SGN March 31, 2017 - Section 2

Seattle Gay News

Issue 13, Volume 45, March 31, 2017

Arts & Entertainment

Peaches Christ and Bob the Drag Queen present “Legally Black” at the Egyptian April 6th

Bob the Drag Queen in: Peaches Christ’s “Legally Black” – Photo courtesy of universe.com

by MK Scott SGN Contributing Writer “LEGALLY BLACK” W/BOB THE DRAG QUEEN SIFF EGYPTIAN THEATRE April 6

She’s back! and this time the incredible Peaches Christ is bringing Bob the Drag Queen (fresh from the Hater’s Roast tour that hit the Moore Theatre last Sunday) for a brand new show, “Legally Black,” billed see LEGALLY BLACK page 6

Three Dollar Bill Cinema co-presents Strike A Pose at Northwest Film Forum April 5

Strike a Pose – Photo courtesy of allevents.in

STRIKE A POSE THREE DOLLAR BILL CINEMA NORTHWEST FILM FORUM April 5 @ 7pm Dare to express yourself anew in this heartwarming update on Madonna’s 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour backup danc-

ers, showcased in the iconic documentary TRUTH OR DARE. Those seven young men have lived to tell, 25 years later, their wonderfully funny and sometimes bitterly emotional memories and insights, touching on issues such as AIDS, coming out, addicsee STRIKE A POSE page 8

Fantastic .Z Productions: Bad Panda a great way to go beyond yourself

(l) Chester (Michael Ryan Blackwood) and Marion (Helen Martin) face off in Bad Panda – Photo by Alex Garland

by Paul Torres SGN A&E Writer BAD PANDA FANTASTIC.Z PRODUCTIONS THEATRE OFF JACKSON Through April 8

If Walt Disney and Aesop had a onenight stand after a wild night out at Pony on Capitol Hill, then the characters in Bad Panda would be their progeny through some odd sort of sorcery and unbelievably see BAD PANDA page 4

SGN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:

Strike a Pose An interview with Salim “Slam” Gauwloos

Salim “Slam” Gauwloos – Photo by Facundo Gabba

by MK Scott SGN Contributing Writer STRIKE A POSE THREE DOLLAR BILL CINEMA NORTHWEST FILM FORUM April 5 @ 7pm

STRIKE A POSE LOGO TV PREMIERE April 6 @ 9pm The documentary Strike a Pose was a huge fave at Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s see SLAM page 8

Anacortes is the crown jewel of Fidalgo Island, the drive-to island accessible by bridges with a myriad of recreational activities.

Enjoy sailing, whale watching, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, golf, camping, sport fishing, bird watching, beach combing, and much more. The island has numerous marinas, plus over 50 miles of forest trails and a number of city parks.

Anacortes also boasts a host of art galleries, antique shops, boutique cafes, and restaurants with locally sourced specialties.

click or caa: anacortes.org/visit | 360.293.3932 2 Seattle Gay News

March 31, 2017

Celebrating 41 Years!

Fleet Foxes, Animal Collective announce Seattle shows

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer

or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. For more information, visit STGPresents.org.

I told you they were coming back. And by “they,” I mean Fleet Foxes. The Seattle folk band announced new dates for its upcoming national tour that includes a performance at The Showbox Market on May 19 to coincide with the June 16 release of the group’s new album, Crack-Up, the desperately awaited follow-up to 2011’s Helplessness Blues. During the six-year gap, Fleet Foxes worked on individual side projects, such as lead singer Robin Pecknold’s solo album Three Songs and guitarist Skyler Skjelset’s third full-length recording Ink Chord. You’ll certainly hear fresh material by the band, in the form of tracks from Crack-Up, like the lead-off single “Third of May / Ōdaigahara,” at the show but they’re expected to play songs from previous albums as well. Tickets to see Fleet Foxes live at The Showbox, which will sell very quickly, are available online at AXS.com, by phone at (888) 929-7849, or in person at The Showbox Market box office. For more information, visit STGPresents.org.

A few more shows to announce to you: Rodrigo Y Gabriela at The Showbox SoDo on May 24, Nelly McKay at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley on July 11 & 12, Alison Moyet at The Showbox Market on September 23, Saint Etienne at The Neptune on October 2 and The Piano Guys at McCaw Hall on October 3.

Another band headed to the Emerald City that has also taken a break to allow for solo projects is Animal Collective. The acclaimed alt rock four-piece has been successful collectively (see what I did there) and independently, like frontman Noah Lennox’s one-man experimental act Panda

Fleet Foxes’ new album Crack Up – Image courtesy of oedipus1.com

Bear. Although there are four members who comprise the group – Panda Bear, David Portner (aka Avey Tare), Brian Weltz (aka Geologist) and Josh Dibb (aka Deakin) – Animal Collective sometimes records and performs as a trio, or with alternate members, or additional musicians, if any of them happen to be on hiatus. Animal Collective did put out a new album in 2016, titled Painting With, though it didn’t create too much of a stir, primarily because the band didn’t promote it. They’re said to be exceptional in concert, so if you want to experience them live June 29 at The Neptune you can purchase tickets online at Ticketmaster. com, in person at the Paramount box office,

The Experience Music Project has officially become the Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPOP. The rebranding was announced in November by CEO and Director Patty Isacson Sabee, who noted “Spanning science fiction, fantasy, horror, fashion, sports, and video games, MoPOP reflects our vision for curating, exploring, and supporting the creative works that shape and inspire our lives.” The name change is now official and the website address, in the event you are planning a visit or to browse upcoming events and exhibits, is mopop.org.

Finally, look for a review next week of Clean Bandit’s March 31 concert at The Showbox Market. The Grammy-winning dance act is expected to perform its hits “Rather Be,” “Real Love,” “Rockabye” and “Stronger,” plus their newest single “Symphony” (with Zara Larsson) in its performance. If you’re reading this on Friday, March 31, you might still be able to buy a ticket at the door. See you there!

Scotland’s Teenage Fanclub

by Jerry Peerson SGN Contributing Writer TEENAGE FANCLUB NEPTUNE THEATRE March 24 For nearly 30 years, Scotland’s Teenage Fanclub has churned out power pop earworms for their devoted, almost cult-like fan base to bop around and sing along to.

Like most bands that have been able to persevere for multiple decades, Teenage Fanclub has faced its share of challenges, including navigating the ups and downs of commercial success and enduring lineup changes. Perhaps the key to their longevity can be attributed to the seemingly seamless sharing of lead singing and songwriting roles from the founding member trio of Norman Blake (guitar), Raymond McGinley (lead guitar), and Gerard Love (bass).

Though they write and sing lead on their own compositions, the three have continuously crafted timeless tunes that sound harmonious and whole, rather than reflecting any singular influence.

The thick aroma of lobby popcorn (and booze) wafted through the air as the Glaswegian quintet bearing one of the choicest names in modern rock history appeared onstage at Seattle’s historic, 95-year-old Neptune Theatre. TFC, as fans affectionately know them, looked eternally cool donning mostly dark tones when breaking into their opening number, “Start Again from 1997’s Songs from Northern Britain album. The triumphant sounding, mid-tempo Blake composition featured tight harmonies from Love, a blistering guitar solo from McGinley, and had the diverse, perhaps slightly greying audience bouncing on their feet.

Drummer Francis Macdonald’s vocals during the chorus of the second selection, Love’s “Don’t Look Back” from 1995’s Grand Prix, completed a lush four-part harmony reminiscent of influences, the Byrds and the Beach Boys. Next, it was McGinley’s turn on lead vocals. Standing stoically,

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Teenage Fan Club – Photo courtesy of Merge Records

he softly crooned “I don’t hear much fanfare for the common man these days” on his poignant piece “Hold On” from the group’s most recent and critically acclaimed release, Here.

With his charming Scottish accent, the 51-year-old Blake (who acted as spokesman for the band) graciously thanked the crowd between numbers. He recalled, “It’s been six years since playing in Seattle,” and stated “We’re here to promote a new album, Here” which the audience applauded, suggesting their approval of the record.

The group’s egalitarian model remained constant throughout the night with Blake, Love and McGinley trading singing roles and plucking song choices from six of ten Teenage Fanclub albums. A still youthful looking 49-year-old Gerard Love had fans fist pumping and belting out the words to “Sparky’s Dream,” and on McGinley’s rocking “Can’t Feel My Soul,” Blake excitedly swapped out his guitar for a turn on keyboards. During Norman’s “Darkest Part of the Night” it became especially evident that along with TFC’s captivating melodies

and lush harmonies, understated lock-tight strumming patterns are also an integral part of their signature sound.

Just before the set closer, Blake revealed his humorous side joking “We know there’s good stuff of TV on a Friday: “Dancing with Stars,” “Antique Roadshow,” so we’re glad that you chose us!” Seconds later he strummed the first chord of “The Concept,” an anthemic song from the band’s 1991 breakthrough album Bandwagonesque, arguably TFC’s most recognizable and beloved. Even before finishing the opening vocal line: “She wears denim wherever she goes,” the audience was already enthusiastically singing along.

Teenage Fanclub are remarkably consistent – consistent at concocting minipop masterpieces and as steadfast as their steady strumming. They will probably never be referred to as groundbreaking or ever-evolving – a la Radiohead – but who cares, their timeless music already has and should continue to stand the test of time.

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Seattle Gay News 3

Ariana Grande gives a dangerously good performance at Key Arena

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer ARIANA GRANDE KEY ARENA March 23 Amidst a sea of squealing teenage girls and young muscular Gay men at Key Arena last Friday evening was a woman who stood taller than any of them, commanding the stage with the sass, spirit and enthusiasm of a seasoned pro. But the interesting thing about Ariana Grande is that she’s only 5 foot 3. What’s so big about her, however, is her talent and specifically that power-packed voice behind some of the coolest pop songs of these past few years.

With just three albums under her belt, Grande has amassed a large following, many who witnessed her transition from Broadway performer to Disney actress to global singing sensation and yet others who discovered her when she emerged on the music scene with her first hit “Put Your Hearts Up” in 2011. LGBT fans love her because she’s been a bold, outspoken ally of the community from the get-go, while young girls adore Grande because they aspire to be like her and look up to her as an inspiration.

Grande, who pretty much filled every seat in the arena, ascended to the stage from an underground staircase wearing an allblack outfit with matching thigh-high boots surrounded by a group of dancers, also in all-black attire, and opened the concert with a slow intro and club remix of “Be Alright” from her latest release, the Grammynominated album Dangerous Woman. The number featured Grande and her dancers vogueing at the tip of the platform, before strolling out on a long catwalk that took up half the length of the main floor. She continued with “Everyday,” also from the new album, which included firebombs, fog that covered the stage and the catwalk illuminated in red lighting.

For “Bad Decisions,” the pony-tailed singer and her dance troupe were perched on raised columns and each of the dancers fell backwards into an open pit at the end of the song. “Let Me Love You,” which found Grande spread out on a huge slab of platform, like a giant-sized table, closed out the first of four sets of the show.

“Seattle, y’all ready to have a good time

Ariana Grande at Seattle’s Key Arena, March 23 – Photo courtesy of twitter.com

tonight?!” yelled the Florida native, and the crowd, entirely on its feet, responDed with loud cheers, applause and whistles.

The second set began with a color shift, as Grande appeared in a high-waisted white pants and trenchcoat combo with her backup dancers also in white. She sang “One Last Time” at the rim of the catwalk by herself and similarly belted out “Touch It,” then finishing this portion of the performance with a sassy rendition of “Leave Me Lonely.”

During the interlude, just before the third set, the curtains that covered the entire back of the stage, which also was used as a projection screen, parted and a full band on two separately elevated podiums emerged and were situated on the stage.

“Side to Side” launched the second half of the concert with Grande positioned high above the stage in a makeshift gym with her dancers doing exercises on various appara-

tus and shirtless boys standing by a quad of lockers. It sounded as good as I hoped it would and the audience went crazy for it.

“Bang Bang” featured a series of colorful strobe lights flashing in all directions of the arena. During “Greedy,” as the 23 year-old singer pranced around in a gray mini skirt with revealing matching top and long white boots, confetti canons splattered the main floor and lower bowl sections of the venue.

The fourth and final set of Grande’s concert included four big hits from her catalog, an acoustic and less electro version of “Break Free” that honestly lacked a bit of pizzaz, an alternate R&B rendition of “Problem,” a slick run-through of “Love Me Harder” and a much-anticipated sizzling performance of “Into You” that featured Grande jumping up and down on the catwalk while screaming “C’mon Seattle!” For an encore, the doll-faced

BAD PANDA

continued from cover messed up chemical calamity.

Currently running at Theatre Off Jackson and produced by Fantastic.Z Productions, Bad Panda is local Seattle theatre at its most daring and vital.

It’s mating season for male panda bear Gwo Gwo, performed by Richard Sean Glen and female mate Marion, performed

by Helen Martin. They chomp on bamboo, romp, and roll around giggling and pretend to give birth to their dream baby in preparation for the real thing. Their world is uninhibited and quite innocent. Unbeknownst to them, a wild creature is watching them from beyond the bramble and it will forever change their vision of their world and meaning of their existence.

Glen and Martin are absolutely gleaming in their respective animal roles. I immediately fell in love with their stuffed animal geniality once I got beyond this absurd premise. The costumes only hint at their panda-ness. It requires the audience to tap

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From left: Richard Sean Glenn (Gwo Gwo), Helen Martin (Marion), and Michael Ryan Blackwood (Chester) in Bad Panda – Photo by Alex Garland

into that childlike wonder like watching “Teletubbies” or even the current live action Beauty and the Beast to become absorbed in the fantastical world of this production.

Gwo Gwo ventures out one day and meets a sly, slithery, and growling and

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Gay crocodile named Chester, played with aplomb by Michael Ryan Blackwood in an amazing performance. At first Chester approaches Gwo Gwo with all braggadocios attitude touting his beastly ways; he is a mean and lean carnivore who can suppos-

vocalist-songwriter belted out a beautiful version of “Dangerous Woman,” complete with firebombs, wearing a stunning black leather dress with ruffles at the shoulders.

It capped a two-hour performance that left everyone wanting more.

This was my second time seeing Ariana Grande and it was as good as the first. She’s an incredible performer, singing all of her songs with no lipsyncing and drawing the crowd in with her adorable, sweet and bubbly personality. This concert, however, showed a more mature artist who did away with the cat-ear headpieces and cutesietootsie image that pleased her Disney followers. She’s a grown woman now and with international fame and songs like “Side to Side” (about you-know-what), she’s taken on a different persona – and it suits her just fine. That said, I think the best of Ariana Grande is yet to come.

edly take on a panda bear (and maybe even eat Gwo Gwo) any time any day. Blackwood’s performance is truly unique and memorable. Things get tricky as the vexing emotional bond between Gwo Gwo and Chester takes a tumultuous and hilarious turn. Even naïve Marion gets swept up in the “it’s complicated” relationship.

This bare bones production sticks to the essentials of its hard-hitting themes; gender roles, sexuality, bonding, and unconditional love. Kate Huisentruit directs with honesty and striking sincerity. Playwright Megan Gogerty’s script does not mince words to drive home the aforementioned themes.

The language has a brutal verisimilitude that hits you in the gut and heart, despite coming from the gnarly jaws of a crocodile and the furry faces of panda bears.

Bad Panda is a great way to go beyond yourself for a while to ponder your existence in place and time as the animals in the play are doing. Nothing is wrong with a little dream time now and then, especially when the dream time has the power to move you. It’s moments like this that make productions like this strangely transcendent.

Celebrating 41 Years!

April theater openings

by Miryam Gordon SGN A&E Writer If it’s April, it must be World Premiere Month? Well, in Seattle it is! There is a ton of original work debuting this month, along with more musicals in unusual places. Spring open your calendar and get your tickets!

