SGN July 21, 2017 - Section 2

Seattle Gay News

Issue 29, Volume 45, July 21, 2017

Arts & Entertainment

You can go (Fun) Home again The beautiful blues of

Hoodoo Love…

The cast of Fun Home – Photo by Joan Marcus

by Eric Andrews-Katz SGN A&E Writer FUN HOME: A FAMILY TRAGICOMIC 5TH AVENUE THEATRE Through July 30 Fun Home is the Broadway hit musical that brings enlightenment and controversy wherever it plays. Based on the award-winning graphic novel by the same name, this groundbreaking musical now makes it to Seattle via The 5th Avenue Theatre. And it was worth the wait!

The story is called “A Family Tragi-

comic” for a reason, and revolves around Alison in three different stages of her life.

The younger Alison recalls growing up with her two younger brothers as her parents ran the family business, a funeral parlor in rural Pennsylvania. Her father Bruce also restores the once rundown home, slowly making it acceptable for registry by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. College Alison deals with going off to school, discovering that she is a lesbian and realizing that her father is also a closeted homosexual. She tries to bond her with her father, but Bruce is too standoffish to

see FUN HOME page 5

Andre G. Brown and Porscha Shaw star in Hoodoo Love – Photo by Margaret Toomey

by Miryam Gordon SGN A&E Writer HOODOO LOVE SOUND THEATRE COMPANY/ HANSBERRY PROJECT (AT ARMORY THEATRE) Through July 30 The atmospherics of Sound Theatre Company/Hansberry Project’s new production of Hoodoo Love are beautifully

rendered with two shanty shacks and Depression era props by designer Margaret Toomey, lots of blues music interludes by designer Ben Symons (and music played

by Chic Street Man) and moody, depressed lighting by Matthew Webb.

It is a tough and tough-minded play by Katori Hall (The Mountaintop) that demonstrates the kinds of daunting challenges and outrages that women, black women in par-

see HOODOO LOVE page 4

Delicately complex Ghost Nolan’s Dunkirk finds Story an otherworldly dream victory in survival

Kenneth Branagh in Dunkirk – Photo by Melinda Sue Gordon

Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara in A Ghost Story – Photo courtesy of Sailor Bear

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer A GHOST STORY Now playing C (Casey Affleck) and M (Rooney Mara) are a young married couple living

in Texas. They are pondering a move, and it’s caused some arguments as they aren’t entirely in agreement. But before they can iron out those issues, C dies in a tragic accident, leaving M to deal with the prospect of what life is going to be like without him.

see GHOST STORY page 6

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer DUNKIRK Now playing In May of 1940, German forces pushed roughly 400,000 British, French, Belgian and Canadian troops onto the beaches of Dunkirk in France. Large naval vessels that could be utilized to rescue the men could

not dock at the shallow-drafted beach. German U-Boats patrolled the waters sinking everything they came into contact with.

German planes controlled the sky, randomly strafing the beach while dropping bombs on the few ships that could be utilized for mass evacuations. Only 26 miles away from the English coast, survival for these soldiers felt nothing short of impossible,

see DUNKIRK page 9

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I N

2 Seattle Gay News

July 21, 2017

T H I S S H O P :

S C I E N C E

BLACK

I S

LIVES

R E A L

W AT E R I S L I F E

REFUGEES ARE WELCOME

MATTER

YOUR BODY IS YOUR CHOICE

LO V E I S LO V E WE LOVE CANNABIS

71st Annual Pacific Northwest

SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES AND CLAN GATHERING

July 29 and 30

Celebrating 43 Years!

Judith Hill to perform benefit concert for local children’s cancer center

Judith Hill – Photo courtesy of Paisley Park

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer Does the name Judith Hill ring a bell?

It should. She’s a Grammy-winning vocalist and one of the world’s most sought-after backup singers, having performed and toured with Michael Jackson, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Prince and Josh Groban to name a few. In fact, she dueted with Jackson on the pop classic “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.” Hill, who was featured in the Academy Award-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, released her only album to date two years ago titled Back in Time, co-produced by Prince and recorded at his home studio, Paisley Park, in Minneapolis. The Los Angeles native will make a special appearance at the Kirkland Performance Center in a concert to benefit the Seattle Children’s Research Institute.

“In Concert for Cancer” will feature a live performance by Hill to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer treatment and research at the local institute, which is one of the nation’s top pediatric research centers. Tickets for the September 9 show are available at www.inconcertforcancer.org.

For more information on the artist, go to www.JudithHill.com.

EDM followers will be happy to know that Illenium is coming back to town very soon. The young DJ-producer opened backto-back concerts last month for Kaskade at the Paramount Theatre, where crowds arrived early to listen to his short set before the headlining act; the theater was packed and really enthusiastic when I got there about midway through Illenium’s performance. His 2016 album Ashes has produced several hit dance singles, including “Spirals” (featuring King Deco), “Jesters” and “Bring Forth the Pressure” (featuring Dirt Monkey), all of which could be played

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when the EDM star appears November 24 at WaMu Theater. For tickets, visit www. aeglive.com.

Other new shows include Makana at The Neptune on September 29, Shawn Mullins at The Triple Door on October 10, In This Moment at the Moore Theatre on October 31 and Brian Setzer Orchestra at the Paramount Theatre on December 26.

If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas this fall, you might consider dropping in the third weekend of September. The popular iHeartRadio Music Festival has revealed its upcoming lineup featuring several LGBT and Gay-friendly acts, including Miley Cyrus, Kesha, Pink, Harry Styles, Coldplay and Lorde. Sharing the two-day bill with them will be The Weeknd, David Guetta, Kings of Leon, Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett, Big Sean and DJ Khaled. While the main event happens at T-Mobile Arena on September 22 and 23, a Daytime Village

across from the Luxor Hotel and Casino on September 23 will feature appearances by Halsey, Flume, Little Mix, French Montana, Niall Horan, Bleachers, Kelsea Ballerini, Judah & The Lion, Bebe Rexha, Noah Cyrus, Hey Violet, Cheat Codes, All Time Low and others. The night and daytime performances will be live streamed by The CW Network on CWTV.com. The network will also air a broadcast special of the festival on October 4 and 5 (8 to 10pm EST/ PST).

Finally, don’t forget to check out free live music this week, compliments of the Downtown Seattle Association, by The Flavr Blue (July 17, 2121 7th Ave, 4:306:30pm), Lost Dogma (July 18, 5th & University, noon-1:30pm), SWSPP (July 20, City Hall Plaza, noon-1:30pm) and Radio Raheem (July 21, Westlake Park, noon1:30pm). All performances are free of charge, as part of the Out to Lunch Concert Series.

Illenium - Photo by Tony Cottrell

July 21, 2017

Seattle Gay News 3

NUMBED: Chester Bennington of Linkin Park dies at 41

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer The rock world was again stunned by the death of another musician this week, when co-leader of the Grammy-winning band Linkin Park, Chester Bennington, was confirmed dead at his Arizona home.

According to reports, the 41 year-old singer-songwriter took his own life and was found on the morning of July 20 by his current wife, Talinda Ann Bentley, and died similarly – by hanging himself – as did one of his idols, Chris Cornell.

Linkin Park exploded onto the music scene in 2000 with its debut album Hybrid Theory, buoyed by the monstrous single “In the End” and two other hits, “Crawling” and “One Step Closer.” During a ten-year stretch, the group would come to sell over 70 million albums and 30 million singles worldwide. Some of their most noted work includes “Numb,” “Breaking the Habit,” “What I’ve Done,” “The Catalyst” and “Faint,” to name a few. In 2002, Linkin Park released Reanimation, a remix project that reinterpreted the songs from Hybrid Theory as hip hop numbers; it featured the very popular track “Numb/Encore” with rap giant Jay Z. From the start of their career, Linkin Park somehow found a committed fan base within the LGBT community. Neither of the band members is, or was, gay, nor did any of the band’s material center on proLGBT issues; however, they seemed to strike a chord with gay men who followed

HOODOO LOVE continued from cover

ticular, had to overcome and find a way to thrive through. Director Malika Oyetimein clearly feels this play clear through (partly from having directed it already before she went through grad school at UW) and uses every moment to make the theme shine.

The play could be harrowing to those for whom rape is a triggering situation.

While those moments are sensitively done, there is no real way to make rape palatable.

But Hall deliberately wants the audience to be confronted with terrible and uncomfortable and “real” life.

Toulou (Porscha Shaw) loves the blues, loves writing songs and loves her sometimes-lover Ace of Spades (André G. Brown). She wants him to marry her, and take her to Chicago to become a blues singer, but he seems happy with popping in whenever he feels like it. In order to change her luck, she gets her next-door neighbor, Candylady (Eva Abram) to teach her a “hoodoo” – a kind of West African spell, which Candylady shows her. It’s a 9-day process that’s intricate and full of mystery.

Unfortunately, Toulou’s brother shows up. Jib (Corey Spruill) is a wanna-be preacher who is not very tightly tied to religion. And you just know he represents bad news as soon as you see him. Jib takes an adversarial tone to Ace, immediately. Toulou doesn’t seem at all happy to see him and later it becomes clear that some of the terrible trials that Toulou has survived are deep within family relationships.

Candylady is an interesting character.

She has survived since the end of slavery and clearly is a survivor of the top order.

4 Seattle Gay News

Chester Bennington (3rd from left) in Linkin Park – Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

the alternative music genre. The group’s lyrics and sound, while edgy, never featured vulgarity, discriminating words, or violent tones. Considered “nu-metal,” Linkin Park was a non-hardcore hard rock act, plus they were one of the first to add electronic backgrounds to their songs.

Off stage, the group was known to be an LGBT ally, outspokenly supporting same-sex marriage and participating in the anti-bullying campaign “It Gets Better.”

