SGN December 9, 2016 - Section 2

Seattle Gay News

Issue 50, Volume 44, December 9, 2016

Arts & Entertainment

Make The Little Mermaid SMC’s Silver & Soul part of your world holiday concert soars

“Under the Sea” with the Company of The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Photo by Mark Kitaoka

by Eric Andrews-Katz SGN A&E Writer THE LITTLE MERMAID, THE MUSICAL THE 5TH AVENUE THEATRE Through December 31

Disney’s The Little Mermaid is the fulllength animated feature that signified the Disney-animation reemergence in 1989.

The classic fairy-tale, originally written by Hans Christian Anderson and published in 1837, has been explored in many artistic vehicles. Becoming another staple in Dis-

Ritchard Wooley performs “Go Tell it on the Mountain” at the 2016 Holiday Concert at Benaroya Hall through December 22. Paul Caldwell conducts Seattle Men’s Chorus – Photo by John Pai

by Miryam Gordon SGN A&E Writer SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS SILVER & SOUL RIALTO THEATRE – TACOMA (12/10)

see LITTLE MERMAID page 6

BENAROYA HALL (12/11, 12/18, 12/21 & 12/22) EVERETT CIVIC AUDITORIUM (12/17) You know you’re in for a great concert from the very first moments of Seattle see SILVER AND SOUL page 5

Skillfully coifed Love Miss Sloane a gripping Witch a magical cyanide political thriller cocktail

Samantha Robinson plays Elaine in The Love Witch – Photo courtesy of fandango.com

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer THE LOVE WITCH VOD and Special Screenings

Elaine (Samantha Robinson) is determined to find a man she can love. She adores love, so much so she’s devoted her study of witchcraft and the occult into see LOVE WITCH page 9

Jessica Chastain as Elizabeth Sloane in Miss Sloane – Photo courtesy of EuropaCorp

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer MISS SLOANE Now playing

Elizabeth Sloane (Jessica Chastain) does not lose. She’s one of Washington, DC’s most powerful lobbyists, working for a prestigious firm under the guidance of see MISS SLOANE page 17

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Celebrating 41 Years!

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December 9, 2016

Seattle Gay News 3

Deadmau5, PJ Harvey announce upcoming Seattle concerts

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer You might want to ask Santa for live music gift certificates this year because there are lots of concerts to be excited about in 2017.

Already, in recent weeks, Ariana Grande, Neil Diamond, Bruno Mars, The Weeknd and Chris Stapleton have announced performances in the coming year taking place in the Seattle area, and now we can add a few more big shows to this growing list: Beginning with Deadmau5, who hasn’t appeared in Seattle for 5 years, with the exception of a private performance at Key Arena in 2015 for a video game festival. With the release of a new album, W:/2016ALBUM/, comes an 8-city “Lots of Shows in a Row Tour” that includes a pair of Seattle concerts at WaMu Theater. The first performance, on April 22, is already sold out with the second one added on April 21; tickets are available at axs.com. The EDM superstar promises an even more incredible live experience than his previous tour with a bigger cube-shaped platform and state-of-the-art sound. A sneak peek of the custom-built cube, along with snippets of songs from the new album, is available in a video teaser called “deadmau5 from Rehearsals” on his YouTube channel, youtube. com/deadmau5.

a Grammy nomination this week for her 2016 release, The Hope Six Demolition Project (Best Alternative Music Album), the British rock artist announced a 15-city tour that includes two Northwest stops, Seattle and Portland (May 7). The only time I’ve seen PJ Harvey was back in 2001, as an opening act for U2 at the Tacoma Dome, and she was worth getting there early for.

Tickets are on sale now at LiveNation.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone 1-800-745-3000.

It’s been even longer since PJ Harvey has come to town, so long that I don’t even remember when it was. But she’s headed this way soon, May 5 to be exact. Fresh off

Just a few more shows to announce: Guns n’ Roses has extended its “Not in This Lifetime Tour” into 2017 with 18 additional dates in the UK and Europe, plus 15 more

Deadmau5 – Photo courtesy of MSO PR

in North America, including a performance at The Gorge Amphitheatre on September 3. The Old 97’s (with frontman Rhett Miller, who interviewed with Seattle Gay News years ago) will perform March 27 at Neumos. And, “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard is set to return for a fournight residency at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley on March 30-April 2.

Finally, Nirvana’s Incesticide album, a collection of rarities, B-sides and demos, will be remastered and reissued on January 13, 2017 to mark its 25th anniversary. You can pre-order it now on Amazon.

2017 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS: Beyonce leads all nominees with 9; Bowie shut out in major categories kas Graham; “Work” – Rihanna (featuring Drake); “Stressed Out” – Twenty One Pilots Album of the Year: 25 – Adele; Lemonade – Beyonce; Purpose – Justin Bieber; Views – Drake; A Sailor’s Guide to Earth – Sturgill Simpson Song of the Year: “Formation” – Khalif Brown, Asheton Hogan, Beyonce Knowles & Michael L. Williams II (songwriters); “Hello” – Adele Adkins & Greg Kurstin (songwriters); “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” – Mike Posner (songwriter); “Love Yourself” – Justin Bieber, Benjamin Levin & Ed Sheeran (songwriters); “7 Years” – Lukas Forchhammer, Stefan Forrest, Morten Pilegaard & Morten Ristorp (songwriters) Best New Artist: Kelsea Ballerini; The Chainsmokers; Chance The Rapper; Maren Morris; Anderson Paak

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer The Grammy Awards got into formation this week, handing Beyonce a whopping 9 nominations, including nods for Album, Record and Song of the Year, plus two in the video field (Best Music Video, Best Music Film). But perhaps the bigger story that emerged from Tuesday morning’s announcement was the exclusion of the late David Bowie in any of the major categories for his heavily acclaimed final work Blackstar. Instead, the legendary rocker and another critics’ favorite, Radiohead’s A Moon Shaped Pool, will battle it out for Best Alternative Music Album.

Looking over the complete list of nominees, spread out in 84 categories representing various genres and technical fields, it’s clear that Grammy voters were paying more attention to popular trends than artistic quality, recognizing the likes of Justin Bieber, Mike Posner and Twenty One Pilots in the top categories over better contenders, such as Chance the Rapper, Bon Iver and Bowie.

In the interest of drawing viewers to the February telecast, which has dwindled in recent years, Grammy voters might have opted for a slate of marquee name performers vs. more credible artists to hike its ratings.

Another surprise omission was Lady GaGa, whose leadoff single “Perfect Illusion” was on the ballot, although her album Joanne isn’t eligible to compete until next year’s awards. Frank Ocean was also completely shutout; however, it’s been reported that neither his newest album Blonde, nor any of the songs from it, were

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submitted for consideration.

Sia (Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Song Written for Visual Media), Demi Lovato (Best Pop Vocal Album), Margaret Cho (Best Comedy Album) and Shane McAnally (Best Country Song) are a few of the LGBT artists that received nominations this time around.

And, for the second consecutive year, the Seattle Symphony received a pair of Grammy nominations for its recording Dutilleux: Sur Le Même Accord; Les Citations; Mystère De L’instant & Timbres, Espace, Mouvement. It is nominated in the categories of Best Engineered Album, Classical (Alexander Lipay & Dmitriy Lipay, engineers) and Best Surround Sound Album (Alexander Lipay & Dmitriy Lipay, surround mix engineers; Dmitriy Lipay, surround mastering engineer; Dmitriy Lipay, surround producer).

Here are the nominations in the general field: Record of the Year: “Hello” – Adele; “Formation” – Beyonce; “7 Years” – Lu-

Congrats to all of them!

The 59th Annual Grammy Awards will be televised on CBS on February 12, 2017 at 8pm from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Beyoncé – Photo courtesy of gazettereview.com

Celebrating 41 Years!

Just like the white winged dove: Stevie Nicks descends upon Seattle this weekend

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer STEVIE NICKS W/THE PRETENDERS “24 KARAT GOLD TOUR” KEY ARENA December 11 I could care less about Christmas and New Year’s this year because the real holiday for me, and any Stevie Nicks fan, is the rock diva’s appearance Sunday night at Key Arena. It’s exactly what I asked Santa for when I sat on his lap, a date with music’s goddess of shawls and gypsiest of gypsies, where she sings the hits that we’ve listened to, danced to, weeped to and built shrines around all these years.

Nicks, of course, is a legend, an imaginative and sometimes literal singer-songwriter that has successfully enjoyed dual music careers, as frontwoman for supergroup Fleetwood Mac and as a solo performer. The Phoenix-bred, raspy-throated vocalist is regarded as one of music’s alltime greats and a pioneer for female artists of any genre; from Taylor Swift and the Dixie Chicks to Sheryl Crow and Adele, the “gold dust woman” is idolized by numerous performers in the industry.

She also has a large and loyal LGBT fan base that stretches across the universe, many who began following her in the mid’70s when Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled record and landmark album Rumours were released. By the time she ushered out her first solo effort, 1981’s Bella Donna, most of us were already obsessed; I spent countless nights in my childhood bedroom doing

Stevie Nicks – Photo courtesy of Liz Rosenberg Media

everything from pretending to be Stevie Nicks to playing “Stand Back” over and over again to plastering my wall with any magazine photos or 45-inch record sleeves that I could get my hands on.

I wanted to be Stevie Nicks. I wanted to twirl around in circles with long and wavy blond hair, I wanted to be a witch, I wanted to have Lindsey Buckingham as my boyfriend, I wanted to live inside her songs and I wanted to channel her in any way that I could. And while I was nuts about Madonna and Whitney Houston, too, my adoration for Stevie just ran deeper.

Although Nicks has performed with

Fleetwood Mac in the past few years here in the Emerald City, it’s been five years since she appeared solo, and even then she shared the bill with Rod Stewart. But this time, she’s the main attraction. She does have a wellknown rock band opening for her on this tour, but Nicks is the sole headlining act.

The “24 Karat Gold Tour” supports the album of the same name, which came out last year and features previously unreleased material and rarities from Nicks. She’ll likely perform some of it at Key Arena, although it’s assumed she’ll also delight fans with songs from both her Fleetwood Mac and personal catalog. In the times I’ve

seen her live, she has yet to include “I Can’t Wait” on the set list, which I’m crossing my fingers for again, and I’m always wanting to hear “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You,” which she sang beautifully on “American Horror Story: Coven” in a scene with Jessica Lange; it’s as if Ryan Murphy read all of our diaries, right? And, in the times I’ve seen Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks separately, neither has performed “Sara,” so if she miraculously brings that out I will be a sobbing mess.

