Archive for February, 2009
February 28, 2009
Over at DC Comics, Batman’s much hyped, recent demise has left several of the Bat-titles with lead character vacancies. Lucky for us DC is taking the opportunity to let a certain seldom seen lesbian take the spotlight. Beginning in April, Kathy Kane AKA Batwoman, will take over as Detective Comics lead character with issue #854! Not only is DC finally giving us fans what we’ve been clamoring for since Batwoman’s reappearance in 2006, but DC has also brought on Greg Rucka to helm the series! Mr. Rucka is no stranger to Batwoman as he co-wrote her adventures back in ’06 during the 52 series! Rucka’s also no stranger to penning lesbian story-lines as he’s been showcasing Batwoman’s on-again off-again lady love, Renee Montoya (AKA The Question), most recently in Final Crisis: Revelations! J.H. Williams III is set to provide the fantabulous (as seen above) art!!! What else could a fanboy hope for? Maybe a pink bat-signal? I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
–Colossus Matos
Posted in queer art, queer comic books | Tagged batman, batwoman, dc comics, death, Greg Rucka, kathy kane, lesbian, renee montoya, the question | Leave a Comment »
February 26, 2009
It’s easy to forget about Tara Jane O’Neil. Not knocking her or anything, but the influential bands that she was in (Retsin, Rodan) are still themselves fighting for recognition, and her solo records are the sonic opposite. While Rodan and Retsin were jagged and aggressive, TJO records tend to be atmospheric, with layers of textured folk and hushed electronics. Her albums always get the critics talking, but she has never been the lady of the moment, and here I am not forgetting her. Her music is rewarding for its quiet confidence and on stage, TJO takes over–her moods dominate the crowd and linger long after her set. A Ways Away, her 5th solo record is due on May 5th on K Records, check out an mp3 from it, “Drowning,” below.
Tara Jane O’Neil-Drowning
(Via Stereogum)
Posted in queer music | Tagged k records, lesbian, music, queer, retsin, rock, rodan, solo, tara jane o'neil | Leave a Comment »
February 25, 2009
TPR has always championed About Face Theatre, the 14 year old production company whose mission is to showcase plays that deal with queer issues…as in, my DREAM theatre company–for us and about us. So it is with a worried wart on my heart that I post this call for help. It was in the Chicago Tribune this morning and shortly after I got a press release from AFT. When Bonnie Metzger inherited AFT last year, it already had some debt, and now they need to raise $300,000 in order to stay alive. I can’t express how sad this makes me, but the company is being brave by slashing its budget and postponing it next production.
“Donations can be made at http://www.aboutfacetheatre.com , by calling (773)784-8565, or by mailing a check to the theatre at 1222 W. Wilson, 2nd Floor West, Chicago, IL 60640. Currently, About Face Theatre is running its critically-acclaimed production of “Stupid Kids.” Directed by Bonnie Metzgar in collaboration with Megan Carney, the production features adult actors as well as current members and alums of About Face Youth Theatre. The Chicago Reader notes: “If this gutsy, high-energy show is a sign of what we can expect from About Face under Metzgar, the company’s future is bright.” “Stupid Kids” runs through March 8 in the Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted. Tickets are available at http://www.aboutfacetheatre.com or by calling 866-811-4111.”
About Face Theatre was created in the mid-90’s by Eric Rosen and Kyle Hall, who had a vision of creating a theatre company that would advance the national dialogue on gender and sexual identity, to create new, bold theatre (like I Am My Own Wife by Doug Wright and Clay by Matt Sax and Eric Rosen), and to create a youth theatre that serves as a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ youth and their allies to make theatre about the issues affecting them (LGBTQ youth homelessness, gay marriage, and sexual health education, to name a few). The youth theatre program tours high schools, universities and conferences both here in Chicagoland and nationally, and often serves schools in crisis that have experienced a hate crime or hazing incident.
Posted in queer art | Tagged about face theatre, budget, crisis, donation, gay theatre company, help, queer theatre | 1 Comment »
February 25, 2009
“LifeLube.org is launching a social marketing campaign directed to Chicago gay men called “How are you healthy?” Part of the multi-agency collaboration called Project CRYSP (including Howard Brown, TPAN, AFC and Center on Halsted). Maybe it’s all about eating grains and taking vitamins. Or meditating every day. Or riding your bike instead of driving. Or getting tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases. Or having a glass of red wine with dinner. Or using substances in moderation. We ask is that you send us your picture, and a short paragraph about one way in which you keep yourself healthy. We will run the your picture, your name, and your paragraph on the blog.” You can send that info to lifelube@gmail.com
Another thing Life Lube is doing is “Peter’s Pointers” a forum for Chicago’s gay men to anonymously ask a panel of medical professionals health questions. You send a question, and they email you in a little while. Obviously, they can’t diagnose a problem, but if you have no insurance (like me), then you at least get some info from real people. If your question is common, then they’ll post it on the site. Nice!