Bennington, in fact, once told an interesting story about meeting Gene Simmons of

KISS, who told him “if we were in prison, I’d make love to you.” Mike Shinoda, the other co-lead singer of Linkin Park and Simmons’ wife, Shannon Tweed, were present when the two rock stars met.

I saw the band several times in concert, including an intimate gig at the Moore Theatre, as part of a special performance sponsored by local radio station The End. I also saw Linkin Park perform on the same stage, same night with Metallica at thenQwest Field, and I remember they had an afternoon set. I got to the stadium just in

time to see them go on stage, and of all five or six acts performing that day, I was most excited to see them.

Linkin Park was scheduled to perform October 14 at Key Arena, as part of a mega world tour, with opening guest Snoop Dogg. At press time, no information was available on whether the show was to be canceled.

But she can still tease and exhibit joy. A wrenching moment in the play is her description of how she lost a child. Abram provides the full range of Candylady’s inner character in great supporting work.

Even though she’s right next door and can hear almost everything, when she appears and does not appear are key to events in Toulou’s life.

Shaw, as Toulou, gets your attention and respect from the moment she appears at the beginning of the piece. She wears her heart on her sleeve, but always digs deeper for more. She is luminous in the role. Toulou could give up, just as Candylady could have, but both of them continue to overcome.

The men in the piece are less likely to arouse respect or kind thoughts. But both actors have moments that shine. Brown can wail a blues song and his emotional choices are very understandable. He gives a strong and confident performance.

Spruill begins by allowing us to laugh and enjoy his character before things have to turn dark. He’s good at being bad. He commits fully to what the play needs him to be.

Basically, the play is a blues song turned into a beautiful performance. It’s dark and sad in parts, but also something you choose to immerse yourself in and enjoy.

For more information, go to www. soundtheatrecompany.org or call 206-8565520.

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

Eva Abram in Hoodoo Love – Photo by Margaret Toomey

July 21, 2017

Celebrating 43 Years!

Fun Home – Photo by Joan Marcus

FUN HOME

continued from cover discuss their commonality, leaving Alison to discuss it with her disenchanted mother.

Adult Alison is left trying to make sense of everything from her past; her family, her life, her coming out, her father’s latent tendencies and finally having to deal with the darkest family secret yet revolving around her father’s death.

Robert Petkoff plays Bruce, Alison’s closeted father. His demeanor on stage fits the character perfectly and his voice is strong. The audience can see the tormented Bruce struggling with his two identities, and how he tries to be everything he is “expected” to be for his family. He wants his family to be proud of him, while simultaneously sneaking out to go cruising or having a secreted affair with a local handyman.

Susan Moniz plays Helen, Alison’s mother.

For most of the musical, Helen is a mousy character, until Alison’s revelation about her own sexuality forces Helen to confront and reveal her feelings about her husband’s secretive life. It is an excellent example of ‘the mouse that roared’ and its sound resonates loudly.

It is the [collective] “Alisons” that make this show an unforgettable night of theatre.

“Small Alison” (played by Carly Gold on opening night) was excellent. Her temperament is much more advanced for a girl of her (assumed) age, and she practically carries the show. Small Alison is still in the adoration stages of her father, but even she is aware that something is not as it should be with him, as she takes the first steps of her own discovery. [Adult] Alison (played

by Kate Shindle) is the narrator of the musical, both observing and struggling to understand her memories as she is trying to

record them. Ms. Shindle has an incredible stage presence and voice. Her body language and expressions projects the feelings as she recollects her family life, tormented by both realizations and acceptance of more than just her self.

It is “College” Alison (played by Abby Corrigan) who [un] intentionally steals the show. Ms. Corrigan gives an excellent performance as the college student coming out. She gives Alison an awkwardness that allows the audiences to easily identify with her inner struggles, regardless of their own sexual identities. We get to experience (and therefore relive our own) extreme geekiness of the first kiss, “discovering” sex and becoming completely lost in the blissful revelations. Ms. Corrigan does this with as much finesse and expertise as she does when her character is trying to understand her parents and their own secretive lives, bringing a perfect balance of frustration

and discovery.

Fun Home is incredible – there’s no way to say anything else. It is easy to see why it won the Tony Award for Best Musical and was also a finalist for the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama. There are many moments that resonate with audience members, and for a variety of reasons. Gay or straight, everyone remembers their “discovery” of their first love and the first sexual encounter. Fun Home goes beyond that.

We get to share younger Alison’s recognition of her own sexuality, before knowing what sexuality is, as a pre-teen girl who first sees an “old school Butch” and recognizes the unspoken bonding they share. We can recall, as LGBT people, standing outside a Gay Student Union doorway, trying to summon the courage of entering, and sharing the self-acceptance and liberation of that first sexual encounter. But Fun Home also explores a darker side of human nature.

Bruce’s secretive life and self-torment is subtly and beautifully addressed letting (I presume) other members of the audience know that they are not alone. This is a production not to be missed – even by those that are (gasp!) put-off by musicals.

The musical is based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel. First printed in 2006 the graphic novel took over seven years to write and illustrate (both by Bechdel). Eventually it would go on to spend two weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list, and win the National Book Critics Circle Award among many various others.

Lisa Kron wrote the book and lyrics of the musical, with music written by Jeanine Tesori (Shrek, the Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Violet) and debuted on Broadway March 27, 2015. It ran for over 500 performances. The musical would go on to be nominated for 12 Tony Awards, winning 5 Tony Awards (including Best Musical, and Best Actor for Michael Cerveris playing “Bruce”), and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama.

Fun Home – Photo by Joan Marcus

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July 21, 2017

Seattle Gay News 5

Alexis Michelle to interview with Seattle Gay News before appearing in “War on the Catwalk” next month

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer

Alexis Michelle – Photo courtesy of WOW Presents

GHOST STORY continued from cover

Grief is palpable, but she soldiers on, holding onto the memories of their time together as she picks up the pieces and attempts to move forward as best she can.

Writer/director David Lowery’s A Ghost Story is not the movie that plot synopsis would likely lead most audiences to expect.

There is minimal dialogue. The central argument between C and M is shown in snippets, flashback and montage. The longest stretch of expositional chit-chat is delivered by a side character at a random party filled with strangers that takes place in the house long after our heroine has moved someplace else. At one pivotal point, Rooney Mara spends an entire five-minute shot eating a pie. This is a movie that defies convention at every turn, Lowery entering into the esoteric realm of European masters like Ingmar Bergman, Michelangelo Antonioni and Alain Resnais (just to name three) with his latest idiosyncratic creation. Make no mistake, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints or Pete’s Dragon this odd, methodically paced and utterly fascinating drama is anything but.

Everything is seen from C’s point of view. As a ghost. As visualized as a body under a white sheet. With two cut out black spots for eyes. It’s like something out of an old Scooby-Doo cartoon or a Bud Abbott and Lou Costello comedy from the 1940s, the absurdity of this depiction of the supernatural so silly there just aren’t the right words to describe the sight of it. Yet it works, the haunting nature of this representation of an observer stranded between worlds for reasons as nebulous as they are important striking an unimaginably deep emotional chord that reverberates deep into the soul.

That aforementioned pie scene is key to understanding what it is Lowery is attempting to accomplish. It will also likely be the singular moment where the viewer falls under the filmmaker’s spell and becomes consumed with discovering how events are going to play themselves out. If that does not happen, they’ll likely roll their eyes with

6 Seattle Gay News

incredulous disdain wondering what all the fuss has been about and want to get up out of their seats and leave the theatre that very second. It’s an almost either/or proposition, and having watched the film twice I’m fairly certain Lowery is just fine with that.

It’s a mesmerizing sequence. Virtually all one continuous take, almost ten minutes in length, this is as raw a depiction of inconsolable grief as anything put to the screen in quite some time. The gamut of emotions Mara goes through while she consumes this entire pie, what I found myself feeling as the scene played itself out, the level of anguish, anger, regret, loss, determination and love washing over the character, all of it was marvelous. The sheer physical ferocity of what the actress accomplishes in this brief, quietly tender little moment was mind-blowing, and from that point forward

She wowed us with her Liza impersonation on this past season’s “Snatch Game” episode of the Emmy Award-nominated “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” barely missing an opportunity to advance to the finale and eventually finishing fifth overall. Now you’ll have the chance to see Alexis Michelle perform live, when she appears in “War on the Catwalk” with fellow “Drag Race” stars Trinity Taylor, Shea Coulee, Farrah Moan, Aja and Season 9 winner Sasha Velour.

The show takes place on August 20 and 21 at The Neptune Theatre in the Universi-

a movie I was moderately intrigued by became one I wouldn’t have been able to pull my eyes away from even if I had wanted to.

Lowery plows through the years with dexterous simplicity, the world of this house, this place our ghost refuses to leave for reasons that remain a mystery until the last possible second, becomes its own sort of time machine. M moves away. A new family moves in, and C’s reaction as they attempt to change things about the place are hardly benign. But, like its own force of nature, change inevitably continues to march on no matter how much this apparition might wish otherwise, other tenants coming and going, the arrivals and departures, like all things in life, having little in the way of rhyme or reason.

What happens should be left to the imagination, Lowery’s story never what it

ty District (NE 45th St & Brooklyn Ave NE just a block off The Ave) and promises to be an evening of outstanding drag performances with your favorite queens from the reality competition series’ last cycle. But before she comes to town, the New York native will be talking with Seattle Gay News.

We’re pleased to feature an interview with Alexis Michelle in our upcoming August 11 issue. If you have a question you’d like us to ask her, send us a message via SGN’s official Facebook page. For tickets to see “War on the Catwalk” visit www.stgpresents.org/tickets.

looks like it is going to be, all of it building to a revelation where the answer to a question isn’t nearly as important as the effect it has upon the entity who has spent incalculable lifetimes searching for it.