Nicks has family in the Seattle area, and thus loves coming to this city. She’ll probably mention that during the show. She also interviewed with Seattle Gay News in 2011 for our special Pride edition.

Opening the show will be The Pretenders, who will surely play some of their biggest hits, such as “Brass in Pocket,” “Back on the Chain Gang,” “Middle of the Road,” “Don’t Get Me Wrong,” and since we are in the holiday season, I’m guessing – or, maybe wishing hard – that they perform their version of “Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas.” It could happen (please let it happen, Santa).

But regardless of what Stevie Nicks and The Pretenders have in store for us Sunday evening, one thing is for sure; we’re in for an incredible night of music that kicks off at 7pm. Plan accordingly and get there promptly. For any remaining tickets, go to LiveNation.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone 1-800-745-3000. On the day of show, you can also purchase them in person at the Key Arena box office.

SILVER AND SOUL continued from cover

Men’s Chorus’ holiday concert! Titled “Silver & Soul,” this is where most subscribers will be introduced to new artistic director Paul Caldwell. He starts out with a drum!

Drummer John Stout gets center stage with a box drum and leads the chorus in a haunting, insistent, rhythmic song called “Guadete,” a sacred Christmas carol, which is thought to have been composed in the 16th century. (Michael Engelhardt is credited, perhaps as the arranger). Soloists Matthew Sherman, Tyler Stoops, and Nathan Wilson sound wonderful.

The concert is full of solemn and sacred music, as well as fun from Captain Smartypants, a cadre of dancers, some scantilyclad reindeer, and an audience sing-along.

The arrangements are tight and the men seem ready to ring in the season.

There are a lot of men on stage! It’s heartening to see how many wanted to sing the holiday concert as the transition of SMC/SWC artistic director continues.

Caldwell is gracious in his conduct and his remarks are brief, but heartfelt, as he reflects on his car accident (as related in a recent interview with him by SGN: http:// bit.ly/2hkz1fA) and his reception by the Choruses when he arrived.

If you are someone who practices avoiding “Little Drummer Boy,” you’ll be out by Song #3. I don’t know if it counts to bring earplugs or not.

Those who like to ring in the holidays with a Seattle Men’s Chorus performance will be completely satisfied with the seasonal music. The full sound of

Seattle Men’s Chorus during Silver and Soul – Photo by John Pai

all the sections of singers is glorious to bask in and absorb.

Those who enjoy poking fun will like the silliness of “The Twelve Days After Christmas,” “The Christmas Can-Can,” and “Hannukah in Santa Monica.” A game try at “Carpool Christmas Caroloke,” with a James Corden, Johnny Carson, Judy Garland and Lady Gaga, falls a bit flat, but is

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mercifully pretty short. The audience singalong is a fun little work out (you’ll see) led

by Caldwell.

This concert series is the last for longtime interpreter Kevin Gallagher and the Chorus acknowledges him in a lovely and warm fashion. His signature interpretive “Silent Night” is reprised, for those who look forward to that particular moment.

There are a number of opportunities to clap along, including the last two songs: “Go Tell It/Jesus, What a Wonderful Child” and “Dear Santa (Bring Me a Man This Christmas),” helping you go back out to the streets in a terrific mood.

For more information, go to http://www. seattlechoruses.org/attend/concerts-events/ silversoul/ or call 206-388-1400.

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LITTLE MERMAID continued from cover

ney’s classic vault, the animated musical was made into a Broadway musical in 2007.

Now the live-action production is being presented at The 5th Avenue Theatre.

The storyline is close to the movie (with a few adaptations), which is, in turn, based on the original fairy-tale (with notably several more adaptations). Ariel is the youngest of the seven mermaid daughters of King Triton.

She possesses a beautiful singing voice and an independent spirit with a rebellious interest in the above human world. Despite warnings from her friends Flounder, Scuttle, and Sebastian, Ariel falls in love with the human prince, Eric. To become “part of his world,” Ariel trades her voice, and underworld life, for a pair of human legs to live in Eric’s kingdom. But there is a catch, she only has three days to make him kiss her, and has no voice to communicate.

The voices in this production are all excellent, and thanks to the new sound system put into the 5th Avenue Theatre, it is a pure pleasure to hear the cast sing. There isn’t a single disappointing member of the show, and each character does an excellent job, especially the main side-kicks, Scuttle, Flounder, Sebastian, and Flotsam/Jetsam; they all add their support to the leading players and never try to steal scenes – unless, in Sebastian’s case, it is written that way. The dopey seagull Scuttle (Jamie Torcellini) is played like living animation. His character is written for comic relief and Mr. Torcellini delivers, especially in the added song – written for the stage production – “Positoovity.” Flounder (Connor Russell) plays the fishy best friend in a very cute way with the stage script changing his “best friend” role to one of romantic interest in Ariel. Sebastian (Melvin Abston) gives a new dimension to the crabby role of the King’s advisor and composer. His voice is perfect for the Caribbean crooning of “Kiss the Girl,” and the audience responds very well to the production number. Flotsam (Brandon Roach) and Jetsam (Frederick Hagreen) both add a wonderful touch as the smarmy assistants to Ursula, the Sea Witch.

Diana Huey as Ariel in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of​Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Photo by Mark Kitaoka

Their new song, “Poor Child,” brings the perfect amount of subtle sinister charm needed by a Disney villain to seduce Ariel into visiting Ursula.

The main characters of the show do very good jobs representing their Disney caricatures. Ursula (Jennifer Allen) plays the villainess larger than life, if not going too far with the “Disney shtick.” Ms. Allen brings all the cunningness of the be-

loved baddie but tones down the character’s menacing presence for the family-friendly production. The death scene is perhaps a little anti-climactic in comparison, changed from the Disney animated feature. Prince Eric (Matthew Kacergis) is the perfect representative of a Disney prince being clean cut, exuberating an optimistic persona, and has a good singing voice. The added songs “Her Voice” and “One Step Closer” give

good platforms to let Mr. Kacergis’ voice shine with a strong presence. There is no doubt as to why Ariel (Diana Huey) is the lead. Her face is expressive, her eyes wide and bright, and she takes full control of the character’s songs. Ms. Huey makes the show’s anthem “Part of Your World” her own with her strong vocals, and delivers the crowd-pleasing number with full force.

The show is a definite crowd pleaser and perfect for the “family-friendly event” of the holiday season. The costumes are all vibrantly colorful and the “underwater” sets add to the illusion of fantasy. (To further represent the illusion of being in water, ALL “ocean characters” constantly sway back and forth. Bring a low dose of Dramamine if you are easily motion sick.) There are many characters suspended on harnesses to represent “swimming” or flying through the air (there are more things flying through the air than a Ridley Scott film) to delight audience members of all ages. The songs definitely do not disappoint (original songs written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist the late Howard Ashman) and the new additional songs (composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater) do their job and add to the storyline. The show definitely has a built-in audience as those familiar with the movie broke out in applause at the first chords of any of the recognizable songs.

The Little Mermaid was written by the famed children’s author/storyteller Hans Christian Anderson. It has taken many different incarnations with the Disney adaptation in 1989. The Disney film was nominated for several Academy Awards, and won two; Best Score and Best Song “Kiss The Girl.” (“Under the Sea” was also nominated for Best Song.) The production opened on Broadway in November 2007, eventually receiving two Tony nominations. Disney has announced plans for a live-action film production.

For tickets to The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, call 206-625-1900 or visit https:// www.5thavenue.org/

Jennifer Allen as Ursula, Brandon Roach as Flotsam and Frederick Hagreen as Jetsam in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of​ Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Photo by Tracy Martin

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Celebrating 41 Years!

Make the Yuletide Gay director Rob Williams talks about his latest film Shared Room

by MK Scott SGN Contributing Writer From Rob Williams, the man who wrote and directed the 2009 holiday classic, Make the Yuletide Gay, comes the terrific Shared Rooms, now available on DVD and VOD. This new romantic comedy brings together three interrelated tales of Gay men seeking family, love and sex during the holiday season.

Married couple Laslo and Cal unexpectedly take in a Gay teen relative who’s been kicked out of his home; Sid and Gray have a casual online hookup which unexpectedly deepens; and roommates Julian and Dylan confront their secret mutual attraction when forced to share a bed for a week. At a New Year’s Eve party, these stories come together in a heartwarming and joyous ending.

Accomplished filmmakers Rob Williams and his partner Rodney Johnson (makers of the Gay holiday hit Make The Yuletide Gay) have created another crowd pleasing Gay holiday comedy, starring a sexy ensemble cast, set in the hip Los Angeles enclave of Silverlake. This is their

RW: Yeah, it – that was – that was the fun part of writing it, was kind of figuring out how the couples in the story lines touched and how their triangles – and finding out at the end how they were all really intertwined. That was a lot of fun as a writer, trying to kind of come up with those ideas. And see, once I had the individual storylines, I could create how do their lives touch? And that it was fun. You know, I found out when I was going to film festivals that people were sometimes surprised and sometimes very happy about the way their lives were intertwined.

MK: So, what basically caused you to go from one couple to another couple and then another couple – and then eventually, okay, one character is reaching out to another character – and then eventually, towards the end, it was like everybody was all connected.

RW: Yeah, and everyone showed up at the big New Year’s Eve party and, you know, it was – that was really fun to film because the three story lines were all very separate and we filmed them separately.

And then there’s only one day where everyone’s all together. And so everyone was

RW: That was fun because it was – it was like kind of a thing and I was like, you know what? Let’s make them nudists. So, you know, they are naked – and, you know, as a filmmaker who – we were filming with them and they were naked the entire time. So, you know, my job was really tough, but you know it was – that was the – it was fun, because it was the best version of them being naked, while they’re actually having these deep conversations. They’re talking about religion and they’re talking about art and they’re talking about books and other things were somewhat part of the storyline, everybody is a little lighter. So it was kind of fun to kind of, you know, strip them bare and then have them have these very deep conversations.

MK: And then, of course, I also loved the Dylan and Julian story of, you know, roommates and then suddenly having to share a bed. And then you find out much more about them, which is fabulous.