The Fog Machine Play, Copious Love Productions, 4/1-22 (at The Slate Theater) Local theater guy Brendan Mack purchased a fog machine for a production in 2013 but never actually used it. Then he decided to write a series of short plays about a fog machine. While The Fog Machine Play explores the various uses of theatrical fog, it also explores what it is like to produce fringe theatre in this day and age. This show will truly be “unforgettable.” www.copiouslove.org Here Lies Love, Seattle Repertory Theatre, 4/7-5/28 Produced in association with American Conservatory Theatre, Seattle Rep transforms into a wild dance party, where techno beats spin and tell the story of the People’s Power Revolution in the Philippines. Follow the meteoric rise and dramatic fall of the controversial First Lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos. www.seattlerep.org Kiss Me Kate, Seattle Musical Theatre, 4/7-30 Here is the musicalized story of a Shakespeare play, The Taming of the Shrew, that follows two musical theatre actors – once married, now divorced. Tensions mount and tempers flare, until it seems no amount of acting can save this show. The classic score by Cole Porter features classics like “So in Love” and “Too Darn Hot.” www.seattlemusicaltheatre.org Nadeshiko, co-production of Sound Theatre Co. and The Umbrella Project, 4/13-5/7 (Armory Theatre at Seattle Cen-

ter) (world premiere) Local talent Keiko Green has written a new play, Nadeshiko, that follows the story of two women: a young Japanese woman during World War II, who takes on the role of caregiver to soldiers soon to be flying to their deaths, and Risa, a young American woman during 2016, who takes on a peculiar gig from Craigslist in order to pay her rent. As personal and sexual boundaries blur, the stories of two generations of women intersect in the discovery of power within idealized Asian beauty. www.soundtheatrecompany.org Fire Station 7, Seattle Children’s Theatre, 4/13-5/21 (world premiere) Local playwright Vincent Delaney developed this age 4+ musical with Linda Hartzell. When the firefighting team at Fire Station 7 discovers a frisky alley cat named Coco hiding in their truck, they want to kick her out. But Coco’s biggest dream is to be a fire cat, and she begs them to stay.

They give her one shot at the job, but it turns out that being a fire cat turns out to be much harder than she thought. This new musical comedy for all ages seamlessly integrates the seven rules of fire safety in a rock n’ roll performance as educational as it is entertaining. www.sct.org Wellesley Girl, The Horse in Motion, 4/13-29 (at 18th and Union) It’s a political play set in the far future!

In the year 2465, with little remaining of the United States, the few survivors live inside a walled citadel. When an opposing army shows up at their gates, the citizens of the new United States are confronted with the most important decision of their lives.

With political grandstanding, personal sacrifice, and a love triangle with a robot, Wellesley Girl asks audiences to confront the question: what if your vote could truly determine the future of the country? www.thehorseinmotion.org

The Secret Garden, 5th Avenue Theatre, 4/14-5/6 (opens 4/20) A co-production with Washington D.C.’s Shakespeare Theatre Company With book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prizewinner Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon, this captivating show will transport you to a world where beauty and love blossom, and a forgotten seed of life can still flourish. Based on the beloved novel

by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden follows recently-orphaned tenyear-old Mary Lennox, a young girl who is sent to live with her estranged uncle on the Yorkshire moors. When she discovers the key to her deceased aunt’s secret garden, Mary unearths a renewed sense of spirit for herself and her sickly cousin, bringing the weary estate and its occupants back to exuberant life with the full force of spring. www.5thavenue.org Lost Falls, Cafe Nordo, 4/14-6/25 Who killed Chef Nordo Lefesczki? This spring, Café Nordo revisits their homage to David Lynch. Features craft cocktails, their most innovative and widely adored menu to date, and a deeply sincere Special Agent bent on finding the truth in a small town penetrated by insidious darkness. www.cafenordo.com Female of the Species, Phoenix Theatre, 4/14-30 30 years ago Margo Mason, pioneer of the Women’s Lib movement, wrote her groundbreaking book. Now she has writer’s block. Molly, a committed fan, shows up to offer a solution, until she pulls a gun and tells Margot she blames her for ruining her life. www.tptedmonds.org Frozen, ArtsWest, 4/19-5/14 When ten-year-old Rhona goes missing, her mother, Nancy, retreats into a state of frozen hope. Agnetha, an American academic, comes to England to research a thesis: “Serial Killing-A Forgivable Act?”

Then there’s Ralph, a loner. Drawn together by horrific circumstances, these three embark on a long, dark journey. Frozen explores our capacity for forgiveness, remorse and change after an act that would seem to rule them out entirely. www.artswest.org Chitrangada, Pratidhwani, 4/28-5/20 (at ACT Theatre) Chitraganda is a story of a warrior princess from the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata. It is a lyrical saga of one woman’s quest for love, courage, and the true meaning of beauty. This tribute to the myriad facets of femininity is as relevant today as it was centuries ago. www.pradtidhwani.org Cherdonna’s Doll’s House, Washington Ensemble Theatre, 4/28-5/15 (world premiere-ish) In a locally adapted new version of Henrik Ibsen’s classic play, The Ensemble has partnered with Jody Kuehner aka Cherdonna Shinatra to retell A Doll’s House. Cherdonna will Masterpiece Theatre the shit out of this classic play, which follows the story of Nora, a married woman and mother who struggles to discover her true self or lack thereof. www.washingtonensemble.org ACME, Annex, 4/28-5/20 (world premiere) Another new play, this time from Andrew Shanks, about Jules, an MIT dropout with a chip on her shoulder who arrives for her first day of an internship at ACME (world-famous manufacturer of all-things necessary) and falls deep into the machinations of ACME and its mysterious past.

Will she survive long enough to see Day Two? Chaos reigns in this ensemble satire about the trappings of technology, brandallegiance, and science-gone-amok! www.annextheatre.org

Sleek production might not be enough for Dry Powder

by Miryam Gordon SGN A&E Writer DRY POWDER SEATTLE REPERTORY THEATRE Through April 15 A handsomely mounted and handsomely directed (by Marya Sea Kaminski) and acted production at Seattle Repertory ought to mean that the brisk 95 minute play, Dry Powder, is a no-brainer to put on the calendar. Indeed, it’s even somewhat funny, though it’s about high-flying executives of a company that invests in businesses to make a profit – and only a profit, which may mean taking a company over and gutting its operations and staff and remaking it overseas.

The dialogue is fast-paced, full of economic jargon, enough so that the program gives you language to understand before you watch the play. You learn, if you didn’t know, that “dry powder” is the amount of unspent capital the company has left to invest in another business.

We meet Jenny (Hana Lass) and Seth (MJ Sieber) who are rival executives at a sleek investment company. They are vying for their boss’s favor in how to handle the next acquisition. Jenny doesn’t think it’s at all a good deal, but if it is going to make them a profit, they should buy the company, gut the employees and ship all the operations overseas. Seth has worked this deal for months and has convinced the young CEO that he will save the company by growing it larger into bigger profits.

From left: Hana Lass (Jenny), Richard Nguyen Sloniker (Jeff), Shawn Belyea (Rick), and MJ Sieber (Seth) in Seattle Repertory Theatre’s production of Dry Powder – Photo by Jenny Graham

Rick, their boss, played with both ruthless dispatch and a bit of boyish charm by Shawn Belyea, keeps them both hopping, wondering whose strategy is coming out on top. Seth is still juggling the deal with the apparently altruistic CEO, Jeff (Richard Nguyen Sloniker). Seth thinks that if Rick goes with Jenny’s idea, that Seth’s promises to Jeff will end up stinking of lies.

Playwright Sarah Burgess steeped herself in economic terminology and the ways in which the high-flying “princes of capitalism” do business. The dialogue is con-

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vincing and the ideas bandied about are likewise credible and to most of us chilling.

Far from being a mystery, while the dialogue and concept seem realistic to those of us who have never been in such a secretive boardroom, it also feels somehow familiar, and perhaps stereotypical.

The set design by Matthew Smucker is gorgeous austerity. There is a razor-edged slightly leaning rectangle that frames the stage, shot through with a sleek channel of lighting along the entire frame. “Executive lighting” is provided by Robert J. Aguilar

March 31, 2017

and a subtle sound design by Matt Starritt completes the tech support.

The floors are beautiful hardwood.

Lass’ high heels tap loudly and officiously as she walks. She stalks the stage with the conviction that she spends 18 of 24 hours there.

Sieber seems at a bit of a disadvantage next to Lass and Belyea, partially due to how his character is created – one where Seth actually seems like he believes in the better nature of humans and wants to do business with a higher ideal. We’re meant to like him more.

The pace is fast, and there is a bit of will-he won’t-he about whether the deal will get signed, until that is answered. Lass gets a lot of the fun lines and the biggest laughs, though it’s not especially a comedy.

And then, the whole thing is over and we really haven’t learned anything of note.

So, after all the gloss and high-style dialogue is done, we have missed the opportunity for the characters to really change or develop, we haven’t learned anything about high finance we didn’t already know from the movies, and it might not be all that important to put this production on your calendar.

For more information, go to www.seattlerep.org or call 206-443-2222.

Discuss your opinions with SGNcritic@ gmail.com or go to www.facebook.com/ SeattleTheaterWriters. More articles can be found at MiryamsTheaterMusings. blogspot.com.

Seattle Gay News 5

Nostalgic T2 an addictively energizing reunion

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer T2 TRAINSPOTTING Now playing Twenty years after leaving friends Simon, a.k.a. “Sick Boy” (Jonny Lee Miller), Spud (Ewen Bremner) and Frank Begbie (Robert Carlyle) sitting in a London hotel room (mostly) empty-handed after an impromptu sale of £20,000 worth of heroin, Mark Renton (Ewen McGregor) returns to his Welsh homeland to ease his weary conscience. He’s been living in Amsterdam for the past two decades, trying to put behind him the choices that were made and the moderately selfish reasons that fueled them. But now Renton is back, and while his reunion with Spud has been mutually cathartic, walking back through the door of Sick Boy’s bar is a much different animal entirely. As for Begbie, it’s best he just stay away from him, the man’s notoriously violent temper if anything far worse now than it was 20 years ago.

As much as the fans clamored for it, even though author Irving Welsh wrote about these characters again multiple times, most notably in his 2003 novel Porno, I can’t say director Danny Boyle and screenwriter John Hodge needed to get the band back together for a sequel to 1996’s Academy Award-nominated cult sensation Trainspotting. Over the years that lightning bolt of a film has deservedly ascended to classic status, its hard-edged look at drug abuse, youthful abandon and cultural socioeconomic imbalances a punk rock freefor-all that hasn’t edged a single bit.

Yet T2 Trainspotting works. It is a heartfelt, emotionally cathartic return to this world and to these characters that expands on each man’s respective story in ways that are honest, pure and heartbreakingly genuine. These are individuals who have not been able to overcome the demons of the past, and while some have proven to be more successful at “choosing life” than others have been, each is still haunted by drugs they’ve taken, the choices they’ve made and the friendships they for whatever reason chose to leave behind. It’s a striking film, and while the freshness and originali-

LEGALLY BLACK continued from cover

as a hilarious all-new live stage show parody of the hit 2001 comedy Legally Blonde that starred Reese Witherspoon as ditzy sorority girl Elle Woods who stole our hearts quicker than you can say “bend and snap.”

This time, the drag queens take over and the theme becomes “Never judge a queen by her wig color.”

Joining them is Abbey Roads, Mahlae Balenciaga, Mackenzie Miller, Sparkle Leigh, Isabella Extynn, Fraya Love, La Gaviota, Strawberry Shartcake, Kristie Champagne, and Stacey Starstruck.

MK Scott: After the success of “Whatever Happened to Bianca Del Rio?” and “Return to Grey Gardens,” “Mister Act,” and now “Legally Black,” obliviously, a parody of “Legally Blonde,” did you create this specifically for Bob the Drag Queen?

Peaches Christ: Yes, I love Bob, and got to know her before she was on [RuPaul’s] “Drag Race.” Bob was in our NYC premiere of “Return To Grey Gardens”

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T2 Trainspotting – Photo courtesy of image.tmdb.org

ty of its predecessor understandably cannot be regenerated, the fact Boyle and company don’t even make the attempt to do so is actually a refreshing turn of events I can’t say I walked into my screening anticipating.

Not that nostalgia isn’t part of this story.

With a character returning to directly face down the ghosts of his past, it goes without saying it would have to be, the very nature of Renton’s return allowing for flashbacks and remembrances of days gone by. But these brief sojourns into wayback machine are coupled with a fresh understanding of where things sit now, how little has actually changed, and that joy without pain or love without loss wouldn’t mean near as much if each emotion were not intertwined with its polar opposite. Hodges’ script digs surprisingly deep, refusing to offer easy answers or excuse the actions of any of the characters, whether they be happening now or occurred during their collective youths.

Not that there isn’t a little bit of a feeling that we’ve seen much of this before.

Renton, Spud, Sick Boy and Begbie may all be looking at their lives through fresh eyes, but that doesn’t mean they’ve changed near as much over this two- decade period as they likely hoped they would. Most of them are still reaching for stars that are clearly

outside of their grasp, while for most – not all – of them heroin might be a demon of the past that doesn’t mean they’ve escaped the haunting tragedy of addiction. Nothing that takes place throughout the story equals the shock and awe that accompanied the sights and sounds that filled the entirety of Trainspotting, and as such little packs the same sort of wallop that accompanied numerous moments littered throughout the original film.

Even the main new character introduced here, an immigrant working with Sick Boy named Veronika (Anjela Nedyalkova), is more or less a version of Renton from 20 years prior, only without the addictive personality that led to him self-destructing virtually every time he tried to do anything different with his life. And yet, newcomer Nedyalkova is so good in the role, her chemistry with her costars, most notably McGregor and Bremner, is so undeniably strong, watching her navigate her way through this chaotic reunion is consistently engaging. She’s superb, bringing a fresh vitality and a youthful vigor to things that is notably intoxicating.

Frequent Boyle collaborator Anthony Dod Mantle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trance) does a magnificent job shooting things, his

camera eloquently recalling the same sort of visual style and aesthetic created by original Trainspotting cinematographer Brian Tufano, yet doing so in a way that adds a sense of maturity and depth that fits the number of years each character has aged. It’s a spectacular showcase, edited brilliantly by Jon Harris (127 Hours), and even at almost 30 minutes longer than its predecessor (running just under two hours) there was never a moment I felt things were being drawn out or elongated in ways that were egregious or noteworthy.

I still don’t know if this sequel is a necessary animal. There’s not a ton new or unexpected that’s happening, and as playfully exuberant as the climax might be none of what transpires is close to surprising. But all the actors are superb, especially the two Ewens, McGregor and Bremner, both adding layers of depth and introspection to their respective characters that is hugely impressive. More than that, Boyle directs the film with an energetic enthusiasm that, while not equal to the original, still comes very close to getting there. T2 Trainspotting is a fine reunion, and while the punk portion might not be as raucous as it once was, that doesn’t mean these four men have forgotten how to rock one tiny little bit.

a few years ago and we really hit it off. It was obvious to me that this was a seriously talented and very funny queen so I knew I wanted to work with her again. When I’d first heard she got on “Drag Race” I announced that I thought she’d win. So after she became our new Queen, I knew we had to come up with a great show together. We tossed around a bunch of ideas and this was one that really seemed to stick out. In fact, the suggestion to do “Legally Blonde” with Bob came from our Seattle producer Jimmy Scarpello so he should get the credit for the initial pitch!

MK: Peaches, what do you like about working with Bob? PC: First and foremost she’s just very naturally talented onstage so there’s this great ease with collaborating with her.

She’s one of those performers who was born with great instincts and a great sense of comedy so she takes any line, any gag, any idea, and makes it soar. Secondly, she’s super down-to-earth and easy to get along with. She shows up without an ego and is ready to work.

MK: What show are you bringing to Seattle next?

PC: We are working on bringing up my “9 to 5” show with Pandora Boxx and Hek-

lina. I hope it all comes together!

MK: When we last spoke, Peaches, you were going forward with your next film.

What is the current status?

PC: We are still writing it, and looking for investors, but it’s coming together and I’m really excited for it to move forward.

MK: I just interviewed Charles Busch and he had a lot of nice things to say about you, especially with all the other queens sitting and having brunch in P-Town. Oh, and Jinkx Monsoon and Bianca Del Rio is one of her faves.

PC: That is so extremely flattering to me because Charles Busch is a total and complete idol of mine! There was like this huge group of us who had lunch together one day in Provincetown including Dina Martina, Coco Peru, Varla Jean Merman, Ryan Landry, Bianca Del Rio, and Charles Busch. It was like one of those Oprah legend lunches but with queens.

MK: Burning Question: What other queens or icons would you like to work with, but haven’t yet?

PC: I’d love to someday do a show with Elizabeth Berkley! Or Faye Dunaway! And I’d also really love to work with Raja, Varla Jean Merman, Kennedy Davenport, Detox, Trixie Mattel, Kim Chi, Ryan Landry, and

the list goes on and on.

