Seattle Gay News
Issue 50, Volume 45, December 15, 2017
Arts & Entertainment
Confident Last Jedi a compelling fight for survival
Daisy Ridley in Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Photo courtesy of Lucasfilms
by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Now playing
The Resistance is on the run. After their successful assault on the Starkiller base, General Leia Organa’s (Carrie Fisher) forces must now evacuate their current hideout before General Hux’s (Domhnall Gleeson) First Order armada arrives to wipe them
see STAR WARS page 15
Golden Globes / SAGs Nominations 2018:
Call Me By Your Name, Battle of the Sexes, “Will & Grace,” Tomlin score major Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations
Battle of the Sexes – Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight
by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer Tis’ the season. The other season, actually. Not only is this the time to be joyful about gingerbread cookies and stockings
hanging by the fireplace, but for awards buffs like myself, we’ve now entered the absolute most wonderful time of the year, aka awards season.
see AWARDS page 17
Seattle Men’s Chorus delivers sass-tastic performance to packed house at Benaroya Hall
Seattle Men's Chorus' A Sassy Brassy Holiday, 2017 – Photo by John Pai
by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS “A SASSY BRASSY HOLIDAY” BENAROYA HALL December 10 (continues through 12/23)
Combining sass and class with a whole lotta brass, the Seattle Men’s Chorus gleefully helped spread some holiday cheer last Sunday evening at Benaroya Hall. The performance, in front of a packed house, was the second of seven planned appearances this season; the
see SASSY BRASSY page 3
Music Hottest Artists of the Year
Lady GaGa – Photo courtesy of Interscope Records
by Albert Rodriguez & Jessica Price SGN A&E Writers Some artists had a great year; others dominated it. From #1 albums to sold out tours, from successful comebacks to
impressive debuts, and from memorable appearances to stealing the music headlines, these are our picks for the hottest artists of 2017, in order.
see HOTTEST ARTISTS page 5
2 Seattle Gay News
December 15, 2017
Celebrating 43 Years!
MUSIC
Seattle Men's Chorus' A Sassy Brassy Holiday, 2017 – Photos by John Pai
SASSY BRASSY continued from cover
chorus opened the concert series the night before at Tacoma’s Rialto Theater. Backed by a five-piece brass band, plus pianist and drummer, the 300+ ensemble strutted through a two-act show featuring traditional Christmas carols, modern pop songs and comical skits. The concert opened with the brass musicians playing classic holiday tunes as guests moved from the entrance lobby into the main auditorium and took their seats. Within minutes, the large choral ensemble began filing onto risers that took up a good portion of the stage. Dressed handsomely in black suits with green or red vests, the chorus quickly went to work by performing beautiful versions of “And Suddenly,” “Deck the Halls” and “The First Noel.” “We came here to raise the roof,” said Artistic Director Paul Caldwell to the audience. “And we want you to holla back. It will be a sleigh ride you won’t soon forget!” Additionally, he shared with us that the chorus had been rehearsing this show since September. The concert took a rather serious note before the chorus sang “The Dream Isaiah
Saw.” Caldwell dedicated the number, a song about peace and harmony, to victims who’ve recently died in domestic attacks, such as the Las Vegas shooting on October 1. It served as a grim reminder that while the holidays are about families coming together, for others recent events have torn them apart. Captain Smartypants added some sass of their own to the concert giving the musical composition “Linus and Lucy” from the timeless A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi a playful punch with a cappella vocals and animated dance moves. “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” had a bit of a New Orleans flair, while “Cool Yule” featured three chorus members in a yellow, red or green pants and suspenders combo with matching black shirts. The ensemble closed out Act 1 with a lovely rendition of “Joy to the World.” The second act, which began after a 15 to 20-minute break, seemed almost like a different concert. It was more festive and it was also interactive. A spirited delivery of “Kay Thompson’s Jingle Bells” kicked off the second half, as the chorus members reappeared without their suit jackets for the remainder of the program, but still donning either a green or red vest. Also, half of the chorus wore peppermint-striped beanies while the other half wore reindeer antlers.
Visit us online www.sgn.org
Humorously, some members held up cardboard cut-outs of Santa and his reindeer during the song, while others did the same with images of giant bells. Five members shimmied around the stage in matching white jeans and blue vests as the chorus behind them belted out “Hot Hanukkah.” Then, Captain Smartypants returned to perform “Reindeer Tango” dressed in reindeer onesies, although, unfortunately, I couldn’t really understand what they were saying and missed the punch line of their individual parts. What was hysterical, however, was the Chorus’ interpretation of “Who Put the Bomp” that featured a chorus member dressed as an angel complaining about who put the tree up his ..., ahem. It was pure silly fun, and my favorite number from the show. As has become tradition at SMC holiday concerts, the audience was invited to participate in a sing-along. Caldwell provided us with brief instructions and tips before we all joined together in singing “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Up on the Housetop.” An uplifting version of “Let It Go,” the mega hit from Frozen that won both Academy and Grammy Awards, featured solo vocalist René Salinas, who as a child was told that he sung like a girl. Embarrassed,
he didn’t sing again for many years. But at Benaroya Hall, he performed the number with confidence and ease, hitting the high notes with no problem; he shined (literally) in a glittery blue blazer, lacey cape and white faux hawk. The concert concluded with a spirited rendition of “Children, Go Where I Send Thee” with a snippet of it performed a cappella. I hadn’t been to a chorus concert since Caldwell took over from former Artistic Director Dennis Coleman. Each has their own style. With Coleman, there was something happening at all times – costume changes, members entering or exiting the stage for the next number, props appearing out of nowhere. On Sunday night, except for a handful of chorus members, the entire ensemble stayed in place for both acts with no changing of outfits. Instead of theatrics, the show relied on the music, mainly the harmonizing voices of the chorus, yet also from the outstanding playing of the brass unit. It was nice to focus most of our attention on the singing, the core talent of the chorus. From an ensemble as talented as this one, it’s really all you need.
December 15, 2017
Seattle Gay News 3
Music Best Singles of the Year
1. “1-800-273-8255” – Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid By now, everybody should know what this song is about. Besides its powerful message, the music and vocals are great, while the lyrics (i.e. “I don’t want to die today”) are difficult to ignore. To produce a modern R&B-hip hop track around a sensitive subject is certainly an accomplishment; hats off to Logic and his crew. 2. “Lust for Life” – Lana Del Rey featuring The Weeknd Why these two artists hadn’t collaborated prior to dueting on this number, the title track from Lana Del Rey’s wellreceived fourth studio album, is beyond me. Their vocals intertwine gorgeously around the song’s sensual lyrics and nostalgic pop background. 3. “Redbone” – Childish Gambino Honestly, I’m still not 100% sold on the vocals. But I love Childish Gambino’s effort to think outside the box, in addition to the fact that he dreams about peanut butter chocolate cake and Kool-Aid. 4. “Attention” – Charlie Puth Opting for a light R&B sound, Charlie Puth surprises big time on the leadoff single of his new album VoiceNotes. That part where he stacks the vocals on “What are you doin’ to me? / What are you doin’, huh? is totally addictive.