RW: Yeah. It was – that was kind of fun.

That’s – you know, I think that’s just what the standard sort of wish fulfillment of a lot of people who have a crush on a roommate at some point and it’s like – oh, now I gotta

the movie, um – not while losing our attention. It’s just that visually it’s great – a great lovable short work, and yeah, it’s like, if I had known, we would have shot more. But you know maybe – MK: Well, yeah, that’s my next question: about a potential sequel.

RW: You know, I – I would love to do it, mainly because this was the single most fun shoot I’ve had of all my films, the actors were amazing, we shot in our house and in two of our neighbors’ houses. We literally shot everything in one streak in Los Angeles. And I would love – there’s so much more to tell – literally every screening we’ve had, people have asked about if we’re gonna do more, or, so this would make a great TV series, it’s like a Gay “Modern Family.” It’s like, thank you so much. Like why don’t you make this a series? And it’s like, well, I don’t have the control over that.

You’ll have to talk to someone at ABC. MK: What is next for you?

RW: Hopefully, it’s a romantic drama called Happiness Adjacent. And we are looking to shoot that in early 2017 and then, hopefully, it’ll be out later in 2017.

(l) Gray (Alexander Neil Miller) and Sid (Justin Xavier Smith) in Shared Rooms – Photo courtesy of Wolfe Video

eighth feature film.

I have seen about five of Williams’ films and know him as a great writer and I couldn’t wait to chat with one of my fave directors by phone.

MK Scott: Rob, I have loved every film of yours – especially Role/Play, Men Next Door, and Make the Yuletide Gay. Now that you have come up with another holiday film called Shared Rooms, about three very different couples, how did you come up with the story?

Rob Williams: Well, I actually had started writing a script about one of the couples, the couple who take in one of their nephews who was kicked out of his home for being Gay. So I started a script about that story line. And I wasn’t quite sure where I was going with it and, you know, as a writer you’re always working on different things. At the same time I had started a script on a story line about a juvenile arriving on a Gay couple’s doorstep and suddenly it just kind of hit me – I think I was probably watching Love Actually when I – one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time – and I thought – hey, why don’t I merge these two and kind of create a sort of a Gay tribute to Love Actually. Different storylines going on during the holidays and you know where everyone has their happy ending at the end MK: I loved how all the couples were intertwined.

kind of like having so much fun interacting with all of the cast – not just their particular story lines.

MK: Excellent! You added a lot of subplots from Zeke’s story, as well as the big stunner at the end – well, I won’t go into details – but you know the sudden sibling.

RW: Yeah, well, we wanted a lot of things going on and, well, especially Zeke’s storyline and the other one. It’s all about family. And that was the goal of the movie.

Let’s just have – sort of put them together – put the storylines together and see how they intertwine – like – okay, this movie is all about family and finding your family, literally or figuratively. You know, finding the family that you want for your life – whether they’re biological or not. And, you know, I think those story lines are what will kind of hit that. That’s the charm for me, writing it and creating it. And, you know, that’s what people respond to, is that topography about love and family and the message out there about trying to create your own family, if perhaps your biological family isn’t there for you. And sometimes they are there for you – so you know it was very important for us to put a very positive message out there about love and about family.

MK: Oh, and I absolutely love the Gray and Sid story and – especially the fact that they were never clothed, which I tend to see in a lot of your movies – I love the full frontal, which is fabulous, of course.

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share a bed with this man who’s been renting out your room. Very standard kind of romantic comedy set up, and those actors just kind of had a lot of fun with it. Robert Warner played Dylan – had crazy expressions and was just so much fun to edit because you know he was so expressive.

MK: And then we’ve mentioned the Laslo and Cal story and having to take in a seventeen old Zeke, who is Cal’s nephew and so that was really cool as well. My only gripe in the entire film is the fact it was just so short. It was just too short – you know seventy-five minutes. You know it could have been way more.

RW: And the thing is – well, it could have been – the thing is we were – it was a hundred page script and when we were shooting this, the actors started with such an amazing rhythm that it ended up being shorter – even though it was a hundred pages. Cal and Laslo especially – those actors – from the moment they met at the table read.

They didn’t even meet during auditions.

They met at the table read we had. And they were just like BOOM instant chemistry, bouncing off of each other and, you know, then – so that kind of like sped things up just because that’s the rhythm they fell into – and then when we were shooting, our DP, Mike, who’s amazing, let me do a lot of amazing steadicam with them, and that, you know – I just did a lot of things in one long take or just let things kind of shorten

MK: Here’s my burning question: In 2014 you did a crowdfunding campaign for the sequel to Make the Yuletide Gay. What is happening with that? Is that still gonna happen or is it dead?

RW: Well, it’s not. And this was the reason – that so many people said we want to see this – and the problem was that because that movie was our most expensive movie to make, you know, we had a lot of bigger names in that. And to do the sequel, you know, you kind of have to go bigger. And, you know, we went to our fans and we said listen, we’re gonna do a final run at this with a crowdfunding campaign, and we didn’t reach our goal. And so we had like – it’s unfortunate, because a lot of other films get a lot of money, and, you know, it’s just for whatever reason, that people will give to some, and that’s fine.

December 9, 2016

Seattle Gay News 7

Shared Rooms is available now via Wolfe Video, in the U.S. and Canada on DVD and worldwide on VOD: across all digital platforms including iTunes, Vimeo On Demand, and WolfeOnDemand.com, and also the U.S. and Canada on DVD via Wolfe Video and many major retailers.

Hear this interview and more at itsfab.podomatic.com. MK Scott is a Seattle-based blogger. Check out his site at outviewoline.com.

Sympathy for the Devil: Chatting with writer/director Anna Biller about her surrealistic feminist throwback The Love Witch

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer THE LOVE WITCH VOD and Special Screenings Anna Biller seemingly does it all. Not only is she the writer and director of the acclaimed psychologically dense, visually opulent high-gloss Hitchcockian feminist throwback The Love Witch, she was also responsible for the production design, costumes, set decoration, art direction and handled the editing duties. On top of that, she also knitted a rug featured prominently in some of her feature’s most indelible images, while at the same time working closely with her star Samantha Robinson to conceive the lead character’s signature makeup looks.

With all that being the case, calling the film a labor of love for the talented auteur feels like a massive understatement. The story of a heartsick young woman, Elaine (Robinson), who just so happens to be a witch, looking for the perfect man to love, casting a bevy of spells to bring those she’s attracted to into her embrace. Problem is, when things don’t work out, all the guys have this habit of dying in her arms, leaving the beautiful, seductive sorceress with a number of bodies to dispose of in increasingly unusual ways.

I had the opportunity to briefly chat with Biller about The Love Witch, her career, feminism, gender and what it is that inspires her. Here are some of the highlights from that conversation: Sara Michelle Fetters: Where did the ideas for The Love Witch spring from? How did all this surrealistic chaos develop?

Anna Biller: I was doing a publicity shoot for my last movie, 2007’s Viva, and I was looking at all of these romance novel covers. They were all these covers of women, nude, or in sexy lingerie, posing seductively and wearing all this makeup. I got really interested in them after that photo shoot.

I also got interested in all of the witches on some of those covers. And it really just hit me. It’s when I started getting interested in doing a movie with a sexy witch.

But what happens from there? It’s at that point I have to try and develop the character. I have to make her psychologically blossom, and I typically draw from my own interests and experiences. It was key to create a realistic character, and it was a little bit later during that development when I came up with the idea that she kills, that she kills for love, and that came out of personal revelations about how men react in relationships.

From there, I start watching other movies and I draw inspiration from them. I need to figure out how to create the world this character is going to live in. What is it going to look like? How will it feel? What will the mood be? I was also researching witchcraft, love rituals and that goes along with those things. These things were all key as far as developing the film were concerned.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Elaine is such a ferociously complex character even if all we truly know about her is this male fantasy persona she has created for herself. How do you make sure she still has layers? That the audience understands that there’s something from her past that has led her to where she is now? How do you keep her from being an elegantly coifed, magnificently made-up caricature?

Anna Biller: That’s the difficulty, isn’t it? It was hard. It started with the script.

Making sure I wrote in all of the little things she maybe lets slip in certain con-

8 Seattle Gay News

versations, or where to place some of those sudden outburst of anger. I also spent a lot of time plotting out and planning all of those little voiceovers, making sure those conversations she’s having in her head reveal what is necessary for the character to develop but no more than that.

I think there are a number of clues to what’s happened to [Elaine] sprinkled throughout. It’s all there. The pressure to continually be this male fantasy. She pushes so hard to be that fantasy, but no one can

Putting so much emphasis on looks, it’s going to kill her at some point. It’s going to make her numb. Elaine doesn’t have a core.

She lost it at someplace and all of this work to perfect her outward image isn’t going to allow her to rediscover it, if she ever had one to begin with. People who just say I’m just this image and that’s all I am, they’re fundamentally ill to begin with. There’s nothing inside.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Which makes Elaine such a fascinating counterpoint to

Anna Biller – Photo by Alex the Brown

sustain that sort of artifice forever. It’s impossible. Something terrible is obviously going to happen, but I think it’s also clear something equally terrible has happened in the past for her to be working overtime to be this way. It’s the constant female dilemma, right? Doing what she is doing, it can’t work out well. It just can’t.

Sara Michelle Fetters: And, it’s an interesting dynamic, isn’t it? You know Elaine is a strong character. You know she is intelligent. You know she could likely be whatever she wants. Yet, here she is, striving to be this plastic doll for men to fawn over.

Anna Biller: Because she’s damaged.

And I think I make that clear from the very beginning; she’s been damaged. Someone has hurt her. And, you know, when people have been damaged, even when you’re strong, even when you’re intelligent, when you’re damaged, you’re damaged, and that can lead to you making any number of bad decisions.

Elaine does have her own weaknesses, right? She’s got low self-esteem. I mean, I think any woman who puts all her work into her looks must have low self-esteem.

December 9, 2016

Trish, the woman who rents her an apartment and also becomes her friend, played so beautifully by Laura Waddell. She’s so drawn to Elaine, almost like she wants to be, or at least emulate, her, yet they couldn’t be any more different as far as their respective personalities are concerned.

Anna Biller: And, Trish shouldn’t want to be that way. She shouldn’t be judging herself against another woman like that. I’ve seen that so many times with women, [we] do that so much with each other. It’s weird.