March 31, 2017

Qurb Media Group and Peaches Christ Productions present BOB THE DRAG QUEEN & PEACHES CHRIST in “LEGALLY BLACK” with TWO SHOWS only (at 7pm and 9:30pm) on Thursday, April 6th at the SIFF Egyptian Theatre, 805 E Pine St. Audience members are encouraged to don their best campus couture, and be sure to get a few drinks at the SIFF campus bar!

VIP MEET & GREET EXPERIENCE AVAILABLE: Includes premium seating, Meet & Greet, a professional digital photograph with Bob the Drag Queen and Peaches Christ, a complimentary glass of champagne, and a goodie bag. VIP Meet & Greet begins immediately following each showing.

TICKETS: $80 VIP Premium Seating and post-show Meet & Greet; $60 Premium General Admission; $40 General Admission; $25 Balcony. Advance tickets at universe.com.

MK Scott is a Seattle-based arts blogger.

Check out his blog at outviewonline.com

Celebrating 41 Years!

Understanding the margins: Danny Boyle on returning to Trainspotting 20 years later

like a lesser film, one only interested in generating nostalgia for its classic predecessor and not telling its own distinct story, wouldn’t have gone there. Might have tried to find a more positive spin for, not just Spud, but for all four characters, 20 years hopefully given them perspective and allowed them to mature.

Danny Boyle: You think? You can’t do that. You’ve got to be honest, especially with these characters. The big invention is obviously Begbie is in jail, which seems fair enough for him. The law is going to catch up with a cycle of violence like that.

I suppose Renton is the one imagining that crisis that he has in Amsterdam has ruined his life in effect because whatever it is he’s built, whether he admires it or not, collapses and he’s got nothing. This triggers his return. That is, I suppose, bleak in a way when it needn’t be. But I’m not sure that you’d ever believe that Renton could hold down a traditional, conventional relationship and build a stable home. Even the fact that he turns up in Sick Boy’s bar and says, “I’ve got two kids,” and they’re imaginary children who he’s named, psychologically that’s quite devastating, I think. There’s a lot of need for atonement and healing.

Yet I agree with you about the ending of the first film. But I also feel the end of this film is also full of possible healing. Some kind of hope. Spud’s got hope. There’s a sense maybe that they’ll all begin to build, no? I don’t know. It’s honest about them, these four men, I hope. I like that.

Sara Michelle Fetters: What was that first day like? Having them all back together?

Danny Boyle: It didn’t work exactly like that, not on the first day. The first day was three of them because in fact, Renton, Ewen McGregor, he was still finishing off his movie [his directorial debut American Pastoral]. He wasn’t available for the first two weeks of the shoot. There’s never that cute Hollywood moment, where they’re all together and there’s this big group hug. Unfortunately, that never happened.

But there was a great early moment for me, that scene between Begbie and Sick Boy under the pub. That was really a terrific scene to start with. Robert Carlyle and Johnny Lee Miller were on fire straight away. We set the tone for the whole thing, I think, right there.

Sara Michelle Fetters: I know after two decades have past, it’s virtually impos-

sible to bring back everyone who worked on the original Trainspotting. It felt key to me, though, that you managed to bring back Casting Director Gail Stevens and Costume Designer Rachael Fleming. Their contributions felt key to me.

Danny Boyle: That’s a great observation. With Gail, most of the casting was done from the first film. It’s a credit to her, really, acknowledging what she did by putting these people together from the first film. Yet she also had to find new actors who fit in with them and maintain the flow and rhythms of that film, only aged 20 years.

Rachael, because the actors were returning, that process by which they were putting on clothes, obviously the original clothes could no longer fit them. They were literally putting on the overcoat of the past. It’s really crucial that they trusted the costume designer. Initially Rachel didn’t think she could do it because of her family. She’s got five kids now. Then she said, “I’ve got to do it.” I was so relieved when she did because it made the whole experience for the actors so much easier than it would have been, than it could have been, if it would have been a different costume designer. There might have been this thing with the actors, where the actors say, “No, I originally thought this,” and a new designer wouldn’t be able to understand where they were coming from. The thing is, when you go back like this, when you’ve done the first one together, there’s no bullshit because you know what one another are like. It made it really great that she was able to do it again.

Sara Michelle Fetters: In regards to you and cinematographer Anthony Dod Monatle, I feel like you two could shoot just about anything right now and make it look incredible. Here, you two, you still had to come up with a visual style that referenced the first film but also moved this one in its own direction. How did that work?

Danny Boyle: There was a lot of respect for Brian Tufano, who shot the first one.

Obviously we knew we were going to use bits of the original footage. We were trying to make the film look similar in a way, but obviously have its own principles. Having said that, [Anthony’s] principles were really the same as the principles in the first film, which is that you follow the actors. It’s the actors and their characters who define everything. It is slightly different to the first film when they’re 22, 23 and they behave in a very particular way and so does the film.

Now they’re 46. They behave in a particular way and so does the film. It’s inevitably different because it still follows the characters.

Whatever you’re going to reveal or show or display comes out of the characters reality.

We’d make as many decisions as possible as late as possible and we’d make them when the actors were in the room.

Sara Michelle Fetters: At the end of the day, what do you want people to take away after sharing this new adventure with these four men? What do you hope they’re talking about?

Danny Boyle: I think it’s the voice. The voices. It’s why we started. These voices that you never hear from normally in movies. They’re unacceptable to conventional mainstream society and yet they’re crucial to us understanding the margins. Weirdly enough, the first film is rather easy on those margins because they’re the junkies.

Now when all that is behind them, they’re beached, stranded, middle-aged men. Yet you still say, no, they’re front and center.

Let’s talk to them and find out what they’re about now. I love that. When Spud begins to become the voice of the film and it begins to loop back to the original stories, that’s an amazing feeling.

March 31, 2017

Seattle Gay News 7

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer T2 TRAINSPOTTING Now playing Trainspotting was not director Danny Boyle’s first film, but it was that 1996 adaptation of author Irving Welsh’s best-selling 1993 novel that put him, along with actors Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Johnny Lee Miller and Ewan Bremner on the proverbial map. It was a stratospheric success story, the movie becoming a cultural phenomenon around the world, even earning an Academy Award nomination for John Hodge’s adapted screenplay.

After 20 years, Boyle, Hodge, McGregor, Carlyle, Miller and Bremner all return for the sequel T2 Trainspotting, a movie fans have long been clamoring for.

Picking up with the four main characters now in their 40s, the movie is a surprisingly frank, brutally honest examination of aging, addiction, friendship and family that, while a much different animal than its now classic predecessor, subtly becomes a vital and poignant drama worthy of respect.

I sat down with Boyle during his brief visit to Seattle right before the sequel’s release. Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: Sara Michelle Fetters: Let’s get the question you’re probably tired of answering out of the way first. Why now? Why wait 20 years to return to the world of Trainspotting?

Danny Boyle: Well, it’s the power of a couple of things, really. The 20-year anniversary is obvious marketing-wise, even though we missed it by a year. It’s been 21 years. It’s still quite a powerful marketing tool.

It was more the fact of the characters.

You make some films which are successful, and some which are not, but they all fade away. They just fade. It’s just inevitable and it’s part of the process. [Trainspotting] hasn’t. People would talk about it on the Tube in London to me all the time. They’d talk about the characters like they were still there. They’d talk about Begbie. And the actors said the same thing. They’d be stopped in the street and asked to say lines.

People remember the characters’ names.

People never remember characters’ names from films. They remember the actor that played them sometimes, but never the actual character names. This, they knew all four of their names.

The affection [for the film] maintained its presence, so we continued to talk about it. Flirtingly, sometimes with journalists, like we’re teasing. With fans, you tease a little bit. Then I used to joke that you couldn’t really do it because the actors didn’t look any different because they moisturized.

Stuff like that. Gradually, a momentum arose. When you put that together with the 20th anniversary, we met and talked. We tried 10 years earlier at the 10-year anniversary and it hadn’t worked. It would have been a very poor experience. It didn’t merit going back to it.

Then we came up with something more personal, which is [the story] began to look at aging, I suppose, and the behavior of men over time. Especially how badly men age.

It was that. This script emerged and it was like, that’s pretty good. I want to make that more than I want to do anything else. I don’t care if it’s a sequel. I said I’d never do sequels. And, if I did make one, I also said I’d never make a sequel to Trainspotting if all four actors didn’t want to return. But we did it. We got them all. They all wanted to do it and it gives them all an equal share, which

Danny Boyle – Photo by Ricardo DeAratanha, courtesy of Los Angeles Times

is unusual in a film. Usually there’s a supporting actor, but on this they’re all equal.

Sara Michelle Fetters: I was going to ask you, in regards to that script, it’s interesting to me that Irving Welsh wrote his follow up novel Porno and his short story that contains some of the characters basically about a decade after Trainspotting, his book, hit store shelves in 1993. [Porno was published in 2002.] Then here we are now roughly another decade later and it is like, in some ways, those characters have aged as they naturally would have. How did Welsh and screenwriter John Hodge run with the screenplay so that it still feels like it fits into the world that you created in that first movie but also within that imagined in those novels and stories?

Danny Boyle: It’s interesting, because I’m not sure I see them going entirely like that. When you read them [the characters] in the original books, there are some similarities, but they’re also different. Irvine never writes them with influence from the film. He always goes back to his original voice. But he’s also entirely encouraging of us to do our version of them, which is through the prism of John [Hodge], our screenwriter, and me.

But then, especially, also through the prism of the actors and their personalities, which define who these people are. Renton in the books isn’t Renton in the film. Not quite.

Likewise, Begbie and the others. It’s a weird parallel world [the books and the film] that they run in; equally respectful, but still independent of each other.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Rewatching Trainspotting for what feels like the millionth time, I was struck by the air of hope that you all struck at the end of that film, if not for not all four of the characters, at the very least for two of them. If I’m being honest, I can’t tell you how depressed I was to discover that Spud hadn’t been able to escape his addictions. At the same time, no matter how sad this revelation might be, it also feels concrete, authentic and genuine.

Danny Boyle: He’s honestly lucky that he survived. To spend 20 years on and off heroin like that, he’s lucky to have gotten through it, because most [addicts] don’t get through it. You see them hobbling around Scotland now, Glasgow and Edinburgh, with one leg because they’ve lost a leg to infection and all that kind of stuff that goes along with intravenous drug use.

Sara Michelle Fetters: But it seems

Visit us online www.sgn.org

STRIKE A POSE continued from cover

tion, and the price of fame. With surprising literal and figurative twists and turns, the dancers (six gay, one straight) open their hearts once more. Fueled by a nostalgic look at the tour and the original film’s “controversies” (the infamous gay kissing scene), and updated with poetic dance vignettes and a poignant score, STRIKE A POSE is a real ray of light.

In 1990, seven young dancers joined pop star Madonna on her most controversial world tour. Wild, talented and barely twenty, the dancers set out on the trip of a lifetime. Their journey was captured in TRUTH OR DARE, one of the highestgrossing documentaries ever. As a self-

SLAM

continued from cover Twist (the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival) last fall and this week returns to the Northwest Film Forum (April 5) before its big premiere on Logo TV on Thursday, April 6 at 9pm ET/PT. The film catches up with seven young male dancers – six gay, one straight – on Madonna’s controversial “Blond Ambition World Tour” in 1990 and her subsequent Truth or Dare documentary, as they unwittingly become icons for Gay rights and sexual freedom. Twentyfive years later, the dancers reveal the truth about life during and after the tour and the significance of their courageous but harrowing journey to, as Madonna sings, “Express Yourself.” The critically acclaimed documentary, from filmmakers Ester Gould and Reijer Zwaan and the Emmy Award-winning Logo Documentary Films, was an official selection at the 2016 Tribeca, Berlin and Hot Docs film festivals.

One of the most memorable of the dancers is the gorgeous Salim “Slam” Gauwloos. Born in a small Flemish town by Belgian-Moroccan parents, “Slam” made an impression in Truth or Dare by kissing fellow dancer Gabriel Trupin – the first Gay kiss ever to be shown in a major movie. It is only recently that he has come to see what both the tour and Truth or Dare have meant to people around the world: “We helped the world to come out of the closet!” he has said. In the more recent documentary, Strike a Pose, Slam comes out as Poz. Slam chatted with me earlier this week about his journey and as a Muslim with a green card what he thinks of the political climate.

MK Scott: Hello, Slam, welcome to “It’s Fab.” Super excited to talk to you about Truth or Dare, Vogue, and the new revealing documentary, Strike a Pose, coming to Logo on April 6. I had a chance to see this at the Seattle Gay Film Festival last fall. In fact, Kevin Stea came to the screening.

“Slam” Gauwloos: Oh, to the screening, yeah, that’s right. I remember that.

MK: How did you get involved with Strike a Pose?

Slam: Well, I was approached around 2013. I was approached by both directors.

They sent us all an email, and I responded pretty quick to the email, and I was working in Vienna, Austria at the time, so I just – Reijer Zwaan, one of the directors, he came to meet me in Vienna, and we talked for a couple hours. And I don’t know, I just had a really good feeling about it, and I just – I was pretty much onboard from the beginning.

But still, you know, I wasn’t sure. It’s like, okay, I’m not going to spill all the beans. Am I just going to talk about my dancing career?

But I saw this as a really good opportunity for me to really, you know, talk about different things. And so I was pretty much onboard and still to this day, you know, I’m so proud of this. I think I’m prouder of this than I am of Truth or Dare.

8 Seattle Gay News

proclaimed mother to her six Gay dancers plus straight Oliver, Madonna used the film to take a stand on Gay rights, freedom of expression and the fight against AIDS. Madonna’s flamboyant dancers became icons of sexual freedom, inspiring people all over the world to be who you are.

At the height of the AIDS epidemic and in the aftermath of the conservative Reagan era, TRUTH OR DARE introduced audiences to fun-loving, bold and largerthan-life Gay characters. The film was groundbreaking, featuring two guys kissing passionately during the famous “Truth or Dare” scene. Madonna, determined to push the envelope, defended the film ferociously: “If you keep putting something in people’s faces, eventually, maybe they can come to terms with it.” The message stuck: even today, the dancers receive thank-you letters from people around the world recall-

ing how the film changed their lives.

Although they were pivotal to Madonna’s message, the dancers weren’t living it. In fact, Gabriel wasn’t “out” about being Gay at all. After failing to persuade Madonna to cut out the kissing scene that would out him to his family and friends, he filed a lawsuit against her. A few years later, the 26-year-old died of AIDS, a disease that had shamed him into silence. And Gabriel wasn’t the only one. Carlton – big, bold and the only dancer who was trusted to lift up the pop icon – was HIV-positive and almost collapsed under the secret that he was carrying on tour. Years of faking and lying distort his life to this day.

In STRIKE A POSE, we encounter the dancers on a new journey. For the first time they tell us how hard it has been to live the liberated life they were promoting on stage.

Their incredible stories reveal how fear

of other people’s judgment holds us back and how hard it is to accept yourself when you feel different. Twenty-five years after the tour and the film that marked pop and Gay culture as much as their own lives, the dancers, their dramatic stories and their fierce moves inspire us once again. What does it really take to express yourself?

MK: Did you talk to the other dancers before agreeing to it?

Slam: Well, I think that one of the last ones was Jose in the end and we were always a bit closer than all of us together.

So I think the last one that I kept sending Facebook messages to was Jose, because he – I think Jose was the last one to sign up with the project. But in literally 25 years, I

like, oh, you know, you go on tour with Madonna, everything is all rosy. But you know, there was like a big behind the stage, behind the scene, you know, what was going on there.

MK: Has Madonna approached you since the film has come out?

Slam: Yes, she’s right here. No, no, it’s okay. [Both laugh] No, actually, no, she

and they can tell her.

MK: Well, it is – it’s definitely a good sign that Liz liked it, because, yeah, because – Slam: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

MK: Now, what did you think about hearing about all of your fellow dancers and their stories about what has happened to them, you know, since Truth or Dare?

Slam: It was touching. It was very – it really touched me because, you know, you think – I thought that I was the only one, okay, after the tour, you know, my life is just a big mess, you know, for like all those years and just really dark, really dark times, you know, but then to hear that, you know, literally I mean we’ve all been through something, you know. So, it was very comforting to hear that, that I was not the only one, but then also to hear, you know, what they’ve been going through and everything.

So it was very healing and very comforting to me, yes.