Logic – Photo courtesy of Visionary Music Group
by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer Those songs that get stuck in your head, the ones you immediately download after
hearing them somewhere. We can’t stop listening to them, singing them, or watching their music videos on YouTube. From all the singles that were released in 2017, these are my picks for the very best, in ranking order.
Music Best Albums of the Year
5. “Holding On” – The War On Drugs What’s distinctive about TWON is its midtempo guitar riff, once again prominent in the band’s new single from its 2017 album A Deeper Understanding. Even more memorable than the song itself is the accompanying music video, which features
journey of lust, love and discovery that feels warm and bright like a summer afternoon, even if it’s not. 2. DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar He did it again. We already knew going into 2017 that Kendrick Lamar was at the top of his game, but of course, he had to out-do himself with the release his latest album, DAMN. With tracks like “HUMBLE.” Loyalty” and “Love,” it’s clear to see (hear, actually) why he’s already a legend. 3. Evolve – Imagine Dragons Imagine Dragons aren’t just making catchy rock songs, they’re making THE catchiest rock songs. I was still listening and singing along contentedly to tracks from 2015’s Smoke + Mirrors album when they unleashed a whole new set of infectious numbers on their new release Evolve, which has already produced two mega hits, the anthem-like “Believer” and the electrolaced “Thunder.” 4. American Teen – Khalid So young, yet so gifted. Khalid was, and still is, an American teenager who burst onto the music scene this year with an ambitious debut album, highlighted by the leadoff single “Location.” Clever lyrics folded into mellow, loungy R&B backgrounds makes this record a standout; I can’t wait to see what this kid does next.
Lana Del Ray's Lust for Life – Photo courtesy of Interscope Records
by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer It was another banner year for album releases in 2017. R&B and hip hip made a strong showing, especially with a fresh crop of talented newcomers, but pop held its own, as did alternative and mainstream rock. Difficult as the task was, I managed to narrow my list of the year’s best albums to these 10, in ranking order.
4 Seattle Gay News
1. Lust for Life – Lana Del Rey Honeymoon, Lana Del Rey’s misfired fourth album, left us wanting more. This year, she delivered it to us in the form of her best work yet, the dreamy Lust for Life. Everything about this record – lyrics, vocals, backgrounds, even an F-bomb thrown in just because – is memorable, including perfect pairings with The Weeknd, Stevie Nicks and Sean Lennon. From beginning to end, it’s a luxurious
December 15, 2017
5. Rainbow – Kesha Though her music career was interrupted for five years due to personal problems and legal issues, Kesha bravely put all of that negative energy into her newest album, the Grammy-nominated Rainbow. Her anticipated comeback was marked by a ballad, “Praying,” an unexpected yet inspiring song co-written by Seattle’s own Ryan Lewis that details the power of hope triumphing over life’s toughest obstacles. 6. Crack-Up – Fleet Foxes Following a six-year break, which afforded band members the time to launch solo careers and side projects, it was back to business for Seattle-based folk group Fleet Foxes. The release of its first two singles, the nine-minute track “Third of May / Ōdaigahara” and “Fool’s Errand,” signaled
an older man living all by himself who reconnects with his fellow town residents after losing somebody close to him. 6. “No Rules” – Dua Lipa I like the story behind this song, a woman advising other women to not make the same mistake twice by getting back together with men that broke their hearts. It’s about temptation, but also about self-worth and walking away from potential danger. 7. “Bad Liar” – Selena Gomez I had no idea this was Selena Gomez upon listening to it the first time. It’s a different sound and style that suits her well, especially that memorable chorus where she repeats “I’m trying” before admitting “not to think about you.” Hmmm...you can probably guess who this song is about. 8. “Never Give Up” – Sia Technically, this theme song to the touching Oscar-nominated film Lion, was released late in 2016, though it didn’t get any notice or airplay until this year. It validates, once again, how talented a songwriter and composer Sia really is. 9. “What Lovers Do” – Maroon 5 featuring SZA It was time for Maroon 5 to go out of their comfort zone, and so they did. Infusing its newest single with R&B and the jazzy soul guest vocals of SZA was a good decision; this becomes one of my favorite M5 hits. 10. “Hard Times” – Paramore Talk about going in a different direction. Paramore traded in its punk’ish roots for an ’80s pop vibe on this hit single from the band’s fifth album After Laughter and it works delightfully.
a slightly more complicated sound for the ensemble, but what it didn’t do was lower the quality of their music. It’s a different album than 2011’s Helplessness Blues, but just as marvelous. 7. Take Me Apart – Kelela In 2013, newcomer Kelela put out a mixtape titled Cut 4 Me that got her minimal attention on both sides of the Atlantic. The release of her full-length debut this year, Take Me Apart, won her wide acclaim and a larger audience. With songs like “LMK,” “Frontline,” “Waitin’ and “Blue Light,” it’s just a matter of time before Kelela blows up. 8. The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone – Lee Ann Womack Separating herself – commercially and artistically – from the Nashville run-of-themill pack is Lee Ann Womack, the singer who brought tears to our eyes with the 2000 ballad “I Hope You Dance.” Instead of succumbing to the mainstream demands of watered-down country-pop, she goes for a richer, more genuine country feel on The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone. “All the Trouble” didn’t get any airplay, but this bluesy number was probably the best thing to come from the South all year. 9. Masseduction – St. Vincent Entirely in her own bubble is St. Vincent, who manages to impress and entertain listeners simultaneously on her latest effort, Masseduction, the follow-up to her Grammy-winning 2014 self-titled album. The record is a cool, eclectic collection of electro-pop, industrial and retro new wave tracks, such as “New York” and “Los Ageless,” that further establishes the Tulsaborn artist as a creative force. 10. Meaning of Life – Kelly Clarkson This year marked a new chapter for Kelly Clarkson’s music career. She recorded a new album under a new label with a change of style. Saying goodbye to pop, for now at least, Meaning of Life moved the multiGrammy winner into the traditional R&B field with positive results; the leadoff single “Love So Soft” was a solid hit.
Celebrating 43 Years!
