking out about it, but I can’t really speak for anyone else other than myself.

If Reba, Wynonna and Dolly drag queens were to compete, how would you mentor the Reba queen to ensure her victory?

Good lands – that’s a hard question!

Because Wynonna is such a character! I love her with all my heart. Dolly is bigger than life, and I love her with all my heart. So I’d say, get out there and work your tail off!

Throughout the years, there’s been some pretty darn good Rebas. I’m sure you’ve encountered some yourself.

Totally, absolutely! I’ve had a Reba impersonator in my (touring) show before, and David (Lowman aka Coti Collins) came off the stage one night and he said he’d done such a good job of impersonating me in the song “Fancy” that the limo driver opened the door for him.

Have you ever been mistaken for a fake Reba?

Not that I know of!

Female country artists aren’t getting the same radio airplay as their male counterparts these days. Why aren’t the ladies getting a fair shake?

It goes cyclical. It’s always in phases, and it’ll come back around. In my 40-year career I’ve seen it go from very contemporary country music to very traditional, and then it goes back to contemporary and then you can’t get a male song recorded or a male on the radio, and then you can’t get a female song recorded or a female on the radio.

It’s gonna come back. It’s been the good ol’ boy season right now, but it’ll change.

It’ll go back to more romantic, more females. But we’ve gotta promote these younger females coming on. I’m with ya.

There’s a bunch that have been lost in the shuffle – female singers – that I don’t know they’ll get a second chance, but they’re out there. We just need to get them on the radio and get them out to the public to listen to.

Who comes to mind?

Brandy Clark. My gosh, that girl! I’ve got three or four songs of hers on my new album. She’s got great material. I mean, Miranda’s recorded them. All the girls have recorded her songs.

I have to know: When’s the big hair coming back?

(Laughs) I can’t get (my stylist) Brett Freedman to get it that high anymore! My good friend Shane Tarleton is always saying, “Get that big hair out. Jack it up to Jesus!”

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Is that your real hair?

Yeah, it’s my real hair now. I did wear wigs when I did _Annie Get Your Gun_, and then on one tour where we went from Reba in 1974 to present Reba, I did wear the big wigs and had my short hair at the end. And I’ve done it on vacation, ya know. You go from the swimming pool to getting ready for dinner in 30 minutes when you’re wearing wigs! They’re great!

Redheads sometimes get a lot of flak when they’re young. As a redhead in a small town, what was it like for you? Did you ever feel like an outsider?

No, absolutely not. I loved my red hair.

My mom was a redhead, so I felt she gave me her red hair. I’ve always been very, very proud of it.

And people didn’t treat you any differently because of it?

Oh, I didn’t care!

What has made you gravitate toward themes of empowerment, then?

Because I think they’re important. To be encouraging. These songs are encouraging; they’re encouraging to folks. Every song I sing has a message, and it might not be for me and I might not have experienced what’s going on in the song, but I think it’s for somebody who needs to hear it. I’ve had people come up to me before saying, “You have no idea how so-and-so song changed my life. It helped me through a bad situation.” God knows what he’s doing. He gives me the gut feeling to say yes to this song, yes to that song. And it might not have anything to do with my career, my lifestyle, but he’s got somebody down the road who needs to hear it.

Would you consider recording a country song inspired by a gay person’s story?

It just depends on the song. If it touches my heart, absolutely.

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Your daughter-in-law, Kelly Clarkson, told me recently that she didn’t care if one of her kids turned out to be gay. And then you actually backed her on that on Facebook, posting “amen!” on the article. As a grandparent, and a parent yourself, what kind of message do you hope to send by affirming your open-mindedness when it comes to loving and caring for a child regardless of sexual orientation?

What a child needs when they’re growing up is support and love, mainly love. Love can go a long, long ways whether they’re gay or not. All the troubles and the problems and the obstacles that they are going to face in their lives are going to be astronomical, especially in their very young, inexperienced minds. And if they do happen to be gay, that’s going to be a harder hurdle to get over. What a parent needs to do more than anything is jump in there with love and support. You made ’em. They’re a gift from God. Love ’em as they are.

With Billy Gilman, Ty Herndon and Brandy Clark, there’s been a recent wave of country musicians coming out. What are your thoughts on these artists taking that step and coming out publicly?

It’s really, really sad what they’re living with before they decide to come out. And then why they decide to come out, and how they deal with it after they’ve come out – the pressure society puts upon them, their families and what they put upon them, whether they accept it or they don’t. You know, my new album is called _Love Somebody_ … I wish it’d been called _Love Everybody._ You gotta love people for who they are. Accept them, and then go on with life. _Love Everybody_ – the title of the next album.

I’m gonna work on that!

Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service. Reach him via his website at www. chris-azzopardi.com.

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| Montrose STAR

| Wednesday May 6, 2015

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Gayborhood

Montrose STAR

| Wednesday May 6, 2015 |

PAGE 15

Nature’s Miracle, Part 2:

More flowers, more royalty |

By John Buchanan

H

ello, my fabulous, gorgeous, gayborhood residents. In this issue we continue our discussion of beautiful flowers you decide to plant in your yard, and how they actually send the message of who and what you are throughout the gayborhood.

A few other local celebrities in our gayborhood shared what their flower of choice would be in their yard so we could learn a little more about our them.

First, let’s tiptoe through the tulips. Yes, Girl, we love our tulips. They symbolize that you’re sweet, sensitive, and, of course, thoughtful.

You love your family and friends, and you connect easily with others. Tulips show you enjoy traveling, you seek and adapt well to change, and you always give your best at whatever you try to do.

Oh, how I love my gladioli and ­gardenias!

These two flowers show you are sweet, innocent, and possess a unique sense of style. You are a true romantic at heart and are adventurous and love t­­ raveling to exotic places. This exotic travel does not include adult bookstores; that’s ­another type of exotic place. Roxy Ross, a ­beautiful ­entertainer and last year’s First Runner-Up to Miss Texas USofA, says her favorite ­flower is the Gladiolus because it ­represents strength of character, faithfulness, and honor. Now, this is a queen who knows her flowers.

Orchids are another gay favorite. Orchid lovers are mysterious and sophisticated.

My, I know lots of folks who fit this flower to a tee. You speak your mind, are sensitive to surrounding conditions, and value honesty and a close circle of a few friends.

Lilies are everywhere, and its fans are compassionate and dignified. Your kind words and feelings have a lasting effect on others around you. You are proud of who and what you are. You are very invested in

your family and, of course you have a great sense of style. Zinnya Larue Whitney loves her lilies and, if any of you know her, you know these descriptors are truly a great fit. Congratulations, Zinnya, on winning Miss Gulf Coast America! Go to Zinnya’s Facebook page to see how much she loves and cares for all animals.

Pansies! Yes, Girl, I said Pansies! You would think this would be the n ­ atural choice in our gayborhood yards, but ­actually they are seasonal and some folks avoid them because they are here today and gone tomorrow. Pansies actually do quite well here in Texas. They symbolize boldness, strength, courage, and uniqueness. I almost thought I was saying RuPaul’s drag theme on her show. No wonder she uses those words for her contestants. Jenna Skyy, your current reigning Miss Gay USofA loves her purple pansies and so does her mother. I can truly say the characteristics of the pansies fit Jenna!