It’s like those women who have opposite values yet have these secret fantasies of being these glamour girls. Being Barbie dolls. All kinds of women are just so obsessed, whether openly or secretly, with fashion models, movie stars and the like. And they would never admit it, yet here they are.

Not all women, of course, but more than you would think. There’s such a surprising amount that do that, it’s like they just can’t help it. Think of it this way in that, this is what you’ve been told your power is, that it comes from how you are looked at and perceived physically and sexually. If you’re

beautiful you can have anything that you want. But it doesn’t work that way. It’s a trick. It’s a terrible trick. Women who have all that beauty, they’ll find out how much power they actually have, and it’s not nearly as much as society has told us all the believe. If that’s all you’re striving for, you’re selling yourself down. You only get a certain kind of power. It’s not real.

Sara Michelle Fetters: And isn’t that what makes Trish so fascinating? I mean, at a certain point, she discovers a different kind of power that, potentially, could be much more long-lasting and concrete. Maybe.

Anna Biller: That’s what makes her so tragic, don’t you think? She finds that power and then she loses it. I mean, she’s maybe going about it all in the wrong way. And that’s horrible! Because she’s actually fine.

She’s a woman who’s never succumbed to any of society’s pressures. She’s got her head on her shoulders. She knows who she is. But then here comes Elaine and suddenly she goes there. But, that’s the idea.

Anybody can go there. It’s the fantasy. It’s wanting to be the fantasy. Problem is, it’s a fantasy that cannot be maintained.

I mean, look at Elaine. She figuratively kills herself to be desirable to these men and yet none of them are worth it.

Sara Michelle Fetters: For you, Samantha and Laura, I have to imagine this had to be a lot of fun to navigate your collective way through all this craziness.

Anna Biller: It really was. For all of us, cast and crew. For Laura, specifically, she just came up with so much on her own, I didn’t have to direct her at all. The way she goes through Elaine’s room and tries on all the wigs, plays with her makeup; she just really took her time. It was really interesting. I mean, I’d worked with Samantha a lot before we filmed but I wasn’t able to work with Laura at all and I discovered she is just this totally intuitive actress, so to watch her go through everything was often amazing and I think she felt really good about it all.

With Samantha, I had to work a lot more with her because Elaine was so complicated and she was on-screen for almost the whole time. I wanted to make sure, as you asked earlier, that we got all those layers that were part of the character, but that they would all come out of her performance, and not through lines of pointless exposition.

We needed to make sure she didn’t come across like a bimbo or a floozy.

Sara Michelle Fetters: It’s interesting to me that, while there are obviously sections that appear to be campy or over the top, the movie itself is neither of those things. That had to be a tricky balancing act, keeping people laughing with the movie, but not at the movie.

Anna Biller: Well, the movie is actually dead serious about the issues and that was important. There are ridiculous parts and absurd parts, and there are definitely sections that are a little over the top, but none of that was ever hopefully gratuitous.

And Samantha is just so great. We were trying to bring it all out of her, organically out of her performance. And Samantha is just so smart, she’s smart as a whip, and so we’d have these intellectual conversations constantly about [Elaine]. She had so many questions because she really wanted to get it right.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Samantha reminded me so much of Kim Novak in Bell, Book and Candle and Tippi Hedren in Marnie.

Anna Biller: Those were conscious things I put into the character. I wanted the viewer to make those connections so it’s great that you saw that. Especially in regards to Marnie. It’s just so whacked-out.

Celebrating 41 Years!

Sara Michelle Fetters: At the same time, Samantha still manages to make Elaine her own. It’s easy to make those comparisons yet the character is still unique unto herself.

Anna Biller: It’s amazing that she can do that, too. What’s incredible, is that Samantha is actually this very naturalistic type of actress, she makes everything real, and that’s what I so loved about her when she auditioned. Other actresses came in and did all this stilted, artificial throwback stuff, but nobody came in and played the character as a real person. Samantha did. It was just so natural to her, and it was what I wanted. I needed this certain style of performance but it still needed to feel natural and to feel real at the same time.

Because of that, we could have her slow down the dialogue and be so incredibly poised while delivering these long monologues in order to bring some of that old movie star style into it and yet the realism was still always there. She’s amazing.

Sara Michelle Fetters: I’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about the film’s style, if only just a little bit. I mean, how much homework did you do? Let’s not mince words; this movie looks amazing.

Anna Biller: I’ve been watching classic movies all my life. It’s my passion. So, years and years and years and years of homework. And, every time I watch a movie, I’m studying it. I experience so many different things every time I watch a movie.

I’m studying the design. I’m studying the lighting. I’m looking at the writing. Just trying to sift through all these different layers. How does a movie make me feel? Why does it make me feel that way?

In my short films, I really started to learn a lot through trial and error. I could see my mistakes, and I could see how I could make things better, so I learned all these hard and fast rules that’s I’ve tried to adhere to. As far as production design and art direction, there are certain things you can do and certain things you can’t do, and you just have to figure all of that out. So much is dependent on how you light things as well, which also then influences how you design the costumes. You just need to find a way for it all to come together, figure out that choreography.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Watching the film with an audience, I think my favorite reaction is when someone pulls out a cell phone for the first time.

Anna Biller: Right! I know! It’s so crazy. People are so drawn into the rear projection, and the lighting on Samantha’s face, and the sets and the costumes, it’s like they just assume it’s an old movie. But, one of the very first shots in the film we see all of these modern cars. For that matter, Trish is driving a brand new BMW. There are computers. It’s

so interesting, because the audience has seen all of that already, but for some reason none of that has registered until she pulls out that cell phone. It’s so strange.

Sara Michelle Fetters: But, hey, you made most of Elaine’s costumes yourself. And, didn’t you knit or make that big rug that’s part of one of the film’s most iconic images?

Anna Biller: I did! I hooked that big pentagram rug myself. It was just so important to me to have Elaine laying on this big pentagram, and it just didn’t feel right

to me to paint this big piece of canvas or something and throw it down on the floor.

Nobody would do that! It didn’t fit Elaine’s character. I wanted her to lie down on a pentagram, but on a carpet, that image just seemed so incredible to me. So, it was like, how do you make a rug? You have to hook it. It was like the first thing I made for the movie because I knew I wanted that shot, and the only way I was going to get it was if I made the rug myself.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Let’s talk about the cinematography. What challenges did you present to David Mullen? How do you think he did? I mean, if this was a fair and just world, and we were honestly talking about cinematography awards as if all films were on an equal playing field, he should be part of that conversation. His work here is just incredible.

Anna Biller: You’re right. He should be. He’s such a genius. I’d worked with him before on some of my short films and we have just similar tastes, and we have almost

absolutely fearless to try new things.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Got to say, if I was going to hire someone to make a Douglas Sirk-style movie now, it would have to either be Todd Haynes or you as I’m pretty certain few others could pull it off.

Anna Biller: Oh, there could probably be other filmmakers if they wanted to do it. Problem is, no one wants to work in that sort of style. But, then, a lot of filmmakers don’t know how to achieve that kind of high-gloss look. They don’t know that it comes down to lightning. When I interview DPs and I ask about this sort of lighting, they always want to change the subject. When they change the subject, I know they don’t know what they’re doing or how to pull this sort of look off. I want to talk about the lighting and they want to talk about the lensing. They just don’t get it.

Dennis, he is so smart. He’d bring to set a bunch of his grandmother’s old silk stockings in order to create some of those amazing lighting effects. He’d put Vaseline on

LOVE WITCH

is completely unafraid of pushing as many buttons as it can, holding a spotlight up to society’s assessment of the feminine mystique only to menacingly twist it all right on top of its majestically coifed head.

Is Elaine a villain? Is she a hero? Or is she a victim of society’s obsession with beauty and gender stereotypes? There aren’t any easy answers, at least, not any that Biller cares to answer. Instead, she offers up scenarios and situations that continually blur the line. Elaine is a serial killer, there’s no denying that, but the twisted pains and complicated circumstances that made her that way are hinted at throughout.

While the movie never forgives her actions, it does ask the viewer to understand them, creating an uncomfortable sense of mystery where right and wrong no longer apply.

This aura of moral imbalance is centered around Trish (Laura Waddell), a somewhat stereotypical girl-next-door who ends up becoming Elaine’s first new friend when she arrives in San Francisco. Like everyone else, she’s initially hypnotized by the vibrant, go-getting young woman, slightly embarrassed with how openly she is willing to talk about sex, love and all

sorts of matters of the heart. It’s easy for her to get swept along for the ride, but when the point comes where Elaine realizes how far the artifice extends and just how terrifically damaged her new girlfriend actually might be, the shock she feels is ruinous. Affection turns to horror, the idea that a fellow woman could damage herself so completely just to a please a man a shock to her system yet, in some ways even more terrifying, it is also an idea she can understand and relate to at the exact same time.

Biller, an old Hollywood aficionado whose love for all things Hitchcock, Sirk, Wilder and all the rest seemingly knows no bounds, has imagined a world that is retro and modern, both seemingly at once, and as such creates a lushly unsettling visual landscape that had me questioning what was going on right from the very beginning of the film. Echoes of Bell, Book and Candle, Arsenic and Old Lace, Marnie, Vertigo, Written on the Wind and even The Vampire Lovers abound, while a brazenly sexual streak reminiscent of The Wicker Man can be felt throbbing throughout. She’s littered the movie with bright pinks and comforting blues, every

color under the sun popping with a jovial electricity that’s positively shocking.

But, much like Elaine herself, her makeup always on point, her hair perfect, her clothes dripping in womanly élan, it’s all an act, a bittersweet façade that’s been manufactured to excite the gaze and misdirect from the actual central goings on taking place right there in plain sight. Much like Robinson’s sublime performance (think Kim Novak by way of Tippi Hedren and Lauren Bacall), the trickery is by design, the brutal nature of why things are the way they frustratingly are the reasons the character turns to homicide in order to find what she believes might be the perfect soul mate.

I really don’t want to say more. Biller’s movie is a royal, devilishly nasty treat that is as magical as it is potent, the potion the filmmaker has whipped up for all of us to drink going down as smoothly as an expertly mixed cocktail with a tiny pink umbrella, only here the secret ingredient is cyanide, not grenadine. There’s nothing like The Love Witch, and that’s a good thing, for if there were, I seriously doubt I’d be as captivated with this marvelous bit of murderous whimsy as I most assuredly am.