A Ghost Story is about patience, it is about resilience, it is about who we are as human beings on levels physical, spiritual, practical and metaphorical, about how we drift through the minutes of our lifetimes not ever truly realizing how precious a single second is until it is possibly too late to matter. Most of all, it is a movie where the observer is us while we are also the ones under observation, the difference between life and death a mirror image where up and down trade places and knowing truth from fiction is as trivial as it is all-consuming.

A Ghost Story – Photo courtesy of Sailor Bear

July 21, 2017

Celebrating 43 Years!

A BEAUTIFUL THING: David Lowery on eating pie, existential mysteries and crafting A Ghost Story

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer David Lowery exploded onto the scene with his effortlessly ethereal throwback Ain’t Them Bodies Saints in 2013, a dreamy 1970s-set Texas thriller with Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck as young lovers reuniting years after a bank robbery gone bad. He followed that up with last year’s stunning, surprisingly passionate Pete’s Dragon remake for Disney, the talented writer/director delivering an enthralling, emotionally pure fantasy fit for audiences of all ages that played deft homage to the 1977 original yet still surpassed it as far as its storytelling confidence and emotional resonance were concerned.

Lowery now returns with A Ghost Story, a moody, naturalistic and minimalist drama about a Texas couple who finds their marriage suddenly shattered when one of them dies in a tragic accident. But the dearly departed member of this pairing refuses to disappear, returning to their family home as a ghost shrouded, quite literally, in a white sheet, floating from room to room as it surveys the life of its mourning partner and, after they leave to parts unknown, the home itself as it changes hands over an undisclosed number of years. It reunites the filmmaker with Mara and Affleck, the former playing the distraught wife while the latter huddles under a sheet as the observational spirit of the husband whose human life was cut short at an early age.

A critical smash at this past January’s Sundance Film Festival, A Ghost Story also played this year’s Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) in early June. Making his first trip back to SIFF since introducing Ain’t Them Bodies Saints here back in 2013, I had the chance to sit down with Lowery for a half hour or so to discuss the ins and outs of his latest minimalist triumph. Here are some of the highlights from that conversation: Sara Michelle Fetters: What’s the rollercoaster ride been like? Post Ain’t Them Bodies Saints?

David Lowery: It has been a rollercoaster for sure. It’s got its ups and downs, and its lulls and sharp curves, and its turns and loops, but by and large it has been a great couple years. I feel like “Has it been four years?” I guess it was four years ago because [Ain’t Them Bodies Saints] came out in 2013. [laughs] Sara Michelle Fetters: When were you struck with the inspiration for A Ghost Story? Was it while you were making Pete’s Dragon?

David Lowery: We were finishing Pete’s Dragon, and we were in the final stages of the edit and moving into things like color correction, sound mixing and scoring. I don’t remember the exact date, just the general time. It came to me all at once, and when I say it came to me all at once, that means that a lot of ideas that had been circling around in my brain for a while had finally accumulated enough mass to generate, in this case, a 10-page outline.

I just sat down and wrote it. The next day I kept working on it and turned it into a 30-page script. I sent that to my producing partners and said, “Hey, let’s make this in

Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara in A Ghost Story – Photo courtesy of Sailor Bear

the summer.” It was a very spontaneous generation. It was probably late February, early March of last year that it [the script] happened, and we shot it in June.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Where do you think the inspiration came from for this?

The film in many ways is a sort of Antonioni-esque or Bergman-esque meditation.

David Lowery: It came from a number of things, one of which is my continued obsession with physical space, particularly represented in old houses in Texas. I keep making movies about old houses in Texas. There were a couple other things, though, one of which was a fight that I’d had with my wife about where we were going to live, and that fight felt like a scene from a movie. I remember telling her in the moment, “This feels like a scene from a movie,” and ultimately it became one because I wrote it down and then we shot the whole thing. That was there. The idea that we were thinking of moving or we knew we had to move because we were making Pete’s Dragon and needed to be in LA, and she was excited about moving to LA, but I really didn’t want to leave Texas, and so we were just debating do we stay in one place?

Do we have two places? What should we do?

It was one of those simple decisions that just got way too emotionally complex and it led to me laying awake the night before we drove to LA, just on the floorboards of our old house wondering why I was so attached to [it], a house which we didn’t even own. It was just a rental. But I really was attached to it. I’ve been attached to every home I’ve ever lived in. I really, when I find a home, I just lay my roots down instantly and get very ingrained in that space. I was just wondering why I do that and how that always happens, and those questions were one of the things that led to this movie along with my longstanding desire to make a horror film with a guy wearing a sheet.

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Sara Michelle Fetters: I was going to get to this later, but as you brought it up, for such a stripped-down, minimalistic film, I think you do take a couple of big risks as far as the audience is concerned. One being that you have your main character walking around in a sheet like they’re out of a Scooby-Doo cartoon.

David Lowery: [laughs] Yeah. Totally.

That was a bit of a risk.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Another major item is that you have a five-minute scene where a woman eats pie, which I’m sure you’ve talked about to death at this point.

Did you know that would become such a hot topic of conversation? Rooney Mara eating an entire pie? Were you excited about challenging an audience like that?

With the pie? With the pacing? With the ghost? All of it.

David Lowery: Absolutely. I always am excited about challenging the audience.

Even in something like Pete’s Dragon, there are things in that movie that were exciting to me because I knew they would provoke people in a certain way, so that’s always part of what I’m after as a filmmaker, and that desire takes different forms depending on what the movie is and what the needs of the movie are.

Oddly enough, the ghost aspect of it never felt like it was going to be crazy. I always had complete confidence in that until we were shooting it, and then I lost all confidence completely, which is a whole different story. In the conception of it, that was something I just felt would work. It just made sense to me, and I didn’t think it would throw anyone for a loop. I just knew that if we did it correctly and did it properly, it would function as I intended it to.

As to the pace of the movie, I like movies that have really long shots, have a lot going on in them and that let you meditate on them, often lasting long enough for your brain to wander off in a million different

directions and make their way back eventually. Those types of mental digressions are great when the movie facilitates them, and I love films that do that. I was excited to take the opportunity to make a film like that because I knew that I wouldn’t be able to do that at Disney by any means. You can’t hold a shot for five minutes on a Disney movie.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Although you do hold them for longer than Disney normal in Pete’s Dragon.

David Lowery: True. Yeah. Definitely true. [laughs] I knew with [A Ghost Story] it would challenge audiences. I know if you’re going to see this movie, you’re not going to necessarily be ready to sit still for that long or to just focus on a quiet moment for as long as we ask you to focus on it, but that’s okay. Obviously this is a quote unquote “art house” movie, so I think audiences who go see it will kind of be conditioned. They’ll know what to expect. They’ll know at the very least they’re in for something different, and if you can get through that scene with the pie, then I think you’re home free because that scene sort of is like the litmus test. The shots are getting longer and longer until you get to that point, and that’s the longest one. That scene is almost 10 minutes long and that one shot of Rooney eating the pie is five minutes long, so if you can get through those two shots in that scene, and that one in particular, then I think you’re home free. If you accept it, then you’re great. You’re going to love the rest of the movie.

If you reject it, you are free to leave or just sit there grumpily waiting for the movie to end. For me, that scene is my favorite thing I’ve ever made. It is one of the few things I’ve made where I just feel like we nailed it. Usually I’m like, yeah, we almost got there. We almost did it. We had a good

July 21, 2017

Seattle Gay News 7

see LOWERY page 8

A Ghost Story – Photo courtesy of Sailor Bear

LOWERY

continued from page 7 idea. We almost pulled it off. In that case, we pulled it off. It does challenge you, but if you meet it on its own terms and kind of take the time to get caught up in it, there’s a whole lot going on there.

When you’re making a movie, you have to watch it over and over and over again, and I get so tired of watching my films.

When they’re finally done, I never watch them again. But that’s the one scene that I just, every time I watch it I’m just hypnotized. I’m like, I wasn’t ready for it to be over yet.

Sara Michelle Fetters: I know you’ve answered this, and you’re probably tired of doing so, but everybody always wants to know, how many times did you make Rooney eat that pie?

David Lowery: Just once.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Just once?

David Lowery: Yeah.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Wow. David Lowery: Yeah. “Wow” pretty much covers it. [laughs] The first shot we did two takes of. That’s the one where she takes the first bite. Then the second shot where she eats it, we just did it once, and we knew that even asking her to do one take was a lot. Asking her to do two was too much. It was just like, if you do this, if we get the camera in the right place and if [Rooney] knows what the emotional arc of that scene is, and she’s a great actress, she’ll do it, and we would only need to do it one time.

An interesting factoid is we shot the ghost separately because it’s really hot in that outfit and I didn’t want him to faint and screw up the take, or to just trip. For anything to happen, really, so we shot her side of the scene and then we brought in the ghost. Then we did a plate of the ghost and composited the two together.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Well, there’s a seamless visual effect I had absolutely no idea about.

David Lowery: There’s a lot of them in the movie. I think we did a fairly good

8 Seattle Gay News

job of concealing them. Until the end, of course.

Sara Michelle Fetters: What was the conversation like with Rooney and Casey?

Did they understand what you were going for right away? How did you explain these characters to them to get them on board?

David Lowery: Well, I’m in a lucky enough position to where I was able to just send them a text message each and say, “Hey, I’m making a weird movie this summer. Do you want to come be in it?” Casey was just like, “Sure, I’ll be there.” I’m sure there was some other responsibility that he was eager to get out of, so he was like, yeah, count me in. [laughs] I don’t know if he even read the script until he got to town the day before we started shooting. He knew that he was going to be wearing a sheet, but I don’t think he knew much more about it than that, and that’s just the way he rolls.