Sam Smith – Photo courtesy of Capitol Records
4. Kesha After struggling publicly with more than her fair share of personal and professional problems, Kesha’s third studio album Rainbow is a triumph in more ways than one. J. Price
year following the success of his Emmywinning series “Atlanta,” but he reached scorching temperatures with the release of his critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated album Awaken, My Love! Besides all this, he’s incredibly sexy. A. Rodriguez
2. The Weeknd Aside from gracing the TMZ headlines for a good part of the year as Selena Gomez’s main squeeze, The Weeknd leapt to superstar status on the strength of his sophomore album Starboy, which has produced three big singles thus far. A memorable duet with Lana Del Rey plus a sold out world tour equals a very hot year for the Canadian R&B-pop artist. A. Rodriguez
5. Imagine Dragons Just when we thought Imagine Dragons had reached the pinnacle of their career with 2015’s Smoke + Mirrors, little did we know they were just getting started. The four-piece rock band roared back in 2017 with its third album, Evolve, that featured a pair of monstrous hits, “Believe” and “Thunder,” and late in the year group member Dan Reynolds accepted the Trevor Project’s 2017 Hero Award for his outspoken support and continued work to shine a positive light on the LGBT community to the Mormon church, which he was raised in. A. Rodriguez
7. LCD Soundsystem With new album American Dream, LCD Soundsystem are back and better than ever. Does anyone still take it seriously anymore when bands say they’re calling it quits? J. Price
3. Lana Del Rey Lust for Life put this modern flower child back on top of her game, proving she can expand and freshen up her trademark sound after a lackluster third release. J. Price
6. Childish Gambino You have to appreciate an artist who can multi-task and produce quality work across the board. Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) was already on the hot list this
HOTTEST ARTISTS continued from cover
1. Lady GaGa Though the album came out in late 2016, the “Joanne Tour” and Netflix documentary Gaga: Five Foot Two were smash hits. The film debuted at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival before dropping on Netflix in September. J. Price
Visit us online www.sgn.org
8. Sam Smith After the phenomenal success of his first album. 2014’s In the Lonely Hour, and an Academy Award for penning the theme song to the Bond movie Spectre (“Writing’s on the Wall”), it came time for Sam Smith to show the world that there was more where that came from. And boy, did he. The openly gay artist’s sophomore effort, The Thrill of It All, featuring the leadoff single “Too Good at Goodbyes,” is solid proof that he’s going to be around for a long, long time. A. Rodriguez
December 15, 2017
9. Kendrick Lamar Kendrick Lamar has enjoyed a short string of good years since he debuted on the music scene in 2012, and he added onto that in 2017 following the release of his fourth studio album, DAMN. A sold out tour and #1 singles, including the Grammy-nominated “HUMBLE.” and the collaborative hit “Goosebumps” with Travis Scott, shot his star to the very top. A. Rodriguez 10. Khalid My greatest achievement at the age of 19 was waking up from a hangover and making it to my college classes. Way ahead of me, and most people his age, is R&B newcomer Khalid. His debut album, American Teen, has thus far produced three hit singles, “Location,” “Young Dumb & Broke” and “Saved,” plus he’ll attend his first Grammy Awards ceremony next month with five nominations under his belt, including one for co-writing “1-800-273-8255.” A. Rodriguez
Seattle Gay News 5
Ariana Grande – Photo by Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Republic Records
Music Best Live Performances of the Year by Albert Rodriguez & Jessica Price SGN A&E Writers You gotta run all over town, if you want to catch the best shows. From the small confines of Neumos on Capitol Hill to the second base at Safeco Field in the SoDo District to the expansive 18,000-seat Key Arena on Lower Queen Anne, and everywhere in between, we saw dozens of great concerts these past twelve months. Here are the 10 live performances that stood out for both of us, in ranking order. ALBERT RODRIGUEZ’S LIST 1. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Safeco Field, August 19 If you had told me that this would be the last time I’d see Tom Petty live, I’d have rushed the stage to give him a hug and thank him for the many cherished memories of listening to his music for over four decades. Three months after playing Safeco Field, as part of a 40th anniversary tour, the legendary rock musician died. And of the six times I did experience Petty
6 Seattle Gay News
and his longtime band, The Heartbreakers, in concert this was perhaps the best. He sounded incredible and played a long list of fan favorites, including “Free Fallin’,” “Learning to Fly,” “American Girl,” “Refugee,” “Runnin’ Down a Dream” and a mesmerizing rendition of “Crawling Back to You.” I’m so thankful to have been there that night. 2. Ariana Grande – Key Arena, March 23 Prior to tragic events that took place in Manchester, England, Ariana Grande made a stop in Seattle earlier this year to promote her third album, Dangerous Woman. Her performance was lethal; it was sultry, vivacious, exciting and well executed from her powerful vocals to the cool choreography. Literally, Grande and her dance crew turned “Side to Side” into a workout session. She also performed great versions of “Break Free,” “Into You” and “Focus.” 3. Radiohead – Key Arena, April 8 Radiohead fans got a huge bang for their
December 15, 2017
buck when the alternative rock icons dazzled Key Arena with a show that included three encores. On the set list were new songs, like “Burn the Witch” and “Daydreaming,” but the band also reached deep into its catalog to feature “Paranoid Android,” “I Might Be Wrong,” “Reckoner” and “Everything In Its Right Place.” 4. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Key Arena, March 17 Besides the music, what I remember most about the Red Hot Chili Peppers show in March was the stunning stage lighting; for those of us on the floor and close to the stage, it was like having a carpet of lights hanging directly over our heads the entire time. “Give It Away,” “Otherside,” “Dark Necessities,” “Higher Ground” and “By the Way” are just some of the songs we were treated to that night.
months after performing in Seattle, the legendary singer-songwriter entranced the Rose City audience with a two hour concert that included solo material, like “Edge of Seventeen” and “Stand Back,” plus Fleetwood Mac classics, such as “Gypsy” and “Rhiannon.” 7. Tori Amos – Paramount Theatre, November 24 Never one to disappoint, lyrical rock goddess Tori Amos paid Seattle fans a visit last month to introduce them to songs from her latest work, Native Invader. Her standout performance featured many older favorites as well, such as “Seaside,” “Silent All These Years,” “Forest of Glass” and festive versions of “Precious Things” and “Raspberry Swirl.”
5. Kaskade – Paramount Theatre, June 6 This EDM giant appeared in sold out back-to-back concerts in late spring here in Seattle, as part of a very limited tour of West Coast cities. “Disarm You,” “We Don’t Stop” and “Something Something Champs” had never sounded so good as they did inside a packed and feverish Paramount Theatre. Kaskade usually plays massive festivals, so to see him inside a vintage theater was exhilarating.
8. Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey – Key Arena, September 5 I’d rank this show higher on the list, but I’m still bitter that Mariah Carey was on and off the stage in an hour. But that hour was glorious, as the pop diva looked radiant and sounded amazing, right down to her powerful delivery of “Vision of Love.” Richie was magical, too, unloading all of his greatest hits and interacting playfully with the audience, in addition to performing “Easy,” “Brick House,” “Running with the Night,” “Truly” and a heavenly version of “Sail On.”
6. Stevie Nicks with The Pretenders – Moda Center (Portland), February 28 I wasn’t going to miss Stevie Nicks on the second leg of her recent tour, not when she was appearing in Portland. Just two
9. Jóhann Jóhannsson – Benaroya Hall, April 20 It was an otherwordly experience to see and hear Jóhann Jóhannsson live, when he gave an intimate performance at Benaroya
Celebrating 43 Years!