MK: And also we find out that you had spent years being homeless as well as your drug addiction as well.

Slam: Ah, yes, yes, yes. Yes, I talk about it in the film too, but again, you know, it goes a bit deeper too, because and also not besides just not having a place to live, I mean I thank God I never had to sleep on the street. I always had good friends or other people who cared, but besides, you know, being HIV and then having no place to live, I was also illegal in the country for quite – from like six to seven years. So that was like a whole other thing. It was never really touched in the movie, because that, you know, would have been too much, like, oh my God, another thing. But you know, that had a – that was a big thing for me too. I was illegal, and that’s why I didn’t get treatment for HIV for 10 years, because I thought I was going to go into the hospital and they were going to just call immigration. And I was going to get deported. You know, so that was one of the reasons why I never really talked about it and never reached out for help. So in ‘97, I literally dropped to the floor, and I had no choice. They had to rush me to the hospital. But then again – you know, I found out there was all – yeah, I was really bad, you know, but I found out there were all these organizations, and at the end, you know, they just took really good care of me. They didn’t call immigration, you know, so at the end, it did work out for me.

But now, you know, I was just at the clinic, at my HIV clinic, and my social worker was telling me that, you know, they have a lot of illegal immigrants who get medical care, but now they also – they’re petrified, you know, with all these things going on, you know, with the illegal immigrants. We have a new president, you know, so it – I know what it feels like. It’s terrible. And this was only in the ‘90s for me, and I believe in the ‘90s it could be more invisible living in New York as an illegal alien, you know, but I think now it’s much harder. It’s different times, you know. You need ID for everything. I thought (dancing Max) Steiner was easier, yes. And then, you know, I came out

(r) Salim “Slam” Gauwloos kisses fellow dancer Gabriel Trupin in Truth or Dare – Photo courtesy of towelroad.com

haven’t talked to anybody. I saw Jose here and there, but it’s been a long time. So it was – it was nerve-racking, but really it was amazing connecting with these guys again, yeah.

MK: In the film, you came out as HIV positive. That was an incredible moment, especially for the audience.

hasn’t. No, no, we haven’t heard anything from her. I know Liz Rosenberg [Madonna’s now retired, long-time publicist] saw it and I think she got in contact with the Strike a Pose people and said that she really liked the movie and that she was going to forward it to Madonna. But we never heard anything regarding Madonna’s team.

Madonna with Slam during her “Blond Ambition World Tour” – Photo courtesy of youtube.com

Slam: Yes, yes, yes, yeah, it was incredible for me too and very emotional, but I’m, you know, again, I’m happy I did it. And I think it was right, the right time to share my story, you know, with fans, with the world, just not as a dancer, but as a human being too, you know. Everybody always thinks

March 31, 2017

But it’s okay, you know, that’s not why I did it, you know. I just did it for a lot of other reasons, not for just for Madonna to see it or not. So, I’m okay with that. Yeah, but maybe in the future, you know, maybe she looks at Logo, I mean. But then she doesn’t watch TV, so who knows. Maybe her kids see it,

STRIKE A POSE will screen at Northwest Film Forum (1515 12th Ave.) on Wednesday, April 5 at 7pm at part of Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s First Wednesday Queer Film Series. Admission is FREE for Three Dollar Bill Cinema members and $12 for Not-Yet-Members. For more information and advance tickets, visit https:// www.threedollarbillcinema.org/ Courtesy of Northwest Film Forum and Three Dollar Bill Cinema

Celebrating 41 Years!

with it, because, you know, I want people to hear and, you know, at the end, you know, it was like all those strikes against me, you know. But there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel, you know. You just – you just gotta keep going, yeah.

MK: Now were you surprised about the HIV statuses of your fellow dancers?

Slam: Well, Gabriel, I – he passed away in ‘95, so – So very surprised. So we knew that already. I found out after he died that he was HIV, you know, and then Carlton, he wrote a book about it a couple years ago.

So he was out of the closet too, yeah. So I was kind of the last one to come out. And I never thought it was the right moment, but when these two beautiful directors came from Holland, I was like, you know, what, I’m going to take this chance and just, yeah, share my story. Yeah, but it’s amazing, you know, we were – it’s so – I guess ironic too, you know. We were the three dancers on the “Blond Ambition Tour” who did her song “Get into the Groove,” and “Get into the Groove” was about educating people using condoms and all of that too. So she used to do all of these speeches regarding HIV too, and here we are, you know, myself, Gabriel, and Carlton, and we’re all standing on stage. And we’re all HIV positive. It’s something really ironic about it. Yeah.

MK: Especially that moment when she paid tribute to her friend Keith Haring on stage.

Slam: Yeah, ah, terrible – any time she would do a tribute, my heart would just drop, and I would feel like, okay, please.

And it looked like I didn’t care. It looked like I was all like, you know, proud and I didn’t care, but I was petrified.

MK: All right, and one epic scene from Truth or Dare is probably the most talked about, and that was your kissing scene with Gabriel.

Slam: Yes, yes, still to this day.

MK: And most people have credited that as being a really big moment during their own coming-out process. How was that kiss –?

Slam: The kiss was amazing. [Both laugh] You know, but it was – it’s amazing, you know, it was such an innocent kiss too, you know. We already had a little crush on each other during the tour, so then they decided to play Truth or Dare one night, and you know, there with us, you know, it’s like – and it was just innocent, you know, just a compassionate, innocent kiss. I think, I guess one of the first male kisses, passionate too, not fake, on the big screen too, you know, and even ‘til today, you know, I get emails from people just saying how it made them feel normal, you know. And this is in 1990, you know. Nobody was out of the closet, you know. It wasn’t cool to be gay.

Now it’s like everybody is gay now, you know, it’s cool now to be anything. But it feels really nice, especially not knowing that it was going to have such an impact on so many people’s lives, you know. It was just an innocent kiss. That’s where it started. So I think it even makes it more beautiful that it turned into this big thing. I’m really proud of that, but I can’t – at that moment, you know, social media wasn’t available, none of the outlets were available, so we never really knew what people were thinking, you know. The tour was finished, so we were like, okay, this is it. This is done, you know. She’s going to go on another tour, and nobody’s ever going to remember us. So it’s nice to know that they still do. It really makes me feel nice.

MK: Now, when I had decided, okay, who from the group did I want to interview, I asked my good friend Matthew Rettenmund, who actually wrote the book about Madonna, The Madonna Encyclopedia, and he said – Slam because he’s the nicest, he has the most intriguing story, and of course, who could forget your nice, beautiful long hair at the time, and ah – Slam: Oh my God, that’s so sweet, thank you. I know I miss my hair, too.

MK: All right, and did you have any mementos from the tour?

Slam: What’s a memento, like a –

MK: Like a souvenir.

Slam: A souvenir, yes, but I lost all of them. Yeah. I lost all of them because I moved so many times and had nowhere to go. And listen to this, oh this is so tragic, but I mean if I say everything, I should just say everything. I sold my tour jacket, because I was so desperate for money. I sold it for $150. Can you believe that? $150, you know, in 1990 – early ‘90s, that was a lot of money. Now, it’s like nothing. But yes, I lost everything, and I sold my tour jacket.

MK: I also read that your mother was Catholic, your father was Muslim, from Morocco – How did that shape your life as a gay man?

Slam: Well, my mom – I mean, my mom, she said she was Catholic because – but I mean, it was never really – we never went to church. We used to walk by the church, and she said that’s enough to just walk by it. So she was not really a practic-

Facundo?

Slam: Yeah, Facundo Caba. He is from Argentina. And he is – I locked him in the bedroom so I can really focus on our interview. We met each other in 2000, and he was really the one because even in 2000, I had no working papers. But he was the one, you know, we got a lawyer, we did all of that. So it was like, I mean, you have to be able to get your, you know, be legal. And then he was like, show me like the newspaper clip from Madonna, show this, but I was like, I don’t have anything. So he went to the library and looked through all the files about Madonna, got all the press that I did, and from there we started my immigration case, yeah, and I got a green card. And now I’m an American citizen. Yeah, and I never thought I would. So that’s the amazing thing, you know, never thought I would be able to. Yeah. But he’s a beautiful man. I’m happy to have him in my life.

the first time after so many years, what was that like?

Slam: It was great. It was emotional, it was nerve-racking, it was just a beautiful moment, yeah, because it is, you know.

It’s like you don’t see these people for 25 years, and it’s like, what are we going to talk about, but it just, you know, we were all wiser. We’re all grown up, so it’s like we never really left each other, you know. And everybody still has their kind of different humors and everything. So it was a really nice experience. Yes, yes. It was very nice.

MK: Yeah, and finally, this is my last question, which I usually call my burning question, In 2010, there was an American TV show called “Glee.” And so in it, this one episode of where it was devoted completely all to Madonna. It was the Madonna episode. Okay. Well, what they did was it was really, really awesome. Jane Lynch, you know, she portrays Madonna, and they

José Xtravaganza and Slam – Photo by Facundo Gabba

ing Catholic. And my father, he was just around – he came into the picture probably when I was like five, six, and he was just around for a couple years. But yeah, yeah, so when he came around – because I was – I could do anything at home. That was the great thing, you know, so long as I wasn’t having sex, you know. But I could do anything. I could dress up like a girl, I – creative expression was always like available in my house. And that was really beautiful.

Then my father came for a couple years, and that changed everything. So I had to like put the Barbies away or play with my Barbies when he was gone. But then he only lived with us for like four years, and yeah, my mom had enough from him, yeah. But I think what I learned, you know, what I have from my father, I think, is spirituality.

Yeah. He was a very spiritual man, yeah. So I think I have that from him, and probably from my mom who recently passed away, I probably have her strength. That’s what I get from my mom, yeah. Yeah, and you know what’s so beautiful in Strike a Pose film is too, it’s like how important everybody’s moms are, you know. All of them – I think we all are who we are because of our moms, you know. Look at Jose’s mom, look at Sue’s mom, you know, they really – they are queens almost, you know.

MK: And of course Madonna herself, she truly was like a mom to everyone.

Slam: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, she was, yeah, but still, you know, it’s like I just got away from my mom, so I was like, look, I’m not looking for another mom. I want to breathe for a little bit. But to a certain extent, yes, yes, she was.

MK: Now, tell us about your husband,

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MK: All right, and speaking of that, what are your thoughts of the travel bans as a Muslim and with a green card?

Slam: Ah, I don’t know. I mean of course it’s wrong. I mean, I think it’s wrong to deny anybody in any kind of country, you know, to enter any kind of country. But you know, I am an optimist, you know. Things will get better, you know. We always, you know, gay people, minorities, you know, at the end we always prevail, you know. And I just – if we just keep fighting and keep talking up and keep talking about this too, you know, I think things will change, you know. We always prevail as gay people and as minorities in the end, you know. It might take a little bit longer, but I think we will, you know. And look how many, you know, so many evil things are going on, but look at the same time, you know, how many people it has brought together too, you know. When is the last time there’s all these protests against one man, you know?

It’s been a while ago. So I always try to look at the good side of the whole thing. Yeah.

But it will change. I know it will change, like everything always does. But even in, you know, they give me a hard time in airport, because, you know, my name, I have a Middle Eastern tattoo, Arabic tattoo on my arm. It’s a Salim. And my real name is Salim Hamid Gauwloos, and I have an American passport and European passport, but they – they’ve always given me a hard time in the airports because of my name. It is nothing new.

MK: And what was it like to reconnect with your fellow dancers, because I know that that incredible scene at the very end of where you guys all had, were reunited for

do frame by frame completely, you know, re imagined the entire “Vogue” video.

Slam: Oh wow!

MK: In fact, Jane Lynch won an Emmy from that episode. Because it was so – it was so pitch perfect. So, of course, my question was of course if you had seen it and so forth, but I guess you have not. So – Slam: No, no, no, I – yeah, I don’t have a TV. Can you believe it? I got rid of it a while ago. It just – I was just too consumed by the TV, so got rid of it. So I can’t even watch my own documentary on the TV, because I don’t have a TV. MK: Yeah, we’re also promoting the screening, which is going to be this week, here in Seattle. And then of course – the big Logo premiere as well, so.

Slam: Very excited about that. I can’t wait.

MK: I can’t either.

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Learn more about Slam as well as Oliver, Carlton, Luis, Kevin, and Jose when Logo TV premieres Strike a Pose on Thursday, April 6 at 9pm ET/PT. On Wednesday, April 5 at 7pm, as part of Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s first Wednesday Queer Film Series, you can catch a public screening of Strike a Pose at Northwest Film Forum (1515 12th Avenue).

(Free for Three Dollar Bill Cinema members and $12 for nonmembers. Advance tickets available at Stranger Tickets.)

Hear the full interview on MK’s podcast at podomatic.com/podcasts/itsfab MK Scott is a Seattle-based arts blogger.

Check out his blog at outviewonline.com

MISS RICHFIELD 1981 coming to Seattle with “2020 Vision: A Survival Guide To The New World!”

April 20 & 21 at Century Ballroom Miss Richfield 1981 is making her Seattle debut with her brand new show “2020 Vision: A Survival Guide To The New World!” Known for her unique take on audience participation, and comedic songs and videos, Miss Richfield will bring her message of hope – or at least survival – to Century Ballroom’s West Hall on April 20 and 21 at 8pm.

Miss Richfield’s live performances have received critical acclaim with the New York Post declaring Miss Richfield 1981 “the must-see act in Provincetown.” And the Chicago Sun-Times describing Miss Richfield as “Garrison Keillor meets Mary Tyler Moore.” In addition to selling out theaters and nightclubs each year in New York, Chicago, South Florida, Palm Springs, Atlanta, San Diego, and Minneapolis, Miss Richfield 1981 is the best selling act in Provincetown, MA filling the Paramount Theatre at the Crown & Anchor nightly throughout the summer.

Her national appeal includes riotous appearances on “The Tonight Show” and “Today” on NBC, “Cake Boss” on TLC, “Watch What Happens Live” on Bravo, and, most recently, as a television spokesperson for Orbitz.

What makes a Miss Richfield 1981 show unique is the interactive format combining edgy improv with a Midwestern homespun warmth that stems from her creator, Russ King. A former journalist and Minnesota native, King created the character with a rich history that begins with her life-long goal of being crowned beauty queen of Richfield, a first-ring suburb of Minneapolis where “butter is a spice, and gravy is a beverage!”

Tickets for Miss Richfield 1981 “2020 Vision: A Survival Guide To The New World” are available at missrichfield1981. ticketleap.com. $30 General Admission/$175 VIP Table.

Miss Richfield 1981 inw 2020 Vision: A Survival Guide to the New World – Photo courtesy of ticketleap.com

Thirsty Girl Productions presents 3rd Annual Seattle Boylesque Festival April 21 & 22 at The Triple Door ator, El Vez, and features top Boylesque performers from across the globe. The late show benefits Burlycon, the only not-forprofit professional growth and educational convention for burlesque performers, producers, fans, and aficionados! Starring Izohnny (Portland), Tito Bonito (LA), The Evil Hate Monkey (NY), Waxie Moon (Seattle), Devon Aire (NYC), Mod Carousel (Seattle), Uma Shadow (Yokohama), Sudbury Burlesque (Ontario), Luminous Pariah (Seattle), Beau Creep (Edmonton), Falcon Ay (Seattle), Trojan Original (Seattle), Ernie Von Schmaltz (Seattle), Matt Knife (NY), Jesus la Pinga (Seattle) and Bolt Action (Seattle)!

Tickets are $25 General Admission advance ($30 at the door)/$40 VIP advance ($45 at the door). 206-838-4333. www.thetripledoor.net; www.boylesquefestival.com

After last year’s sell-out success, Thirsty Girl Productions brings you The 3rd Annual Seattle Boylesque Festival at The Triple Door (216 Union St.) April 21st & April 22nd, two shows per night at 7pm & 10:30pm (doors at 5:30pm & 10pm).

With more than 30 performers from Japan, New York, LA, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas and Canada, this year’s two-day extravaganza promises to be the sexiest weekend of 2017.

The festival kicks off Friday, April 21st with a Gender Fucked-theme hosted by Seattle’s own Ernie Von Schmaltz. The gender-bending festivities will feature over a dozen national and international performers that will get your motor started for a Full Weekend of Boylesque! Starring Waxie Moon (Seattle), Tito Bonito (LA), Mod Carousel (Seattle), Isaiah Esquire (Portland), Johnny Nuriel (Portland), Paris Original (Seattle), EmpeRoar! Fabulous (Seattle), UmA Shadow (Yokohama), Al Lykia (Seattle), Suwasit (Las Vegas), Howard Van Zandt (Edmonton), Moscato Extatique (Seattle), Hank E. Panky (Kansas City), Sugar Dish (Massachusetts), Namii (Seattle) and Kristie Champagne (Seattle)!