Rooney definitely read it [the script] and we had a couple of long conversations about how we were going to shoot it. I remember her asking me, “Is this going to be a short film? Do you think it’ll be feature length?”

Because the script was only 30 pages. I was like, I know it is short, but here’s how long this pie scene’s going to last. It could be as short as two minutes, it could be as long as 10 minutes. Here’s how long the scene in the hospital is. When it says that you walk out of the morgue and then time passes, that’s going to be like eight solid minutes. That’s like two eighths of a page in a screenplay, but we’re going to spend a long time on that. We didn’t talk so much about the characters because there wasn’t much to talk about. There’s not much on the page. There wasn’t that much.

There was the big argument that was 10 pages long, and we shot that whole thing.

Not all of it is in the movie. Very little of it’s in the movie, but I wanted to shoot it. Beyond that, there wasn’t much there for them to go off of.

But the reason I wanted them on the film partially was because we’re friends, and that makes everything easier, but also because they just have such great chemistry together and I knew it wouldn’t take much

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to establish a sense of them being deeply in love and caring for each other. Of having that connection that is strong enough so that when it is broken, you would really feel a profound sense of loss and in particular, that Rooney would be able to convey that.

Because she really does care for Casey, and when she was doing the scenes after he was dead, there was that sense of something missing in her life. I knew that they would be able to sell that. I didn’t have to write it.

I didn’t have to talk to them about it. I just knew that by virtue of having them in the movie that would all be there.

Sara Michelle Fetters: With that in mind, do you have something against Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara having a happy ending?

David Lowery: [laughs] You know, it’s funny. There’s like a bunch of different things because it related to my feelings towards them as a couple onscreen, because in Ain’t Them Body Saints, in the script, [Rooney] and Ben Foster were far more romantically inclined. They had much more of a romance. When we were shooting, I just fell in love with her and Casey so much.

I was like, she would never turn her back on this love that is now gone for someone else, and we changed it as we were shooting. It was a good choice because I didn’t expect them to have so much chemistry.

In this case, there was a scene where as [Rooney’s] moving on in her life, she brings another guy home, that time has passed.

That’s totally fine. That’s totally acceptable. But none of us wanted to see that happen.

It was supposed to be a much more physically intense scene between the two of them, and I was like, that’s just heartbreaking. Let’s just focus on the ghost. Let’s focus on Casey and not see what he’s seeing because I don’t think the audience was going to want to see that because they still feel too attached to these characters and their relationship.

I do think the next step is indeed to make a movie where they can at least be on screen together for more than 10 minutes and where maybe they have a happy ending. [laughs]

Sara Michelle Fetters: This is totally silly, but can I tell you how much I wanted that guy in the doorway to be Ben Foster?

David Lowery: Wouldn’t that have been amazing? That would have been spectacular.

I would have loved it. I love meta continuity from one movie to the next, and it would have been such a nice little thing. I don’t know. It would’ve meant something for the people who catch it, because he’s mostly off-focus. For the people who catch it, it would’ve been really interesting. But this [A Ghost Story] was such a spontaneous last minute thing that, the whole production, that it somehow never occurred to me do that. To ask Ben. I wish I had. Now that you mention it, I wish I had.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Talk to me about the party sequence and our gentleman…

David Lowery: The prognosticator!

Sara Michelle Fetters: Yes. Him. He basically puts the movie in perspective for people that aren’t paying attention. Were you ever worried that you were spelling things out too much? Were you worried you were being sort of psychobabble-ish?

David Lowery: I was worried about it being psychobabble. He is that guy at a party who kind of just holds court and monopolizes everybody’s time, who has a sense of self-importance that perhaps isn’t warranted. I think we’ve all been to parties and met guys like that. At the same time, what he is saying kind of adds up. There’s a lot of inconsistencies. There’s some logical fallacies. But it does represent my own feelings about how I justify what I do every day. It represents me fumbling for a reason to get up every day and the justifications I’ve gone through in my life to make sense of things and to give myself hope and optimism in a world that so often feels like it doesn’t have any whatsoever in a very physical sense.

There’s truth there, which is good. There is a sense that it is paving the way for a change in the film. It kind of sets the stage for the ghost and where the movie as a story is going next.

Then on another level, it is a breather to the audience because you’ve, at that point

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for an hour nearly, you’ve been sitting there watching this very, not abstract, but a very elusive film that doesn’t have a lot to grab onto, at least not at first blush. You might not have a lot to grab onto and you’ve been sitting in silence for a long time, and so it gives you something to grab onto. It allows you to just kind of take a break, hear some noise, listen to some dialog, engage on a level that you’ve not been able to engage with the film on for quite some time, and then leave that sequence ready for everything else that happens in the movie next.

It functions on all those levels. There is the fear on my part, or there always was and still is [the fear], that people will take it too seriously and presume that I think this is the deepest thing and that I’m laying bare the truths of the universe. It’s not. This isn’t that scene. It’s someone fumbling for answers, and that fumbling is what’s important. The striving for truth and for meaning is more important than the truth and meaning that he is suggesting exists.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Ain’t Them Bodies Saints was a pretty sizable critical hit. Pete’s Dragon was a sizable critical hit and did very well at the box office.

This movie was exceedingly well-received at Sundance and seems to be doing the same everywhere else it’s played so far. Do you feel that pressure now? It’s rare when a filmmaker goes out three-for-three like this, and with wildly divergent films.

David Lowery: Totally. They couldn’t

be more different.

Sara Michelle Fetters: So, do you feel that pressure, then? Or does this critical and audience acclaim just give you validation that you’re doing the right thing?

David Lowery: It’s interesting. It does give me a little bit of pressure. I didn’t expect any one of these movies to do as well as they did, and they keep doing better.

Saints was pretty good. Pete’s Dragon was exceptionally well-received, and I stopped reading reviews after Saints because I just realized that it isn’t good for my psychological well-being, but I still understand that Pete’s Dragon was incredibly wellreviewed.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Well, maybe I shouldn’t say this, but it made my 2016 top ten.

David Lowery: Oh, my. Thank you. I’m very proud of it; so I’m glad that it resonated with people.

A Ghost Story, I had no idea what people would make of it. I was ready for anything. I was ready to be pilloried for this movie, and so the fact that it’s been so wellreceived has been incredibly gratifying. It does in some ways keep that pressure going because I always want, you know, I used to write film criticism. I want people to critically respond in a positive way or to at least engage with the movie. I want audiences to like it, too. Sometimes those things don’t go hand-in-hand, so it’s a weird balance you have to kind of strike.

With the film I just finished shooting that I’m editing right now, I’m worried sick about all of this. I’m like, this one might be the disaster. This one might not work, because I’m always trying new things and I’m always trying to push myself in a different direction. With this one I tried to do comedy. I might not have pulled it off. I don’t know. We just started editing, so we’ll find out, but I’m in that stage right now where I was in the same place I was in with A Ghost Story last year, that place where I was just like, I don’t know if this is going to work.

This might be it. My career might be over.

I feel like I’m always there and I’m always trying to make it as good as I can. But I’m also incredibly worried that, whether it’s critics or audiences or a combination of the both them, I’m worried that the next one’s going to be the one that jinxes everything and that proves to be the first failure.

But being scared is good. Being scared is great because that means you’re trying something. I’m content to remain being scared, having those worries, having those long nights where I just can’t sleep because I’m worried I screwed everything up if that means that I’m consistently pushing myself. I hope that if the critics and audiences stay on board, that’s going to be a beautiful thing and make me very happy. But it hopefully won’t get me too comfortable because I want to always be striving for something different with every film I make.

Sara Michelle Fetters: With that in

DUNKIRK

continued from cover

fear and paranoia gripping hold of even the stoutest heart as this realization started to sink in.

Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk might be a masterpiece.

Told in three intercutting pieces depicting the fight for survival on the land, on the sea and in the air, the movie tackles this important piece of WWII history with an intimate eye for detail. Yet it is the human drama that makes this film extraordinary, the filmmaker tapping into the fear, resilience, heroism, paranoia and sacrifice that was an integral part of this massive rescue operation. Unrelentingly tense from the very first scene, building its myriad of layers with tenacity and focus, featuring a crackerjack cast filled with veteran British character actors and a bevy of fresh-faced newcomers, I was enthralled by Nolan’s latest in ways I’m still barely able to process let alone talk about, this movie nothing less than an absolute marvel.

The two core stories couldn’t be more different. One involves the captain of the Moonstone, Mr. Dawson (Mark Rylance), a British sailor who, along with countless other small boats and their crews, makes the trek to Dunkirk after their assistance is asked for. He is joined by his son Peter (Tom Glynn-Carney) and family friend George (Barry Keoghan), the two teenage boys feeling it is their duty to assist no matter what the danger.

The other involves British soldier Tommy (Fionn Whitehead), trying to do whatever he can to get off the beach before the German’s can massacre everyone at Dunkirk. He attempts to get on an escaping vessel as a stretcher bearer, overhears the naval officer in charge Commander Bolton (Kenneth Branagh) discuss their meager prospects with his trusted second Colonel Winnant (James D’Arcy) and finally ends up on a different ship only to see it attacked by a U-Boat, in the end choosing to hold up with a number of fellow soldiers in an abandoned Dutch merchant vessel waiting for the tide to come in so they can all hopefully drift out to sea unnoticed by the Germans.