Daisies symbolize adventurous ­people and a nature lover. Daisy lovers are ­cheerful, optimistic, and like to make ­others laugh. If you drive through the gayborhood you see daisies everywhere, and no wonder.

You demand loyalty in your relationship and you usually are the life of the party.

Obviously there will be some folks who don’t fit this flower grid, and others who fit everything to a tee. I just want you to know just like a flower, you are a miracle in nature. You are unique and one of a kind!

If you ever feel your petals are not worth blooming any longer, please reach out to someone in our gayborhood so they can love you nourish you and show you why you are needed in our community. Sometimes we wait too long to let others know just how much they are needed and appreciated, so challenge yourself and let others know how special they are. Yes they are miracles of nature!

Until next issue, may all of you bloom into the beautiful flower you are meant to be.

Intero Realty’s John Buchanan has more than twenty years’ experience as a Realtor, and writes ‘In the Gayborhood’ to communicate, educate, and save his clients money. He welcomes all referrals, whether you’re buying, selling, renting, or leasing. For more information, call 832-969-4352 or email Johnwb214@aol.com

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| Montrose STAR

| Wednesday May 6, 2015

Cooking with Paula Dream

Memories and a mouth-watering meal for Mothers Day |

By Paula Dream (AKA Kale Haygood)

A

s we flip the calendar over one more page into May, we are anticipating the holidays ahead. Of course, the first one is Mothers Day when we hopefully take time to honor and, especially, give thanks to and for our Mothers. We remember those who have gone on before and honor and celebrate those who are still with us.

I always had a hint that when my ­mother called out all three of my names, I’d best go on to the woodshed. Of course, one of my memories of getting in trouble was her saying, “You go outside and get me a switch.”

Very reluctantly, I would go out to the peach tree and find a brittle one that would break. Then I got a second trip. I would then get the tiniest, flimsiest one that I could find.

Big mistake. Those hurt the worst.

Why was it that Mother seemed to always cook our family’s Mothers Day Sunday ­dinner, even though it was her day? One of her favorite meals, and mine too, was a great big pan of chicken and dressing. It was oh-so-good. I could never make just like she did; I guess I’m just too lazy to make it that way.

So here’s a “cheaters’ version” that comes out great, if you are cooking for your own mother.

MY CHICKEN AND DRESSING

1 small onion (about 3/4-to-1 cup), diced 2 or 3 stalks celery, chopped 1 carton chicken broth 3/4 tablespoons chicken-flavor bouillon powder Dried sage, to taste (optional) Salt and pepper, to taste 1 box stuffing mix 4 cooked skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cubed Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl prepare the stuffing per recommended instructions, adding just a little more broth to the mixture. Work mixture until there are no lumps, adding more broth as needed. Mix in remaining ingredients.

Transfer to an 8”-x-8” baking dish. Place in oven for about 30 minutes until slightly browned on top. If it becomes too dry, pour a little broth over the top. (If you prefer, whole cooked chicken breasts may be pressed down into the dressing prior to baking.)

Serve with canned cranberry sauce. Then kiss your mother.

Paula Dream (AKA Kale Haygood) owns Beyond Service, a Montrose-based, home-cooking catering company. For more information, call 713-805-4106 or email barrykale@ yahoo.com.

2 7 10 Montrose Blvd.

Houston, T X 7 7 006

713.526.0202 Order Online www.pepperonis.net

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Foodie Diaries

Salata: Have a dumpling, darling

Houston-Born Home of Healthy Salads |

By Jim Ayres

toes, black beans, and banana peppers, but there’s so much more: avocado slices, artifter a Tex-Mex dinner over the weekchokes, sprouts—you name it.

The next section holds a bounty of fruits end, at which I swore (once again) I’d and cheeses. I love to add apples or dried take half home, only to clean my enchilada cranberries to a salad for a touch of sweetplate right then and there, I decided I needed something light and veggie-centric. ness, and feta cheese is a must. You can also I’d been meaning to write a column about get mandarin oranges, bacon bits, almonds, Salata, the rapidly expanding salad chain, and walnuts. I’m sure I’m missing a few, as for quite some time, and now was the time well! to do it.

Now it’s time for dressing. You can With at least two dozen locations in the choose from ten house-made dressings, and greater Houston area, another 17 or so I’m partial to either the Honey Mustard throughout Texas, two in southern Califor(100 times better than Kraft) or a tart Lemnia, and one in Chicago, Salata has made a on Vinaigrette. Some of the more offbeat big impression on a lot of people. Soon to dressings include Sun-Dried Tomato, Mancelebrate its 10th anniversary, Salata started go, and Ginger Lime. Two kinds of Ranch right here in downtown Houston. and a Caesar are available, as well.

Calling itself the (Hint: When your “Next Generation server asks you Salad Bar,” Salata “one ladle or two” of proudly offers fresh, dressing, know that 1440 West Gray Street (and other locations) hand-cut produce, one looks like about Houston, Texas 77019 (713) 522-6400 a wide selection of a half a cup!)

W W W. S A L A T A . C O M proteins, and homeIf you like a promade dressings tein with your salad, for our your custom salad. That’s right— Salata has many interesting choices. Not just although Salata doesn’t have a self-serve chicken breast, but five flavors of it, includsalad bar, you build your salad yourself as ing Herb, Chipotle, Asian BBQ, Pesto, and you go through the fast moving line. It’s sort Buffalo. You can also choose marinated of like a Subway for salads. shrimp or a pink, juicy salmon. Or, try falafel, Start by choosing a small or regular salmy personal favorite. The falafel is aggresad, or a wrap. Be forewarned—the “regular” sively spiced but not hot, and stays crunchy salad is mountainous. Select a spring mix, even after being mixed into your salad. spinach, kale, or good old Romaine, and the At this point you’ll have reached the end assembly process begins. of the line. Are a regular (remember, it’s At Salata, I’m always taken aback by how big) salad and a drink worth $13? With Salafresh everything looks. Choose as many ta’s abundance of healthy ingredients and veggies as you wish, and your personal salselection of teas and lemonades, I think so. And you can always take the leftovers ad-maker will pile them on. Nothing wild home! Their lime green containers are or unusual, but that’s OK. I’ll pick radishadorable. es, red onions, broccoli, cucumbers, toma-

A

Salata

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| Montrose STAR

| Wednesday May 6, 2015

Make It Happen with David Lorms

Meet Philip Gaydosik

| By Sally Adams And David Lorms

T

he recent damaging storms have made this spring a busy time for senior claims adjuster Philip Gaydosik.

A native of Oak Forest in Houston, Gaydosik attended three different high schools.

He has seen a lot of changes in the neighborhood over his lifetime. He likes the growth in the area and feels that it still has a small town feel.

Self-awareness came early to Gaydosik.

“I remember as early as high school that I always seemed to see both sides of everything and everybody,” Gaydosik said in a recent interview on Make It Happen With David Lorms, an online motivational business radio show that streams live each Wednesday at noon on www.KBRZSports. com.