Saturday’s eleganza will be hosted by the legendary Mexican Elvis imperson-

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Waxie Moon – Photo by Tim Summers

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Entertaining Zookeeper’s Wife a poignant lesson in selfless heroism

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE Now playing Based on a true story and adapted from Diane Ackerman’s best-selling book, The Zookeeper’s Wife tells the story of a Polish zookeeper and his animal-loving wife who together conspire to liberate Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. Under the guise of having transformed their zoo into a pig farm with a goal of providing meat for the German war effort, the pair saved an estimated 300 souls, hiding the majority of them in plain sight right under the Nazi nose. It’s an astonishing tale, one that defies belief, director Niki Caro (Whale Rider, McFarland, USA) and screenwriter Angela Workman (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan) treating the material with a level of self-control that allows the inherent dramatics to work on their own without extra melodramatic embellishments.

It is 1939, and all of Poland is on edge.

When her husband Jan (Johan Heldenbergh) urges her to take their young son and retire to the country, Warsaw Zoo coowner Antonina Zabinski (Jessica Chastain) refuses to leave either their home or the animals they both love when invasion is still only a faint possibility. But after their city is bombed and their zoo is left in ruins, it is immediately clear that the German threat is no longer theoretical. While friend and zoologist Lutz Heck (Daniel Brühl), in charge of the Berlin Zoo and now responsible for the surviving animals under the Zabinski’s care, promises to do his best to keep them protected, both Antonia and Jan are understandably concerned their lives as they once knew them have been irrevocably changed forever.

They’re right, but not in the way they initially assume. Once the city’s Jewish population is thrown into a fenced-in

Jessica Chastain plays Antonina Zabinski in The Zookeeper’s Wife – Photo courtesy of movieweb.com

ghetto, the Zabinski’s realize something must be done. Using the underground tunnels, cages and pens that they once used to transport animals from one point in the zoo to another, Jan and Antonia start shepherding Jews out of the Warsaw Ghetto, hiding them until plans to get them out of the country to freedom can be formulated. It’s risky, putting not only their lives in danger but that of their children as well, and with the suspicious Lutz always lurking around the chance that their plans will be discovered remains perilously high throughout the entirety of WWII. This is a very good movie, more often than not a superb one. Caro and Workman craft an elegant, spellbindingly personal opening act, setting up Antonia’s character with luxurious ease, Chastain building the foundation for the woman’s eventual transformation from shy animal lover to determined resistance fighter beautifully. They also do a

great job introducing Antonia’s connection with the egotistical, smugly pompous Lutz, these early moments setting the stage for the emotional manipulations and interpersonal entanglements to come once the Zabinskis set their plans into motion.

Time does pass a little strangely in the movie, and it’s not always easy to keep up with the transitions as the months and years go by. There are also a handful of little moments that aren’t as deftly performed or defined as so much of the remainder proves to be, Jan’s part in the Polish Resistance not developed near as well as I felt it should have been. I also can’t say I responded to the petty pangs of jealousy the zookeeper showcased as they pertained to his wife’s manipulations of Lutz, those moments the only ones where I felt like Workman’s script wasn’t up to par.

Thankfully, Caro directs with a confidently clever hand, never overplaying

things, allowing the emotional storm front surging through Poland, and the world, during that period of history to do the heavy lifting. She goes for a documentary-like approach at the most opportune of times, the sequences where Jan journeys into the Ghetto to ferry out small groups of Jews in the refuse bins he’s been supplied by the German Army to collect food for the pigs back at the zoo especially effective. The first trip is heartrending, a moment of absolute abhorrence and depravity portrayed with such candor and restraint it left me bruised and battered in a way it never could have had Caro chosen to take a more exaggerated approach.

Chastain, who is also one of the film’s executive producers, is terrific, delivering a complex, nakedly raw performance that speaks volumes. While her Polish accent does waver at times, overall she digs right to the core of Antonia, bringing this woman to life in ways that are consistently compelling. Veteran Belgian character actor Heldenbergh is also wonderful, having a lovely, lived-in chemistry with his costar that’s masterful. As for Brühl, he’s good, if a little over-the-top, his latter scenes as the German war effort goes south and Lutz descends into uncontrolled paranoia nowhere near as interesting as his work early on proves to be.

Gloriously shot by Andrij Parekh (Blue Valentine) and handsomely edited by David Coulson (North Country), the movie moves at a zippy, if still never rushed, pace, Caro orchestrating the action as well as she ever has in any of her previous pictures. The veteran director moves in and out of the world that’s been constructed for her here with haunting grace, Antonia and Jan’s loving relationship the moving center all else is continually focused upon. The Zookeeper’s Wife is excellent, the Zabinski’s story an important lesson in heroism that proves to be as entertainingly compelling as it is fascinatingly essential.

Nicely acted Wolves an emotionally deflated nightmare

mentary a fashion as he can. The director even throws in a pair of curmudgeonly father figures for Anthony, a former New Jersey Nets player named Socrates (John Douglas Thompson) and a devoted uncle, Charlie (Chris Bauer), both of whom offer advice and insight in manner that feels like it was lifted straight out of an Inspirational Fiction 101 course taught at a local community college. While the actors do what they can with the roles, neither character is particularly interesting outside of the words of wisdom they have to offer the struggling 18-year-old, only existing inside this story to push the narrative forward to its familiar conclusion and for seemingly no other reason.

Granted, all of the actors are good,

newcomer Smith doing a fine job making an impression. He and Shannon have great chemistry, their aggressive give and take easy to watch no matter how silly or sophomoric the dialogue their both spouting ends up proving to be. Gugino is also solid, and even if her character is thinly written, becoming nothing more than another in a long line of thankless suffering mothers trying to do the best she can for her children seen in countless melodramas made since the invention of celluloid, the actress still gives Jenny just enough life and idiosyncratic impudence to make the woman worthy of keeping an eye on. Additionally, the basketball sequences are impressively mounted and staged, cinematographer Juan Miguel Azpiroz (Saving Grace) shooting them with a bouncy fervor that’s rousing.

But it’s Shannon who lights up the screen, and without him it’s hard to imagine this effort would be worth talking about.

While the character falls inside the actor’s established wheelhouse, that doesn’t mean he still doesn’t approach the role with the same sort of tenacity and gusto he brought to previous performances in films as diverse as Nocturnal Animals, 99 Homes, Take Shelter, Premium Rush and Revolutionary Road.

All of which makes it a monumental shame that Freundlich’s hackneyed script and uninspired direction ultimately lets him, the other actors and ultimately his latest feature down so completely. Wolves shoots way too many air balls, its inability to find the basket making this dramatic teenage hoop dream nothing short of an emotionally deflated basketball nightmare.

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Seattle Gay News 15

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer WOLVES Now playing The sole reason to watch writer/director Bart Freundlich’s (The Myth of Fingerprints, The Rebound) latest melodramatic endeavor Wolves is for star Michael Shannon and for Michael Shannon alone. No surprise there, the two-time Academy Award nominee turning in an explosively hypnotic performance as a hard-living, emotionally volatile writer with a gambling addiction who is slowly destroying the lives of his wife and son. He is incredible as ever, and while the movie doesn’t offer him anything particularly difficult to do, the actor makes his moments crackle with an invigorating electricity that’s practically impossible to resist.

Good thing, too, because, once again Freundlich has delivered a motion picture that oozes in potential, yet also frustratingly refuses to do a darn thing of merit with virtually a single ounce of it. This movie runs on cliché and is fueled by emotional treacle, dripping into overblown schmaltz at the worst moments, reveling in these instances of excess in ways that are consistently maddening. It derails what should have been a simple, delicately balanced coming-of-age story of a kid coming into his own while struggling to step out of the shadow of a hot-tempered parent, and as such Freundlich’s latest ends up being nothing short of an exasperating waste of time.

Anthony Keller (Taylor John Smith) is

(l) Anthony (Taylor John Smith) with his father Lee (Michael Shannon) in Wolves – Photo courtesy of indywire.com

a basketball prodigy and an A-plus student on the cusp of earning a scholarship to Cornell. He adores his girlfriend Victoria (Zazie Beetz) and would do just about anything for his loving mother Jenny (Carla Gugino).

The problem is his father Lee (Shannon), a respected English professor and successful author who is as egotistical as he is selfdestructive, the man’s mounting gambling debts putting him increasingly at odds with local mafia enforcers. Things get even worse when Victoria announces she might be pregnant, Anthony increasingly unsure of what is the right course of action as everything around him spirals out of control.

It’s fairly obvious stuff, and for the most part Freundlich presents it all in as rudi-

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Meetings Events Activities

FOR A CALENDAR LISTING: Send details to: SGN, Attn: Community Calendar, 1707 23rd Ave., Seattle, WA 98122. SGN phone: 324-4297. E-mail: sgn2@sgn. org. INCLUDE: Date, time, location, contact phone # for publication (if possible), brief description of event & sponsoring organization. DEADLINE: Tuesday 5pm.

ACCESSIBILITY: Is your event accessible to LGBTQ people with disabilities? See Jean’s List webpage www. scn.org/activism/calendar/disabilities.html for Marla Nonken’s disabilities accommodations lists.

NOTE: Phone numbers accompanying listings are within area code (206) & locations of meetings/ events are in Seattle unless otherwise noted.

community calendar

SATURDAY - April 1

April Fools Day Seattle Frontrunners Fun Run. 9am. Greenlake (outside Evans Pool). Every Saturday. GLBT running & walking club sponsors weekly runs, monthly potlucks, track & field activity, annual Run With Pride. 448-8518. www.seattlefrontrunners.org.

Crystal Meth Anonymous. 10:30am. Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 1729 Harvard Ave. Also meets Mon @ 6:30pm, Thurs @ 6:30pm, Sun @ 6:30pm. More info: crystalmeth.org.

Youth Job Fair for LGBTQ & Allies. 1-3pm. Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave E. There will be many opportunities for high school age (14-19) & young adults (19-24). Metro routes 8, 10, 12, 43 & 48. randy.wiger@ seattle.gov “Under the She” - Imperial Court of Seattle’s Imperial Prince & Princess Ball & Investitures. 5pm door, 5:30pm Investitures, IPP Ball follows. The Cuff Complex, 1533 13th Ave. $15.

Northwest Bears Potluck and Meet & Greet Beer Bust. 6pm. The Cuff, 1533 13th Ave at E. Pine St. Meets 1st Saturday each month. Northwest Bears is a Gay men’s social and service organization providing a focal point within the Gay community for Bears and Bear admirers. www.nwbears.com.

Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma - For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Youth, Ages 14-25. 6pm-12 midnight. Call for location & details. Every Saturday. (253) 671-2838. www.oasisyouth center.org.

(Also meets Thursdays & Fridays 4-10pm.)

Rainbow Duplicate Bridge. 6pm. Bus-accessible Central Area location. Every Saturday. Games also on Tuesdays & Thursdays. $4 fee includes coffee & snacks.

For more information visit www.rainbowbridgeclub.org or email rainbowbridgeclub@gmail.com

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Orca Swim Team Workout. Evening. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday listing.)

Trans Youth Group. 7-8:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Monday. A chance for youth to talk with others about their experiences & concerns related to identifying as Transgender. www.lamberthouse.org Lambert House Art Night. 7:30-9:30pm. 1818 15th Ave. Every Monday. Bring your ideas & let’s have some fun.

322-2515, www.lamberthouse.org Unity Gay Men’s AA Group in Tacoma. 7:30pm. New Heart MCC, 759 S 45th St. Tacoma. Every Monday.

(253) 474-8897.

Washington Gender Alliance Support Group Meeting in Shoreline. 7:30pm. Center for Human Services, 17018 15th Ave NE, Shoreline. Meets every Monday. For information email info@washingtongender alliance.com Queers, Crackpots & Fallen Women AA. 8-9pm.

SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Monday. Open women only AA group. 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org.

TUESDAY - April 4

SUNDAY - April 2

Border Riders Motorcycle Club First Sunday Ride.

Contact Border Riders for details and rendezvous point.

Meets 1st Sunday most months. BRMC provides a social & educational fraternity for individuals interested in recreational motorcycle touring. www.borderriders.com Center for Spiritual Living. Services 8:25, 9:45, 11:30am. 5801 Sand Point Way NE. Info 527-8801 ext 203, www.cslseattle.org Ravenna United Methodist Church. 5751 33rd Ave NE. 8:30am “Seattle’s most dangerous Sunday school;” 9:45am worship. 525-7988.

Seattle Unity Church. 9am & 11am-Sunday Services.

200 8th Ave N. 622-8475; www.seattleunity.org.

Seattle Soto Zen. 9:15am-Zazen Instruction, 9:30amZazen. 101 Nickerson St, Lower Level. Follow the traditional forms of the Soto school of Zen in a spirit of warmth & inclusion. 323-1659, www.seattlesotozen.org Gay Men’s Bowling in Lynnwood. 9:30am. Brunswick Majestics Lane, Lynnwood. 9:30am Every Sunday.

Spectators welcome. Join us for lunch afterwards!

For info email John at johndmarsh@mac.com; www. gaysnohomish.org Tacoma First United Methodist Church. 9:30amWorship, 11am-Adult Education. 423 Martin Luther King Way, Tacoma. (253) 627-0129, www.fumctacoma.org Central Lutheran Church. 10am-Worship. 1710 11th Ave (just north of E Pine St). All are welcome. 322-7500.

East Shore Unitarian Church. 10am-Sunday Service.

12700 SE 32nd St, Bellevue. An open & affirming congregation. (425) 747-3780.

Gethsemane Lutheran Church. 10am-Worship. 911 Stewart St. A downtown faith community centered in justice. An open & affirming congregation. 682-3620.

Unity Church of Kent. 10am. 218 State Ave S, Kent.

A welcoming congregation open to people of all races, religions, creeds & lifestyles. 253-854-9747.

University Congregational United Church of Christ.

All ages education 9am, Worship 10am. 4515 16th Ave NE. 524-2322; www.universityucc.org.

Wallingford United Methodist Church. 10am-Worship.

2115 N 42nd St. 547-6945 (office); 285-5077 (George).

All Pilgrims Christian Church. 10:30am-Worship. 500 Broadway E. 322-0487, www.allpilgrims.org Living Water Fellowship. 10:30am-Worship. 7204 NE 175th St, Kenmore. 963-0807. www.livingwaterwa. com Seattle Sunday Bowling. 10:30am. West Seattle Bowl, 4505 39th Ave SW (at SW Oregon St). Open bowl every Sunday for the GLBT community & friends. $6.50 + $3 shoe rental. (425) 785-4729.

Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

10:30am. 7141 California Ave SW. 935-0418, office@ wsuu.org, www.wsuu.org

April 1 thru April 9

Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church Seattle. 11am-Worship. Chapel at University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 NE 43rd St. 325-2421, www.mccseattle.org.

Meditation for GBT Men. 11am-1pm. Cal Anderson House, 400 Broadway. Suitable for beginning & experienced meditators. Sponsored by Dharma Buddies.

Contact Forrest Rode, 920-6117, Mike Chin (509) 990-0007, or Doug Allison, doug.l.allison@gmail.com. www.dharmabuddies.org. (Women may wish to contact our sister meditation group at www.LotusSisters.org.)

St Paul’s United Church of Christ. 11am-Worship.

6512 12th Ave NW. 783-6733; www.stpaulucc seattle. com.

Holy Covenant International Christian Community Church. 12pm. 4525 19th Ave NE. Outreach to the LGBT community. holycovenantccc@gmail.com Just for Today. 12-1:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Sunday. Drop-in 12-step (Narcotics Anonymous) group open to anyone in recovery. 3222437; www.sasgcc.org Paths to Recovery Al-Anon Family Group. 12-1:30pm.