Hall’s recital hall. Although he didn’t really touch his Oscar-nominated musical scores, he left the audience in a daze playing beautiful selections from his newest album Orphée, as well as past gems like a track from 2013’s rare soundtrack to the little known film Prisoners. 10. The Lumineers – Safeco Field, August 19 As the opening act for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers this summer at Safeco Field, folk group The Lumineers did more than warm up the crowd; they had us eating out of their hand from the first note. They played with so much enthusiasm that every song, like “Ophelia” and “Ho Hey,” felt like its own little party. JESSICA PRICE’S LIST 1. Diamanda Galas – The Neptune, March 31 2. Arcade Fire – Key Arena, October 15 3. Emily Haines – Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall (Benaroya Hall), December 8 4. Mogwai – The Showbox Market, November 24 5. Banks – The Showbox SoDo, April 18 6. Lady GaGa – Tacoma Dome, August 5 7. The Black Angels – The Showbox Market, October 23 8. Depeche Mode – Key Arena, October 21 9. Zola Jesus – The Crocodile, October 19 10. Chelsea Wolfe – The Showbox Market, October 30 Diamanda Galas – Photo courtesy of ISO Records
Music Worst Music of the Year by Albert Rodriguez & Jessica Price SGN A&E Writers There are songs and albums we love to hate, but there are those we just hate. From a heaping list of musical disappointments in 2017, here are the 10 that sucked the most, in no particular order.
Justin Bieber – Photo courtesy of Def Jam Recordings
1. “Despacito” (single, original and remixed versions) – Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber I’m pretty sure “Despacito” was written by bored Taco Bell employees. It was already the worst Spanish language song ever recorded, but when Justin Bieber phoned in his vocals to the remixed version it then became the worst bilingual song ever recorded as well. In two words, this is “no bueno.” A. Rodriguez 2. Witness (album) – Katy Perry Ever step into a club and the music is so bad that you wanna leave? Such is a similar feeling listening to Katy Perry’s fifth studio album Witness, a collection of poorly composed tracks that sound like electronic music fit for a clown. A. Rodriguez 3. “Bodak Yellow” (single) – Cardi B In a year when women rallied together for political and social causes, it seems unfortunate (and inappropriate) for a woman to call another woman a “bitch” for the mere reason of sounding cool on a hip hop record. I’ll take Lauryn Hill over this any day. A. Rodriguez
6. Songs of Experience (album) – U2 Songs of Experience is yet another dismal sounding album title from the grizzled old rock dads of U2. Don’t go there. J. Price 7. “Perfect” (single) – Ed Sheeran Cutesie tootsie singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is known for his catchy AM hits that bring women – and some men – to their knees. But this sappy number, which sounds like the theme song to a low-budget Lifetime movie, is just a big ball of cheese. A. Rodriguez 8. Now (album) – Shania Twain Shania’s long awaited new album Now is a lukewarm release from an artist who can do better. Let’s start with that incredibly awkward album cover pose… J. Price 9. Low in High School (album) – Morrissey I can’t even begin to count the reasons why anyone who grew up listening to Morrissey should care about an album from him called Low in High School. Get over it. J. Price
4. Gemini (album) – Macklemore Sadly, Macklemore’s first solo album Gemini is missing the mojo of his epic collaborations with Ryan Lewis. J. Price
10. Omnion (album) – Hercules Love Affair Though undeniably talented and generally awesome, the 2017 release Omnion by Hercules Love Affair felt less groundbreaking than expected. Already looking forward to the next release… J. Price
December 15, 2017
Seattle Gay News 7
Taylor Swift – Photo courtesy of Big Machine
Visit us online www.sgn.org
5. “Look What You Made Me Do” (single) – Taylor Swift Who cares if she’s mad at Kanye, or Katy, or another one of her ex-boyfriends. Taylor Swift is capable of writing better music, and quite frankly she needs to get off her high horse and realize not everybody likes her. A. Rodriguez
MUSIC
Empire state of mind: Jay-Z at Key Arena by Jessica Price SGN A&E Writer JAY-Z “4:44 TOUR” KEY ARENA December 13 Jay-Z’s stop at Key Arena for the “4:44 Tour” reminded fans that he can singlehandedly blow the roof off any venue, but also that at 47 years old and 13 studio albums, he’s finally got nothing left to prove at all. The Grammy-winning billionaire has paved the way for modern rappers with his trailblazing flow and innovative mashup since the mid-nineties. Current album 4:44 finds Jay-Z older, wiser, and writing some of the best material of his career. Set against artfully worked over samples from the classic soul and R&B he grew up listening to from his parents’ collection, 4:44 is confessional and revelatory. Taking the stage at 9:30pm, Jay-Z was charming and gracious; delivering over 30 songs while barely breaking a sweat. A couple of times an escape hatch of sorts would beam him down through the pyramid-esque stage for a quick change into a new jacket, and presumably a sip of water, but only for a moment before he’d pop back up again. The sound was unfortunately a bit
Jay Z – Photo by Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Live Nation
too distorted to fully appreciate the instrumentation and beats Jay is known for, but the energy made up for it. Backed with a live band featuring two drum kits, the inthe-round stage would rise and drop while Jay-Z strode around the perimeter. Doublesided monolithic video screens were angled around the stage and displayed footage of
the show mixed in with scenes of his family, Queen Bey, and the American flag. Jay-Z has always been particularly adept at writing about what it means to be black in America, a message that seems to hit home now more than ever. “It’s not a black issue, or a white issue,” he said to an extremely supportive audience. “It’s a human issue.
It’s about inclusivity. Everyone’s invited to this barbecue.” Speaking of inclusivity, Jay-Z’s mother came out to Jay-Z during the making of 4:44, and he performed “Smile” (featuring her telling her story), along with “Kill Jay Z” conspicuously absent the hyphen he has re-adopted these days, “No Church In The Wild,” and “Run This Town.” “4:44” was a moment of humility introduced by stating the song was more and more difficult to perform each night, frankly speaking of his immaturity as a younger man and near-loss of the love of his life and his children. Though Jay may now be writing about the concerns of adulthood in America, he’s not without his sense of humor in the light-hearted way he throws down the hits. “99 Problems,” “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” “Big Pimpin’,” “Niggas In Paris,” and “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” got the crowd – who remained on their feet for the entire set – waving and bouncing full throttle. Jay-Z’s fans have grown up with him and can now connect to his artistry in unexpectedly new ways. While many artists struggle to find their audience after years in the industry, Jay-Z has volumes upon volumes yet to say about the world we live in. For an intensely private, highly scrutinized man at the top of his game, Jay-Z is ironically more relatable than ever.