“My mom called me ‘Flip-Flop’ because I wound up doing things so differently than how I thought I would at the beginning of my projects. It has served me well as an adult—in my career and my personal life.

It’s good to be a Gemini,” he laughs.

Gaydosik went to college for real, after leaving it after a false start, in his late twenties.

“I certainly believe in college degrees,” he says. “I tell my two boys that all the time!”

During his hiatus from education he worked in a bike shop and as a letter carrier. For a few years, Gaydosik took a week off here and there to work gratis on local low budget films being shot in Houston. He spent his off time traveling and surfing.

“I really admire the people who work in the post office, but it wasn’t for me. After a few years I was ready to go back to college,” he says. “My most memorable mail delivery was in West University where I was greeted on a front porch by a boa constrictor! I didn’t know if it was dead, alive, fake, or real. I didn’t stick around long enough to find out!”

After graduating from the University of Houston, Gaydosik began working in injury and fatality claims for insurance companies. He’s now an expert auto damage claims adjuster. He feels his ability to see

Photo courtesy David Lorms

The inside skinny from a claims adjuster

Philip Gaydosik, left, and David Lorms claims from many sides makes him a fair and trustworthy adjuster.

Everyday he sees the aftermath of auto accidents, and has a valuable piece of advice for those who find themselves involved in a small wreck on a well traveled road or highway.

“If the accident is small, no one is hurt and both cars are drive-able, it’s important to get off the road or highway,” he says.

“You could cause more accidents for drivers who are trying to get around you and, of course, look at you and your car at the same time. Make sure you take photos with your cell phone. If you can take pictures of what you’re eating to post of Facebook, you can certainly snap some shots of your car’s damage and the accident placement.”

Gaydosik also recommends taking at least one shot of all the passengers in the other car.

“Most people are honest and just want to get their car fixed with as little hassle as possible,” he says. “But I have seen cases where after the fact, a driver has added names of his friends as passengers to up his claim.”

He added that if you get a flat tire, it is best to get to the side of the road or off the highway all together.

“Which do you want—an undamaged wheel or to stay alive?” he asks.

Regarding his professional advice about buying car insurance, Gaydosik said, “Make sure you have personal injury coverage! It is worth the cost. The state of Texas feels it is so important that they make each agent offer it to their customers.”

Personal injury coverage covers every person in your vehicle who is injured, and it doesn’t have to be in an accident. It also covers you when you are injured in someone else’s car, or even on a city bus!

More words of insurance wisdom and encouragement from Philip Gaydosik: • After you have been in an accident, it is illegal for an attorney to call you and offer their services.

• Everyone should have uninsured motorists insurance. There are a lot of uninsured motorists in Houston. This also covers hit and run and it’s very affordable.

• The most common auto accident in Houston is when one car rear-ends another car.

Award-winning insurance professional and author David Lorms hosts ‘Make It Happen With David Lorms’, an online motivational business radio show on www.KBRZSports.com live each Wednesday at noon. For more information, visit www. spreaker.com/user/7420120 or www.lormsinsuranceservices.com.

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Deep Inside Hollywood

Apatow goes all the way gay •

| By Romeo San Vicente

A ndrew Rannells is working with produc-

er/director Judd Apatow on an untitled comedy co-written by Rannells and _Jersey Boys’_ Mike Doyle. There’s not one single detail to be shared about the story, other than that it’s a star vehicle for Rannells, whose career is on a steadily rising escalator. He is the Grammy-winning, Tony Award-nominated star of _The Book of Mormon_, one of an elite crew of Hedwigs, and current co-star of _Girls_. Details of the project will come soon enough, but until then, the coolest part of this is kind of about Judd Apatow. After establishing himself as the chief purveyor of the man-child comedy, all Rogens and Rudds and Francos acting gay-ish with one another, heterosexual men figuring out how to reclaim their ability to be intimate with one another, Apatow is now producing _Girls_, directing Amy Schumer’s upcoming feature _Trainwreck_, and working on a project with a gay guy. Don’t worry, straight men, you’re all still very, very important to us. But let’s enjoy this next, inclusive step in the Apatow Universe and see how the expansion plays out. _Rocky Horror_: The TV Remake.

Yep. ike all unnecessary remakes, this one was, perhaps, inevitable. _The Rocky Horror Picture Show_, 40 years old now, was asking for it by being so beloved. The cult favorite of misfits and queer kids holds the distinction of being the movie with the longest theatrical distribution run in film history. And that means it’s worth money. And that means someone wants to milk more from it. Gail Berman, former Fox entertainment president, has long wanted to remake the film, calling it a “passion” project for her. And Fox already loaned it to _Glee_ for auto-tuning. So the next step is handing it over to _High School Musical_ director Kenny Ortega for a TV version to air on Fox. The working title is _The Rocky Horror Picture Show Event_, and while there’ll be, of course, a new cast and what’s being called a “visual reimagining,” there’s a promise to be faithful to the script and songs. If the _High School Musical_ association bothers you, consider _Rocky_’s trajectory as something akin to the human rights movement for the LGBT community. Once considered dangerous and dirty, now mainstream and cuddly, the outrageous musical’s transgressive yesterday is today’s cute karaoke. That’s a real time warp.

L

_Animal Crackers_ are the new Legos K, _maybe_ they’ll be the new Legos, box-office-wise, anyway, when the animated feature _Animal Crackers_ is released. It could be argued that the tiny, vanilla-flavored cookie, beloved by generations of children, has an even deeper

O

Andrew Rannells brand identity than Lego, so anything could happen. The feature – not a remake of the Marx Brothers comedy, in case you were worried – is about a family employing a magical box of Animal Crackers to save a rundown circus from being seized by an evil ringmaster. (Although, let’s be real, circuses aren’t exactly America’s favorite day out anymore, so their existence may need to be explained to very young audiences.) The movie boasts a few LGBT cast members providing voices: Ian McKellen, Raven-Symone, and the venerable Harvey Fierstein as “Esmerelda,” a character we hope is the ferocious queen of bear-shaped cookies.

And they’ll join Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Patrick Warburton, Sylvester Stallone, Danny DeVito and Gilbert Gottfried. It hits multiplexes for family consumption in 2016. BYOMilk.

JT LeRoy: The hoax everyone bought J T LeRoy was a lot of things: a former teenage prostitute, an HIV-positive recovering drug addict, gender-ambiguous and the critical darling of the literary world with a best-selling autobiographical novel, _Sarah_. He was also painfully shy, choosing to allow celebrities like Lou Reed, Sandra Bernhard and Nancy Sinatra read for him at book events. Well, the last two parts are true, anyway, although shyness isn’t why LeRoy rarely appeared in public. He was, instead, a construction, an elaborate literary hoax. And now it’s all on film. Marjorie Sturm began a documentary about LeRoy in 2002, at the height of his fame, and she was there in 2006 when it all came crumbling down around an author named Laura Albert, whose pen name and alter ego had caused one too many questions without answers. The result is a _The Cult of JT LeRoy_, a provocative examination of how fiction is employed in building a celebrity, how we all want to believe in the redemptive power of tragedy through art, and what happens when the truth comes out. It’s making the film festival rounds right now, so catch it while you can.

