David Magazine i7_33 | Get Ready to GET DOWN

V7-33 08.16.23

Gym Progress Never Looked This Good

Brandon Scott Jones Shows UP!

“GrungePocalypse” Is Here!

+ Photos & More

DAVID I N

PAGE 8

T H I S

PAGE 10

AUG 16, 2023 V7-33 DAVID Magazine Peach Media 6050 Dawson Blvd, Ste O Norcross, GA 30093

MANAGING PARTNER & OPERATIONS Brian Sawyer brian@davidatlanta.com

EDITORIAL & SOCIAL MEDIA Editor-in-Chief Mikkel Hyldebrandt mikkel@davidatlanta.com

SALES | EVENTS Josh King Josh@davidatlanta.com Russ Bowen-Youngblood

DISTRIBUTION

I S S U E

PAGE 12

Some Cute Guy

CONTRIBUTORS Russ Bowen-Youngblood Chris Azzopardi

NATIONAL AD REP Rivendell Media 908.232.2021

COVER IMAGE Courtesy of Addicted USA. Available at addictedusa.com

PAGE 30 ONLINE

davidatlanta.com

PRINT

At Distribution Points Across the City

SOCIAL FB: davidatlantamag

IG: @davidatlantamag

The content of DAVID Magazine is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice. The opinions expressed by any writer, advertiser, or other person appearing in DAVID Magazine are not necessarily those of this publication, its management or staff. The information and materials appearing in the magazine are not guaranteed or warranted as to accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness, or suitability of the information and materials found or offered for a particular purpose. It shall be your responsibility to ensure that any products, services, or information available through DAVID Magazine meets your specific requirements.

DAVID Magazine is not responsible for claims made by advertisers, content of information, changes, events, and schedules. The magazine contains information and material which is owned by or licensed to DAVID Magazine, including but not limited to articles, advertisements, design, layout, graphics, and logos. No part or portion of DAVID Magazine may be reproduced in any way without the prior written consent of the publisher. Unauthorized use of DAVID Magazine may give rise to claims for damages and or criminal offenses. Your use of the information or materials in DAVID Magazine is strictly at your own risk.

On His Own Shoulder

By Chris Azzopardi Photos: HBO

This year, Brandon Scott Jones is showing up in the is terrifying,” but very funny to see my parents do most random of places. There’s his series regular this in front of their children. role in “Ghosts,” portraying the spirit of American Revolutionary officer Captain Isaac Higgintoot, who is I can see this as a sketch on a comedy series. gay. There’s his part as Drew’s BFF Curtis on “The Other I can 100%. Literally, there’s no chill in the back, Two,” HBO’s abundantly queer absurdist comedy, which and my sister and I were just sitting there, stonejust announced that its latest, third season would be its faced, like, “Oh god.” I have a memory of being last. And earlier this year, he could be seen on the big like, “Oh, I want to write about this.” So that screen alongside Nicolas Cage’s Dracula in the horror- was the first time I thought, “Oh, maybe I enjoy comedy “Renfield,” now streaming on Peacock. comedy.” I’ve been lucky enough that I’ve gotten to work with people in my past doing lots of comedy The Maryland-born actor, who has also appeared in that have brought me in to do other projects that “Isn’t It Romantic,” “The Good Place” and “Can You maybe more people were able to see, and then Ever Forgive Me?,” recently chatted about the niche also just trying your hardest to put yourself out queerness of “The Other Two,” finding comfort in there. And I remember the first time I put my LGBTQ+ media in his youth and how he hopes that his comedy writing live on stage, and to see the latest projects are doing the same for others. reaction to that, then the reaction on the business side to that, was really, really encouraging.

“The Other Two” really is so perfectly stupid and yet so moving at the same time.

When you got the script for this season of “The Let’s make that the tagline. Wild how they strike Other Two,” what was the scene you couldn’t that tone. It’s cool. wait to shoot?