December 9, 2016

Seattle Gay News 9

continued from cover achieving it no matter the cost. Problem is, she’s spent so much time transforming herself into what she believes is the masculine version of the porcelain doll ideal that she’s lost sight of the line that exists between right and wrong. While her spells bring men her way, once she has them, Elaine quickly realizes they aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, and the only way to make sure they don’t keep mindlessly pursuing her is to make certain they’re placed a good six-feet underneath the ground where they can’t do any harm.

Shot on 35mm, made with retro 1960s Technicolor purity, writer/director Anna Biller’s The Love Witch is a feat of technical wizardry, its production design, costumes, art direction and especially cinematography beyond reproach. But it is the cunning intelligence of the script, its dark, complexly feminist mechanics, that make the movie sing. Biller has composed an eviscerating black comedy that pulls zero punches and

the exact same vision because we watch a lot of the exact same films.

I’ve had lots of clashes with DPs [Directors of Photography] over the years because I always want this style of lighting and some people just don’t get it. I’ve almost had to become a DP, because I’ve had to learn all the terminology in order to get the look that I want, and it allows me to not totally stress out if somebody doesn’t know all that I feel like they should. And that’s what makes David so amazing. He knows it all. There’s no language barrier and he’s

Elaine (Samantha Robinson) in The Love Witch – Photo courtesy of thelovewitch.oscilloscope.net

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the lens. He’d do all these amazing things.

He’d use black tape to create a windowpane shadow. All this stuff I’d never have thought of! It’s just so great.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Do you think people, when they watch the movie, take the time to listen to all it is you are trying to say?

About romance. About gender. About gender relations. About all of these different themes and ideas that populate this film. Do you worry that it all might be coming at them in a way that they are maybe not quite ready for?

Anna Biller: I don’t know. It’s hard to say. What I’ve noticed is that women are picking up on it all. They get it. They get it right away. What I’ve noticed with men is, if their desire is involved, they actually can’t seem to see anything else. They’re blind. If they’re aroused at all? That’s it.

They end up missing the point. It’s like a debased movie because it arouses their lust, which is so funny, and also part of the point, don’t you think?

Sara Michelle Fetters: Is it unfair to say Elaine is villain? Would it be more unfair to say she is a hero? Can she be a little bit of both?

Anna Biller: I don’t think of her as a hero or a villain. She’s not a hero because she’s really, really shitty to an awful lot of people. She’s really terrible to Trish. She ruins her life. So she’s not a hero.

But is she a villain? Well, she kind of is for that stuff, I guess, but she’s also a victim, a victim of the patriarchal world she lives in. So, in that way, Elaine is just like a regular person. There are things to admire about her even if she is deeply, deeply flawed. She’s really kind of everywoman, which might sound odd considering she’s such an odd character. You can understand her impulses. You can sympathize with her.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Next Halloween, if there are people running around in Elaine costumes, will that bring a smile to your face?

Anna Biller: It already happened! I had people sending me emails and pictures, asking me if they got their makeup right. It was pretty great. Surreal, but great.

Sara Michelle Fetters: At the end of the day, what do you hope people are talking about when they exit the theatre?

Anna Biller: All I can really hope for is that people are entertained. I don’t expect much more than that. You can’t tell people how they are supposed to feel. What some people do when they watch the movie is they project themselves into it, and I think that’s neat. I think that’s what people should be doing. You make a movie, once it gets out there, it’s no longer about me, it’s about the viewer. It has to be able to take whatever it gets from them. That’s how it is. That’s also how it should be.

10 Seattle Gay News

December 9, 2016

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December 9, 2016

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14 Seattle Gay News

December 9, 2016

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Seattle Gay News 15

GOLDEN GLOBES: LGBT-themed film Moonlight and TV’s “Westworld” are strong contenders for nominations

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer We’ll take one giant step closer to finding out who’ll be contending for Oscars when nominations for the 74th Golden Globes are announced on December 12.

While the winners don’t always align between the two biggest film awards, many of the nominees crossover from the Globes to the Academy Awards.

Among the contenders this year is the highly acclaimed drama Moonlight, which nabbed three awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics a week ago, including Best Picture, Director (Barry Jenkins) and Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali). It should receive nominations in each of those categories on Monday morning, as well as a spot amongst the best screenplays, also written by Jenkins. The movie, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in September, tells the heartbreaking story of an African-American boy discovering his sexuality while facing the harsh realities of the dysfunctional world around him.

On a scale from 1 to 100, the film has received a 98% average by film critics across the country on the movie review website Rotten Tomatoes.

Uniquely, the Golden Globes splits eligible films into the Drama and Musical or Comedy categories for Best Motion Picture, Leading Actor and Actress, unlike the Oscars where everything and every-

Image courtesy of hbocanada.com

body goes head-to-head.

Moonlight has obviously been placed in the Drama field, where its toughest competition is the Casey Affleck-starring movie Manchester by the Sea, already winning accolades from the National Board of Review (Best Film, Actor, Screenplay) and New York Film Critics Circle (Best Actor, Screenplay, Supporting Actress). Another strong contender is Fences, featuring the Supporting Actress-Oscar frontrunner Viola Davis and two-time Academy Award champ Denzel Washington. Hacksaw Ridge, Lion, Hidden Figures, Arrival, Silence, Jackie, Loving and Snowden are other potential nominees.

From the Musical or Comedy field, Damien Chazelle’s original musical La La Land is the heavy favorite going into the nominations, selected last week as Best Picture by the New York Film Critics Circle. It stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling as an aspiring actress and musician who fall in love in Los Angeles.

American Honey, Florence Foster Jenkins, The Lobster, 20th Century Women, Deadpool and Hail, Caesar! are the most likely to join La La Land for Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy.

The Golden Globes also hand out awards for television and usually lean towards newer programs, which is why

you’ll probably see freshman shows such as “Westworld,” “The Crown,” “Stranger Things,” “This is Us,” “Goliath” and “Superstore” vying for the top TV prizes; however, established drama and comedy series, from the LGBT-themed “Transparent” to mega popular “Game of Thrones” will probably be included as well. Speaking of “Transparent,” two-time Emmy winner Jeffrey Tambor should make the cut for his continued excellent portrayal of an older transgender woman, while the show itself is close to a lock for a Comedy Series nod.

Evan Rachel Wood (“Westworld”), Sarah Paulson (“The People vs. OJ Simpson,” “American Horror Story: Roanoke”), Tituss Burgess (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), Denis O’Hare (“American Horror Story: Roanoke”) and Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) are some of the LGBT actors who could be nominated this year.

Of Northwest interest, the quirky film Captain Fantastic starring possible Best Actor-Drama nominee Viggo Mortensen was filmed throughout Western Washington, including Camp Korey in Carnation, Pack Forest, Index Time Hall, Fall City Roadhouse, Artist Point and the cliffs by Deception Pass.

The Golden Globe nominations will be announced Monday, December 12. The ceremony is scheduled for January 8 in Beverly Hills, California.

Office Christmas Party a seasonally dysfunctional comedy

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY Now playing Their office in danger of being closed, Chicago Zentek President Clay Vanstone (T.J. Miller) stumbles upon a crazy idea to save his employees from the unemployment line. His sister Carol (Jennifer Aniston) is in the running to be new corporate CEO, and she’s given her brother a promise that if he can secure a multimillion dollar deal with tech company executive Walter Davis (Courtney B. Vance) by the end of the week she won’t close his branch. Turns out, he’s an old school businessman who misses the days when companies took care of their employees, throwing lavish holiday parties to celebrate their appreciation for all they do during the calendar year.

With the help of his trusted V.P. Josh Parker (Jason Bateman) and programming genius Tracey Hughes (Olivia Munn), Clay plans to throw the party to end all parties, promising his employees that, not only will he save their jobs, they’ll also get their yearend bonuses. With Walter as their guest of honor, this trio goes above and beyond to show him a good time, the carnage and chaos they inadvertently unleash upon the downtown business core likely to go down in Chicago history right alongside Mrs. O’Leary’s cow.

There is nothing subtle about Josh Gordon and Will Speck’s (Blades of Glory, The Switch) raucous, unhinged comedy Office Christmas Party. With a cast featuring Bateman, Miller, Munn, Aniston, Kate McKinnon, Jillian Bell and Rob Corddry, just to name a scant few, I’m not sure anyone would believe it if things had turned out otherwise as this isn’t exactly the group of actors that get assembled if you’re inter-

16 Seattle Gay News

Scene from Office Christmas Party – Photo courtesy of moviefone.com

ested in producing a tragic melodrama.

Granted, part of me thinks it would be kind of cool if that were the case, but that’s a discussion for another day. As far as this particular film goes, it’s absolutely crackers, things spiraling out of control in much the same way as early-to-mid 1980s comedies like Bachelor Party, Risky Business or Revenge of the Nerds did. It’s uncouth and obnoxious, pushing things as far as it can, going bigger and bigger but always with some sort of somewhat saccharine, sweetly moralistic message lurking obviously at its core. Funny? Yes. Consistently so? Not really, at least not to me, but considering how subjective comedies are, how general audiences will feel I haven’t the first clue.

McKinnon, as the office’s head of human resources, steals the show, her series

December 9, 2016

of pithy asides, head bobs, smirks, dance moves and oddly crooked gestures so continuously hysterical it’s almost like she’s on a different level than every other single member of the film’s remarkably talented cast. Much like she did with Ghostbusters, this dynamo of comic electricity enlivens every moment, and whether it’s talking about her collection of pet parrots, joining Corddry on the dance floor or talking about which donuts are allowed in the morning (and which are unacceptable) her genius is unparalleled.

As for the rest of the actors, most of them are in decent form even if they aren’t necessarily doing a single thing we haven’t seen from them before. Miller is a kinder, gentler version of his “Silicon Valley” persona, Bateman and Aniston are channeling

Horrible Bosses, Munn a combination of her acerbic nerd fantasy woman familiar to fans of “Attack of the Show” and “The Newsroom,” while Bell and Corddry are, well, Bell and Corddry. Mostly this is a plus, especially as it pertains to Miller and Munn. Sometimes it’s status quo, Bateman, Aniston and Bell appealing, but not really stretching themselves in any discernible way. As for Corddry, his shtick is growing tiresome, and while he isn’t exactly around that much, he is just enough that he grated on my nerves something fierce.