Romeo San Vicente still thinks _Sarah_ is a good book. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.

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| Montrose STAR

| Wednesday May 6, 2015

Across the Causeway

May Day!

The stars and bars of Galveston |

By Forest Riggs

A

s the song says, “When April showers may come your way, they bring the flowers that bloom in May.” And blooming they are! Ol’ gay Galveston is alive and well.

There is so much going on in Galvetraz that even the oleanders are blushing! Though April was wet and windy, it waltzed into a beautiful May filled with sunshine, parties, fabulous shows and gobs of island visitors.

There may only be four gay bars (though we have plenty of “stray” bars) but they are working extra hard to offer something for every taste, from cocktail specials to drag queen bingo! The clubs have all been filled to capacity with locals and visitors, drinking, dancing, dragging, stripping, and tipping. I think there should be a bumper sticker that reads “Got Your Galveston On?” I have made it a special point to hit all the clubs lately and check out the h ­ appenings.

No matter what your scene might be, I am confident the gay clubs of ­Galveston will

not only not disappoint you, but will exceed your expectations.

Robert’s Lafitte is still packing ‘em in.

The Friday night Latin Ladies show is something you don’t want to miss. Some of the best drag I have seen pours out of the beautiful Jada Vandross Ross, along with Tiffany Knight Capri and Shanice Monroe. These girls have the moves, curves, and glamour. Every time I see Destiny Lee Jacobs working the crowd, she takes my breath away; she is always hot enough on that floor to melt ice. I love sweet Mayra Sanchez (another island ­institution) ­especially when she performs a Lola Beltran number just for me! With her ­beautiful make-up and flawless attire, Carly, is always a crowd-pleaser and another island favorite.

Sweet Robert Mainor, the owner, has been under the weather the past few weeks but a little butterfly tells me he is now home and on the mend. For those that do not know Robert, he is truly a living legend and a tremendous supporter and cornerstone of gay

S David Paschall, left, and John Timothy Branstetter.

R Forest Riggs, left, and Misty Valdez.

TheMontroseSTAR.com

S Robert Mainor.

R Debbie Kepi Boyd.

Galveston. We all hope to see Robert back on his favorite stool s­ haring his stories and wisdom very soon.

Todd Farrish and his crew (Eddie, Toby, Chris and David) at 23rd St. Station are living proof you just can’t keep an old bar down! The Station has risen, and rapidly, to become a hot spot on e­ veryone’s list. I popped in the other night and got a “double-diva whammy”: Two ­legendary performers were strutting their stuff and working their beautiful asses off to entertain and bring down the house—not mention the tips: Dollars were flying like lettuce leaves. Misty Valdez, ­looking sleeker than ever and oh-so-glamorous as a blonde, wowed the crowd with her sultry performances. C.C. Ryder, moving like a graceful swan, had the crowd in the palm of her hand, as always. By the way, C.C. has teamed up with Carly for one heck of a new comedy/drag “Lucy and Ethel” adventure. Catch it when you can; their style and humor is unequaled.

Galvestonians love competition and especially drag competitions. Accordingly, 23rd St. Station will host the Miss Island Diva Pageant on May 23. The pageant promises to be one hell of a bump and grind session. Contestants will be judged in Creative Swimsuit and talent categories. Make sure not to miss this island event!

Steve and the gang at Splash are doing just that—making one heck of a splash on the Seawall. Sunday Drag Bingo, hosted by island hottie Carman Can-Too, is a must on everyone’s list. I guarantee you have never played bingo like this before. Expect ­excellent prizes, great local humor and tons of fun. Bingo starts at 4 p.m. on Sundays with the super-talented Debbie Kepi Boyd

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cranking out the hits as well as intermittent trivia questions and other fun activities.

Debbie returns on Monday nights for one wild time of karaoke, Debbie style.

If you have not seen Debbie work her magic on the crowd, catch her at Splash.

Not only is she talented and beautiful, but she is also one of the most genuinely warm persons you will ever encounter. I will be writing more about the ­fantastic staff at Splash really soon. Gregory, ­Christin, Sean, Alex and Army (yes, yes… ­everyone wants to join this Army!) Make Splash a wonderful and fun bar to visit.

On the downtown scene, KRave is alive with the latest music, drink and hot staff.

Another island favorite, David Paschall, hosts karaoke on Tuesdays. Not only does he croon a mean Frank ­Sinatra, but also helps even the mic-shyest folks get up and sing! On Wednesday nights, once again, Debbie Kepi Boyd ­entertains with her “Hollywood ­Holiday Inn” stage, starting at 9 p.m.

Debbie gets the entire crowd participating in sing-alongs, skits, and other shenanigans.

No matter what type of bar or crowd you are seeking, the clubs of Galveston have you covered. From a quiet spot for a drink with friends overlooking the beach or a wicked night of embarrassing yourself, you can find it at these fine clubs. The locals are the friendliest folks you will ever meet, and they all do their very best to make sure your gay Galveston visit is spectacular and chock full of memories. Don’t do the island without experiencing one or all of these clubs.

Come get your Galveston on!

A resident of Galveston where he can be found wasting bait and searching for the meaning of life, Forest Riggs recently completed a collection of short stories about his beloved island and is working on a novel.

Montrose STAR

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| Wednesday May 6, 2015 |

PAGE 23

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| Montrose STAR

| Wednesday May 6, 2015

Next2Weeks!

WEDNESDAY May 6

a Ripcord:

May 6 thru May 20

a Black Hawk

Geeks Who Drink.

8pm.

Leather: Lube Sale Event!

FRIDAY May 8

MAY 6–20, 2015

SATURDAY May 9

SUNDAY May 10

a Meteor:

a Arena Theatre:

Legendary Lady Dina Jacobs Fundraiser, 7pm a South Beach: Stripper Circus Premier with special guest ChiChi LaRue! Invading Houston every Friday!

Armando Manzanero & Francisco Céspedes in concert.

Visit www.ArenaHouston.com for information. a Club Houston: Saturday Night Party. DJ Spins a F Bar: Houston Splash Saturday Day Party. 4pm. a The Grand 1994 Opera House (Galveston): Lily Tomlin: An Evening of Classics0. 8pm.

Visit www.thegrand.com for information. a Meteor: Carl Han presents Burning Man – The Event 7-9pm a South Beach: RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Violet Chachki. a TC’s Showbar: Alexis Nicole Whitney’s 39th Birthday Extravaganza! Food, Mariachis & a Big Show, 9pm-2am

Vinny Vega

TUESDAY May 12

IN HOUSTON & GALVESTON

WEDNESDAY May 13

a Ripcord: Geeks Who fundraising reception supporting Drink, 8pm Lane Lewis’ campaign for Houston City Council At-Large Pos. 1. To contribute before May 12, visit LaneLewis.com or call 713-942-5816, 5:30-7pm a F Bar: 2016 Hillary for President, a fundraising show

THURSDAY May 14

FRIDAY May 15

SATURDAY May 16

a Cyclone Anaya’s Midtown: A

a George Bar:

MSL’s Houston Fireballs Bar Night feat. Balls, Beers & BBQ, 5-8pm a Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon:

The Sirens of Sunday present Queen Bee Ho’, 8:30pm a South Beach:

Houston Splash Grand Finale Party, 10pm

Lily Tomlin SUNDAY May 17

a Ripcord: a Ripcord: Art Opening,

a F Bar: #FlexFridays

8pm-12am

feat. Vinny Vega, 11:30pm

Send-Off Party for Mr Prime Choice, Woody Stiner

a Brian Flores Hosts (4704 Dickson,

Houston, 77007): Fiesta 2015, A benefit for Lazarus House (a wellness center), 11am-2pm. Margaritas, Mexican food & music! Advance tickets available at TheLazarusHouse. org. a Meteor: Mr & Mrs Gay Houston USofA, 4pm-Midnight

MSL’s Houston Fireballs Bar Night Dates and events subject to change without notice.