Oh, god, there’s a couple. One, I think you get to It’s not an easy thing to pull off, but this show see some different levels of Curtis where he’s sort does. When was the moment you knew you of been very silly in a lot of fun ways and a good could make a career out of being funny? friend. We got a little taste of his good friendship This isn’t going to sound funny, but I remember with Cary last season, but this year we had two I was on a family vacation and my mom, dad, separate moments that Drew [Tarver, who plays sister and I were driving through deep Georgia Cary] and I both called “the hard scenes,” and on our way to Florida, and it started to torrentially we called them the hard scenes because they’re downpour, and my mom started screaming at my definitely a little bit more emotional for the two of dad to pull off the road, and my dad kept gripping us. I think in addition to all the comedy that we get the steering wheel, screaming that he couldn’t see. to play, there’s a scene or two toward the end of He’s like, “I can’t see!” And I remember thinking the season that we were both excited to really sink to myself and turning to my sister and we’re like, our teeth into.

“We’re going to die.” And thinking to myself, “This

pg| 8

DAVID Magazine

this today? It is funny to be doing interviews or hosting things on TV and also then doing them in real life. There is that meta element to it. It’s almost… I’m the person on my shoulder; it’s still this constant back and forth that I have with myself of, “Am I being enough of the person that I want to be? Am I not being enough of the representation?”

And you kind of feel the weight of it a little bit, not to add self-importance or self-indulgence, or some sort of ego to it, but I think there’s people that have inspired me and there’s so many different people that you want to be like, and I think you just wonder if you’re falling short sometimes.

“The Other Two” really does know queer culture inside and out. What’s it like to be able Can we get a spinoff of the “Gay Minute,” your to go so deep into niche LGBTQ+ culture within show within a show this season?

Do you want a full half hour of “The Gay Minute”? this show?

It’s really fun. It is a very queer focused, queer- I would totally do it. Just a sad, real-time show of forward show in a lot of ways. I mean, for example, this person trying to film it. last season when Cary had this hole pic come out.

I think the idea of taking a picture of your hole to As someone who’s aware of the representation send someone and then accidentally blasting it to you bring to the TV and films you’re in, what the world is a thing that starts out as something media helped you feel seen? very relatable, but is also probably a fear we all When I was younger, I really loved “Will and Grace,” and I didn’t know, necessarily, a world outside have, a little bit. of that. It was really fun to see those characters I think trying to stay involved [and in] that world come up, but then a lot of the stuff that I really, and understanding also the lens through which really identified with, I didn’t even recognize to be we look at it — which is sometimes through the queer culture. I was a big Madeline Kahn fan. I was entertainment industry — I know me and Drew, a big Rosalind Russell fan. I would watch these as queer actors, you get to see all of these little madcap heightened movies — «Clue” or “Bringing nuances of [how] people want you to be a certain Up Baby.” And all of these things that I now way, they want you to act a certain way, and that recognize as an adult, it’s like, “Oh, wait, I wasn’t alone in liking those things.” Do you remember “Me usually corresponds with pop culture. and My Shadows,” the Judy Garland TV movie?

While doing this interview, it’s hard not to think about the first episode of this current season Yeah. You thought you were the only person — navigating the promo of a TV show. That who saw it? must seem very meta to you right now. Who’s I thought I was the only person who sat there and the person on your shoulder as you go through saw it. It was a two-night event, and I did not miss

DAVID Magazine

pg| 9

CHUNK Chunk returns to Atlanta. Introducing Austin DJ legend Dr Beard and featuring Atlanta’s finest Brian Rojas (Deep South). Besides hot tunes there will be hot go-go bears. The CHUNK party is hosted by Kenny and Danny. There is a limited quantity of general admission tickets and merch at chunk-party.com.

WHEN: Saturday, August 19, 10 pm – 3 am WHERE: The Heretic Do you want your event featured on this page? Email info@davidatlanta.com for more info on how to get your event or party highlighted here.

Looking at your career as a whole, when did you understand that the roles you choose are important and they matter?