It should be noted that, even with six credited writers working on the project (including directors Gordon and Speck), there is only the thinnest of scenarios at play, and for much of the film’s running time whether they were actually allowed to or not it feels as if the cast is improvising like mad. The freewheeling nature can be amazing, but it can also be messy and unfocused, things happening for no real reason other than to reach an end point where everything is resolved and the audience is left happy. If the film could have been tighter, if the fat could have been cut, it’s likely I’d have left the theatre happy. As it is, there’s so much stuff that flies this way and that the ungainly nature gets tiresome, making enjoying things start to finish difficult.

Still, when it is funny, Office Christmas Party can be a hoot, and it’s always nice to see firebrands like McKinnon getting an opportunity to strut their stuff so magnificently. But Gordon and Speck can’t hold it all together, things spiraling in so many different directions their bits of emotional pabulum that they toss in willy-nilly throughout fall achingly flat. It’s seasonally dysfunctional in ways that cannot be overcome, and while I laughed, I did not laugh enough to make sitting through the film as a whole worthwhile.

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the legendary George Dupont (Sam Waterston). He’s taught his protégé well, revealing pretty much all his tricks, Miss Sloane inventing a number of new ones herself as she does whatever it takes to make sure the will of her clients is heard in every corner and backroom of Capitol Hill.

But when the gun lobby comes calling to make sure new legislation never sees the light of day, Miss Sloane surprisingly refuses to assist them in their cause. Instead, for reasons entirely her own, she leaves Dupont to run off and join an upstart firm headed by Rodolfo Schmidt (Mark Strong).

They’re working the opposite side of the case and Miss Sloane wants to lead that charge. Taking his team in hand, she starts instructing these well-meaning neophytes in how to do battle in the down and dirty world of American politics, putting all she holds dear in jeopardy and risking past indiscretions are thrust into the light of day by going against the gun lobby.

If nothing else, Miss Sloane couldn’t be getting a more timely release. The political thriller is hitting theatres after a string of mass shootings have left people shocked and stunned leading to countless arguments about gun restrictions yet have also produced exactly zero new laws on the issue to make their way through Congress. It also comes in the wake of one of the more

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controversial and contentious presidential election in U.S. history, one of the central issues heard over and over during the campaign being the power of lobbyists and how best to curb their influence.

As such, Oscar-winning director John Madden (Shakespeare in Love) and firsttime screenwriter Jonathan Perera have set themselves an incredibly high bar to leap over, assembling a cast of Hollywood character actor heavyweights, both veteran and newbie, to help them do it. In addition to Chastain, Waterston and Strong, the film features Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michael Stuhlbarg, John Lithgow, Alison Pill, Dylan Baker, Jake Lacy, Douglas Smith and Ennis Esmer in key supporting roles, all of them more than up to the task that’s been put in front of them.

Compelling, hard-hitting and refusing to compromise, the film is a jolt of electricity right from the start, Madden diving into the lobbying world with a rabid relish that’s downright startling. The first half hour or so rushes by in the blink of the eye, the script doing a marvelous job of fleshing out the key elements of its titular character’s core traits with bracing efficiency. Elizabeth Sloane is a smart, tenacious woman who bows to no one, willing to stomp over all who get in her path as victory is ultimately the only thing that matters to her.

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mated the moment she walks into a room.

But Madden finds the sense of urgency he and Perera so breathlessly establish in the first act difficult to maintain, and during the middle section of the picture things do stall out from time to time, the filmmakers digging so deeply into the lobbying minutia I found it hard to stay emotionally involved in what was going on. When Miss Sloane makes the jump to the new firm a lot of time is spent having her interact with her new, highly inexperienced team, and as good as the cast might be a lot of this stuff is too overly familiar and obvious to intimately resonate.

Thankfully, the core of the story is just too strong for things to ever go off the rails.

Additionally, the introduction of MbathaRaw is aces, her character a key figure in Miss Sloane’s plans to take down the gun lobby, their emotionally complicated interactions becoming the core component around which much of the main storyline revolves. I’m being purposefully vague because, while it’s not much of a spoiler to talk about what happens between the two women, personally I was so overjoyed by their scenes together I just don’t want to risk revealing anything about what happens no matter how minor. Seeing Mbatha-Raw and Chastain share the screen is virtual perfection, the two hugely talented actresses displaying a transfixing chemistry that’s undeniably awesome and painfully authentic.

Speaking of awesome, I can’t think of a better adjective to describe what Chastain

accomplishes as Elizabeth Sloane. The fiery actress is every bit as amazing as she has ever been, and this includes her Oscarnominated turns in The Help and Zero Dark Thirty. The key component to Miss Sloane has to do with why she turns down working for the gun lobby and instead chooses to battle against them, Chastain doing a superb job of making it obvious to the observant viewer why she makes this decision. The multifaceted mechanics of the performance are just astonishing, and even when the movie stumbles or loses its way the actress keeps the engine running relatively smoothly thanks in large part to her mesmerizing genius.

As sharp as the script’s teeth might be, I can’t say I was all that surprised about where things ended up. To Madden and Perera’s mutual credit, both are more than willing to rip at the jugular, taking things to places that are as uncomfortable as they are absorbing. But the pair are also captives of the genre dynamics which they have chosen to utilize; and while both are doing their best Sidney Lumet and Paddy Chayefsky impersonations that doesn’t mean their motion picture has the power, grace or authority of something like Network or The Hospital. But Miss Sloane tells a story that feels like it was ripped right out of yesterday’s headlines, that coupled with Chastain’s magnificence helping make the film a gripping spellbinder worth seeking out.

December 9, 2016

Seattle Gay News 17

Meetings Events Activities

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

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

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

community calendar

SATURDAY - December 10

A Gathering of Men in Edmonds. 8:15-11:30am. Edmonds UUC, 8109 224th St SW, Edmonds. Meets 2nd Saturday each month. Men gather monthly for drumming, singing, storytelling & sharing of life experience. www.agatheringofmen.org 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.

Yoga With Andrew Conner. 9:30-11am. Amor Spiritual Center, 2528 Beacon Ave, Suite B. Meets every Saturday. A love offering is suggested but no one will be turned away.

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.

Seattle Men’s Chorus “Silver & Soul” (12/10 & 12/11).

3pm & 7:30pm, Rialto Theatre, Tacoma. seattlechoruses. org; 388-1400.

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

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

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

For more information visit www.rainbowbridgeclub.org or email rainbowbridgeclub@gmail.com Gay Gay City Arts Presents “Gay Witch”: (12/812/11). 7pm. Gay City Calamus Auditorium, 517 E Pike St. A multi-arts showcase of intersectional Queer magic.

A celebration, a remedy, an invocation & an altar to lift up resilience, rage & love. Tickets: $15-$20 general admission, $12 students & seniors. Limited free radical hospitality tickets available on a first come, first served basis. www.gaycity.org Seattle Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert - “Silver & Soul.” 3pm & 7:30pm. Rialto Theatre, Tacoma. seattlechoruses.org; 388-1400.

Pictures With Santa. 8pm-12midnight. The Cuff Complex, 1533 13th Ave. SML’s annual holiday event allows you to get an individual or family portrait with a hunky Santa, his elves & reindeer. Portraits are professionally printed & distributed immediately following the photoshoot. Suggested donation $10 per print. All proceeds go the SML’s charity for the year, Seattle Area Support Groups (SASG). www.seattlemeninleather.org

SUNDAY - December 11

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 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.

Lotus Sisters Guided Meditation. 11am-1:30pm.

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

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.)

Just for Today. 12-1:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Sunday. Drop-in 12-step (Narcotics Anonymous) group open to anyone in recovery. 3222437; www.sasgcc.org Paths to Recovery Al-Anon Family Group. 12-1:30pm.

Seattle University Student Center, 901 12th Ave, Room 122. Every Sunday. LGBTQ supported. The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives & friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength & hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness & that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Greater Seattle AIS 24-hour number 625-0000; www.seattle-al-anon.org Rain City Soccer Club - Ripple Effect. Sunday afternoon. Location varies. Ripple Effect soccer team plays

18 Seattle Gay News

December 10 thru December 18 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 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 - December 13

an almost weekly recreational scrimmage game for LGBTQ players in Seattle. Perfect for individuals looking for more relaxed play, who are just getting back into soccer, just learning the game and/or want to supplement their competitive play with a recreational team. To sign up visit www.raincitysoccer.org Orca Swim Team Workout. Sun: Afternoon; Mon/Weds/ Fri: Evenings. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. Every Sun, Mon, Wed & Fri. Pre-registration required. Orca Swim Team workouts are for both competitive & recreational swimmers. www. orcaswimteam.org LGBTQ Right Post-Election: Protecting Ourselves & Our Community. Doors 4:30pm, Program 5-7pm.

Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave. Learn more about what you can do to protect your rights after the election & how our community’s legal & advocacy organizations can help.

Lawyers & community leaders will present information about a wide range of legal issues impacting community members & will be available to answer your questions. q-law.org/event-2397046 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 Ski Buddies Monthly Potluck. 6-8:30pm. Meets 1st or 2nd Sunday each month (Oct-Feb). Come & hear about all the great ski trips & winter activities Ski Buddies has planned. Whether you snow board, downhill, cross-country, or telemark, there are trips & events for you. Bring a potluck dish to share. www.skibuddies.org Crystal Meth Anonymous. 6:30pm. Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 1729 Harvard Ave. Also meets Mon @ 6:30pm, Thurs @ 6:30pm, Sat @ 10:30am. More info: crystalmeth.org.

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

Candlelight Concerts - Mozart & Chopin. 7pm. University Christian Church, 4731 15th Ave NE. Suggested donation (free will offering): $25, $20, $15; 18 & under free. candlelight.brownpapertickets.com or at the door.

Gay Gay City Arts Presents “Gay Witch”: (12/812/11). 7pm. Gay City Calamus Auditorium, 517 E Pike St. A multi-arts showcase of intersectional Queer magic.