Since 1981, Legacy Community Health Services has been a constant presence in the lives of LGBT Houstonians. We were there at the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, providing testing and linking clients to care. We are still here now, offering comprehensive medical care. For more than 30 years, Legacy has been a source of comfort for those who traditionally face barriers to care.

We are, now and always, constantly here for you.

Adult Primary Care HIV/AIDS Testing & Prevention Ryan White Health Care Services STD Screening & Treatment Transgender Specialty Care Women’s Services Body Positive Wellness Nutritional Counseling

1415 California St., Houston, TX 77006 | 832-730-4432 TheMontroseSTAR.com

Dental Care Frost Eye Clinic Behavioral Health Services Vaccination & Immunization Pediatrics The Assistance Fund On-site Pharmacy

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DJ C-Rail

The ‘Scruff Model’ from Austin’s Iron Bear

Sufjan Stevens, Reba McEntire

Section

VIOL Chachki ET

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E.G. Daily: From ‘The Shadows’ to ‘The Voice’

TROSE ON

By Mark Kariel

B

y mid-summer, South Beach will be one of only a few bars around the country to have welcomed all 14 contestants of Season 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The next queen to grace our fine city of Houston with her presence is (drum roll, please) Violet Chachki!

Violet performs one big show with an encore after midnight, followed by an autograph and photo shoot party. Come have your photo taken with this sickening Season 7 queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race!

For more information, visit www.sobehouston.com, or call 713-521-0107. South Beach is located at 810 Pacific St. Houston, TX 77006.

(Continued on page 28)

WEDNESDAY MAY 6, 2015

VOL. VI, ISSUE 3

Brings her blooms to South Beach

PAGE 26

Montrose STAR

Wednesday May 6, 2015

PIG E C DAN

DJ Spotlight

DJ C-Rail 5/16 SATURDAY

) m s a g r a e B , r a e (Scruff, Iron B

|

611 HYDE PARK | MON-FRI 4P-2A | SAT & SUN 12P-2A

Dirty Disco feat Debby Holiday

LIFT

Houston’s DJs Mark D & JD Arnold (aka Dirty Disco) bring you the anthem “LIFT” on the Billboard Dance Chart now! all mixes avail on iTunes! Grab your copy!

join

By DJ Mark D

H

L I A R DJ C

TheMontroseSTAR.com

The ‘Scruff Model’ from Austin’s Iron Bear

aving started DJ’ing just a little while ago, there’s a rising star in Texas who’s making a lot of noise just up the road from us. Here’s the scoop on one of Texas’ newest, sexiest, and strongest DJs: C-Rail.

His home bar is the Iron Bear in Austin, which is a fun place! It’s very similar to the Eagle here in Houston with the manly, muscled, and hairy types cruising around. I was there a few weeks back and found that my ass couldn’t stop bopping up and down to the beat, so I introduced myself to the DJ. Crail Bench, also known as DJ C-Rail, was behind the turntables and rocking it! I pulled him aside for an impromptu interview because I knew you’d want to know more about this muscle bear.

“I got started DJ’ing in 2011,” Bench says. “I’d been bartending on a patio here in Austin and my Sunday beer bust crowd loved my music. A few months later a couple of friends asked me along with my partners to create a party for their birthday, and I should DJ for it. I had never DJ’d before outside of just pushing ‘play’ on my iPod.” He knew he’d have to tackle the learning curve, so he was smart about it and enlisted the help of a buddy.

“I got with one of my good friends and fellow DJ Bryan Konrad (Smith) who gave me advice, showed me the systems and got me started out on what has become a very fun path for me,” Bench says.

His first official gig was the Trois party at the Iron Bear three years ago, which was a big success and showed him exactly what he was destined to do in life.

“I had such an amazing time watching the crowd have fun, dance, and let loose. It gave me such a sense of pride in that I was the catalyst in supplying that atmosphere for them.”

Bench went on to spin and headline the Bear Bust at the Parliament House in Orlando, Florida.

“It. Was. Amazing,” he says. “The crowd was surreal, the atmosphere and energy was through the roof—and we were outside!

Seeing the faces of the people dancing and having a great time will be something I won’t ever forget,” Bench says.

Since then, he’s gotten lots of phone calls for out-of-town gigs, one of which was Bearracuda Houston—a smashing success held at Houston Eagle.

When asked what the most memorable gig was he’s spun, he says it was the OutYouth Prom in Austin.

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DJ C-Rail “Just to see these kids from Junior High and High School having such a great time and no ‘labels,’” Bench says, smiling. “It’s not that they were gay, but they were just kids, doing what kids do, not caring who was around or who was watching, and dancing unashamed. It was one of the best experiences of my life.” Bench’s career ambitions are concentrated on his family and giving back to the community.

“DJ’ing has become an outlet for me to be able to feel that I’m ‘giving back’ to the community here in Austin that has been so great to me since I moved here back in 2001,” he says. “My heart has a passion for fundraising and charity organizations. If I could become a “go-to” DJ for such events, I would have a feeling of complete fulfillment in giving of my talents to such organizations that give so much to our community.”

The path that he travels now took considerable effort to get to as Bench realized some personal issues that have made him into the person he is today; they are the reason he chooses to give back to our community with the tenacity he has within.

“I went through a very rough coming-out period in Houston in 2000; a dark depression came over me that unfortunately included a suicide attempt,” Bench recalls.

“I was outed, asked to leave my job, called off my wedding, and was all but homeless for a couple of weeks, living in my truck.

“Things are much different now,” he continues. “I’m blessed with a wonderful husband of eleven-and-a-half years. We just moved into the house we built in one of the most wonderful neighborhoods we could’ve ever asked to find. We have a little pug named Lulu Belle LaRue and a tabby cat named Squeaks.”

DJ C-Rail Bench’s future looks bright, he’s got lots of exciting DJ gigs coming up Plus, he’s got gigs this year that include Brasil, Gay Days Orlando, and Chicago Pride.

“I was cited as the ‘most requested back’ DJ for Gay Days! Woo hoo!” he laughs.

Come out and support a Lone Star boy as he spins Pig Dance at the Houston Eagle on Saturday, May 16. You’ll hear and feel the energy, plus you’ll see me there! Woof!

