SGN February 15, 2013 - Section 2

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Seattle Gay News

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Issue 07, Volume 41, February 15, 2013

by Chris Azzopardi SGN Contributing Writer

Kevin Thomas Garcia

Sandra Bernhard has never been one to mince words. The saucy comedian – who’s been performing her audacious standup since the ’70s – wasn’t about to change her ways during our interview, where she says Gay people need to get over Jodie Foster’s emotional coming-out (or whatever it was) and explains why she’ll never do a reality TV show. Chris Azzopardi: In a review for your current show, The New York Times says the “meanness has largely evaporated.” Is that true? Sandra Bernhard: I just think it’s transformed. As an artist and performer, you constantly transform your emotions in a different way. Certainly I’m still fueled by the same things that I have always been concerned about or fascinated by, but you just can’t stay locked in the same mentality your entire life. That just shows absolutely no evolution as a person. Azzopardi: So the meanness isn’t completely gone.

This is a continuation of the life story of Gaysha Starr from last week’s SGN. When we left our heroine, she had overdosed on GHB (liquid ecstasy) and alcohol, and had been taken to a hospital to be resuscitated.

RECOVERY AND CHANGE In September 2000, the same week I overdosed, I signed up to see a Gay therapist. For the first time I was honest and told him everything I am telling you now. Slowly my friendships and therapy healed me, but I wanted to act like nothing happened, so I went back to doing drag, attended af-

terhours, and partied – but stayed away from GHB. One night, sitting at a nightclub, staring at a disco ball, I decided I needed a new place to “fit in,” so I went to AA and completed 90 days sober. I didn’t have a problem with alcohol and drugs. I had a problem see gaysha page 32

see bernhard page 31

Vicci Martinez headlines anniversary concert courtesy seattle women’s chorus

photos by Nate Gowdy, Jen DeLeo, with others courtesy Gaysha Starr

by Gaysha Starr Special to the SGN

Bernhard: I don’t think I’ve ever been mean, per se. Some people who are intimidated are gonna think I’m mean or scary; other people are just gonna think I’m ballsy. In terms of being strong and forthright and saying what’s on my mind, I don’t think that’ll ever change. Azzopardi: Is writing standup now easier than it was at the beginning of your career? Bernhard: No. My material has always just come from casual conversation. It just comes to me in a very melodic way. I don’t sit down and write material that way. A lot of my ideas are off-the-cuff, and I develop them from there. Azzopardi: Of all your passions – music, comedy, politics – is there a specific one that you find most fulfilling? Bernhard: Everything is in tandem with the others. Being a mother and being in a relationship with somebody for almost 14 years is sort of my bedrock. And my dog George, who’s a rescue pup. These are all things that anchor me day to day,

by Miryam Gordon SGN A&E Writer

erful women singer/songwriters – a concert that featured rising star Vicci Martinez as the energetic CELEBRATE guest. It’s unfortunate that it was SEATTLE WOMEN’S a one-night-only opportunity, beCHORUS cause it was one of their best conFebruary 8 certs ever. The Seattle Women’s Chorus Martinez has a unique vocelebrated a 10-year milestone see swc page 30 with a knockout evening of pow-


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