A celebration, a remedy, an invocation & an altar to lift

December 9, 2016

up resilience, rage & love. Tickets: $15-$20 general admission, $12 students & seniors. Limited free radical hospitality tickets available on a first come, first served basis. www.gaycity.org Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s Cineoke! 6:30pm doors; 7pm show. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St. Meets 2nd Sunday each month. It’s like Karaoke - only better! You’re the star of your favorite movie musical. There are hundreds of songs to choose from, or you can bring your own special request (on DVD). $8 cover ($5 for Three Dollar Bill Cinema members). www.threedollarbillcinema.org.

Seattle Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert - “Silver & Soul.” 8pm. Benaroya Hall, 3rd Ave & University St. seattlechoruses.org; 388-1400.

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

MONDAY - December 12

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 LCS Foster Care Monthly Information Meeting.

6-8pm. 433 Minor Ave N. Meets 2nd Monday each month. LCS is a non-profit foster care program in King & Snohomish counties. Couples & singles encouraged to apply. RSVP to April at 694-5713.

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/Seattle Monthly Meeting. 7-9pm. Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave. Meets 2nd Monday each month. 206-325-7724 or info@pflagseattle.org; www.pflagseattle.org.

PFLAG/Skagit County Monthly Meeting. 7pm. Skagit Valley Food Co-op Bldg, Room 309, 202 South 1st St., Mt. Vernon. Meets 2nd Monday each month. PFLAG/

Amor Open Meditation. 5-6pm. Amor Spiritual Center, 2528 Beacon Ave, Suite B. Meets every Tuesday.

LGBTQ Questioning & Allied Youth Drop-in Group in Renton. 6-8pm. Renton Area Youth Services (RAYS), 1025 S 3rd St, Renton. Meets every Tuesday. Confidential. Snacks provided. Bring friends or come alone - anyone 12-18 is welcome. Questions? Call Sarah Hardin, 425-271-5600 ext 155, or email sarahh@rays.org Strength Over Speed. 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. FREE drop-in support group (not a 12 step) for Gay & Bi men who desire recovery from meth. For information visit www.strengthoverspeed.org. SASG 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Alzheimer’s Association’s LGBT Caregivers’ Support Group. 6:30-8pm. Elderhealth Northwest, 6555 Ravenna Ave NE (entrance on NE 68th St). Meets 2nd Tuesday each month. A free information and support group for care partners, family members and friends of individuals with dementia. For more information, contact group facilitator Caila Nickerson, 781-248-3524 (cell) or email: cailanickerson@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 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.

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 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.

No Safeword Writers Group. 7pm. Meets 2nd Tuesday each month. NSWG exists to provide mutual support for members’ efforts. Support is in the form of critique & commentary on each other’s work, information about publishing opportunities, & discussion of issues facing writers. For info & location, NSWG@sexpositive culture. org; www.nosafewordwritersgroup.org. (Also meets 4th Sunday, 1pm.)

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

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

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

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

Hand drumming classes for Gay men. Learn traditional African & Afro-Caribbean rhythms & basic hand drumming techniques. Drums are provided. For info & location call Dennis at 363-4500 or www.outdrum.com What About Me? 7:30-9pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Tuesday. Drop-in social, support & discussion group for Gay & Bi men of all ages. 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org 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 Otters Water Polo Team. 8-9:30pm. Medgar Evers Pool, 500 23rd Ave E (at E Cherry St). Every Tuesday & Thursday. GLBT & GLBT-friendly co-ed water polo team is open to all who want to play. Otter Hotline 414-8797. www.otterpolo.com.

Seattle Poetry Slam. Doors 8pm, Show 8:30pm. Rebar, 1114 Howell St. Every Tuesday. A spoken word poetry event that features a weekly open mic, feature poet, and

Celebrating 41 Years!

slam (poetry competition). Come out and express yourself. LGBTQ- & QTPOC-friendly; all genders welcome. $5. 21+. seattlepoetryslam.org

community calendar

WEDNESDAY - December 14

Mature Friends Morning Exercise/Health & Fitness Get-Together. 10am. Ballard Odd Fellows Hall Bldg, 1706 NW Market St. Every Wednesday. An hour of health-related activities, followed by a walk around Greenlake & lunch at a local restaurant. www.maturefriends.org GSBA Holiday Luncheon & Annual Meeting. 11am.

Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St. Features special guest former Governor Christine Gregoire sharing her perspective of the impact this election may have on our region. The 2016 Business & Humanitarian Awards will also be announced. Cost: GSBA members $50, non-members $60, Students $50; $5 extra for walk-ins. www.thegsba.org Mature Friends Dining Out Luncheon. 12:30pm. Call for details, location & to RSVP. Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesday most months. 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 POZ Seattle Holiday Gift Exchange & Chili Feed.

6-8:15pm. The Cuff Complex, 1533 13th Ave. If you’d like to participate in the White Elephant gift exchange, bring a fun, funny, or naughty wrapped gift ($5-$10 maximum, please) for Santa Poz to deliver & you’ll get one in exchange. www.pozseattle.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.

Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club. 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Wednesday. Discuss the best LGBT novels with other book-lovers in a safe, comfortable conversation. Come once or come every week. Check our website for this month’s book. http:// faculty.washington.edu/swittet/SGLBookClub/ SASG 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Lotus Sisters Meditation & Dharma Discussion North. 6:15-8pm. Ravenna Bryant neighborhood. Meets every Wednesday. Call 525-7295 for location. www.

LotusSisters.org.

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

Book Reading/Signing: Tartarus by Eric AndrewsKatz. 7pm. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE. This epic fantasy takes readers on an outlandish ride with thrills at every turn. Discover the inspiration for Tartarus at a book discussion and signing with author Eric Andrews-Katz. www.ericandrewskatz.com Entre Hermanos Trans Latino & Foreign-Born Support Group. 7pm. Entre Hermanos, 1105 23rd Ave. Bilingual (Spanish/English) Transsexual support group meets 2nd & 4th Wednesday each month to provide information, counseling, healthcare, sisterhood & social activities for Latino & foreign-born people in their transition. For more information contact Abby 322-7700, www. entrehermanos.org Ingersoll All-Trans Drop-In Support Group. 7-9pm.

Seattle Counseling Services, 1216 Pine St, Suite 300.

All Transgender, Gender Variant, Gender Queer, Gender Questioning, allies, family & friends are welcome. This is a drop in group to get & give support, social interaction & information for the whole Gender community. www. ingersollcenter.org An Evening with “Auntie Mame!” Reception 6:30pm, Film 7:30pm. AMC Pacific Place, 6th Ave & Pine St. Make your Yuletide Gay! Tickets: $15 general admission, $12 seniors/students, $10 Three Dollar Bill members. www.threedollarbillcinema.org Mature Friends Weekly Bridge Group. 7:30pm. Call for location. Every Wednesday. All levels welcome. MF is a social organization for Gay men & women, 40 years & over. www.maturefriends.org Orca Swim Team Workout. Evening. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday listing.)

Seattle Stand-Up - For the Record. 7:30-8pm. Parlor Live Bellevue, 3rd Floor of Lincoln Square, 700 Bellevue Way NE Ste 300. Free tickets available at SeattleStandUp.com/FTR. For more information, check out https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/ftr-live-stand-up-comedy-tapingtickets-28894493207 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.

Border Riders Motorcycle Club Meet & Greet. 8-9pm.

The Cuff Complex, 1533 13th Ave (at E Pine St). Meets the Wednesday before the 3rd Saturday each month.

BRMC provides a social & educational fraternity for individuals interested in recreational motorcycle touring. www.borderriders.com

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

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

Strength Over Speed. 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. FREE drop-in support group (not a 12-step) for Gay & Bi men who desire recovery from meth. www.strengthoverspeed.org. SASG 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org All-Star Women Jam. 7pm. Spinnaker Bay Brewing, 5718 Rainier Ave S (at S Orcas St). Featuring All-Star women artists - 1st Friday feature; 3rd Friday jam. Great food trucks & great beer. spinnakerbaybrewing.com, bluestodo.com First Fridays in Yakima. 7-9pm. 223 N 1st St, Yakima.

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

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

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

LGBT Friday Night Al-Anon Family Group. 7:45pm.

Seattle Counseling Service, Rainbow Room, 1216 Pine St at Melrose Ave. Every Friday. (See related listing Sunday at noon for complete details.) Greater Seattle AIS 24-hour number 625-0000; www.seattle-al-anon.org 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

SATURDAY - December 17

THURSDAY - December 15

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.

Seattle LGBTQ Employees for Equality (SEqual).

12noon. Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave, Room 4070. Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month. Open to the public.

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

Q Hour. 4:30-5:30pm. Orion Center, 1828 Yale Ave. 1st & 3rd Thursday each month. A group for LGBTQ youth 13-21 & their allies. Sponsored by Youthcare. FREE. 622-5555 x 212.

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

(425) 747-4937.

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

Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities. 6:308:30pm. Municipal Bldg, 600 4th Ave, Room 221. Meets 3rd Thursday each month. SCSM is made up of 15 volunteer members who work to ensure that the City of Seattle fairly & equitably addresses sexual minority concerns. Meetings open to the public. 684-4514.

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 GLBT Legal Clinic. 7-9pm. Meets the 3rd Thursday each month. QLaw Foundation holds a monthly legal

Visit us online www.sgn.org

(See previous Saturday for ongoing activities.)

Lambert House Queer Rec. 1pm. 1818 15th Ave. 3rd Saturday each month. Outdoor & indoor adventures for youth ages 22 & under. www.lamberthouse.org Mature Friends Christmas Lunch. 11:30am-no host bar; 1:15pm-lunch. Robb’s 125th Bar & Grill, 12255 Aurora Ave N. RSVP and check payment required by Tuesday 12/13. Questions and to RSVP, call Jim at 324-1008.

Seattle Prime Timers Annual Holiday Party & Meetclinic addressing the legal needs of LGBT individuals & ing. 2pm. The Old Spaghetti Factory, 2801 Elliott couples. Volunteer attorneys provide FREE 30-minute Ave. Members FREE, guests $20. RSVP to Gregory consultations. For information and to schedule an ap- Loomis, 206-789-6778, gregoryloomis@msn.com by pointment, call 235-7235. Clinic volunteers return calls Friday 12/16. on Tuesdays between 12noon-3pm. For information, Seattle Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert - “Silver & visit www.q-law.org/legalclinic Soul.” 8pm. Everett Civic Auditorium. seattlechoruses.

Rainbow Duplicate Bridge. 7pm. Bus-accessible org; 388-1400.