Montrose STAR

Retro Rewind

E.G. Daily: From ‘The Shadows’ to ‘The Voice’ |

By JD Arnold

O

f all the reality talent shows on TV, The Voice is the only one that keeps my attention and has managed to increase in popularity almost every season. Watching the current season, I was surprised to see two names that I recognized from the 1980s.

The first was Donna Allen, a powerhouse of a singer who now sounds a bit like Tina Turner, although her hits in the ‘80s never made me think of Tina. Allen scored two hits in the ‘80s with “Serious” and “Joy and Pain”.

Then, in 1995, she released my personal favorite, simply titled “Real”. Sporting mixes by the brilliant David Morales, “Real” remains on my list of all time classics. Her powerful voice soars and is given full range over Morales’ dubby production.

The other name I recognized was, of course, E.G. Daily—otherwise known as Elizabeth Daily. She was a Houston favorite who even rode in the Pride Parade one year when it was still a daytime event and hotter than hell! She was so petit, cute as a button and, boy, could she sing! Her live show that year was pretty amazing, especially after enduring the Houston heat and humidity all afternoon.

She had a few dance hits but one became so popular in the gay clubs that it outshone all others and still gets requested on classic nights. 1985 was a difficult time for many of us as friends were getting sick and the AIDS crisis was really changing our perception of reality. That was the year Daily released “Love In The Shadows”; we all could relate to the lyrics as many of us wanted to escape

the reality of the time and go back to what we had before AIDS swept the community.

The track has an impressive pedigree as it was produced by Harold Faltermeyer, one of Giorgio Moroder’s discoveries in Germany. Moroder had brought him to Los Angeles to work on the soundtrack of Midnight Express, both arranging and playing keyboards. Faltermeyer went on the produce Donna Summer and work on many soundtracks earning him much international acclaim.

“Love In The Shadows” was written jointly by Daily and Faltermeyer and was later included on the soundtracks to Thief of Hearts and Circuit.

The remixer was none other than John “Jellybean” Benitez, Madonna’s ex-boyfriend who mixed all the hits from her debut album including “Borderline”, “Lucky Star”, and “Everybody”. No wonder “Love In The Shadows” created such a buzz and still stands the test of time. The song has been remixed many times over the years and there have also been a few remakes including a version by Celine Dion.

E.G. Daily’s other club hits include “Mind Over Matter” and “Say It, Say It”. She has also gone on to become a voice actor for cartoons, an actor, and a stand-up comic.

At the time of writing, Donna Allen had been eliminated from The Voice, but E.G. Daily has managed to hang in there so far.

I wish her the best of luck but I fear, just like on Dancing With The Stars, vintage performers don’t really stand a chance. I just hope it re-invigorates interest in her and revives her club career.

Wednesday May 6, 2015

SUNDAY MAY 17, 2015 - STARTING AT 4P

FEATURING GUEST DJ

ROBBIE LESLIE

FROM THE ORIGINAL

STUDIO 54&THE SAINT HOUSTON EAGLE | 611 HYDE PARK | MON-FRI 4P-2A, SAT & SUN NOON-2A

Take a trip down the road of musical history Sunday afternoons with DJ JD Arnold’s Dangerous Disco at Eagle Houston (611 Hyde Park). It’s the music where we came into our own! Bring your boogie shoes and get ready to use it up and wear it out! See you on the dance floor!

NO COVER | $4 DOMESTICS | $5 IMPORTS

2409 GRANT | BAYOUCITYBAR.COM | MON-SAT 7A-2A SUN NOON-2A E.G. Daily TheMontroseSTAR.com

PAGE 27

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Montrose STAR

Wednesday May 6, 2015

CROSSWORD QUEERIES Coping at the Copa

1 Dancer Taylor 5 Michelangelo’s Mary and son 10 Org. in a Jim Nabors program 14 Humerus neighbor 15 Brigham Young man, for one 16 Home st. of Maupin 17 Lions or Tigers or Bears 18 Lobbyist Hilary 19 Billy of Titanic 20 Singer who recently married his manager 23 #1 hit of 1974 by 20-Across 26 Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, e.g.

27 Does Mr. Clean’s job 31 Maple fluid 32 Argo employer 33 Composer Erik 35 Like Oscar Madison 39 What a boy scout takes

41 Manager Kief who just married 20-Across 43 Sheltered spot 44 Actor Milo of Oz 46 ‘80s tennis star 48 King James word before verily 49 St. crosser 51 Edith Head, to costumes 53 Jane Spahr and others 57 With 58-Across, #1 hit of 1976 by 20-Across 58 See 57-Across 62 Diary of ___ Housewife 63 He waved his stick in Mudville 64 Symbols of queens 68 Russian singing duo 69 Krippendorf’s ___ 70 12-incher 71 Brady Bunch prefix 72 Chat room request 73 Cunning

1 Had partners, with “out” 2 Soho pub drink 3 Acapulco article 4 Queer L 5 Sound of a pussy in your lap 6 “Believe ___ not!”

7 Cole Porter’s “You’d Be So ___ to Love” 8 Main melody in a musical 9 Meticulous records by anal historians?

10 Ready for action 11 “Do Re Mi” subject 12 House of the lord 13 Bodies of sailors 21 Author Rand and others 22 Linguist Chomsky 23 Singer Marilyn 24 Reid to Tobias 25 Like a bottom 28 Jason Stuart chairs its LGBT committee 29 List ender

30 Successfully donated sperm 34 River of Wilde’s land 36 Larry Kramer’s Just ___ 37 Having nice lines 38 Sentence units 40 Became aroused 42 Stat for Kopay 45 Swear to 47 Taylor of Six Feet Under 50 Becomes hard 52 Experienced the Big O 53 Subdivision maps 54 Target before shooting off 55 Imitate Dick Button 56 Designing Women co-star Jean 59 Area east of the Urals 60 Arrears 61 Herbert’s Fortune and Men’s ___ 65 Kanga’s baby 66 Engage men in shorts 67 Swine cooler?

Violet

( from p25)

Violet Chachki — M uch more than simply one of the beautiful colors of the rainbow, Violet Chachki is one of 14 contestants vying for the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 7.

From Atlanta, Georgia, Violet is young (at the low end of being 20-something years old) and apparently has the smallest waist in RuPaul’s Drag Race herstory (at the low end of measuring 20-something inches). With a large personality to offset her youth and tiny waist, Violet appears to be “inching” her way toward the top of Season 7.

When you visit Atlanta, check out Violet at Jungle Atlanta, where she is a regular member of the popular “The Other Show” every Friday night. I have a feeling that there is a lot of traveling in Violet’s present and future due to RPDR, so not sure how often she is actually in Atlanta for the time being!

Four Things You Need to Know about Violet (as of press time)

Violet is one of six remaining queens in the race.

Violet is the only one of the remaining six queens who has never been in the bottom two and therefore, has never been required to “lip-sync for your life”.

Violet is the winner of one main challenge, so far. This occurred in episode one: “Born Naked”, in which the queens were challenged to create a resort-wear tear-away to reveal a nude illusion.

During “Snatch Game”, always the most highly anticipated episode each season, Violet was originally planning to impersonate Donatella Versace, until it was revealed that Miss Fame was also planning to be the same character.