If Abraham Lincoln was assassinated before inauguration, would the U.S. still exist? by Miryam Gordon SGN A&E Writer THE SECRET AND IMPOSSIBLE LEAGUE OF THE NOOSPHERE IN THE BALTIMORE PLOT LIVE GIRLS! THEATER (AT THEATRE OFF JACKSON) Through December 16 It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s a sighting of the first play in a SERIES! Woot! Yay! How fun is that?! OK, so there are two more days to catch the world premiere Live Girls! Theater production of The Secret and Impossible League of the Noosphere in The Baltimore Plot. Once you see the play, you’ll understand the outlines of a new series of SILON plays, all somewhat science-fantastical, all somewhat based in history. Not quite steampunk, but not quite not. Darian Lindle has cooked up an engaging story of Nikola Tesla (Sherif Amin), Lord Byron (Daniel Christensen) and his daughter Ada Lovelace (Alyssa Kay) traveling along the side of Time as this Secret and Impossible League, and realizing that they have a mission to prevent an anomaly that could disrupt History which could possibly destroy the United States of America! How? They have to prevent Abraham Lincoln from being prematurely assassinated in 1860, before he is first officially sworn in as President. The setup of the play is engaging and smart, though it takes a few minutes to let the exposition spool out enough to understand where and “when” we are. Very low budget choices of lighting and movement establish moving through the Noosphere and into “real” (historic) Time in 1858 and 1860. Once we, the audience understand the pools of light and the “look” of fainting (my way of describing it), we know that the characters are transitioning. The set design by Robin Macart-
8 Seattle Gay News
(l to r) Daniel Christensen, Marena Kleinpeter, Matthew Middleton, Alyssa Kay, Sherif Amin in The Secret and Impossible League of the Noosphere in The Baltimore Plot – Photo by Roberta Christenson of Red Couch Media
ney establishes paneled walls that turn, selectively, to indicate a completely new place. Smart, minimal choices by director Meghan Shalom Arnette, a general value of Live Girls!, show that she trusts the audience to join the journey and “get it.” The capable cast introduces to the Seattle scene a newcomer who should be watched for: Marena Kleinpeter has a steady, graceful presence that imbues the lead with the same characteristics. Kate Warne was a real person who answered an ad at the Pinkerton Agency and was hired as the first known woman detective. Here, her story is recreated, though she is encouraged to go there by the inhabitants of the Noosphere so she can convince Pinkerton to begin guarding the railways. Troy Lund plays Pinkerton as an honorable and foresighted man. Matthew Mid-
December 15, 2017
dleton plays Charles Babbage in a slightly unhinged way. Caitlin Frances plays another real woman, Leah Fox who, with her sisters, were some of the very first known “mediums” in the New York area. In this iteration, she is a conwoman, but has a purpose in trying to find a way into the Noosphere, which only certain people with certain attributes (Synesthetes) can attain. Imogen Love adds her voice to the “ship” of the Noosphere, named the MaryCeleste, which was a real ship that was found empty of all people in 1872. She also becomes Abraham Lincoln. Kudos must be given to Brian Stricklan’s creative “machine” that spits out mathematical algorithms to be translated into text. There is just enough mechanical reality to it.
The rules of this Noosphere include that the inhabitants (The League) can disembark into any “time” included in any of their lifetimes. And there’s no rule to say that Lovelace or Tesla have to continue to be inhabitants, so future editions and future plots could include any historic figures of Lindle’s liking. So, we can look forward to what she dreams up next. What Plot would you like to see next? For more information, go to www.lgtheater.org or https://silon.brownpapertickets. com/ or call 800-838-3006. Discuss your opinions with SGNcritic@ gmail.com or go to www.facebook.com/ SeattleTheaterWriters. More articles can be found at MiryamsTheaterMusings. blogspot.com.
Celebrating 43 Years!
Book-It’s new musical adaptation of Howl’s Moving Castle is timely and stays true to the original classic book by Brian Matt Special to the SGN BOOK-IT REPERTORY THEATRE HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE CENTER THEATRE SEATTLE CENTER ARMORY December 6 (Through December 30) Book-it Repertory Theatre’s production of Howl’s Moving Castle is a multilayered tapestry of exploration and discovery. Based on Myra Platt’s adaptation of the book by Diana Wynn Jones, it delves into the lives of Sophie Hatter (Sara Porkalob) and her family and friends as they find their true selves. Sophie, the eldest daughter of Fanny Hatter (Opal Peachey), begins by describing life in the town of Market Chipping in the land of Ingary. She also points out that her being the oldest has predisposed her to failure as she pursues her dreams. Her younger sister Lettie (Sarah Russell) and youngest sister Martha (Rachel GuyerMafune) join her singing about life. Fanny then appears and informs them they’re going to need to leave school because she can’t afford to pay for it any longer. Lettie is to go to Cesari’s bakery to become an apprentice – and she’ll also be able to find a good husband there. Clearly un-enthused about baking, Lettie thanks her mother. Martha is being sent to Mrs. Fairfax (Kate Jaeger) to learn about magic. Also clearly disappointed, she thanks her mother as well. This leaves Sophie, who is assigned to the hat shop. Of all the sisters, she is the only one who is clearly resigned to her fate – being the oldest and feeling doomed to failure. Fanny finds that Sophie is very skilled with making hats, so she puts Sophie in a corner making the hats while she herself sells them. Sophie begins to talk to the hats since she’s so busy she doesn’t have time to talk to anyone else. Surprisingly, they start to sell well. Fanny promises Sophie that she can have a day off on May Day, since she needs her to make hats as fast as possible. May Day comes around, and Howl’s moving castle appears close by – Book-It using great sound effects to mark its arrival. On her way to visit Lettie at Cesari’s, Sophie
Sara Porkalob (Sophie Hatter) in Howl's Moving Castle – Photo by Alabastro Photography
has a run-in with a very spectacularly dressed fellow. That evening, back at the hat shop, Sophie is visited by the Witch of the Waste (Kate Jaeger), who places an aging spell on her for interfering with something that’s hers. Sophie then leaves the hat shop before anyone sees her to visit her sister at Mrs. Fairfax’s place. On her way there, she finds Howl’s moving castle, where she’s let in by
his fire demon, Calcifer (Lamar Legend). Howl’s assistant, Michael (Randall Scott Carpenter), helps make her at home until the morning when Howl (Michael Feldman) arrives. Sophie’s ensuing adventures with Howl, Michael, Calcifer and other people and creatures they meet on the way change her view of herself and her views of the people she meets.