Seattle University Student Center, 901 12th Ave, Room 122. Every Sunday. LGBTQ supported. The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives & friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength & hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness & that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Greater Seattle AIS 24-hour number 625-0000; www.seattle-al-anon.org Rain City Soccer Club - Ripple Effect. Sunday afternoon. Location varies. Ripple Effect soccer team plays an almost weekly recreational scrimmage game for LGBTQ players in Seattle. Perfect for individuals looking for more relaxed play, who are just getting back into soccer, just learning the game and/or want to supplement their competitive play with a recreational team. To sign up visit www.raincitysoccer.org Orca Swim Team Workout. Sun: Afternoon; Mon/Weds/ Fri: Evenings. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. Every Sun, Mon, Wed & Fri. Pre-registration required. Orca Swim Team workouts are for both competitive & recreational swimmers. www. orcaswimteam.org Knights of Mantra Monthly Meeting. 3pm. The Cuff, 1533 13th Ave. Meets 1st Sunday each month. K of M/Jet Chapter is a fun-loving leather/Levi social & charitable organization that raises money for various causes & organizations. 329-0886. www.facebook.com/ kofmjetchapter/

March 31, 2017

PFLAG/Kittitas County. 4-5:30pm. First United Methodist Church, 3rd & Ruby Sts, Ellensburg. Meets the first Sunday of every month. For information, (509) 925-7937.

Seattle Jazz Vespers. 6-8pm. Seattle First Baptist Church, Seneca St & Harvard Ave. 1st Sunday of every month (October-June). The historic Gothic sanctuary of Seattle First Baptist Church is offered to the best jazz groups in the city to perform 100 minutes of their own popular music. FREE. For info 325-6051, www.seattlefirstbaptist.org/sjv Shame to Grace Sunday SAA. 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Sunday. SAA is a fellowship of men & women who share their experience, strength & hope with each other so they may overcome their sexual addiction & help others recover from sexual addiction or dependency. Seattle SAA helpline 237-8828, SAA International Service Organization 1-800-477-8191.

SASG 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Crystal Meth Anonymous. 6:30pm. Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 1729 Harvard Ave. Also meets Mon @ 6:30pm, Thurs @ 6:30pm, Sat @ 10:30am. More info: crystalmeth.org.

Pride League Bowling. 6:30pm. West Seattle Bowl, 4505 39th Ave SW. Every Sunday (except during the summer). Regular league bowling. Jeff, 932-3731.

Integrity/Puget Sound. 7pm-Worship & Fellowship. St. Mark’s Cathedral, Thomson Chapel, 1245 10th Ave E. Integrity is an international ministry of Gay & Lesbian Episcopalians, their friends & families. (425) 226-2746.

Noche Latina - Latino Night. 10pm. Neighbours, 1509 Broadway. Every Sunday.

MONDAY - April 3

SOBER - On Meds. 1-2pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Monday. 12-step group open to anyone in recovery & living on a medicine regimen. 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Strength Over Speed. 2-3:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. FREE drop-in support group (not a 12 step) for Gay & Bi men who desire recovery from meth. For information visit www.strengthoverspeed.org. SASG 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Crystal Meth Anonymous. 6:30pm. Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 1729 Harvard Ave. Also meets Thurs @ 6:30pm, Sat @ 10:30am, Sun @ 6:30pm. More info: crystalmeth.org.

Freely Speaking Toastmasters. 7pm. Seattle Unity Church, 200 8th Ave N. Every Monday (except holidays & the last Mondays in August & December). Seattle’s only LGBT speaking club. www.FreelySpeaking.or

Gay Men’s Task Force of Snohomish County in Everett. 6-8pm. Snohomish Health District, 3020 Rucker Ave Ste 309A, Everett. Meets 1st Tuesday each month.

Open to all Gay & Bisexual men in Snohomish County.

David, (425) 339-5238.

LGBTQ Questioning & Allied Youth Drop-in Group in Renton. 6-8pm. Renton Area Youth Services (RAYS), 1025 S 3rd St, Renton. Meets every Tuesday. Confidential. Snacks provided. Bring friends or come alone - anyone 12-18 is welcome. Questions? Call Sarah Hardin, 425-271-5600 ext 155, or email sarahh@rays.org Strength Over Speed. 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. FREE drop-in support group (not a 12 step) for Gay & Bi men who desire recovery from meth. For information visit www.strengthoverspeed.org. SASG 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Diverse Harmony. 6:30-9pm. Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave. Every Tuesday. Diverse Harmony is the nation’s first Gay/Straight Alliance Youth Chorus. Youths ages 13-22 are welcome regardless of sexual orientation. www.diverseharmony.org Queer Young Females Group - For Female-Identified Youth, Ages 22 & Under. 6:30-7:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Tuesday. Topics range from family issues to school happenings to like/lust/love relationships. All Queer females welcome. Come discuss how smart. strong Queer women live their lives. 322-2515, www. lamberthouse.org Community Event With Guest Speaker Lt. Shachar: First Transgender Officer in Israeli Defense Force.

7-8:30pm. Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave NE. A community event with Jewish and non-Jewish community leaders and LGBTQ leaders for large group discussion with Q&A. Tuesday Night Sex Addicts Anonymous (GLBTQI).

7-8:30pm. All Pilgrims Christian Church, 500 Broadway E (enter at 509 10th Ave E; buzz in, Dickson room). Every Tuesday. SAA is a fellowship of men & women whose primary purpose is to stop addictive sexual behavior & help others recover from sexual addiction. Seattle SAA helpline 237-8828. SAA International Service Organization 1-800-477-8191.

Over 40’s Group - For Lesbian Women 40 & Older.

7-8:30pm. University Congregational Church, 4515 16th Ave NE, Pilgrim Room. Every Tuesday. Open group for Lesbian women, 40 & older, in every stage of coming out or being out. Lots of social activities in addition to Tuesday meetings. 545-3521.

Rainbow Duplicate Bridge. 7pm. Bus-accessible Central Area location. Every Tuesday. (See Saturday listing at 6pm.)

Different Drummers. 7:15-8:30pm. Every Tuesday.

Hand drumming classes for Gay men. Learn traditional African & Afro-Caribbean rhythms & basic hand drumming techniques. Drums are provided. For info & location call Dennis at 363-4500 or www.outdrum.com What About Me? 7:30-9pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Tuesday. Drop-in social, support & discussion group for Gay & Bi men of all ages. 322-2437.

Here & Now Gay & Lesbian AA Meeting in Tacoma.

7:30pm. Christ Episcopal Church, 310 N “K” St, Tacoma.

Every Tuesday.

Spiritual Empowerment. 7:30-9pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. A group for all LGBT & friends of any spiritual belief to explore how spiritual practice can enrich their life. 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Washington Gender Alliance Open Support Meeting in Bellingham. 7:30-9pm. St James Presbyterian Church, 910 14th St., Bellingham. Every Tuesday. (360) 445-2411; www.washingtongenderalliance.com. (See Wednesday listing at 7:30pm for details.)

Seattle Otters Water Polo Team. 8-9:30pm. Medgar Evers Pool, 500 23rd Ave E (at E Cherry St). Every Tuesday & Thursday. GLBT & GLBT-friendly co-ed water polo team is open to all who want to play. Beginners & experienced players welcome. Check our website for up to the minute details, or call the Otter Hotline 414-8797. www.otterpolo.com.

Seattle Poetry Slam. Doors 8pm, Show 8:30pm. Rebar, 1114 Howell St. Every Tuesday. A spoken word poetry event that features a weekly open mic, feature poet, and slam (poetry competition). Come out and express yourself. LGBTQ- & QTPOC-friendly; all genders welcome. $5. 21+. seattlepoetryslam.org

Celebrating 41 Years!

community calendar

WEDNESDAY - April 5

Mature Friends Morning Exercise/Health & Fitness Get-Together. 10am. Ballard Odd Fellows Hall Bldg, 1706 NW Market St. Every Wednesday. An hour of health-related activities, followed by a walk around Greenlake & lunch at a local restaurant. MF is a social group for Gay men & women, 40 years & over. www. maturefriends.org True Colors: Connecting LGBTQ Teens in Shoreline.

4-5pm. Every Wednesday. Discussing your important issues, building a supportive community. For information, location & to REGISTER call Lindsay Bagley 362-7282 x 8018 or email lbagley@chs-nw.org GLOBE (GLBTQ Loving Ourselves, Becoming Empowered): A Support Group & HIV/STD Prevention for Youth (14-20) in Everett. 6-8pm. CCA Building, 3331 Broadway - Bottom Floor, Everett. Every Wednesday.

Sponsored by PFLAG Everett chapter. David/Brenda, (425) 263-2908. globeleaders@hotmail.com The Rowing Team Peer Recovery Group. 6-7:30pm.

All Pilgrims Church, 500 Broadway E. Meets every Wednesday. This peer recovery group provides a safe & supportive faith community to share your recovery journey with, God answers our prayers & sends us a boat.

Sometimes rowing furiously for yourself & sometimes for others. All are welcome.

Southeast Seattle Lesbian Evening Group. 6pm.

Southeast Seattle Senior Center, 4655 S Holly St. Meets the 1st Wednesday of every month. RSVP to Kate Hawkins 722-0317. www.sessc.org. FREE. Lotus Sisters Meditation & Dharma Discussion North. 6:15-8pm. Ravenna Bryant neighborhood. Meets every Wednesday. Call 525-7295 for location. www.

LotusSisters.org.

Community Event With Guest Speaker Lt. Shachar: First Transgender Officer in Israeli Defense Force Hosted by Seattle LGBTQ Commission and Seattle Office for Civil Rights. 6:30pm. Central Building, 810 3rd Ave, First Floor Conference Room. A roundtable discussion with Shachar and an audience that will include City Commissioners, invited guests from other departments, and LGBTQ community members. Anders McConachie is a lay leader and he will make a few remarks and introduce Shachar. Shachar will then have the floor to share his story and lead a discussion about transgender issues and experiences.

Gay Men of Wisdom: Living Out Your Gifts. 6:308:30pm. Companis, 1111 Harvard Ave. Meets the first Wednesday of every month. No registration required.

Suggested donation $15 or whatever you would like to offer. www.gaymenofwisdom.org Seattle Frontrunners Fun Run. 6:30pm. Volunteer Park (in front of Black Sun across for museum). Every Wednesday. (See Saturday at 9am.)

Contagious Exchanges: Queer Writers in Conversation. 7pm. Richard Hugo House, 1021 Columbia St. Dynamic writers & artists represent a range of genres, styles, sensibilities & all the markers of Queer identity.

This event: Jennifer Natalya Fink with Wendy C Ortiz.

FREE. “Strike a Pose” - First Wednesday Queer Film Series.

7pm. Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave. A heartwarming update on Madonna’s 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour backup dancers, showcased in the documentary Truth or Dare. Those seven young men have lived to tell, 25 years later, their funny & sometimes bitterly emotional memories & insights, touching on issues like AIDS, coming out, addiction & the price of fame. www. threedollarbillcinema.org The Gay Uncle Time – Seattle’s Monthly Celebration of Pop, Camp, Gay, Underground and Trash Culture of the ’60s & ’70s and Beyond! with Fabulous Special Guests. 7pm. The Jewel Box Theatre @ The Rendezvous, 2322 2nd Ave. Meets 1st Wednesday each month. $6 cash at the door.

Ingersoll All-Trans Drop-In Support Group. 7-9pm.

Seattle Counseling Services, 1216 Pine St, Suite 300.

All Transgender, Gender Variant, Gender Queer, Gender Questioning, allies, family & friends are welcome. This is a drop in group to get & give support, social interaction & information for the whole Gender community. www. ingersollcenter.org PFLAG/Renton Monthly Meeting. 7pm. St Luke’s Episcopal Church, 99 Wells Ave S, Renton. Meets 1st Wednesday each month. PFLAG/Renton: 425-2354139. PFLAG/Puget Sound: 325-7724. www.seattlepflag.org.

Tallis Scholars Concert. 7:30pm. St James Cathedral, 804 9th Ave. Features medieval chant, Renaissance composers, modern masters, and contemporary composers. Tickets: $59, $49, $30, students $10. www. cappellaromana.org HIV/AIDS Newly Diagnosed or Newly Dealing. 7:309pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave, Suite 200. Meets 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month. Ongoing support group for anyone who is HIV+. 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Mature Friends Weekly Bridge Group. 7:30pm. Call for location. Every Wednesday. All levels welcome. MF is a social organization for Gay men & women, 40 years & over. www.maturefriends.org Orca Swim Team Workout. Evening. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday listing.)

Washington Gender Alliance Open Support Meeting in Everett. 7:30-9pm. Everett United Church of Christ, 2624 Rockefeller Ave, Everett. Every Wednesday.

Trained peer facilitators lead a structured support meeting helping people deal with issues of gender identity & expression. All adults are welcomed, including those who are questioning, allies, or identify as FTM, MTF, Transgender, Queer, or Intersex, among others. (360) 445-2411; www.washingtongenderalliance.com.

Pride Skate Seattle. 8:30-11pm. Southgate Roller Rink, 9646 17th Ave SW. First Wednesday of every month. $8 admission includes skate rental. Must be 18+, with 21+ bar. Performances, roller skating, and fun! See you there! www.southgaterollerrink.com

THURSDAY - April 6

Northwest Bears Spring Thaw XXII (4/6-4/9). Register at nwbears.com Alcoholics Anonymous “Safe & Sober Group.”

12noon-1pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Open meeting of AA. 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org.

BABES Women’s Support Group/Lunch Meeting.

12 noon-2pm. Call for location. Every Thursday. The BABES Network is a peer led agency; a sisterhood of women facing HIV together. 720-5566 or 888-292-1912; www.babesnetwork.org.

Aging Lesbians in South Seattle (ALISS). 12:452:45pm. South East Seattle Senior Center, 4655 S Holly St, Rainier Ave S & S Holly St. Meets 1st Thursday each month. Discussion and activities group for Lesbians approaching 60 and over. All Lesbians welcome. May buy lunch at 12 if desired. Contact Fai at 722-0729 or email alissquestions@gmail.com. Metro route 7. Wheelchair accessible.

Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma - For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Youth, Ages 14-25. 4-10pm. Call for location & details. Every Thursday. (253) 671-2838, www.oasisyouthcenter.org (Also Fridays 4-10pm & Saturdays 6pm-12 midnight.)

Q Hour. 4:30-5:30pm. Orion Center, 1828 Yale Ave. 1st & 3rd Thursday of every month. A group for LGBTQ youth 13-21 & their allies. Sponsored by Youthcare.

FREE. 622-5555 x 212.

First Thursday Art Walk in Downtown Seattle/Pioneer Square. 5-9pm. Art galleries in Downtown Seattle/Pioneer Square host opening night receptions. Seattle Art Museum is free today.

Rouge at Maximilien. 5-7pm. 81a Pike Place Market.

Live Parisian music the first Thuirsday of every month.

Volunteer Park Amphitheater Design Open House.

5-7pm. Volunteer Park Conservatory, 1247 15th Ave E. Come see the finished schematic designs for the new Volunteer Park Amphitheater. FREE. volunteerparktrust. org/events Seattle Human Rights Commission. 6-8pm. Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Ave. Meets 1st Thursday each month.

SHRC is made up of 15 citizen representatives who advise the Mayor, the City Council, & all City of Seattle Depts in matters regarding human rights. Meetings open

Visit us online www.sgn.org

to the public. 684-4540.

Shifting Gears. 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Thursday. Drop-in support group (non 12-step) for anyone of any orientation or gender who desires recovery from drugs or alcohol. 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org B-GLAD (Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Trans & Questioning Adolescent Drop-In Group). 6:30-8pm. Call for location. Every Thursday. Sponsored by Youth Eastside Services, which offers many programs for GLBT youth.

(425) 747-4937.

Crystal Meth Anonymous. 6:30pm. Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 1729 Harvard Ave. Also meets Mon @ 6:30pm, Sat @ 10:30am, Sun @ 6:30pm. More info: crystalmeth.org.

Boys’ Group - For Male-Identified Youth, Ages 1422. 7-8:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Thursday. Youth take the opportunity to talk about issues that relate to their everyday lives, with the facilitation of a male volunteer. 322-2515 ext 16. www.lamberthouse.org Rainbow Duplicate Bridge. 7pm. Bus-accessible Central Area location. Every Thursday. (See Saturday listing at 6pm.)