Posted in queer news | Tagged advice, ask questions, gay, gay doctor, gay men's health, health, life lube, maintain | 1 Comment »
February 24, 2009
I was laughing at how many Sean Penn-related status updates on Facebook I read after his Oscar win. And why not? His acceptance speech was pretty quotable: “I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.” BUT, what I really want to talk about Milk‘s Oscar winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black. HOT!
And for you lady lovers, a new mag is causing an NYC flare-up, a fashion-hemorrhoid if you will, with Candénast’s latest (and probably last) print-project, the magazine Love. This brand new, twice yearly last gasp is attempting to be an edgy-fashion house, and for its debut, had Beth Ditto on the cover, all nudy-kins about it. Not to piss on their efforts, but NME already did that. Anyhow, a magazine that gets Ditto’s Ta Ta’s all over fancy store windows in Manhattan is good enough for a post.
Posted in queer media | Tagged beth ditto, condenast, cover, dustin lance black, love magazine, milk, naked, oscar, sean penn | Leave a Comment »
February 23, 2009
Poonie’s Cabaret, consistently an inexpensive venue to see a variety of performance, is kept interesting and without a doubt, important, by Jyl Fehrenkamp. As curator for the last few years, she draws from her friends and colleagues to group together the edgiest performers in Chicago, both up-and-coming and veteran. This Monday March 2nd, Poonie’s and Links Hall will host an excerpt from Peter Carpenter’s evening length piece My Fellow Americans. This work will explore “the shifting identity of Ronald Reagan from the perspectives of the “special interest groups” that his rhetoric and policies consistently admonished. At stake is a targeted historical revision designed to interrogate the discrepancy between his optimistic political speeches and the negating effects his policies had on the Americans who deviated from his conception of morality.” Awarded the 2008′s Chicago Dancemaker’s Forum grant, he’s been giving us bits and pieces and for the finished product I am waiting with baited breath. Chicago is BUH-Blessed to have Carpenter living and working here, Poonie’s Cabaret is the place to be this Monday night.
Poonie’s Cabaret was created by Selene Carter and is named in loving memory for Poonie Dodson, a much-loved Chicago dancer/choreographer who died of AIDS in the early 90s. Audience members are asked for a $5 donation. Proceeds from the cabaret go to the Links Hall Duncan Erley Coming Out of the Closet Fund, which is periodically awarded to artists whose work explores the realms of healing, gay activism, and spiritual and sexual transformation.
Posted in queer dance, queer media, queer performance | Tagged chicago, links hall, my fellow americans, peter carpenter, poonie's cabaret, ronald reagan | 2 Comments »
February 22, 2009
*Ky Dickens, Photo By The Chicago Reader
It has been a long time coming, and the people behind the extremely important documentary Fish Out of Water have been working hard to get out a quality product. Refining and re-cutting, you know how it goes. This weekend, NYC gets the official premiere of the trailer for the movie and a hot-ass party to boot. Palmsout Sounds DJ’s and free swag make this a great night out for a great cause! The film confronts the issue of homosexuality and the bible, interviewing people through out the United States and the across the spectrum of the argument (OH AND ALSO, a certain someone named Kaki King is scoring the damn thing, holy cow). You can check out TPR’s podcast with the Chicago-based film maker Ky Dickens here. Deets below, get out and be out for Fish Out of Water!
Bait and Tackle: A ‘Fish out of Water’ film Fundraiser
Saturday, February 28th 10pm
Monkey Town, 58 N. 3rd Street Williamsburg, Brooklyn (L Train to Bedford)
Featuring: DJ Chaz Requina (Palms Out), DJ Patrick Wimberly (Chairlift), Elizabeth Harper and the Matinee and…
The Premiere of the Fish out of Water trailer
First 50 guests receive a gift bag including a Time Out New York guidebook
Tickets: $10/advance, $15/door. visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/55042 to purchase.
Posted in queer film | Tagged brooklyn, docum, documentary, film, fish out of water, homosexuality, kaki king, new york city, nyc, premiere, score, soundtrack, the bible, trailer, williamsburg | Leave a Comment »
February 20, 2009
It’s not too rare that a band, stewing in the underground for years finally gets some attention and then breaks up. Yo Majesty seems to be going that route, with recent public dramatix for all of us to enjoy. The stories are not yet synced into one press release, but the main thing is, Jwl B went to jail during tour and Shunda K was very vocal about how relieved she was that Jwl B was gone. Jwl B got out of jail, returned to the tour and then Shunda K decided to leave the tour and just do her own solo shows. I was able to catch Yo Majesty a few years back and thought that while Jwl B’s bare-breasted growl added some hot layering, Shunda K’s flow was the heart. Updates on the whole story arc over at Out Hip Hop, in the meantime, Shunda K released a really dam hot solo EP for free, download it here:
Individual track download……
1. Kotchy & Shunda K – First Encounter
2. Kotchy & Shunda K – You Are
3. Kotchy & Shunda K – We Feelin’ Each Other
4. Kotchy – Holla
or download the full EP HERE
Posted in queer music | Tagged break up, broke up, jwl b, lesbian, lesbian hip hop, out, queer hip hop, shunda k, yo majesty | Leave a Comment »