Porkalob’s portrayal of Sophie is true to the book. Her fantastic voice adds depth and impact to the songs, as well as to Sophie. The musical score and lyrics by Justin Huertas accurately traces her development from an insecure older sister at the beginning of the play to a confident individual by the end. The song with “I have a voice” is very relevant to this day and age where women using their voice is more important than ever. Feldman successfully brings across the mixture of the sinister side to Howl and the overall insecurity that underlies many of his actions, especially where interpersonal relationships are concerned. His shift in attitude when traveling between Ingary and Wales is convincing. The song about hyacinths shows the contrast between the subject, florals, and the sinister score. Some of the character juxtapositions by Myra Platt were wonderfully effective. When “Lettie” reveals that she and Martha transformed into each other and traded places, the song sung by both Lettie and Martha, and Martha’s shadowing of “Lettie” in her motions make this idea amazingly clear. The use of men dressed as women visiting the hat shop is a very innovative take on the book and enhances the diversity of the play. Howl’s Moving Castle is timely and much needed given the current social state of affairs in the United States. A diverse multi-ethnic cast, and the occasional placement of male actors in female roles, reinforces the message that together everyone finds wonderful solutions to life’s puzzles – regardless of race, gender, age or sexual identity. The message portrayed in the vocals, most notably “… a world where any girl can achieve what she’s meant to be …” gives a much-needed message of hope and encouragement to women everywhere. Book-It Repertory Theatre’s production of Howl’s Moving Castle will be at the Center Theatre at the Seattle Center Armory through December 30. For tickets and more information contact the Book-It Box Office at 206-216-0833 or visit them online at www.book-it.org.
ArtsWest Holiday Cast Party a warm, sweet show by Paul Torres SGN A&E Writer ARTSWEST HOLIDAY CAST PARTY ARTSWEST December 9 (continues through 12/23)
Nicholas Tarabini singing "Believe" from The Polar Express in Artswest Holiday Cast Party – Photo courtesy of Artswest
Visit us online www.sgn.org
The talents of ArtsWest are celebrating the holidays with jazz, sassiness, and warmth. Artistic Director Mathew Wright hosted an evening of cabaret with his friends Ann Cornelius (Angry Housewives, The Nance) and Nicholas Tarabini (American Idiot, Peter and the Starcatcher) on Saturday, December 9. (See the ArtsWest’s website for the remaining schedule of special guest performers.) An absolute Christmas-giddy Tarabini sang a rousing “Believe” from The Polar Express film and Mariah Carey’s standard “All I Want for Christmas is You” which was lovingly dedicated to his beau, Mathew Wright. This romantic feel lifted the spirits of the audience. They lovingly revealed that they have two Christmas trees for their two-room apartment. A delightful Ann Cornelius belted out a jazzy “Let it Snow” and a nostalgia-tinged “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” which struck
December 15, 2017
sentimental chords in all of us. Pianist Chris DeStefano played Paul Shaffer to Wright’s Letterman in traditional talk show banter that fittingly included a corny Top Ten List. Wright even took a couple playful jabs at fellow director Eric Ankrim whose robust productions of American Idiot and Peter and the Starcatcher were highlights of past seasons. The cast also welcomed audience members to play Christmas-themed trivia and picture games on stage. All the original material in the show is credited to Justin Huertas. The evening was full of cheer and sweet soulfulness capped with Wright, crew, and audience all singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” It’s a wonderful time to spend with friends with the talented members of ArtsWest beyond the scenes and stagecraft and deep into the true heart of the holiday season. For more information, visit http://www. artswest.org/ or call the Box Office at 206938-0339. ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery is located at 4711 California Ave SW in the Alaska Junction and is easily accessible by Metro bus on the Rapid Ride C line as well as routes 22, 37, 50, 55, 57, 128 and the ST560.
Seattle Gay News 9
The Humans is a darkly funny slice of life
Richard Thomas, Therese Plaehn, Pamela Reed, Daisy Eagan, and Luis Vega in The Humans – Photo by Julieta Cervantes.
by Miryam Gordon SGN A&E Writer THE HUMANS SEATTLE REPERTORY THEATRE Through December 17 Stephen Karam has filled his 2016 Tonyaward-winning Best Play, The Humans, with a lot of human darkness, which then allows for some darkly funny commentary. The play, starting a national tour at Seattle Repertory Theatre, has a powerhouse cast (Richard Thomas, Pamela Reed, Daisy Egan, Lauren Klein, Therese Plaehn, Luis Vega) portraying an uneasy Thanksgiving family gathering. In a somewhat stereotypical way, the family has: issues that complicate the holiday, secrets that get revealed, and sets of disappointed hopes and dreams of individuals. In less stereotypical ways, the family has: the oldest member suffering severe dementia that is dealt with in a loving way, a younger family member with gastrointestinal issues that will best resolve through surgery that results in an ileostomy – and some plain speaking about it, and a married couple as the sandwich generation who are in difficult financial straits. Brigid Blake (Eagan) and her newish boyfriend Richard (Vega) are hosting this Thanksgiving in their newly-moved-into basement apartment in New York City. Parents Erik (Thomas) and Dierdre (Reed) and sister Aimee (Plaehn) arrive with “Momo” (Klein), the grandmother who “has good days and bad days” and today is not a great day. The apartment is an unusual two-story arrangement, and light bulbs keep popping out. Luckily, there is an (unseen) elevator
10 Seattle Gay News
to allow Momo to be transported up and down the floors. Though the couple has just moved in, there is enough furnished to keep everyone comfortable. Slice of Life plays are difficult. “Nothing” often happens, except a lot of talking and exchanges of information. Exposition can be awkward. Here, the fact that Richard barely knows the family allows for them to
Klein was the original Momo on Broadway, and is masterful in a difficult role. Dementia is not often seen on stage, though I’ll venture a guess that in coming years, playwrights will write more about these types of folks as playwrights age and write more about “what they know.” Reed is an engaging combination of caustic and compassionate, harried and
Daisy Eagan and Therese Plaehn in The Humans – Photo by Julieta Cervantes
introduce topics to him and to the audience in a more natural way. The engagement is in the conversations and the revelations. As the characters interact the relationships between the characters become known which deepens the understanding of the family history.
December 15, 2017
exhausted. She gets a lot of the fun zingers and is the lynchpin of the family. She relates well with Thomas. They make a good team, as parents. Plaehn is quite believable as a young woman with a chronic intestinal disease, struggling to maintain the feeling that she
will be attractive to future companions with a hole in her abdomen. The fact that she is a lesbian is quite beside the point here, as most plays are becoming less and less focused on needing to make sexual identity stand out as a family “issue.” Eagen and Vega make a good couple, with Vega working hard to connect to the family and show his devotion to his new relationship. Their interaction is sweet and evenhanded, as power dynamics go. The parents have the most to manage. They are the sandwich generation here, trying to keep Momo at home, which is almost too exhausting, and stay in the parental mode for their daughters. But their situation is far more vulnerable than the kids know, and the bulk of the secrets are theirs. However, just as the big secrets come out, the van arrives to take the family home. There is no time at all to absorb and understand the implications of the changes in circumstances, or problem-solve or decide anything. In that sense, it’s a brisk 95 or so minutes and then done. That may allow for the difficulties to discomfit the audience less, but it doesn’t really allow us to see how this particular family decides anything of real note. Just at the point where we know enough about how they function to want to see them work together, the lights go out entirely. For more information, go to www.seattlerep.org or call 206-443-2222. Discuss your opinions with SGNcritic@ gmail.com or go to www.facebook.com/ SeattleTheaterWriters. More articles can be found at MiryamsTheaterMusings. blogspot.com.