Seattle Prime Timers Coffee Reunion. 7pm. Kaladi Brothers Coffee, 517 E Pike St. Meets 1st Thursday each month. Monthly social meet & greet. Bus routes 2, 9, 10, 11, 43, 47, 49 & 60 and the new Capitol Hill/First Hill streetcar go within 3-4 blocks of Kaladi Bros. www. seattleprimetimers.org Buddhism & Recovery. 7:30-9pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Thursday. A meditation/recovery group. 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Emerald City Social Club. 7:30pm. Call for details & location - phone staffed most Tuesday evenings or leave message. Meets 1st Thursday each month. ECSC is a confidential crossdressing social & support organization for Transvestite & Transsexual individuals, primarily MTF, which offers confidential membership, private monthly meetings, frequent events on the town, & help in coming out. (425) 827-9494.

Gay Fathers Association of Seattle. 7:30-9pm. Group Health, 201 16th Ave E, Central Bldg, Lower Atrium.

Every Thursday. Support meetings for Gay fathers & Gay men who are currently or previously married. Safe, anonymous, non-judgmental environment of caring fathers & friends. www.gfas.org or our message board at http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/gayfathersseattle Gay Male Sexuality & Relationships. 7:30-9pm.

SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Thursday. A discussion group that is strictly focused on sexual top-

March 31, 2017

ics and relationship issues related to being a Gay male.

322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Seattle Otters Water Polo Team. 8-9:30pm. Medgar Evers Pool, 500 23rd Ave E (at E Cherry St). Every Tuesday & Thursday. (See Tuesday listing at 8pm.)

FRIDAY - April 7

Northwest Bears Spring Thaw XXII (4/6-4/9). Register at nwbears.com AA Ageless in Recovery. 12noon-1pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Meets every Friday. A drop in AA group for older & wiser people 55+. www.sasgcc.org Re-Parenting Ourselves. 12noon-1pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Meets every Friday. A peer support group for adult children of any addiction. www. sasgcc.org SLAA Road to Recovery. 12noon-1:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Meets every Friday. Ongoing 12 step group for sex & love addicts. www.sasgcc.org Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma - For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Youth, Ages 14-25. 4-10pm. Call for location & details. Every Friday.

(253) 671-2838, www.oasisyouthcenter.org (Also Thursdays 4-10pm & Saturdays 6pm-12 midnight.)

Strength Over Speed. 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. FREE drop-in support group (not a 12-step) for Gay & Bi men who desire recovery from meth. www.strengthoverspeed.org. SASG 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org First Fridays in Yakima. 7-9pm. 223 N 1st St, Yakima.

Meets 1st & 3rd Fridays. Social, support, education & advocacy group for the Yakima area GLBTQ community & their allies. All are welcomed & invited. (509) 576-0276. www.gayakima.com/1stfridays.html Lambert House Queer Movie Night. 7-9:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Friday. Lambert House is a nationally-recognized activities & resource center for GLBT & questioning youth, ages 14-22. 322-2515, www.lamberthouse.org Rain Country Dance Night. 7-11pm, lessons at 7:15pm.

The Cuff, 1533 13th Ave. An evening of country-western dancing for the LGBTQ community. FREE. www.raincountrydance.org.

Destiny Gay AA Group in Tacoma. 7:30pm. New Heart MCC, 759 S 45th St, Tacoma. Every Friday.

(253) 474-8897.

Orca Swim Team Workout. Evening. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday listing.)

LGBT Friday Night Al-Anon Family Group. 8pm.

SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Friday. The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives & friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength & hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness & that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Greater Seattle AIS 24-hour number 625-0000; www.seattle-al-anon.org

SATURDAY - April 8 (See previous Saturday for ongoing activities.)

Northwest Bears Spring Thaw XXII (4/6-4/9). Register at nwbears.com A Gathering of Men in Edmonds. 8:15-11:30am. Edmonds UUC, 8109 224th St SW, Edmonds. Meets 2nd Saturday each month. Men gather monthly for drumming, singing, storytelling & sharing of life experience. www.agatheringofmen.org Arboretum “Early Bloomers” Spring Plant Sale.

10am-2pm. Washington Park Arboretum, Graham Vistors Center and Pat Calvert Greenhouse, 2300 Arboretum Dr E. Georgetown Art Attack. 6-9pm. 2nd Saturday each month. Reflects the industrial-strength character of the neighborhood. For information stop into Georgetown Records at Airport Way S & S Vale or visit www.georgetownneighborhood.com Ballard’s Second Saturday Artwalk. 7-10pm. Pick up maps at participating shops & galleries located in the Ballard business district (Ballard Ave NW & NW Market St area). Meets 2nd Saturday each month. Enjoy an evening of art as local galleries & businesses showcase artists from Ballard & beyond. 784-9705.

“That’s All Folk!” - Rainbow City Band in Concert.

7pm. 410 4th Ave N, Edmonds. Rainbow City Band’s final concert of the 2016-2017 season features favorite folk-inspired band music. Tickets: general admission $23, students & seniors $18, children 12 & under $8. ec4arts.org SUNDAY - April 9

(See previous Sunday for ongoing activities.)

Northwest Bears Spring Thaw XXII (4/6-4/9). Register at nwbears.com Lotus Sisters Guided Meditation. 11am-1:30pm.

SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Meets 2nd Sunday each month. Senior students lead the meditation, provide dharma talks or reflections & lead discussion. 3295908; www.LotusSisters.org; www.sasgcc.org (Meets in 2nd floor meeting room; no elevator.)

Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s Cineoke! 6:30pm doors; 7pm show. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St. Meets 2nd Sunday each month. It’s like Karaoke - only better! You’re the star of your favorite movie musical. Pick any scene to sing along to, while the film and lyrics are projected onto the screen. There are hundreds of songs to choose from, or you can bring your own special request (on DVD). $8 cover ($5 for Three Dollar Bill Cinema members). www. threedollarbillcinema.org.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Allyship - an organization of LGBTQ individuals fighting for economic and social justice. www.LGBTQ Allyship. org, allyship@yahoo.com, 279-8169.

Seattle Gay News 19

American Veterans for Equal Rights - www.aver.us Another Gay Social Club! - www.meetup.com/AnotherGay-Social-Club/ Bellingham/Whatcom County - www.theslowlane. com/guide.html BiNet Seattle is a mixed gender, social group for Bisexuals, their partners & other Bi-friendly folks - www. binetseattle.org.

Bremerton/Kitsap County - www.outwestsound.org Central Washington University GALA Hotline: (509) 963-1994.

DIFFA/Northwest (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS). 763-8885; www.diffanorthwest.org DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ASSAULT: Crisis Clinic, 461-3222 (24 hour line); King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) - 24-hour crisis line for information, support, & medical & legal assistance: 1-888-99-VOICE; Northwest Network - support & advocacy for Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian & Gay Survivors of Abuse & Dating Violence, 568-7777 (voice), 517-9670 (tty), www.nwnetwork.org; Pierce County Domestic Violence Helpline: Teresa, (253) 798-4166; Seattle Counseling Service for Sexual Minorities - offers on-going support groups for men: 323-1768; Seattle Police Dept Domestic Violence Unit, 684-0330; State Wide Domestic Violence Hot Line, 1-800-562-6025.

In an emergency call 911. Report domestic violence and sexual assault.

Equal Rights Washington - 324-2570; www.equal rightswashington.org Everett/Snohomish Cty - www.gaysnohomish.org Freely Speaking Toastmasters - www.freely speaking.org Gay City promotes wellness in LGBTQ communities by providing health services, connecting people to resources, fostering arts, and building community. Gay City Health Project’s Wellness Center provides anonymous & confidential HIV/STD testing. 517 E Pike St. More info or to schedule an appointment, 860-6969. www.gaycity.org Gay & Lesbian National Hotline (GLNH): 1-888-THEGLNH (1-888-843-4564). Non-profit, peer-counseling, information & local resources telephone hotline for GLBT people across the country.

GLSEN/WA - Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network - 330-2099; www.glsenwa.org Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) - 3639188; www.thegsba.org HIV/AIDS Program, Seattle/King County Dept of Public Health, provides confidential/anonymous information about & testing for HIV/AIDS. 205-7837.

Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle & the Olympic & Rainier Empire - www.facebook.com/ISCSORE; www. imperialcourtofseattle.com Lambert House - 322-2515; www.lamberthouse.org LGBT Library - 517 E Pike St. Open Mon-Fri 2-8pm; Sat 2-5pm.

LGBT MS Connection - 250-5002; LGBTMS Connection@gmail.com. Support group for LGBT persons with MS and their partners and their caregivers. Sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Lifelong AIDS Alliance - 328-8979, www.lifelongaids alliance.org MEN: Gay City: 860-6969, www.gaycity.org; Knights of Mantra: 329-0886, www.jetchapterkofm.com; Mature Friends: Gay men & women 40 & over, www.mature friends.org; Northwest Bears: www.nwbears.com; The Olympians: www.TheOlympians.net; POZSeattle: www.pozseattle.org; Q-Squared: www.qsquared.org; Rain City Jacks: www.raincityjacks.org; Seattle Gay Couples: www. seattlegaycouples.org; Seattle Men in Leather: www.seattlemeninleather. org; Seattle Prime Timers: Gay & Bi men 40 & over, www.seattle primetimers.org.

MUSIC: Diverse Harmony: www.diverseharmony.org; Rainbow City Band: 1-866-841-9139 ext 2126; rainbowcityband@onebox.com; www.rainbowcity band.com; Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus: 388-1408, 323-0750. www.flying house. org.

Northwest Lesbian & Gay History Museum Project - gayhistnw@aol.com Northwest Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf - www. nwrad.org Olympia/Thurston County: www.RainbowCenterOly. org Out & Equal Workplace Advocates/Seattle Regional Affiliate supports the work of LGBT employees and the growing number of ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) making a difference within local companies. www.outandequal.org/affiliates/seattle PARENTHOOD: Families Like Ours provides a gateway for LGBT families interested in adoption & provides a network of safe placement agencies, training, support & resources: 441-7602, www.familieslikeours. org; Family Works offers support, information & activities for LGBT families: 694-6727, www.familyworksseattle. org; Gay Fathers’ Association of Seattle offers support groups & social activities: www.gfas. org; Proud & Loud Families - Northwest, www.meetup.com/proudand-loud-families-northwest, plfnorthwest@aol.com; Queer Parent Networking Dinners: 568-7777, info@ nwnetwork.org; Rainbow Families of Puget Sound: www.rainbowfamiliesps.org PFLAG is the national organization for parents, families, allies, and LGBTQ people united for equality with chapters in Seattle, Bellevue/Eastside, the Puget Sound region and across Washington state. PFLAG Seattle: 206-325-7724, info@pflagseattle.org, and www.pflag seattle.org; PFLAG Bellevue/Eastside: 425-4836642, info@bellevue-pflag.org, http://community.pflag. org/PFLAGBellevue; PFLAG Pacific Northwest: www.pnwpflag.org; PFLAG Washington state: www. pflagwsc.org.

20 Seattle Gay News

community calendar

PEOPLE OF COLOR: AARTH (African American Reach & Teach Health Ministry), 850-2070, www. aarth.org; Asian/Pacific Islander Queer Network Program at API Chaya, 467-9976; Center for MultiCultural Health, 461-6910, www.multi-culturalhealth.org; Entre Hermanos, GLBT Latinos/as, 322-7700, www. entrehermanos.org; Ile LaiLai, 781-3565, iya@ilelailai. org; Men of All Colors & Cultures Together (MACCT), 923-8313, macctseattle@yahoo. com, www.macctsea.org; Nubian Pride Productions, nubianpride@ gmail.com; People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN) offers rapid HIV testing, M-F, 10am-5pm, 322-7061, www.pocaan.org and on Facebook; Seattle Two Spirit, SeattleTwoSpirit@ hotmail.com; Sistah 2 Sistah, LBT women of African descent, 322-7061, 2558951; Sistah Sinema, www.sistahsinema.com, info@ sistahsinema.com; Trikone-Northwest, GLBT South Asians, (425) 985-4376, www.trikonenw.org; Two-Spirit Honor Project, 1-866-685-0164; U.T.O.P.I.A. Seattle.

Pride Foundation - 323-3318; www.pridefoundation. org Project NEON is a program of Seattle Counseling Service providing FREE information & services to Gay & Bi men to reduce health risks associated with methamphetamine use. 323-1768. www.crystalneon.org Public Health-Seattle & King County Online Comprehensive Health Information for Sexual Minorities: www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/personal/ glbt.aspx Q Law: The GLBT Bar Association of WA - 682-6711; www.q-law.org; Q Law GLBT Legal Clinic - 235-7235.

Resource & Referral Line can connect you to LGBTfriendly resources throughout Puget Sound and beyond.

Call 323-LGBT Mon-Fri 2-8pm; Sat 2-5pm. At other times leave voice mail and your call will be returned. Or visit www.gaycity.org to view list of resources online or through Facebook.

Safe Schools Coalition - www.safeschoolscoalition. org; 451-SAFE (451-7233).

SEAMEC interviews, researches & rates candidates for public office on issues of concern to the LGBT community. 905-9941, www.seamec.org Seattle Area Support Groups & Community Center (SASG) is a non-profit organization that builds community and cultivates powerful, healthy lives by providing emotional support and personal development services to those affected by HIV/AIDS, the Queer communities, and those who love them. 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities - 684-4503.

March 31, 2017

Seattle Counseling Service for Sexual Minorities is a community mental health service for GLBT persons & their families providing comprehensive mental health services on a sliding scale. 323-1768.

Seattle Out & Proud - 206-322-9561; www.seattle pride.org Seattle PrideFest - www.seattlepridefest.org Seattle Treatment Education Project (STEP) E-zine is an electronic resource distributed to people affected

by HIV/AIDS, case managers, front line workers & other health professionals. Now a part of Lifelong AIDS Alliance, 328-8979, www.thebody.com/step/steppage.html Servicemembers Legal Defense Network - (202) 328-3244; www.sldn.org Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan - 860-3666; www.theabbey.org Snohomish Health District HIV/AIDS Program provides free confidential/anonymous HIV counseling & testing 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, until 7pm Tuesdays.

(425) 339-5298.

Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea) - www.facebook. com/socialoutreachseattle South Sound Q Calendar - LGBTQ events in Tacoma, Olympia & Sound Puget Sound area; www.South SoundQCal.com Spokane/Inland Northwest - www.outspokane.com; www.stonewallnews.net SPORTS & RECREATION: Bent Car Guys: www. bentcarguys.org; Border Riders Motorcycle Club: www.borderriders.com; Bottom Dwellers Scuba Club: www.bottomdwellers.org; Capitol Hill Cyclers: join their Facebook group or email capitolhillcycling@ groups.facebook.com or jordan.l.simonson@gmail.com; Cascade Flyers: www.cascadeflyers.org; Different Spokes Bicycling Club: www.differentspokes.org; Emerald City Mudhen Rugby: www.mudhenrugby. com; Emerald City Softball Association: www.emeraldcitysoftball.org, www.eteamz.com/womensecsa; Ethyl Forever Car Club: ethylforever@ hotmail.com; Olympic Yacht Club: www.oycnw.org; OutVentures: outdoor education & recreation activities, www.outventures.org; Pacific Northwest Gay Rodeo Association: www.pacificnwgra.org; Puddletown Squares: www. puddletownsquares.org; Rain City Soccer: www.raincitysoccer.org; Rain Country Dance Association: a country-western dance organization catering to the LGBTQ community but open to all, www.raincountrydance. org; Sea Dawgs: LGBT ice hockey - SkateSeaDawgs@ gmail.com and on Facebook; Seattle Frontrunners:

www.seattlefront runners.org; Seattle Gay Basketball Association: www.seattlegaybasketballassociation. com; Seattle Orca Swim Team: www.orcaswimteam. org; Seattle Otters Water Polo: www.otterpolo.com; Seattle Quake Rugby: www.quakerugby.com; Seattle Tennis Alliance: www.seattletennisalliance.org; Seattle Unified Bowling Association (SUBA): magee98106@ aol.com, www.teamseattle.org/bowling.htm, www. theprideleague. com, Century 21 League; Seattle Volleyball Club: www.seattlevolleyballclub.com; Ski Buddies: www. skibuddies.org; Team Seattle Gay Sports Network is an umbrella organization for a wide range of local GLBT sports activities, 367-4064, www. teamseattle.org (see website for comprehensive list of sports clubs); Triangle Recreation Camp at Bender Creek: recreational camping for GLBT folks. Must be 21; ID required. trc@camptrc.org, www.camptrc.org, 1122 E Pike St #1069, Seattle 98122-3934.