Fionn Whitehead in Dunkirk – Photo by Melinda Sue Gordon

The third part of this triptych is a little more ephemeral than its counterparts, yet it is no less important. It is the battle going on in the air, most notably how it involves a pair of British Spitfire pilots, Farrier (Tom Hardy) and Collins (Jack Lowden), both low on fuel and outnumbered yet each still determined to stop as many German bombers from releasing their payloads on escaping ships as they can. Their dogfights are ferociously angelic interludes of carnage and beauty, the quiet peacefulness of the world above the clouds frequently shattered by the roar of a German aircraft engine and the piercing crackle of machine gun fire.

Nolan wraps these stories into one, focusing the majority of his energies on the journey of the Moonstone and its tiny crew as well as Tommy’s attempts to get off the beach. He then intercuts the happenings going on with the Spitfires, showing how all three facets of the battle crisply mingle together, creating a mesmerizing tableau of survival and sacrifice that is as heartbreaking as it is without pity. The director showcases all facets of the emotional spectrum

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no matter what they might be, never pulling punches as heroes meet senselessly tragic ends, cowards are saved from certain death and those just doing their jobs as best they can survive as hellfire shatters the calm around them – all are treated with the dignity they deserve.

It’s difficult not to think that this monumental undertaking of Nolan’s would not have been possible without first honing his narrative and visual style on motion pictures like Memento, The Prestige, Inception and Interstellar. In retrospect, each one of those features were obvious building blocks for what he is attempting to do here.

The way Nolan utilizes time, how he assembles each of the film’s three overlapping stories into one singular saga, his deft, confident control, likely none of it would be on such vibrant display if he hadn’t made those preceding films first. It’s all awe-inspiring, the technical and creative virtuosity frankly stunning.

But like Terrence Malick’s 1998 masterpiece The Thin Red Line, for all the astonishing sights and sounds, for all the ways

July 21, 2017

mind, what do you hope audiences take away from this film?

David Lowery: I think, more than anything, a sense of comfort and peace. That’s what I wanted from it. For me, it’s a film about finding comfort in our place in the universe or with the passage of time specifically. I made the movie so intuitively and so quickly and organically that I never had a thesis statement prepared when I went into it. I still don’t. I still watch the movie when I see it as an audience member. I still am kind of amazed and befuddled by it, and yet it leaves me every time with a great feeling of solace and peace and comfort. It feels like it’s a movie that’s tucking you in at night in a very cozy fashion, and so that’s what I hope people get out of it because that’s what I get out of it. But I also know that so many audiences are getting different things out of it.

People are talking to me after screenings or Q&As and they all get different things from it, so the fact that I went into it with some degree of just operating on gut instinct and made something that surprised me in the manner in which it functions. The fact that that [A Ghost Story] can also encompass so many other different feelings and so many different reactions that are all 100% sincere and all 100% true, that’s a beautiful thing to me.

he manufactures suspense that snaps the spine and sends the heart into uncontrolled palpitations, Nolan never loses sight of the human drama. These soldiers, whether they be the fighter pilots in the sky, the civilians piloting those boats rushing to the French beach or the soldiers themselves huddled on Dunkirk’s shores waiting for the end to come, all of them matter. Their pain, their fears, their apprehensions, it’s all here. But so, at the same time, is their resilience, their willingness to give as much of themselves as they can in order to see others rescued.

Even with so many characters vying for screen time, Nolan makes us understand exactly what it is that is at stake and what accomplishing this task will mean for all involved, making this an authentically passionate WWII drama where spectacle and emotion walk in constant tandem.

As to that spectacle, not since James Cameron’s Titanic has the horrifying sight of ships sinking into the sea with all passengers still aboard felt so visceral. Not since classic Hollywood epics of yore, films like Patton, Tora! Tora! Tora!, The Longest Day or Battle of Britain, have the mechanics and machinery of combat utilized during WWII felt so tactile and concrete. Eschewing digital effects wherever possible, going the practical route more often than not, utilizing real planes, real ships and, most importantly, real actors and extras whenever he can, Nolan’s story overflows in realistic detail, all of it propelled forward by composer Hans Zimmer’s (Hidden Figures) devastatingly evocative score.

There’s no way to know for certain if Nolan’s latest will stand the test of time, be thought of in the same breath as WWII classics like Battleground, Patton, Das Boot or The Thin Red Line. There’s no knowing if it will hold up to scrutiny when watched again, or if it will have the same sort of powerful resonance outside of a theatrical presentation. What I do know is that Dunkirk feels at first blush like an alltimer, and I have difficulty believing that initial assessment is going to change on my part anytime soon. This is a magnificent achievement accomplished with staggering buoyancy and grace, the victory of survival its own form of heroism worthy of celebration.

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Making weird stuff

Jeff Baena and Aubrey Plaza on tackling Boccaccio with The Little Hours

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer After joining forces on the horrorcomedy Life After Beth and the relationship comedy Joshy, writer/director Jeff Baena and his real life leading lady Aubrey Plaza join forces once again, and without a doubt The Little Hours is the pair’s most audacious, crazily ambitious effort yet. An adaptation of Giovanni Boccaccio’s 14th century masterwork The Decameron, the film is a wild and wooly piece of sexually-charged pulp fiction revolving around a handful of nuns involved in everything from shagging the latest stable boy to fullon witchcraft. It’s a controversial, intelligently imaginative laugh-out-loud winner, and while Baena will likely never be thought of as the second coming of Italian maestro Pier Paolo Pasolini, that doesn’t make what he’s accomplished any less impressive.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Baena and Plaza to speak about The Little Hours while they were in town showing off their film during the Seattle International Film Festival. Here are some of the highlights from that conversation: Sara Michelle Fetters: Where does one get the idea to just jump right in and make a nun comedy out of Boccaccio’s The Decameron?

Jeff Baena: Well, when I was in college I got a major in Film but I got a minor in Medieval Renaissance Studies. In one of my Renaissance classes we studied The Decameron. It really made an impact on me. I thought it was really great. So I just had it in the back of my mind as something I kinda wanted to tell the story of.

Then about a year-and-a-half ago I had a friend who was staying at my house. It somehow came up in conversation that I always wanted to make this like medieval combat nun movie, and he was like, “You gotta make that movie!” So I talked to my producer [Elizabeth Destro], who produced my first two movies, and she thought it was really funny. Two or three months later I was in Italy scouting locations and it just all started happening.

Aubrey Plaza: I was like, “Sign me up!” Yeah. I mean I thought it was totally insane. I love things that are insane.

Sara Michelle Fetters: What’s the challenge when you look at something like this and you want to make it contemporary but you still want to respect and pay homage to the source material?

Jeff Baena: Well, I tried my best to kind of achieve the spirit of the original story. The Decameron is amazingly funny, even though it’s almost 700 years old. I wanted to honor its sense of humor and its silliness. But also do something that I think paid strict attention to historical accuracy.

I wanted to play into sort of the political and societal dynamics that were going on at the time and play off of them a little bit.

And, yeah, it was less about sort of finding similar movies or anything like that. It was more about just honing in on what makes that story and Boccaccio’s storytelling special and how I could best achieve something in the spirit of that.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Did you find that that was an easy thing for you to tap into, Aubrey?

Aubrey Plaza: I mean, I would say that being in those costumes and being sur-

16 Seattle Gay News

Jeff Baena and Aubrey Plaza at Sundance 2016 – Photo courtesy Getty Images

rounded, you know, in that setting was such a huge – you know, diving into that mindset. As far as how we were interacting and stuff, I mean we really just had to trust Jeff, kind of follow the story and just not play it like we’re in an old-timey period film. Just try to behave like human beings and focus on our personal journey in the movie.

That’s what I did.

Sara Michelle Fetters: But how hard is it to hold your composure when you’re sitting there in that group with Alison Brie, Kate Micucci and Molly Shannon? You’re all so talented, so funny, and yet also so very different. Is it difficult to just keep from cracking up at something somebody else in the cast is doing?

Aubrey Plaza: For sure! I think as the shoot went on, we became so used to seeing each other like that, so it got easier. But in the beginning, especially when we were shooting in the chapel, which was the first couple days, we were all freaking out. We were laughing so hard. It was so much fun and yet really hard to keep it together.

Sara Michelle Fetters: For you, Jeff, what’s it mean when you are able to pull together a cast like this? To venture with you

July 21, 2017

all the way to Tuscany to make a low budget comedy out of The Decameron?

Jeff Baena: It is an honor and it feels great. I mean, all these people that did this movie are some of my favorite people in the world! I think they’re the funniest people and some of the most talented actors around. The fact that they sort of opened themselves up to the experience and allowed themselves to commit to something that on paper sounds sort of insane: it’s a testament to their desire to try something different and to challenge themselves. To just be open to new experiences. I think when you tell people, “I’ve got this nun comedy that takes place in the Middle Ages and we’re gonna go to Tuscany for a month and shoot, what do you think?” that’s definitely a litmus test for what your priorities are. I think all of these people are just super committed to trying to create, to be present and to be honest. They’re all amazing performers.

Sara Michelle Fetters: What have you both learned about one another, transitioning from one film to the next?

Aubrey Plaza: I mean, I don’t like, you know, talking super personal about

our relationship, honestly. But I’d say it’s an amazing experience to work with your partner in this way. I’ve worked with Jeff since his first movie. I’ve seen him evolve and I’ve seen him grow. It’s a really special dynamic that we have. It’s challenging at times but it’s also really rewarding to do something together like this. I don’t know what else to say.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Jeff, I think what I loved so much about your work is that I can tell each film comes from a singular voice yet I also love that they’re all so different. It feels to me that you’re interested in exploring new and different ideas and topics every time out, that you don’t feel like you have to be stuck in any one genre, even though each film contains more than their fair share of laughs. Is that something that you’re shooting for? To keep branching out like this in this manner?

Jeff Baena: I think when you make a movie it’s such a massive undertaking that if you’re not interested in what you’re about to do, it’s gonna be hellish. I think I just decide to focus all my energy on something that is exciting to me, something unique.