Central Area location. Every Thursday. (See Saturday SUNDAY - December 18 listing at 6pm.)

Bottom Dwellers Scuba Club Monthly Potluck & (See previous Sunday for ongoing activities.)

Meeting. 7pm. Meets 3rd Thursday each month. Bot- Baha’i Prayer & Fellowship Circle. 10am. Pearl Wartom Dwellers promotes safe & responsible scuba diving ren Bldg, 606 12th Ave S. Meets the 3rd Sunday each & other outdoor activities for the GLBT community & month. Share prayers, readings, thoughts & music. All friends at all experience levels. For info & location, www. backgrounds, all faiths welcome. 391-2188. bottomdwellers.org.

Ethyl Forever Car Club, Pacific NW Region Lambda PFLAG Bellevue/Eastside Monthly Meeting. 7-9pm. Car Club Monthly Tire Kick/Social. 10:30am. Randy’s First United Methodist Church, 1934 108th Ave NE, Restaurant, 10016 E Marginal Way S (south of the Bellevue. Meets 3rd Thursday each month. http://com- Museum of Flight). Meets the 3rd Sunday each month. munity.pflag.org/PFLAGBellevue. Contact us at info@ Open to all LGBTQ persons & friends who have an interbellevue-pflag.org or 425-483-6642. est in the automobile, not just collector or performance Buddhism & Recovery. 7:30-9pm. SASG, 115 15th vehicles. ethylforever@hotmail.com Ave E, Suite 201. Every Thursday. A meditation/recovery Seattle Prime Timers Rap Group. 1:30pm. SASG, 115 group. 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Subject: The gift of resilience in Gay Fathers Association of Seattle. 7:30-9pm. Group the face of adversity. Metro routes 8, 10, 12, 49 & 60.

Health, 201 16th Ave E, Central Bldg, Lower Atrium. The meeting is open to all members of the community Every Thursday. Support meetings for Gay fathers & and the public in general.

Gay men who are currently or previously married. www. Seattle Poly Potluck & Discussion Group. 5-8pm. gfas.org or our message board at http://groups.yahoo. Center for Sex Positive Culture (Main Space), 602 15th com/groups/gayfathersseattle Ave W. Meets 3rd Sunday each month. For people Gay Male Sexuality & Relationships. 7:30-9pm. interested in polyamorous, open, and ethically nonSASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Thursday. A monogamous relationships. $5 donation; please bring discussion group that is strictly focused on sexual top- a potluck dish. This event is open to the public. Look for ics and relationship issues related to being a Gay male. us on Facebook or Meetup.

322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Candlelight Concerts - Festive Baroque. 7pm. UniAmor Chorale Rehearsal. 8-9pm. Amor Spiritual Cen- versity Christian Church, 4731 15th Ave NE. Suggested ter, 2528 Beacon Ave, Suite B. Meets every Thursday. donation (free will offering): $25, $20, $15; 18 & under Calling all sopranos, altos, tenors & basses. The Amor free. candlelight.brownpapertickets.com or at the door.

Spiritual Center currently has openings for singers in Seattle Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert - “Silver & its Chorale group.

Soul.” 8pm. Benaroya Hall, 3rd Ave & University St. Debauchery. Doors 7:30pm, Show 8pm. Neighbours seattlechoruses.org; 388-1400.

Nightclub, 1509 Broadway. Queers stripping for Queers COMMUNITY RESOURCES in a hot, anti-oppressive space, raising money for organizations that serve the Queer community. Tickets: $10 Allyship - an organization of LGBTQ individuals fighting in advance; $15 at the door. www.lilydivine.com for economic and social justice. www.LGBTQ Allyship.

Seattle Otters Water Polo Team. 8-9:30pm. Medgar org, allyship@yahoo.com, 279-8169.

Evers Pool, 500 23rd Ave E (at E Cherry St). Every American Veterans for Equal Rights - www.aver.us Tuesday & Thursday. (See Tuesday listing at 8pm.)

Another Gay Social Club! - www.meetup.com/AnotherFRIDAY - December 16 Gay-Social-Club/

December 9, 2016

Seattle Gay News 19

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 Capitol Hill Alano Club - www.chacseattle.org Central Washington University GALA Hotline: (509) 963-1994.

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

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

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

GLSEN/WA - Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network - 330-2099; www.glsenwa.org Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) - 3639188; www.thegsba.org HIV/AIDS Program, Seattle/King County Dept of Public Health, provides confidential/anonymous information about & testing for HIV/AIDS. 205-7837. 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; LGBTMS Connection@gmail.com. Support group for LGBT persons with MS and their partners and their caregivers.

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

MUSIC: Diverse Harmony: www.diverseharmony.org; Rainbow City Band: 1-866-841-9139 ext 2126; rainbowcityband@onebox.com; www.rainbowcity band.com; Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus: 388-1408, 323-0750. www.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. www.outandequal.org/affiliates/seattle PARENTHOOD: Families Like Ours provides a gateway for LGBT families interested in adoption & provides a network of safe placement agencies, training, support & resources: 441-7602, www.familieslikeours. org; Family Works offers support, information & activities for LGBT families: 694-6727, www.familyworksseattle. org; Gay Fathers’ Association of Seattle offers support groups & social activities: www.gfas. org; Proud & Loud Families - Northwest, www.meetup.com/proudand-loud-families-northwest, plfnorthwest@aol.com; Queer Parent Networking Dinners: 568-7777, info@ nwnetwork.org; Rainbow Families of Puget Sound: www.rainbowfamiliesps.org PFLAG is the national organization for parents, families, allies, and LGBTQ people united for equality with chapters in Seattle, Bellevue/Eastside, the Puget Sound region and across Washington state. PFLAG Seattle: 206-325-7724, info@pflagseattle.org, and www.pflag seattle.org; PFLAG Bellevue/Eastside: 425-4836642, info@bellevue-pflag.org, http://community.pflag. org/PFLAGBellevue; PFLAG Pacific Northwest: www.pnwpflag.org; PFLAG Washington state: www.

20 Seattle Gay News

community calendar

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; Nubian Pride Productions, nubianpride@ gmail.com; People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN) offers rapid HIV testing, M-F, 10am-5pm, 322-7061, www.pocaan.org and on Facebook; Seattle Two Spirit, SeattleTwoSpirit@ hotmail.com; Sistah 2 Sistah, LBT women of African descent, 322-7061, 2558951; Sistah Sinema, www.sistahsinema.com, info@ sistahsinema.com; Trikone-Northwest, GLBT South Asians, (425) 985-4376, www.trikonenw.org; Two-Spirit Honor Project, 1-866-685-0164; U.T.O.P.I.A. Seattle.

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

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

Call 323-LGBT Mon-Fri 2-8pm; Sat 2-5pm. At other times leave voice mail and your call will be returned.

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 Commission for Sexual Minorities - 684-4503.

December 9, 2016

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

Seattle Out & Proud - 206-322-9561; www.seattle pride.org Seattle 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.

Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea) - www.facebook. com/socialoutreachseattle South Sound Q Calendar - LGBTQ events in Tacoma, Olympia & Sound Puget Sound area; www.South SoundQCal.com Spokane/Inland Northwest - www.outspokane.com; www.stonewallnews.net SPORTS & RECREATION: Bent Car Guys: www. bentcarguys.org; Border Riders Motorcycle Club: www.borderriders.com; Bottom Dwellers Scuba Club: www.bottomdwellers.org; Capitol Hill Cyclers: join their Facebook group or email capitolhillcycling@ groups.facebook.com or jordan.l.simonson@gmail.com; Cascade Flyers: www.cascadeflyers.org; Different Spokes Bicycling Club: www.differentspokes.org; Emerald City Mudhen Rugby: www.mudhenrugby. com; Emerald City Softball Association: www.emeraldcitysoftball.org, www.eteamz.com/womensecsa; Ethyl Forever Car Club: ethylforever@hotmail.com; 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.seattlefront runners.org; Seattle Gay Basketball Association: www.seattlegaybasketballassociation. com; Seattle Orca Swim Team: www.orcaswimteam. org; Seattle Otters Water Polo: www.otterpolo.com; Seattle Quake Rugby: www.quakerugby.com; Seattle Tennis Alliance: www.seattletennisalliance.org; Seattle Unified Bowling Association (SUBA): magee98106@ aol.com, www.teamseattle.org/bowling.htm, www. theprideleague. com, Century 21 League; Seattle Volleyball Club: www.seattlevolleyballclub.com; Ski Buddies: www. skibuddies.org; Team Seattle Gay Sports Network is an umbrella organization for a wide range of local GLBT sports activities, 367-4064, www. teamseattle.org (see website for comprehensive list of sports clubs); Triangle Recreation Camp at Bender Creek: recreational camping for GLBT folks. Must be 21; ID required. trc@camptrc.org, www.camptrc.org, 1122 E Pike St #1069, Seattle 98122-3934.

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

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

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

Celebrating 41 Years!

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

RESTAURANTS & BARS

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

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

GLSEN ONYX LEATHER • SEAMEC • STOUT • PURR

• POCO WINE ROOM

• THE CUFF COMPLEX • GNOCCHI BAR

• UNICORN • POST OPTIONS •WILDROSE • HOT HOUSE

E. PINE ST.

ON

E.

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

RETAIL SHOPS

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

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

EVERETT

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

KENT

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

December 9, 2016

IS AD

ST.

M

• DOGHOUSE LEATHERS

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

BELLINGHAM

Visit us online www.sgn.org

• THE GASLIGHT INN

E. OLIVE ST.

E. UNION ST.

SEATTLE

• RUCKUS

E. UNION ST.

LA CONNER

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 URBAN ONION 116 Legion Way - (360) 943-9242

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

SPOKANE

ANDY’S 1401 W. 1st Ave. - (509) 747 - 0304 IRV’S (Drag Shows) 415 W. Sprague Ave. - (509) 624 - 4450 NYNE BAR AND BISTRO 232 W. Sprague Ave. - (509) 474 -1621 SPOTLIGHT LOUNGE 321 W. Sprague Ave. - (509) 624 - 0722

TACOMA

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

TUKWILA

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

WENATCHEE

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

Seattle Gay News 21

22 Seattle Gay News

December 9, 2016

Celebrating 41 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

December 9, 2016

Seattle Gay News 23

24 Seattle Gay News

December 9, 2016

Celebrating 41 Years!