Strength Over Speed - www.strengthoverspeed.org Tacoma/Pierce County - Rainbow Center, 2215 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, a resource center for the LGBTIQA community of Pierce County, (253) 383-2318, www. rainbowcntr.org TRANSGENDER: Emerald City Social Club: (425) 827-9494; Gender Alliance of the South Sound: www.

SouthSoundGender.com; Gender Diversity: www. genderdiversity.org; Gender Justice League: www. genderjusticeleague.org; Gender Odyssey: www.genderodyssey.com; Hermanos Trans Latino & ForeignBorn Support Group: 322-7700; Ingersoll Gender Center: 329-6651, www.ingersollcenter.org; The New BoyZ Club: www.olympiaftmgroup.webs.com; Olympia Trans Discussion Group: www.facebook.com/pages/ Olympia-Trans-Discussion-Group/262449878114; Washington Gender Alliance: (360) 445-2411, www. washington genderalliance.com WOMEN: Aging Lesbians in South Seattle (ALISS): Fai, 722-0729, alissquestions@gmail.com; BABES: support groups for HIV+ women. 720-5566, 1-888-2921912; Festival of the Babes: www.festivalofthebabes. com; Lesbians Over 40: 722-0729; Mature Friends: Gay men & women 40 & over, www.maturefriends.org; Older Lesbians Organizing for Change/WA State Chapter: gloria@oloc.org, mary@oloc.org, www.oloc. org; Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives: www. pnwlesbianarchives.org; RainshadowWomen: RainshadowWomen@aol.com; Seattle Girls of Leather: www.sgol.org; Tacoma Lesbian Concern (TLC): www. tacomalesbianconcern.org; Women of West Seattle (WOWS): a fun, member-driven social group for Lesbians, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/womenofwestseattle; YWCA Women’s Health Outreach: providing low or no-cost mammograms for income eligible 40+ LBTQ individuals. Follow us at http://lbtqhealth-ywca.blogspot. com, twitter.com/ingridWHO or email lbthealth@ywcaworks. org, 461-4493.

Yakima: First Fridays - (509) 576-0276. www.gayakima.com/1stfridays.html YOUTH: B-GLAD (Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Trans & Questioning Adolescent Drop-In Group): Youth Eastside Services offers many programs for GLBT youth, including B-GLAD, (425) 747-4937; Diverse Harmony: www.diverseharmony. org; GLSEN/Washington State (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) & Washington State GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) Network: GLSEN works to create safe schools for LGBT students. WA GSA Network supports youth-led GSA’s to fight harassment & homophobia in Washington state schools. 330-2099; www.glsenwa. org; www.wagsa. org. GLOBE (GLBTQ Loving Ourselves, Becoming Empowered): a support group & HIV/STD prevention program for GLBTQ youth, 14-20, in Everett, (425) 263-2908, www.globeyouth.org; It Gets Better Project: www.itgetsbetter.org; Lambert House: an activities & resource center for LGBT youth, 14-22, in Seattle, 3222515, www.lamberthouse.org; Lifelong HEYO (Health Education Youth Outreach): for LGBTQ youth, ages 16-24: 957-1665; www.llaa.org/HEYO; www.Matthews Place.com; The Mockingbird Society: 323-KIDS (5437), www.mockingbirdsociety.org; Oasis Youth Center: for GLBTQ youth, ages 14-25, in Tacoma, (253) 671-2838, www.oasisyouthcen ter.org; Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG)/Puget Sound: 325-7724, www.seattle-pflag.org; Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets (PSKS): 7268500; www.psks.org; Pizza Klatch: weekly lunchtime support groups for LGBTQ youth in Thurston County, www.pizzaklatch.org; Prism: for LGBTQ youth, 14-21, in Puyallup - Cherise.Alexander@ multicare.org; www. facebook.com/PuyallupPrism; Proud Out Wonderful (POW!): for LGBTQ youth, 13-21, in South King County, 206-326-9112, www.facebook.com/proudoutwonderful; Q Youth Resources: in Kitsap County - 360-698-3335; www.kchaf.org; Renton Area Youth Services (RAYS): LGBTQ, questioning and allied youth drop-in group, ages 12-18 - Sarah Hardin, 425-271-5600, ext 155; sarahh@rays.org; Safe Schools Coalition: www. safeschoolscoalition.org; 451-SAFE (451-7233) (nonemergency), 1-877-SAFE-SAFE (1-877-723-3723) (crisis line); Seattle Young People’s Project (Queer Youth Resource Board): 860-9606, www.sypp.org; Street Youth Ministries (SYM): 524-7301 ext 111; www.streetyouthministries.org; Teen Link: 461-4922, 1-888-431-TEEN; The Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor; www.thetrevorproject.org; True Colors - Connecting LGBTQ Teens: in Shoreline, 362-7282 x 8018, lbagley@chs-nw.org; Vista Youth Center: for LGBTQ, questioning and allied youth, ages 14-21, in Kennewick, 509-396-5198, www.vistayouthcenter.org; YouthCare/ Isis Program (Transitional Living Home for LGBTQ Young Adults, 18-22): 522-8412; YouthCare/Orion Center: 622-5555; Youth in Focus: 723-1479; www. youthinfocus.org; Youth Suicide Prevention Program (OUTLoud-GLBTQ): 297-5922, ext 116, 1-800-273TALK, www.yspp.org

Celebrating 41 Years!

Volunteer Park

• BACON MANSION

E. PROSPECT ST. • SHAFER MANSION E. ALOHA ST.

12TH AVE. E.

E. ROY ST.

16TH AVE. E.

15TH AVE. E.

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• B&B ON BROADWAY E. ROY ST. • UNDER U 4 MEN

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10TH AVE. E.

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NAGLE PL.

Cal Anderson Park

• LAMBERT HOUSE

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HARVARD AVE. E.

C.C. ATTLEʼS• BOYLSTON AVE.

Seattle Central Community College • NEIGHBOURS

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E AV RE T.

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GAY CITY HEALTH PROJECT •

BELMONT AVE.

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• BALTIC ROOM

• LINDAʼS • BILLʼS OFF BROADWAY

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NEW YORK EXCHANGE • STUDIO 229 • PANACHE • LAUGHING BUDDHA TATTOO •

BELLEVUE AVE.

• SEATTLE COUNSELING SERVICE FOR SEXUAL MINORITIES MELROSE AVE.

• JULIAʼS

DENNY WAY

BATHS

CLUB Z - (men) 1117 Pike near Boren - 622-9958 HOT HOUSE SPA & SAUNA - (women) SW corner of Pike & 11th (stairs behind Wildrose) - 568-3240 STEAM WORKS - (men) 1520 Summit - 388-4818

RESTAURANTS & BARS

88 KEYS - 315 2nd Ave. S. - 839-1300 BALTIC ROOM - 1207 Pine St. - 625-4444 THE BOTTLENECK LOUNGE 2328 E. Madison St. - 323-1098 C.C. ATTLE’S BAR & GRILLE 1701 E. Olive Way - 726-0565

THE CANTERBURY - 534 15th Ave. E. - 322-3130 CHANGES IN WALLINGFORD 2103 N. 45th - 545-8363 THE CRESCENT - 1413 E. Olive Way - 720-8188 THE CUFF COMPLEX 1533 13th Ave. - 323-1525 DIESEL BAR - 1413 14th Ave. - 322-1080 GLO’S - 1621 E. Olive Way - 324-2577 GNOCCHI BAR - 1542 12th Ave - 328-4285 HOT MAMA’S PIZZA - 700 E. Pine St. - 322-6444 JAZZ ALLEY - 2033 6th Ave. E. - 441-9729 JULIA’S - 300 Broadway Ave. E. - 860-1818 KREMWERK - 1809 Minor Ave. #10 - 682-2935 MAE’S CAFE 6412 Phinney Ave. N. - 782-1222 MADISON PUB - 1315 E. Madison - 325-6537 NEIGHBOURS - 1509 Broadway - 324-5358 OUT WEST - 5401California Ave. SW THE PINE BOX - 1600 Melrose Ave - 588-0375 POCO WINE ROOM 1408 E. Pine St. - 322-9463

GLSEN ONYX LEATHER • SEAMEC • STOUT • PURR

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E. PINE ST.

ON

E.

PONY - 1221 E. Madison St. - 324-2854 PURR - 1518 11th Ave. - 325-3112 R PLACE - 619 E. Pine - 322-8828 RE-BAR - 1114 Howell at Boren - 233-9873 SEATTLE EAGLE - 314 E. Pike - 621-7591 SHORTY’S 2222 2nd Ave - 441-5449 SPINNAKER BAY BREWING 5718 Rainier Ave S - 725-BEER(2337) STOUT -1530 11th Ave - 397-3825 TOULOUSE PETIT 601 Queen Anne Ave N - 432-9069 UNICORN - 1118 E Pike - 325-6492 WILDROSE - 1021 E. Pike - 324-9210 ZIPPY’S GIANT BURGERS 5633 Airport Way S - 466-5954 9614 14th Ave SW - 763-1347

RETAIL SHOPS

CASTLE SUPERSTORE #17 1017 E. Pike St - 204-0126 DOGHOUSE LEATHERS 1312 E. Pike St. - 257-0231 EMERSON SALON - 909 E. Pike St. - 323-7437 NEW YORK EXCHANGE 231 Broadway Ave E - 726-7978 ONYX LEATHER - 1605 12th Ave. #8 - 328-1965 PANACHE - 225 Broadway E. - 726-3300 RUCKUS 1465 E Republican St. - 257-4805 STAN’S ADULT SUPERSTORE 9630 16th Ave. SW - 762-3299 TOYS IN BABELAND - 707 E. Pike St. - 328-2914 UNDER U 4 MEN 709 Broadway Ave. E. - 324-6446 WILD AT HEART 1111 NW Leary Way - 782-5538 YOUR CHOICE VIDEO 9811 16TH AVE SW - 768-0711

LOVER’S 193 Telegraph Road - (360) 752-1862 RUMORS CABARET 1119 Railroad - (306) 671-1849

EVERETT

BAR MYX - 1212 California St. - 425-610-4071 LOVER’S - 112 SE Everett - (425) 353-3607 LOVER’S - 3402 Broadway - (425) 252-8754

KENT

LOVER’S 25801 104th Ave. S.E. - (253) 852-1720 THE FANTASY SHOP 604 Central Ave. S. - (253) 850-8428 NASHVILLE’S SPORTS BAR (Drag Shows) 114 - Railroad Ave. N. - (253) 852 - 0909

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IS AD

ST.

M

• DOGHOUSE LEATHERS

E. PIKE ST. • CHOP SUEY • MADISON PUB • DIESEL BAR • PONY

BELLINGHAM

Visit us online www.sgn.org

• THE GASLIGHT INN

E. OLIVE ST.

E. UNION ST.

SEATTLE

• RUCKUS

E. UNION ST.

LA CONNER

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OLYMPIA

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SPOKANE

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TACOMA

CASTLE SUPERSTORE 6015 Tacoma Mall Blvd. - (253) 471-0391 CLUB SILVERSTONE 739½ St. Helens Ave. - (253) 404-0273 THE FANTASY SHOP 2301 6th Ave. - (253) 272-6640 LOVER’S 7002 Tacoma Mall Blvd., #F - (253) 475-2271 THE MIX - 635 St. Helens Ave. - (253) 383-4327 RAINBOW CENTER 2215 Pacific Ave. - (253) 383-2318 SHAKABRAH JAVA CAFE 2618 6th Ave. - (253) 572-2787 TANDEM FOR GEAR, CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES 3019 6th Ave, Ste. B - (253) 301-3026

TUKWILA

LOVER’S 530 Southcenter Blvd. - (206) 248-5085

WENATCHEE

THE CELLAR CAFE 240 N. Mission St. - (509) 662-1722

Seattle Gay News 21

21 LICENSED MASSAGE - NON-SEXUAL

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Impressively mounted Life devoid of originality

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer LIFE Now playing Aboard the International Space Station, a team of scientists and astronauts is eager to get their hands on the first probe returning from Mars. It’s holding precious soil samples in its belly, the possibility for discovery it promises beyond belief. Dr. Miranda North (Rebecca Ferguson) is way more leery than the majority of her shipmates, and as a representative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) it’s up to her to make sure nothing hazardous could make its way back to Earth.

She has reason to be worried. Turns out, the soil samples contain a dormant life form, one no bigger than a microbe. But after lead scientist Dr. Hugh Derry (Ariyon Bakare) manages to breathe life into this creature, it begins growing at an exponential rate beyond imagining. Friendly at first, this alien life form doesn’t stay that way, things quickly escalating to the point the entire crew, which also includes station Captain Ekaterina Golovkina (Olga Dihovichnaya), pilot Sho Murakami (Hiroyuki Sanada), medical officer David Jordan (Jake Gyllenhaal) and engineer Rory Adams (Ryan Reynolds), discover their lives are in mutual jeopardy. Worse, they have to be okay with that, because if this life form was ever to reach the surface, nothing would survive, only a second Mars revolving around the Sun where the Earth once orbited.

From a purely technical standpoint, Life is a marvel. Veteran Seamus McGarvey’s (Atonement, Godzilla) camerawork dazzles, an opening sequence spotlighting the successful capture of the Mars probe truly extraordinary. As pre-credit opening title sequences go, this one is a corker, directed to perfection by Daniel Espinosa (Safe

22 Seattle Gay News

(background) David Jordan (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Rory Adams (Ryan Reynolds) in Life – Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures

House), special effects, editing and performance all working in magnificent symmetry. It’s a glorious beginning, setting the anticipating level high for the remainder of the picture, making me understandably curious where things were going to go next.

Not that this is a feeling that lasted especially long. Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, two of the minds behind both Deadpool and Zombieland, have delivered a script that’s short on new ideas and is lazily content to play within the jungle gyms of films like The Quatermass Xperiment, Lifeforce, The Thing and, most unsurprisingly, Alien.

It pulls from literary sources ranging from the works of Isaac Asimov, to Stephen King, to H.P. Lovecraft, doing nothing novel with any of the insights it has gleaned from them as it energetically moves its way forward to its foregone conclusion. In short, this screenplay is shockingly dumb, there’s just no other way to put it, the final film

March 31, 2017

more akin to a low budget ‘80s Roger Corman schlock sci-fi knockoff than it comes close to resembling a Ridley Scott or John Carpenter genre classic.

Yet Espinosa’s movie is never boring.

The director manages to keep the tension level high even if surprises are few and even farther between. There’s little that happened that I wasn’t ready for. Same time, there are a handful of decent shocks, not the least of which is the carnage and bloodshed that ends up taking place during the alien creature’s first attack. More, there are some astonishing images here, Espinosa utilizing the zero gravity locale rather splendidly, droplets of blood floating in midair like malleable harbingers of doom signifying death now slithering their way through the space station’s corridors.

The creature design, one part Lovecraft, another part a certain Marvel Symbiote (of which the studio insists this story has ab-

solutely no relation to whatsoever, so keep that in mind), and one part slither, serpentine nightmare, is admittedly impressive.

Even more astonishing is the way the creature deals with its victims, taking them apart in ways that defy belief and twist the stomach into uncomforting knots. Best of all, Espinosa doesn’t waste a lot of time drawing things out, and once the carnage starts, it just keeps going and going and going until there’s no place further for all this madness to go to.

That’s not entirely true. There’s one place the director fails to keep his foot on the pedal and it happens at the absolute worst possible time. The ending of this film is drawn out to an unimaginable degree. Worse than that, the actual resolution isn’t slightly satisfying, the whole thing a rather lame bit of misdirection and subterfuge even M. Night Shyamalan at his worst would find laughable. It’s a poor way to send people out the door, and if things had been handled with the same ferocity and speed as most of the feature it’s doubtful it would matter just how idiotic those last moments end up proving to be.

I can’t hate Life. While no one in the impressive cast does their best work, all of them are still more than up to the challenge and selling even the most ludicrous scene imaginable, making maudlin bits of melodrama feel far more authentic and genuine than they have any right to be. The movie is also lethally cutthroat in how it treats its characters, and for many horror fanatics this has to be something of a moderate surprise as major Hollywood thrillers don’t typically do such things with A-list talent. But that still doesn’t mean this science fiction creature feature couldn’t have been better, and had the filmmakers spent as much attention and time on the screenplay as they did with the technical aspects maybe there’d be something here to get excited about.

Celebrating 41 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

March 31, 2017

Seattle Gay News 23

24 Seattle Gay News

March 31, 2017

Celebrating 41 Years!