I don’t want to be doing anything that’s a retread, something that’s been done before.

I want to try something different. I have a lot of interests that bounce around my head.

I’ve been lucky enough to be able to explore things without having to have like a 14-year break between films, so that means my ideas haven’t had the time to grow stale.

It’s just the benefit, I guess, of the way technology is today, that you can put a movie together and shoot it within a year.

So, yeah, I never want to be walking down the same concrete I’ve walked down before. Because, what’s the point of doing it if it’s been done before?

Sara Michelle Fetters: At the end of the day when people really get a chance to start seeing The Little Hours, what do you hope they take away from it? What do you hope they’re talking about afterwards?

Jeff Baena: I mean for me the sort of primary reason that I chose to make this was to highlight just how similar we are to people in the past and how, even though history separates us, that we’re still just people. It’s human. And even though this book is from 1350, the humor in it transcends time and is still relatable and very, very funny; that these are all just stories of people living their lives, regardless of the context.

Sara Michelle Fetters: And you, Aubrey?

Aubrey Plaza: I hope they laugh. I hope that people find it funny, but I also think there’s a real sweetness to it all and I hope that people respond to that. I just love that Jeff made a movie like this right now. I think it’s rare that people are making stuff like this, taking such risks when making movies. After watching this and seeing that, I hope that more people will be inspired to go crazy and make weird stuff.

That would be great.

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Alison Brie, Kate Micucci, and Aubrey Plaza in The Little Hours – Photo courtesy of Bow and Arrow Entertainment

Bawdy Hours an impressive 14th century comedy treasure

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer THE LITTLE HOURS Now playing After Life After Beth and Joshy, I can’t say I thought the next thing on writer/director Jeff Baena’s agenda would be to adapt Giovanni Boccaccio’s 14th century masterwork The Decameron into a ribald, R-rated comedy. After all, neither of those previous efforts would lead anyone to believe the filmmaker was the second coming of go-for-broke Italian maestro Pier Paolo Pasolini. Yet, Baena proves to be someone more than willing to break convention and attempt the unthinkable, his gloriously silly, unapologetically lewd, sexually-charged The Little Hours ample proof of that.

In a remote Italian monastery, nuns Sister Alessandra (Alison Brie), Sister Fernanda (Aubrey Plaza) and Sister Ginerva (Kate Micucci) are exceedingly good at

making life miserable for their Mother Superior, Sister Marea (Molly Shannon).

Father Tommasso (John C. Reilly) cannot believe the audacity of these women either, the way they find ways to circumvent their vows and then come to him for forgiveness impossible to believe.

Not that he is entirely above reproach.

After meeting a stranger, Masetto (Dave Franco), out on the road, after hearing his tale of woe involving a local landowner, Lord Bruno (Nick Offerman), and the man’s adulterous wife, Francesca (Lauren Weedman), he decides to bring him back to the monastery for safety. But he lies to the Sisters, telling them Masetto is a deaf mute who is there to work the grounds, a secret bit of deception he reconciles the Heavenly Father will forgive him for as it’s made with the best of intentions. None of which stops Alessandra, Fernanda and Ginerva from making the young man’s life difficult, however, and not just because of the high volume of verbal abuse they throw his way.

John C. Reilly in The Little Hours – Photo courtesy of Bow and Arrow Entertainment

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No, they want his body as well, and not just to look at with chaste appreciation.

Is The Little Hours great? No. Is it consistently funny? Heck, yeah it is, the movie an anarchic fit of physical, sexual and verbal madness that only gets more explosively hysterical as events progress. Even better, Baena does a fine job of exploring gender relations within the confines of a 14th century absurdist comedy, and as good as the likes of Reilly, Franco and other male members of the cast might be, make no mistake, the women are undeniably the stars of this particular show. Shannon, Plaza, Micucci and especially Brie are all terrific, ferociously tearing the film apart as they brazenly make their respective ways through all this wacky peculiarity.

So many bits make me chuckle when I think back on them, notably a third act revelation involving a few of the nuns and a witches bacchanal that’s every bit as demented as one imagines it would be. But there is sweetness amidst all the debauch-

ery, honest human truth laced within the corsetry of the sex and abuse Boccaccio’s source material revels in. I was taken aback on more than one occasion by the emotionalism that fueled much of this story, Brie’s pained, pent-up aggression as she listens to her merchant father (Paul Reiser, in a delightful cameo) deliver heartbreakingly callous news simply sublime.

Baena orchestrates events with confidence and flair, allowing his amazingly talented cast room to frolic as they all work in tandem to make the material come alive with a rebellious zeal that’s ingenious. If Joshy was a noteworthy improvement over Life After Beth, then The Little Hours is an even bigger leap in storytelling expertise on the director’s part. Baena looks to have been so inspired by Boccaccio his enthusiasm is infectious, and while I’m not about to compare the director with the likes of Pasolini, that does not make his accomplishments here any less impressive.

Nick Offerman in The Little Hours – Photo courtesy of Bow and Arrow Entertainment

July 21, 2017

Seattle Gay News 17

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Therapeutic massage. 29 years experience. Relaxation, major/minor injuries, chronic muscle pain. Small Queen Anne home office/studio. Massage table or massage chair. Convenient parking. (I’m a Gay-friendly straight male graphic artist, web author.) First session 50% off = $45/1.5 hours (travel extra). By appointment only. References available. Chris Pringer, Reiki Master, 206-286-0899. If you get a voice message mentioning “extension #,” please hang up and call back again.

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Uninspired Darkness a forgettable ghost story

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer DARKNESS RISING Now playing On the eve of its demolition, Madison (Tara Holt) returns to the home of her youth, the scene of a horrifying tragedy.

She is joined by her boyfriend Jake (Bryce Johnson) and her cousin Izzy (Katrina Law), the three of them breaking in late at night in order not to be noticed by any next door neighbors. Madison isn’t sure why she needed to return, she just knew she needed to visit before the house was razed, almost as if some unseen force was drawing her there, a mysterious entity determined to finish what it started all those years prior.

Darkness Rising is as cryptic yet also as rudimentary a haunted house thriller as any lesser B-horror tale I’ve likely ever seen.

Madison, Jake and Izzy are in for a rather typical night of scares and bloodshed, the ghostly force that led the young woman’s mother to murder the rest of her immediate family now ready to finish the job while the house it patiently resides in still stands. So it plays with the three young adults, menacing them psychologically and physically, everything building up to the big payoff where getting out of the house in one piece is likely impossible and the line between life and death vanishes almost entirely.

It’s all fairly paint-by-numbers, director Austin Reading and writer Vikram Weet (Devil’s Pass) not exactly breaking the supernatural rulebook as things work towards their rather overly familiar climax. There’s a lot of screaming, we get some evil dogs guarding all the exits, people get bonked on the head and a victim or two might even find themselves possessed by an ancient evil looking to do serious damage. At the center of it all is Madison and what she means to the entity, her return the obtusely ephemeral last piece of a nonsensical puzzle that turns out not be all that worthy of being put together.

18 Seattle Gay News

Darkness Rising – Photo courtesy of Storyboard Entertainment

The problem is that Reading can’t even develop a reason to care about any of the characters. We don’t get to know them well enough, each just a standard horror archetype thrown into a meat grinder before they’ve had a chance to establish who they are, making it impossible to care if a single member of the trio makes it out alive. Johnson and Law, both of whom do not do much more than look scared or make a snarky comment, are particularly unremarkable through no fault of their own, Weet’s script doing nothing with them that could be construed as unique or worthwhile. As for Holt, I could never make out how I was supposed to feel about her character, Madison seem-

July 21, 2017

ing to be under some sort of trance long before she even steps foot inside the house.

While the actress does what she can, there were precious few instances where I actually cared about what was going to happen to her, making the events that transpired during the last third far less interesting than they by any rights should have been.

Not that it’s a total loss. The film is nicely shot by Adam Biggs, and some of the stuff involving the aggressively psychotic dog keeping everyone trapped in the house is gruesomely effective. I’ll also say some of the flashbacks detailing what happened to Madison’s family the first time the presence inside the house went berserk are pret-

ty decent, and it’s not until there are suddenly way too many of them that they begin to lose their potency.

None of which makes Darkness Rising worthwhile. It’s too tame, too unoriginal and far too forgettable, none of the three characters at the center of all this ghostly chaos worth caring about as they attempt to survive the night. While there’s no reason to hate this effort, I can’t say there’s any reason to like it, either, and like a ghost in the night transitioning into the unknown by the time I finish writing this review it’s highly likely this film will have disappeared from my memory altogether.

Celebrating 43 Years!

community calendar

Meetings Events Activities

TO GET A CALENDAR LISTING: To have your meeting or event considered for the Community Calendar, please mail, fax, or drop off 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 visible or hidden 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.

SATURDAY - July 22

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.

POZSeattle, Northwest Bears & Lifelong Summer Potluck Picnic. 11am-6pm. Woodland Park Shelter 5. $5 suggested donation - no one turned away for lack of funds. For directions visit www.nwbears.com Latinx Pride/Festival del Orgullo LGBTQ Latino.

3-10pm. Plaza Roberto Maestas, El Centro de la Raza, 2524 16th Ave S. First Seattle Latinx/Latina/Latino Pride Festival. Entertainment, dance music, drinks, food, resources and lots of fun! Sponsored by Entre Hermanos and SOMOS Seattle.

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.oasisyouthcenter.org.

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

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

PFLAG/South King County Monthly Meeting. 7pm.

Unitarian Universalist Church, 25701 14th Pl S, Kent.

Meets 4th Monday each month. Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays is a national support organization for parents, spouses & families of GLBT persons, as well as those sexual minorities. PFLAG/Puget Sound: 325-7724.