In the workroom, as Violet was trying to decide if she should stick to her original idea or go with something new, RuPaul compliments Violet on her Alyssa Edwards impression and suggests that she change. In the end, Violet impersonated Alyssa Edwards and was highly praised for her delivery of the likeness and mannerisms of the highly popular Season 5 queen.

DJ CJ | Bayou City Bar

DJ Wrangler | Whiskey Dick's

RU-Minder: Season 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race is in full swing! Head on over to JR’s Bar & Grill each Monday night for a viewing party. The show starts at 8 p.m. JR’s Bar aa& Grill is located at 808 Pacific St. Houston, Texas 77006.

Stay tuned for the next edition of the MONTROSE STAR for many more upcoming RuPaul’s Drag Race events.

DJ JD Arnold | Eagle Houston

Club Play Top 40 Hot Country/Western Club Traxx Top 10 1. Better Have My Money — Rihanna 2. I Bet — Ciara 3. Ice Princess — Azealia Banks 4. GITH — Mad Villainz 5. I Need My Memory Back (Zeros Remix) — The Glitch Mob 6. Somebody — Natalie La Rose feat. Jeremih 7. Blessings — Big Sean feat. Drake 8. Earned It — The Weeknd 9. All Day — Kanye West 10. Private Show — T.I. feat. Chris Brown

1. Take Your Time — Sam Hunt 2. Say You Do — Dierks Bentley 3. Drinking Class — Lee Brice 4. Homegrown — Zac Brown Band 5. Raise ‘Em Up — Keith Urban 6. A Guy Walks Into a Bar — Tyler Farr 7. Don’t It — Billy Currington 8. Smoke — A Thousand Horses 9. Lonely Eyes — Chris Young 10. Sippin’ On Fire — Florida Georgia Line

TheMontroseSTAR.com

1. Lift (Barry Harris, Phil B/Dave Aude/Dirty Disco dub) — Dirty Disco feat. Debbie Holiday 2. Rise Above The Game (Patterson/Original) — Angel Moraes feat. Neysa Malone 3. I’ll Be There (Orig.) — Chic 4. The Giver — Duke Dumont 5. Take Care Of My Heart (Ragin and Dorr) — Eddie Amador and Ultra Nate 6. Woman Power (Alyson Calagna/Mike Cruz/Jane Doze/Rosabel) — Ono 7. Ghosttown (Thrill) — Madonna 8. The Frenchie Thing — Reboot 9. Funky Fresh (Original) — Gussy 10. Thanks To You (Tedd Patterson) — DJ Spen and Tracy Hamlin

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Hear Me Out

Montrose STAR

Sufjan Stevens, Reba McEntire |

By Chris Azzopardi

Sufjan Stevens, G rief guides Sufjan Stevens’ muse on Carrie & Lowell. It’s a remarkably wrenching release from the indie darling. “The evil it spread like a fever ahead / It was night when you died, my firefly,” a solemn Stevens laments, conjuring a place of peace and rest, and then delivering this stark reality like an afterthought: “We’re all gonna die.” A heartbreaking back-and-forth between Sufjan and his late mother, who died shortly after a surprise stomach cancer d ­ iagnosis, the song’s simple piano ­progression ­enkindles a contrasting calmness to the intensity of this final exchange – a reconciliation of the past, the harsh truth of the future – that floats hypnotically, like a wind-blown feather making its final descent. His portrayal of the inevitable is tragically beautiful, and it’s also uncharacteristically direct, a noticeable switch for the press-shy, cryptically-prone Stevens. Carrie & Lowell is a memoir, capturing a life-changing tragedy with aching frankness and conveying it in its rawest guitar-rendered form. His despondency on the dreamy “Should Have Known Better,” which acknowledges the trauma of being abandoned by his mother at “3, maybe 4,” is spiked with hope – the promise of a new niece, a ray of light that cuts through the song’s otherwise sullen sensibility. It evokes the cyclical nature of humanity so beautifully, and in just five minutes. Stevens also lets in some light on “Drawn to the Blood,” his call to a spiritual guide e­ ventually ebbing into a lush, orchestral reprieve. Grief, in all its emotional complexities, has rarely been as fully embodied as it is on the compelling Carrie & Lowell, a work rich in the reality of human nature, from life to death to life again.

Grade: A-

Reba McEntire, S uffering through a recent breakup? ­Regretting a hookup? Reba’s got you covered.

The country diva sifts through a songwriting minefield of good ol’-fashioned country woe, worship and wine-drinking for Love Somebody, the icon’s first album in five years. And queens, brace yourselves: the rock-infused “Going Out Like That” is more fierce than an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Taking

aim at a mystified man, Reba lets him know what’s up… and it’s not what he expects.

“He thought she’d be sitting home crying / she ain’t going out like that,” vows Reba, being all badass. The country queen’s emotional plate is full on Love Somebody, as she takes on impulsive rebound sex (the devastating Brandy Clark-written “She Got Drunk Last Night”), beating the odds (the sniffle-inducing “Love Land”) and ­mortality (“Just Like Them Horses”). Inspired to record the ballad after it was played at her father’s funeral, the latter is a hug from the heavens, and Reba sounds absolutely divine. She brings it on “Enough” as well. A duet with Jennifer Nettles, the powerhouse twosome touch the sky as they exchange lines about a two-timin’, no-good cheat.

Elsewhere, she’s pledging her staying power (the growler “Livin’ Ain’t Killed Me Yet”), or re-envisioning “We Are the World” as “Pray for Peace,” a rally call buoyed by an inspiring Celtic lift. Certainly Reba’s genre-jumping is targeting anyone who’s ever heard a Reba song, and why shouldn’t it? For the most part, the more Rebas, the better.

Grade: B

ALSO OUT Estelle, E stelle’s been virtually hit-less since dropping “American Boy” in our laps, and with it, fueling our desire to hear more of her swaggering, Lauryn Hill-inspired R&B. True Romance, though, won’t do much to put her back on top. With a twinkly string intro, “Conqueror” takes off at the chorus, soaring to anthemic heights with its sky-shattering sound. It’s listenable but derivative, a recurrent issue on True Romance. Take the ’90s house-influenced “Something Good / Devotion,” during which Estelle turns up the disco heat (think Crystal Waters). The track is fine. It’s filled with nostalgia. It’s also only temporarily intoxicating. On the whole, the album suffers the same sorry fate.

Kendrick Lamar, K endrick Lamar’s bringing the funk… and the spoken word, and the hip-hop, and the jazz. On To Pimp a Butterfly, the Cali-born hotshot pulls from his multifaceted influences as he grapples with heavy of-the-zeitgeist matters, particularly heightened violence against blacks. “King Kunta” grooves a wonky female-assisted sound, and hope appears in the form of “Mortal Men,” a moving 12-minute, ­posthumous conversation with Tupac. This is a powerful and empowering opus. An urban gospel, even. It’s uncomfortable and challenging and, like the words from Lamar’s mouth to our ears, tremendously important.

Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service. Reach him via his website at www.chris-azzopardi.com.