Celebrating 43 Years!
, n e g Bin ington! h s a W
Reasons to Visit
Enjoy the beautiful, Columbia Gorge SCENIC DRIVE! DISCOVER “The Wind Surfing Capital of the World”! Visit the West coast’s first legal pot shop, MARGIE’S POT SHOP and stock up for the holidays! Medical cards welcome.
“Just for the fun of it!”
405 E STEUBEN / SR 14, BINGEN, WA 98605 509-493-0441 | MARGIESPOT.COM 9AM-9PM EVERYDAY!
THIS PRODUCT HAS INTOXICATING EFFECTS AND MAY BE HABIT FORMING. MARIJUANA CAN IMPAIR CONCENTRATION, COORDINATION, AND JUDGMENT. DO NOT OPERATE A VEHICLE OR MACHINERY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THIS DRUG. THERE MAY BE HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CONSUMPTION OF THIS PRODUCT. FOR USE ONLY BY ADULTS TWENTY-ONE AND OLDER. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
Visit us online www.sgn.org
December 15, 2017
Seattle Gay News 11
12 Seattle Gay News
December 15, 2017
Celebrating 43 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
December 15, 2017
Seattle Gay News 13
DOWNLOAD OUR HOLIDAY SPECIAL ISSUE ONLINE
http://tinyurl.com/yd7k8wup
14 Seattle Gay News
December 15, 2017
Celebrating 43 Years!
STAR WARS continued from cover
out for good. But while the plan instigated by Leia’s most trusted commander Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) buys her escaping ships precious time, it does so at a massive, unforeseen cost that will make defending their small fleet difficult as their flight to a new base continues. Meanwhile, Rey (Daisy Ridley) has arrived at the ancient Jedi temple where Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) has been hiding for the past thirty years. She expects that the sight of his father’s old lightsaber, plus the appearance of the Millennium Falcon and old friends Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) and R2-D2 (Jimmy Vee), will be enough to convince him to return and assist the Resistance in their time of need. At the very least, the young woman hopes the Master Jedi will help her understand why she is so strong with the Force and that he will give her an insight into her abilities that might keep her from heading down the same path of darkness that is slowly destroying First Order firebrand, and Luke’s nephew, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). As we journey back into the intergalactic world begun by George Lucas in 1977, it’s best not to know too much about the basics walking into Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The eighth installment in the saga intimately connected to Luke Skywalker and his kin, picking up immediately after the events of 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens came to an end, writer/director Rian Johnson’s (Looper, Brick) entry goes out of its way to bust convention and expectation whenever and wherever it can. Unlike the last film, this one uses nostalgia and one’s knowledge of this universe against the viewer, ideas as to what can
Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill in Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Photo courtesy of Lucasfilms
for that matter what isn’t, sacrifice. A number of Resistance fighters give their lives in a variety of ways, most of them selflessly and with valor. But when does hubris come into play? When is sending others into battle for a victory now only setting the stage for defeat later on? It is the balance between these two that is the debate, and much like Christopher Nolan so deftly explored with
isn’t without humor, energy and wide-eyed excitement. All of the stuff between her and Luke is incredibly strong, their conversations the foundation upon which everything else in the movie is built upon. A delightful energy fuels their scenes together, all of which allows the story’s climax to resonate with a startling, unexpected power it never would have been able to achieve without their combined efforts. As for the rest, much of it works splendidly, most notably an effervescent jaunt away from the retreating fleet by Finn and Rose as they attempt to find a cybernetic genius (intriguingly played by suitably mysterious Benicio Del Toro) key to helping the Resistance escape from the First Order. But the actual retreat itself? As well-acted as these sections are, as key the
and suspense sequences are concerned. Presented with an almost unlimited budget, the director does not fail to amaze, and for a series that has seen so many wonders and delights, the director still finds a way to offer up a number of new ones here. Johnson also continues a trend begun with Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One just last year in that The Last Jedi is visually stunning on a level we’re just not used to as it pertains to Star Wars, the eye-popping images he and cinematographer Steve Yedlin (Carrie) come up with frankly staggering. But the biggest thing this eighth chapter does is change where things go next in a fundamental way. As stated, by the time things end it is an open question as to whether or not the Skywalker journey has reached its conclusion. Rey is the new cen-
Mark Hamill in Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Photo courtesy of Lucasfilms
happen, who can and cannot survive and where things go from here as they head into the ninth and final chapter blown into smithereens like a fourth Death Star. All of which makes Johnson’s film the most challenging Star Wars motion picture ever made, and this includes Platoonmeets-The-Dirty-Dozen spinoff Rogue One: A Star Wars Story which already significantly changed the game all on its own just last December. The director takes Luke into territory just about no one saw coming, making him a lone samurai full of heartache and regret more akin to heroes in Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo or Kagemusha than he is the dashing young champion of something like The Hidden Fortress. His interactions with Rey are the heart and soul of the film, his evolved understanding of the Force, the Jedi and what is best for the universe as a whole not exactly comforting. This is coupled with the fight-or-flight debate that rages within the Resistance, Poe and Leia butting heads as her view as to what is best for their forces significantly differs from his. This allows for an intriguing examination of what constitutes heroism. It also leads to a number of fantastic and fascinating variations on what is, and
Dunkirk, Johnson’s film spends a great deal of time showing how survival during retreat can be the greatest form of heroism that will inspire others to rise up and join in the fight. All of which makes this hardly the Star Wars most fans are used to. Even The Empire Strikes Back didn’t feel this bleakly serious, and while the bad guys did well in that 1980 classic, it was still clear to all watching that Luke, Han and Leia would find a way to lead the Rebel Alliance to victory sooner rather than later. Here, while this is certainly Rey’s story going forward, and while it is obvious Poe, ex-Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) and newcomer Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) will be the face of the Resistance as Luke and Leia are pushed to the background, the idea that they all will make it through to the end of 2019’s final chapter is an open question. Not that Johnson has gone all that far away from Lucas’ original template. As dark as things get, as dangerous as it becomes for Rey, especially as she figures out what there is to know about Kylo Ren and whether or not the emotionally self-destructive son of Han Solo and Leia Organa can be redeemed, her journey still
Visit us online www.sgn.org
Carrie Fisher in Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Photo courtesy of Lucasfilms
moments between Poe, Leia and the quiet, intellectually astute Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (Laura Dern) prove to be, there is a turgid, melodramatic awkwardness to some of these conversations that can grow a little tiresome. It’s as if Johnson watched a bunch of Stanley Kramer classics like On the Beach or Judgment in Nuremberg and felt the need to compose high-minded debates that echo those the nine-time Oscar nominee was undeniably most known for, and as such there were moments where I felt I was being lectured to by these characters more than I was anything else. Even so, if it wasn’t obvious after the technical virtuosity of his three low budget gems Brick, The Brothers Bloom and Looper, Johnson has only gotten better with every outing as far as his staging of action
tral figure around which everything must now revolve, her continuing dance of death with Kylo Ren the key component moving forward. It is there that Johnson makes his boldest statements, the director taking this intergalactic soap opera into a new, undiscovered part of the galaxy where up is down, right is wrong and everything we thought we knew about this series is flung seven steps in the opposite direction. This has me excited. It also has me loving Star Wars: The Last Jedi more than I initially realized as I exited the theatre, the Force strong with this sequel even if the ways in which it is moving prove to be more mysterious than they’ve ever been before.