I don’t know if there’s ever been one point, but I know that it’s been really nice between this show and “Ghosts” to see the fan reaction on Twitter of people either recognizing queer moments or, on “Ghosts,” I have a coming out [arc], which it’s been very nice to see the reaction to that. So I don’t necessarily know if I personally have that following, but I know that you still want to put out the authentic version of yourself for that person that might find you and might identify with who you are.

I think that my experience of coming out, and as I was growing up and getting older, it can be lonely, and I used to sink myself into film and television to quell that, and so you hope that whatever performance you’re giving, whatever interview you’re doing, there’s an authenticity there and that you’re bringing that experience to hopefully help others as well.

Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride either night. It’s this thing that, as you get older, you Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national find other people that also did that, and you’re like, LGBTQ+ wire service. He has interviewed a multitude “Oh, all of this.” I sank myself into these things, of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah and I was doing it for a reason, even if I didn’t fully Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared know what it was. And it becomes so personal. in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 736 PONCE DE LEON AVENUE - ATLANTA, GA. (404) 817-3820 FRIENDSONPONCE.COM

Gym Progress Never Looked This Good

All styles available at addictedusa.com.

As we switch from outdoor activities to more gym time with the cooling temps, it’s time to switch up our workout wardrobe. The sportswear category from Addicted sits on that perfect spot between activewear that you can work out in and casualwear that you can wear for a night out with friends.

The performance materials combined with great fits ensure that you can really push it at the gym all while enhancing all of the progress you have made both in and out of the gym.

Photos courtesy of Addicted USA

Fall Fashion Preview

The Grunge-Pocalypse Is Here!

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt Photos: PR

A flannel shirt is a fall staple that you can wear layered up this fall for a grungier look.

The Original Cascade Flannel - Burnt Khaki, $50 Denim is one of the easiest fabrics to distress without completely ruining it.

Forever 21 Distressed Stone Wash Trucker Jacket, $40 Another fall staple is a sweater, but this season choose a mesh option for that ‘worn out’ look.

Helloice Long Sleeve T-Shirt Fashion Mesh Knit Slim Top, $48 Enough with the snug fits! Oversized pants are making a huge comeback, plus making them cargo, and you are on trend.

Boohooman Tall Ofcl Extreme Oversized Cargo Pants, $30 Whatever you do, make it camo. The ultimate utilitarian – and stylish – pattern for this trend.

Vans Brushed Camo Shacket, $60 What better way to store your most precious belongings than in a crossbody bag?

Nike Sportswear Essentials Crossbody Bag, $32

It’s not just our obsession with endof-the-world entertainment like The Last Of Us, Invasion, and Knock At the Cabin, but the fashion world has also embraced the grungy nod to the apocalypse with a “grab what you can and run” trend.

Grunge is a huge influence in menswear this fall with its layering and mix of materials – it’s a potent statement to how chaotic the world is right now expressed through fashion that seeks to make sense and cohesion of it all.

Here are a few key pieces for you to incorporate into your wardrobe this fall season.

Ho Sho TEN Ho Sho Atlanta is Atlanta’s ONLY live-singing, choreographed drag troupe in the city! Back again at City Winery, the “girls” are performing their ten-year anniversary show. Join them for a night of fan favorites from the past ten years, some new surprises, and repeats of numbers you’ll wish you could forget! The ho’s have been vaxed, waxed and they’re ready for snacks. All tips and a portion of all ticket sales are donated directly to local charities. Ho Shos usually sell out, so get your tickets today. Meet the ho’s and get your tickets at HoShoAtlanta.com.

WHEN: Saturday, August 19, 8 pm WHERE: City Winery Atlanta Do you want your event featured on this page? Email info@davidatlanta.com for more info on how to get your event or party highlighted here.

Q

DEAR

I am involved with this guy, and things are going great – except I may have discovered something potentially “dark” about him. The other day, I was working at his house on his laptop (with his permission), and you know how when you open the browser, it displays icons of previously visited sites? Well, I clicked on one of them, and it opened up to a porn site with some very young-looking guys – or maybe boys? The site looked professional, so perhaps it was just porn made to look like ‘barely legal,’ but what if it wasn’t? Anyway, I can’t really un-see it, and it just has me wondering and a little scared actually. What if he is secretly into this?