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Montrose STAR

Wednesday May 6, 2015 HOME SERVICES

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

INSURANCE

SHOPPING

THE M

PAGE 30

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TROSE ON

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Wednesday May 6, 2015

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Montrose STAR

Wednesday May 6, 2015

Guide To The Clubs

HOUSTON

n MONTROSE - MIDTOWN

Bayou City Bar & Grill 2409 Grant St, Houston. (713) 522-2867 • bayoucitybar.com.

Dance | Food | Patio | Mixed Crocker Bar 2312 Crocker St, Houston (713) 529-3355 Large Deck | Karaoke Eagle Houston 611 Hyde Park (713) 598-4849 • eaglehouston.com.

Leather-Levi | Uniform F Bar 202 Tuam St, Houston (713) 522-3227 • fbarhouston.com Dance/Club | Patio | Shows | Mixed George’s Country Sports Bar 617 Fairview Ave, Houston (713) 528-8102 Sports Bar | Pool & Darts | Patio Guava Lamp 570 Waugh Dr, Houston (713) 524-3359 • guavalamphouston.com Video Lounge | Karaoke | Mixed JR’s Bar and Grill & Santa Fe 808 Pacific Ave, Houston. (713) 521-2519 • jrsbarandgrill.com.

Videos | Patio | Karaoke | Shows Meteor 2306 Genesee St, Houston (713) 521-0123 • meteorhouston.com. Lounge | Dancers | Club Michael’s Outpost Piano Bar 1419 Richmond Ave, Houston. (713) 520-8446 Neighborhood Bar | Pub | Piano Montrose Mining Company 805 Pacific Ave, Houston (713) 529-7488 Cruise | Levi

South Beach 810 Pacific Ave, Houston (713) 521-0107 • sobehouston.com. Dance Club | Dancers | Trance/House TC’s Show Bar 817 Fairview Ave, Houston (713) 526-2625 • tcshowbar.com.

Shows | Neighborhood Bar | CD/Trans The Ripcord 715 Fairview Ave, Houston (713) 521-2792 • www.facebook.com/ripcordhouston Leather | Uniform | Fetish | Men

n

DOWNTOWN / WARDS 1-4

n

HOUSTON - NORTH SIDE

Tony’s Corner Pocket 817 West Dallas Street, Houston.

(713) 571-7870 • tonyscornerpocket.com.

Neighborhood Bar | Pool | Dancers Ranch Hill Saloon 24704 Interstate 45, Spring.

(281) 298-9035 • ranchhill.com Country | Cowgirl | Neighborhood Bar The Room Bar 4915 FM 2920 Rd, Spring (281) 907-6866 • theroombar.net.

Neighborhood Bar | Shows | Dance | Mixed NW HOUSTON

Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon 11410 Hempstead Highway, Houston, TX 77092 • neonbootsclub.com (713) 677-0828

Viviana’s Night Club 4624 Dacoma St, Houston (713) 681-4101 • vivianasniteclub.com Latino | Tejano | Dance

n HOUSTON - SW

Crystal Night Club 6684 SW Fwy, Houston (713) 278- 2582 • crystaltheclub.com Latin Dance | Salsa

n HEIGHTS / WASHINGTON CORRIDOR

13 - The Heights Bar 1537 N. Shepherd Dr, Houston (713) 426-1313. Neighborhood Bar | Patio Pearl Lounge 4216 Washington, Houston 832-740-4933 • pearlhouston.com. Neighborhood Art Bar | Live Music | Women

GALVESTON

23rd Street Station 1706 23rd St, Galveston (409) 621-1808 Neighborhood Bar | Pub KRave Galveston 2416 Post Office St, Galveston (409) 765-6911 Neighborhood Bar | Pub | Shows Robert’s Lafitte 2501 Ave Q, Galveston (409) 765-9092 • galveston.com/robertslafitte Neighborhood Bar | Pub | Cruise | Shows Splash Bar 3102 Seawall, Galveston (409) 974-4176 * Spashbargalveston.com Galveston’s only beach bar | Shows

TheMontroseSTAR.com

AUSTIN

‘Bout Time II 6607 N I-35, Austin TX 78752 (512) 419-9192 • bouttime2.com Neighborhood Bar | Pub Chain Drive 504 Willow st • Austin chain-drive.com Leather | Bear | Neighborhood Bar Lipstick24 606 E. 7th St, Austin (512) 474-2950 • lipstick24austin.com Women | Pub Oilcan Harry’s 211 W. Fourth St, Austin (512) 320-8823 Dance | Pub | 20/30-Somethings Rain on 4th 217 W. Fourth St, Austin (512) 494-1150 • rainon4th.com Dance | House | 20 Something The Iron Bear 121 W. Eighth St, Austin • theironbear.com. Bear | Pub | Scruff

BEAUMONT

The Copa 304 Orleans St, Beaumont (409) 832-4206 Dance/Club | Lounge | Mixed Orleans Street Pub and Patio 650 Orleans St, Beaumont (409) 835-4243 • orleanspub.com Neighborhood Bar | Pub

CORPUS CHRISTI

The Hidden Door 802 S Staples St, Corpus (361) 882-5002 Neighborhood Bar | Pub Seven 512 S Staples St.,Corpus Neighborhood Bar | Pub

Triangle Nite Club 609 McBride Lane. Corpus (361) 289-1442 Neighborhood Bar | Nite Club The Vault Night Club 424 Schatzell, Corpus Neighborhood Bar | Nite Club

SAN ANTONIO

Pegasus 1402 N. Main Ave, San Antonio (210) 299-4222 | Neighborhood Bar | Karaoke The Saint 800 Lexington, San Antonio (210) 225-7330 | Neighborhood Bar | Show Bar | Drag Silver Dollar Saloon 1812 N. Main Ave, San Antonio (210) 227-2623 | Dance Club | Drag | Country Sparky’s Pub 1416 N. Main Ave, San Antonio (210) 320-5111 | Neighborhood Bar | Pub Wax Club (Alternative) 2211 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio .

(210) 737-9191 • alternativetx.tripod.com.

Neighborhood Bar | Lesbian

­2015 Place 2015 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio (210) 733-3365 | Neighborhood Bar | Lounge | Karaoke Annex 330 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio (210) 223-6957 • theannex-satx.xom Neighborhood Bar | Cruise | Leather Bonham Exchange 411 Bonham St, San Antonio (210) 271-3811 • bonhamexchange.net. Dance | House BRYAN Brenda’s 81 Bar COLLEGE STATION 7811 New Old Laredo Hwy, Halo Bar 121 North Main St, Bryan San Antonio (210) 927-2337 (979) 823-6174. | Dance Club | GLBT Friendly | Pub Electric Company 820 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio (210) 212-6635, Dance | Latin | Lounge Essence Solution from p 28 1010 N. Main Ave, San Antonio (210)223-5418. Neighborhood Bar | Pub Heat 1500 N. Main Ave, San Antonio (210) 227-2600, heatsa.com Dance | Lounge | House One-O-Six 106 Pershing Ave, San Antonio (210) 820-0906 Neighborhood Bar | Pub

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Montrose STAR

TheMontroseSTAR.com

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Wednesday May 6, 2015

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