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 - July 25

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

Lesbian & Gay Child Care Task Force Monthly Meeting. 12 noon-2pm. Call for location. Meets 4th Tuesday each month. The Task Force, in conjunction with Child Care Resources of King County, offers referrals to GLBT-welcoming child care centers & provides training, support & curriculum materials to child care providers. (To access this, call 329-1011 & ask for the “Gay-welcoming” child care programs in your zip code area.) The task force meets monthly to assess their progress in achieving their goals.

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 ALISS - Aging Lesbians in South Seattle Evening Gathering. 6:30-8pm. Southeast Seattle Senior Center, 4655 S Holly St, Rainier Ave S & S Holly St., Social Hall. Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month. This is a group primarily for Lesbians but all are welcome to attend. Facilitator: Fai Coffin; Cost: FREE. Metro route 7.

Wheelchair accessible. Kate, 722-0317; www.sessc.org.

LGBTQ MS Connection/National MS Society. 6:308pm. Swedish Conference Center, Cherry Hill Campus, James Tower, 550 17th Avenue, Room E, 1st Floor.

Meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month. MS Connection is a support group with the goal of providing a safe environment for the LGBT community to express their experiences and the impact of MS on their lives and the lives of their loved ones, as well as provide support for one another. Contact Shelly at 206-250-5002 or LGBTMSConnection@gmail.com.

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 Seattle Tennis Alliance Summer Social Doubles.

6:30-8:30pm. Lower Woodland Tennis Courts, 5773 W Green Lake Way N. Every Tuesday & Thursday JuneAugust. seattletennisalliance.org 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.

PFLAG/North Seattle Monthly Meeting. 7-9pm.

Haller Lake United Methodist Church, 13055 1st Ave NE. Meets 4th Tuesday each month. 206-325-7724 or northseattle@pflagseattle.org. PFLAG, a national organization founded in 1972, provides support, education and advocacy for families and friends of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer persons and is committed to moving LGBTQ equality forward.

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

July 21, 2017

Seattle Gay News 19

SUNDAY - July 23

Center for Spiritual Living. Services 8:25, 9:45, 11:30am. 5801 Sand Point Way NE. Blessings & we hope to see you soon! 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. A reconciling congregation, fully inclusive and affirming of LGBTQ persons. 525-7988.

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

200 8th Ave N. “Come join our Gay & Lesbian-friendly, spiritual family at Seattle Unity Church. Our mission is to bring love, miracles & spiritual awakening into everyday life!” 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. Anyone interested in meditation, whether new or experienced in Zen practice or other traditions, is welcome. 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!

Sponsored by the Snohomish County Gay Men’s Task Force. 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. This reconciling congregation welcomes with warm hands, warm hearts & open minds GLBT persons seeking a spiritual home. (253) 627-0129, www. fumctacoma.org Central Lutheran Church. 10am-Worship. 1710 11th Ave (just north of E Pine St). An open & affirming church, which in Lutheran churches is called “Reconciled in Christ.” “We seek to share God’s love with all people regardless of race, age, gender or sexual orientation.”

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. Join us any Sunday for an inspirational message, joyful fellowship & a fresh spiritual outlook. 253-854-9747.

University Congregational United Church of Christ.

All ages education 9am, Worship 10am. 4515 16th Ave NE. UCUCC is an open & affirming congregation. 5242322; www.universityucc.org.

Wallingford United Methodist Church. 10am-Worship.

2115 N 42nd St. A progressive congregation. In 1984 Wallingford UMC became the 9th reconciling Methodist church in the U.S. 547-6945 (office); 285-5077 (George).

All Pilgrims Christian Church. 10:30am-Worship.

500 Broadway E. Come as you are. All are welcome.

July 22 thru July 30

A congregation of the Disciples of Christ & the United Church of Christ. 322-0487, www.allpilgrims.org 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. You don’t have to worry about how you bowl! $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 Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church Seattle. 11am-Worship. Chapel at University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 NE 43rd St. MCC is a progressive Christ-centered faith community committed to providing a nurturing environment for individual & community growth thru Jesus Christ while celebrating unity in diversity. MCC is Seattle’s oldest Gay-friendly church. 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. An “open & affirming” congregation.

“We celebrate our diversity in religious background, sexual orientation, race, age & abilities.” 783-6733; www. stpauluccseattle.com.

SnoHomo Pride 2017 - For All LGBTQ+ & Allies.

11am-5pm. Legion Memorial Park, 145 Alverson Blvd, Everett. 1st annual Pride celebration in Snohomish County! facebook.com/SnoHomoPride 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 No Safeword Writers Group. 1pm. Meets 4th Sunday each month. NSWG exists to provide mutual support for members’ efforts. For info & location, NSWG@

Visit us online www.sgn.org

sexpositiveculture.org; www.nosafewordwritersgroup. org (Also meets 2nd Tuesday, 7pm.)

Seattle Prime Timers Rap Group. 1:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E Suite 201 - Ian MacKintosh Room. Topic: Observing and admitting to our prejudices. This meeting is open to all members and the general public.

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 Rain City Soccer Club - Kickabout. Sunday afternoon usually at 3pm. Location varies. Join us for Seattle’s mostly-weekly mostly-LGBTQ pickup soccer game. We play an organized, 2-hour scrimmage on nice fieldturf surface. Sometimes there is a brief training/practice session before we play. Usually there is a “one-beer” after the scrimmage. To sign up visit www.raincitysoccer.org 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.

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, dedicated to education, support & service within the Church & the GLBT community. (425) 226-2746.

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

MONDAY - July 24

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.

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 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; www.sasgcc.org 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 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

community calendar

WEDNESDAY - July 26

LGBTQ Support Group in Renton. 10am-12noon.

Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Ave N. Meets the last Wednesday of every month. 425-430-6633, rentonwa.gov Mature Friends Walk Around Greenlake. 11am. Meet up at 10:50am with a group of older men gathered at the north end of the parking lot that is next to the boathouse along the southwest side of Greenlake. Every Wednesday. Walk around Greenlake followed by lunch at a local restaurant. www.maturefriends.org Mature Friends Dining Out Luncheon. 12 noon.

Roosters Restaurant, 611 Broadway E. Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesday. Just drop in - no RSVP required. MF is a social organization 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.

Lotus Sisters Meditation & Dharma Discussion North. 6:15-8pm. Ravenna Bryant neighborhood. Meets every Wednesday. Call 525-7295 for location. www.

LotusSisters.org.

Center for Spiritual Living. 6:30pm-Meditation, 7pmService. 5801 Sand Point Way NE. Blessings & we hope to see you soon! Info 527-8801 ext 203, www. cslseattle.org Pleasure to the People: Stories of QTPOC Sex & Love. 6:30 doors, 7-8:30pm stories. Northwest African American Museum, Legacy Hall, 2300 S Massachusetts St. In partnership with Gay City and Hugo House, Planned Parenthood is proud to host a storytelling night for QTPOC by QTPOC to share their stories of love, sex, reproductive health, and care in a communal space. The evening will be hosted by the amazing Natasha Marin.

Come and enjoy a light catered dinner while listening to amazing QTPOC storytellers talk about the highs and lows, ins and outs, and everything in between about what it means to navigate brownness, querness, and being a sexual person. Featuring storytellers: Anis Gisele, Imani Sims, Storme Webber, Briq House, Chad Goller-Sourner, and more TBA. This event is part of NW Pride of Color.

Seattle Frontrunners Fun Run. 6:30pm. Volunteer Park (in front of Black Sun across for museum). Every Wednesday. (See Saturday at 9am.)

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. No fee, donations welcome. www.ingersollcenter.org Mature Friends Weekly Bridge Group. 7pm. Wallingford Community Senior Center, lower level of Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnywide Ave N. 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.)

Seattle Movie Bears Movie Night. Check website for details. Every Wednesday night. Gay & Bi men enjoy a movie at a local theater with opportunity to socialize before & after movies. More info: http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/seattlemoviebears; or e-mail: seattlemoviebearssubscribe@yahoogroups.com

20 Seattle Gay News

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 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 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.)

GaYme Night 4 the LGBT Community. 8pm-1am.

SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Meets the 3rd & 4th Friday of every month. Board games, cards & fun. www.sasgcc.org LGBT Friday Night Al-Anon Family Group. 8pm.

SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201 - in the O’Neill Room.

Every Friday. (See related event Sunday at noon for details.) Greater Seattle AIS 24-hour number 625-0000; www.seattle-al-anon.org

SATURDAY - July 29

(See previous Saturday for ongoing activities.)

Puget Sound Fly Fishing Fair. 9am-4pm. Environmental Services Building, 98850 64th St W, University Place.

Special programs for beginners through advanced; special presentations; buy/sell/trade swap meet. FREE. For more information visit PSFF.org. Sponsored by International Federation of Fly Fishers.

Affordable Seattle Campaign Launch. 1pm. Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave. www.affordableseattle.net Mature Friends Monthly Potluck. 6pm. Wallingford Community Senior Center, Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 140. Monthly potluck meets last Saturday most months. MF is a social organization for Gay men & women, 40 years & over. www.maturefriends. org [Remaining schedule for 2017: August annual picnic - check website for details, 9/30, 10/28, 11/18 one week early due to Thanksgiving, 12/30.]

Emerald City Black Pride Party. 9pm-3am. Hillman City Collaboratory, 5623 Rainier Ave S. This one will be for the records. Grab your boo(s), put on something fabulous and party with us to celebrate #black-love in style on the South end. Featuring Sassyblack and Darqness. Sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Health.

SUNDAY - July 30

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.

THURSDAY - July 27

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.