I thought we were on the same page in terms of sex and fantasies, but this would be out of my league. Do I talk to him about this? What do I do?

A

The question of whether you should confront him or not is obvious: Yes, you should. It is hard to see how you can continue this relationship without talking to him about this. Yes, it is one of those damned-if-you-do or damned-if-you-don’t situations, and you may not like his honest answer because it could lead to radically changing your relationship. Of course, you should give your partner the benefit of the doubt, but don’t lose sight of that gut feeling you have about the whole thing already. Don’t second-guess yourself when he explains himself to you and perceive defensiveness as a red flag in this situation. There is a huge difference between ‘barely legal’ and child pornography, but even if it is the first (and the actors involved are indeed 18 years or older), it still has you alerted. Creeped out even. Hopefully, and in the best-case scenario, you were wrong about what you saw, but right after that comes him being just a “fantasy offender” meaning he has no intention and has never abused an underage person. And then there are, of course, the even darker alternatives to those scenarios. The question is, can you live with any of that? So talk to him, but stay on guard and be prepared for some severe consequences.

DAVID

PALS Bingo - Lips Atlanta online@davidatlanta.com and social media

Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood

Your I ntown R eal Es tate Ex p e r t

Associate Broker

Subscribe to @BruKrebs

B R UKR E B S. C O M | 4 0 4. 9 84. 0 24 3

BJ Rooster Carwash Beer Bust benefiting Outfront online@davidatlanta.com

Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood

Friends on Ponce New Faces online@ davidatlanta.com and social media

Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood

Greg Barnard

“Luxury is a state of mind. mind.”

D: 706-453-6090 | O: 404-233-4142 Greg.Barnard@HarryNorman.com www.GregBarnard.com @GregBarnardRealtor.ATL

Wussy Magazine AfterHours Beyonce Underground ATL Party more online@davidatlanta.com

Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood

CARSON COWAN REALTOR® c. 404.998.9944 / o. 404.874.0300 / carson@carsoncowan.com / CarsonCowanRealEstate

Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

14

dm

on

tA

Piedmont Park

Pi e

6

ve .

J uniper St . NE

NE

14th St. NE

12th St. NE

1

Amsterdam Ave.

Monroe Dr. NE

MIDTOWN

9

16

10th St. NE

2

. NE

19

oe Dr

Ave. NE Piedmont

Juniper St . NE

Peacht r ee St . NE

3

Monr

Char l es Al l en Dr . NE

10

W. Peacht r ee St . NW

15

7

Ponce De Leon Pl . NE

Spring St. NW

17

4th St. NE

8

13

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

4

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

Dining

BARS 2 Blake's 3 Bulldogs 4 Friends

th

227 10th St NE 893 Peachtree St NE 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

9 10 & Piedmont 991 Piedmont Ave NE 10 Campagnolo 980 Piedmont Ave NE 16 G’s Midtown 219 10th St NE 17 Henry’s 132 10th St NE 19 La Hacienda 900 Monroe Dr NE

6 My Sister’s Room66 12th St NE 7 X Midtown 990 Piedmont Ave NE

fitness

BARS not on map

spa/bath

1 FUTURE ATLANTA 50 Lower Alabama St. SW Suite 180

pg| 24

14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE 15 Flex Spa

76 4th St. NW

DAVID Magazine

NEW ONLINE CALENDAR of EVENTS

User submitted .

See page for details

Cheshire

ansley

E .N

ve

41

28

Pi

20

ed

m

on

tA

ge R Brid Ches

hire

r.

E

eR

26

35

.N

idg

40

Dr

.

24

r eB

32

oe

Rd

36

nr

hir

e ll D

er

IX

Mo

dm on

es

kn

. NE

Pi e tC

29

Ch

Lidd

ul

31

33

x Rd

. NE

Manches t er St . NE

Piedmont Rd

22

Fa

30

27

BL

34

Le no

Lambert Dr.