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 GSBA’s Women on Top Social. 5:30pm. Crowne Plaza Seattle, 1113 6th Ave. Join us and strengthen bonds with colleagues you haven’t seen for a while, make new connections, and take some time to enjoy friendships with other professional women in a fun and beautiful atmosphere. This month our non-profit partner is Amara, an organization devoted to creating a better path for kids in foster care. Cost: $15-GSBA members, $25-nonmembers, $15-students; $5 additional cost for walk-ins.

RSVP requested to 206-363-9188 or www.thegsba.org.

Everett-Snohomish County Friendship Dinner for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS. 6pm. Grace UMC (formerly Firs United Methodist). Meets last Thursday most months. FREE. Everyone welcome. Sponsored by the Evergreen AIDS Foundation & SNOCO Gay Men’s Task Force. For information call (425) 252-7751.

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.

July 21, 2017

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.

Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation - Contemplative Service. 6:30pm. 7141 California Ave SW. 935-0418, office@wsuu.org, www.wsuu.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 PFLAG/Tacoma Monthly Meeting. 7pm. St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 7410 S 12th (at Jackson), Tacoma.

Meets 4th Thursday each month. Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays is a national support organization for parents, spouses & families of GLBT persons, as well as those sexual minorities. PFLAG/Tacoma: (253) 3832318. PFLAG/Puget Sound: 325-7724.

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

Buddhism & Recovery. 7:30-9pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Thursday. A meditation/recovery group. 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org 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. You are not alone. For information, community events & “questioning” visit 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 topics and relationship issues related to being a Gay male.

322-2437; www.sasgcc.org

(See previous Sunday for ongoing activities.)

Emerald City Black Pride Family Reunion. 1-6pm.

Alvin Larkins Park, 1504 34th Ave. Black Pride: It’s a family affair. Get ready to cut up and chill out at this all-ages event complete with music, art, food, fun and more. Children and their caregivers are welcome. This event is FREE and open to the public. Additional support provided by the Seattle Public Library. Sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Health.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

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

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 FRIDAY - July 28 and sexual assault.

AA Ageless in Recovery. 12noon-1pm. SASG, 115 Equal Rights Washington - 324-2570; www.equal15th Ave E, Suite 201. Meets every Friday. A drop in rightswashington.org AA group for older & wiser people 55+. www.sasgcc.org Everett/Snohomish Cty - www.gaysnohomish.org Re-Parenting Ourselves. 12noon-1pm. SASG, 115 Freely Speaking Toastmasters - www.freelyspeak15th Ave E, Suite 201. Meets every Friday. A peer ing.org support group for adult children of any addiction. www. Gay City promotes wellness in LGBTQ communities sasgcc.org by providing health services, connecting people to reSLAA Road to Recovery. 12noon-1:30pm. SASG, 115 sources, fostering arts, and building community. Gay City 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Meets every Friday. Ongoing Health Project’s Wellness Center provides anonymous &

Celebrating 43 Years!

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. For a comprehensive list of HIV/AIDS service organizations see the GSBA Guide or visit www.thegsba.org or call Lifelong AIDS Alliance, 328-8979.

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. A wide range of fiction and non-fiction for the LGBT community and allies can be borrowed free of charge.

LGBT MS Connection - 250-5002; LGBTMSConnection@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.maturefriends.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. (See also listings under Bisexual, Parenthood, People of Color, Transgender.)

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.flyinghouse. 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, including Alaska Airlines, Amazon.com, Amgen, AT&T, Bank of America, Deloitte, Macy’s, Microsoft, Russell Investments, Safeco Insurance, Starbucks Coffee, Xerox. 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/ proud-and-loud-families-northwest, plfnorthwest@aol. com; Queer Parent Networking Dinners: 568-7777, qpnd@nwnetwork.org, www.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.pflagseattle.org; PFLAG Bellevue/Eastside: 425483-6642, info@bellevue-pflag.org, http://community. pflag.org/PFLAGBellevue; PFLAG Pacific Northwest: www.pnwpflag.org; PFLAG Washington State: www. pflagwsc.org.

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; Northwest Two Spirit Society, https:// www.facebook.com/groups/nw2spiritsociety/, 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; Sistah 2 Sistah, LBT women of African descent, 322-7061, 255-8951; Sistah Sinema, www.sistahsinema.com, info@sistahsinema.com; Trikone-Northwest, GLBT South Asians, (425) 9854376, www.trikonenw.org; Two-Spirit Honor Project, 1-866-685-0164; U.T.O.P.I.A. Seattle.

Pierce County AIDS Foundation - 253-383-2565; www. piercecountyaids.org 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

community calendar

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. Our work is done in a spirit of safety, trust, inclusiveness, and celebration of individual differences. 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org 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 LGBTQ Commission - 684-4503.

Seattle Out & Proud - 206-322-9561; www.seattlepride.org Seattle Police Department Sexual Minorities Community Advisory Council: kim.bogucki@seattle.gov 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.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea) - www.facebook.com/ socialoutreachseattle South Sound Q Calendar - LGBTQ events in Tacoma, Olympia & Sound Puget Sound area; www.SouthSoundQCal.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; Festival of the Babes: www.festivalofthebabes.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.seattlefrontrunners.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

July 21, 2017

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: ALISS - Aging Lesbians in South Seattle - Lesbian Group at the Southeast Seattle Senior Center. This is a gathering primarily for Lesbians but all are welcome to attend. Kate, 722-0317; www.sessc. org; BABES: support groups for HIV+ women. 7205566, 1-888-292-1912; 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. (See also listings under Bisexual, Parenthood, People of Color, Transgender.)

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, 1818 15th Ave @ E Denny Way; 322-2515, www.lamberthouse.org; Lifelong HEYO (Health Education Youth Outreach): for LGBTQ youth, ages 16-24: 957-1665; www.llaa.org/HEYO; www.MatthewsPlace.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) Drop-In Center & Young Adult Shelter: 1609 19th Ave @ E Pine St., 726-8500; 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 - 360-6983335; 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; Roots Young Adult Shelter: 1415 NE 43rd St., 632-1635; www.rootsinfo.org; Safe Schools Coalition: www.safeschoolscoalition.org; 451SAFE (451-7233) (non-emergency), 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): 5247301 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 Young Adult Shelter: 1828 Yale Ave @ Stewart St. 622-5555; Youth in Focus: 723-1479; www.youthinfocus.org; Youth Suicide Prevention Program (OUTLoud-GLBTQ): 297-5922, ext 116, 1-800-273-TALK, www.yspp.org

Seattle Gay News 21

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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 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 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 POKE BAR - 1542 12th Ave - 402-5178 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 ROOT TABLE 2213 NW Market St. - 420-3214 SEATTLE EAGLE - 314 E. Pike - 621-7591 SHORTY’S 2222 2nd Ave - 441-5449 STOUT -1530 11th Ave - 397-3825 TOULOUSE PETIT 601 Queen Anne Ave N - 432-9069 UNICORN - 1118 E Pike - 325-6492

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 HASHTAG - 3540 Stone Way N - 946-8157 NEW YORK EXCHANGE 225 Broadway E. - 726-3300 ONYX LEATHER - 1605 12th Ave. #8 - 328-1965 OZ - 3831 Stone Way N - 251-0630 PANACHE 225 Broadway E. - 726-3300 RUCKUS 1465 E Republican St. - 257-4805 THE FANTASY SHOP 9630 16th Ave. SW - 762-3299 TABOO ADULT VIDEO 9813 16th Ave SW - 767-4855 TOYS IN BABELAND - 707 E. Pike St. - 328-2914 UNDER U 4 MEN 709 Broadway Ave. E. - 324-6446 UNCLE IKE’S 2310 E Union St - 1-800-GET-DRUGS 501 15th Ave E - 1-800-GET-DRUGS 9822 15th Ave SW - 1-800-GET-DRUGS WILD AT HEART 1111 NW Leary Way - 782-5538

BELLINGHAM

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

DES MOINES

ADULT AIRPORT VIDEO 2 21635 Pacific Hwy S - 878-7780

EVERETT

ADULT AIRPORT VIDEO 11732 Airport Road - (425) 290-7555 LOVER’S - 112 SE Everett - (425) 353-3607 LOVER’S - 3402 Broadway - (425) 252-8754

E. PINE ST.

ON

E.

IS AD

ST.

M

• DOGHOUSE LEATHERS

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

WILDROSE - 1021 E. Pike - 324-9210 ZIPPY’S GIANT BURGERS 5633 Airport Way S - 466-5954 9614 14th Ave SW - 763-1347

RETAIL SHOPS

• THE GASLIGHT INN

• POCO WINE ROOM

• THE CUFF COMPLEX • POKE BAR

E. UNION ST.

SEATTLE

• RUCKUS

E. UNION ST.

LA CONNER

THE HERON INN & WATERGRASS DAY SPA 117 Maple Ave. - (877) 883-8899 - info@theheron.com

OLYMPIA

DARBY’S CAFE 211 5th Ave. S.E. - (360) 357-6229 LOVER’S 3959 Martin Way E. Suite D - (360) 456-7300 JAKES - 311 4th Ave. E. - (360) 956-3247

PORT ANGELES MAPLE ROSE INN 112 Reservoir Rd - (800) 570-2007

SPOKANE

ANDY’S 1401 W. 1st Ave. - (509) 747 - 0304 STRAY NIGHTCLUB 415 W. Sprague Ave. - (509) 624 - 4450 NYNE BAR AND BISTRO 232 W. Sprague Ave. - (509) 474 -1621

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

TRI-CITIES

CLUB OUT & ABOUT 327 W. Lewis St., Pasco - (509) 543-3796

TUKWILA

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

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

22 Seattle Gay News

July 21, 2017

Celebrating 43 Years!

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July 21, 2017

Seattle Gay News 23