PU

St.

d.

Alco

39

36 38

d.

ir .

Piedmont Park BARS

BARS

20 BJ Roosters

2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd

22 Tripps

1931 Piedmont Cir NE

Dining

24 Las Margaritas Closed Temporarily

Retail

1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd

26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

1510 Piedmont Ave Suite A 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd

28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino

2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1739 Cheshire Bridge Rd

30 Gravitee Fitness

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

clubs

Fitness

DAVID Magazine

32 Atlanta Eagle 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 33 Felix's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 34 The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave NE 35 Mixx 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 36 Oscar's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Mary's 1287 Glenwood Ave SE Sister Louisa’s Church 466 Edgewood Ave SE Lips Atlanta 3011 Buford Hwy NE 465 Boulevard SE The T Woof's 494 Plasters Ave NE

Retail

39 Boy Next Door 40 Barking Leather

Fitness

1447 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

41 Equilibrium Fitness 1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L

pg| 25

DAVID Magazine

DAVID Magazine

Check out David Magazine Online & more!

A snapshot of Gay Atlanta’s favorite destinations. View their ads in DAVID & visit their websites for weekly event listings.

SNAPS MIDTOWN

BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE BULLDOGS 893 Peachtree St NE FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl. com 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com 66 12th St NE X MIDTOWN xmidtown.com 990 Piedmont Ave NE THE T modeltatlanta.com 465 Boulevard SE

WESTSIDE

MARQUETTE 868 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW 840ATL 840 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW ANSLEY

ATLANTA EAGLE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE

CASA ALMENARA 991 Piedmont Ave NE casa-almenara.com HENRY’S henrysatl.com 132 10th St NE LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com 900 Monroe Dr NE

FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

TUK TUK THAI FOOD LOFT TUKTUKATL.COM 1745 Peachtree Rd NW

THE HIDEAWAY 1544 Piedmont Ave NE

DEKALB

MIXX mixxatlanta.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE OSCAR’S oscarsatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

CHESHIRE

WOOFS woofsatlanta.com 494 Plasters Ave NE

HERETIC hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road

EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD

BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE

DINING MIDTOWN

MARY’S marysatlanta.com 1287 Glenwood Ave SE SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH

sisterlouisaschurch.com

466 Edgewood Ave SE

LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com

3011 Buford Hwy NE

RETAIL MIDTOWN

BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE CHESHIRE

SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE ANSLEY

BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR

boynextdoormenswear.com

1000 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste A GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta.com

1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE

FITNESS MIDTOWN URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com 500 Amsterdam Ave N CHESHIRE GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com 2201 Faulkner Rd NE SPAS/BATHS ADULT FLEX SPA flexspas.com 76 4th St NW

EMAIL iNFO@DAViDATLANTA.COM FOR FREE BUSINESS LISTINGS THERE IS ROOM FOR YOU!

BARS & CLUBS

We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’ Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page.

Want to join in on the b*tch session?

Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.

If you don’t have anything gay to say, don’t say anything at all.

You know, I never really know what I will get from Target. Target will tell me when I get there.

Did I “kill a plant” or did the plant not have what it takes to thrive in this fast-paced environment?

Is it shitshow or shit show? I want to get this resignation letter just right.

Girl, enough with all your ‘catching flights, not feelings’ bullsh*t. What you need to catch is a therapy appointment.

When somebody sends me a heart emoji that’s not red, I’m like ‘what are you afraid off?’

Hi, I have a question regarding this, and the question is WTF?!!

DAVID Magazine

pg| 29

Dr. Jeremy Wetzel Dr. Dan Lee

Dr. Ken Anderson

We offer surgical and non-surgical options to treat hair loss, including gender-affirming hairline creation.

With nearly 700 5-star reviews and over 170 years of combined experience, you can trust your hair to our world-renowned experts!

Locations in Atlanta & Alpharetta Consultations are FREE! CALL TODAY: 404-256-HAIR (4247) www.AndersonHairCenter.com