December 15, 2017
Seattle Gay News 15
Allen’s well-acted Wonder Wheel an unremarkable trifle
Justin Timberlake, Kate Winslet, and Juno Temple in Wonder Wheel – Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios
by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer WONDER WHEEL Now playing Woody Allen’s Wonder Wheel never gets to the point. It hints at the point. It gives a general idea as to what the point might be. It even offers up long, skillfully structured and exquisitely shot sequences where the point is going to be made with harsh, emotionally devastating veracity. But for whatever reason, said point never is made, the filmmaker seemingly passing over it with a rather blasé indifference that’s frustratingly unfortunate. It’s Allen running in place, retreating into ideas, themes and concepts he’s employed numerous times before, and as such his latest feels like nothing more than an underwhelming disappointment. Don’t blame Kate Winslet. She plays Ginny, a 1950s waitress who lives with her mechanic second husband Humpty (Jim Belushi) on the Coney Island boardwalk and is slowly losing her mind when she learns 10-year-old son from her first marriage, Richie (Jack Gore), is transforming into a pint-sized pyromaniac. About to turn 40, the former amateur actress still harbors dreams of becoming a star while also fantasizing about her former husband, a jazz musician, wondering what her life would have been had they not ended up going their separate ways. All of which makes it easy for Ginny to slip into an affair with twentysomething lifeguard Mickey (Justin Timberlake), a WWII veteran who is currently in a master’s program at NYU studying to be a playwright. Enter Carolina (Juno Temple). She’s Humpty’s estranged daughter from his first marriage, the pair not on speaking terms after she stopped going to school and married a local New York mobster when she was 20-years-old. The young woman has returned because she was forced by the FBI to turn stool pigeon, revealing her husband’s most venal secrets in order to stay
16 Seattle Gay News
out of prison. Now Carolina has a price on her head and the only person she can think of to turn to for help is Humpty, and much to Ginny’s dismay he welcomes his daughter into their home, sets her up with a job at his wife’s restaurant and starts paying for her to go to night school so she can complete her education. Combining elements of everything from Manhattan, Annie Hall, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Mighty Aphrodite, Match
what is happening is practically impossible. Worse, the tragic corners of this intimate character study are painted with brushstrokes that are lazy and vague, the veteran filmmaker going through the motions in a manner that made me wonder why he bothered bringing this story to the screen in the first place. It does not help that Mickey, frequently breaking the fourth wall, talking directly to the audience as he narrates the story as if he
Justin Timberlake in Wonder Wheel – Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios
Point and Blue Jasmine, Allen is mining aimlessly from many of his greatest hits. Thanks in large part to the performances of Winslet, Temple and Belushi, and owing a great deal to the marvelous visual compositions of Oscar-winning cinematographer Vittorio Storaro (The Last Emperor, Reds), the movie ends up being far more watchable and engaging than it has any right to be. At the same time, the themes at the center of this hard-hearted, venom-fueled dramatic comedy are so muted, so haphazardly developed, feeling any connection to
December 15, 2017
were the Chorus in a Shakespeare play like Henry V, is a poorly developed character that Timberlake never is able to get a handle on. By the time he becomes the romantic focal point for both Ginny and Carolina I’d stopped caring about anything he was doing, and what it is either woman sees in him I could never quite pinpoint. He’s just not that interesting, much of his explanatory dialogue too on-the-nose and stiltedly banal, making him a weak narrative voice easy to tune out and even easier to forget about entirely.
There is also the film’s slow waltz into unearned tragedy. While the eventual outcome for many of these various characters is not really ever in doubt, how Allen gets to his cutthroat conclusion is as infuriatingly contrived as it is emotionally insubstantial. It’s a left turn into homicidal indifference that doesn’t feel genuine, characters making decisions that, while not surprising, still don’t feel a part of anything that has transpired up to that point. Things happen more because the script needs them to and not because the characters have come to these places in their various lives naturalistically, as such the inherent power of the murderous terror that befalls certain members of this tale is devoid of cathartic urgency or emotive repugnance. Winslet does give it her all, the veteran actress delivering a performance as Ginny that is oftentimes a thing of brazenly merciless splendor. Temple is almost equally outstanding, her bubbly demeanor concealing a complicated pathos of regretful penitence that makes Carolina’s attempts to seek forgiveness and friendship with Humpty and Ginny all the more affecting. As for Belushi, I don’t think he’s ever been better, the affection he exudes as this distraught father welcomes the daughter he was certain he’d lost forever back into his life a joyful avalanche of poetic beauty. None of which matters. It’s as if Allen is disinterested in his own material, his unfocused meanderings from one event to the next making Ginny’s story more of an exercise in selfish materialistic excess than it is anything substantive. Thanks to Storaro, it all certainly looks terrific, and with an acting trio as wonderful as Winslet, Temple and Belushi, the majority of the performances certainly aren’t anything to scoff at. But Wonder Wheel is disagreeably monotonous no matter how strong these various elements might prove to be, Allen’s latest an unremarkable trifle I could honestly care less about.
Celebrating 43 Years!
Chaotically rambunctious Ferdinand locks horns with disappointment by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer FERDINAND Now playing After escaping the Spanish bull ranch Casa del Toro as a youngster, Ferdinand (voiced by John Cena) is raised into adulthood by the kind and loving Nina (Lily Day), the daughter of a flower farmer who treats the massive, gigantic animal as a member of the family. A pacifist at heart, the large bull inadvertently destroys a small town’s springtime festival after an unfortunate encounter with a bee. Mistaking him for a dangerous brute who must be properly trained, Ferdinand is unceremoniously sent back to the Casa del Toro, the bulls living there not understanding why one of their brethren would rather sniff flowers than be selected to fight inside the Madrid coliseum against a bloodthirsty matador. I have fond memories of reading Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson’s timeless 1936 children’s book Ferdinand the Bull as a youngster. I have equally wondrous ones of discovering Disney’s Oscar-winning 1938 animated adaptation, this classic entertainment appearing on television so often during my childhood by the time I was a teenager I likely knew every frame of the eight-minute short by heart. It’s a simple, subtle and undeniably wondrous narrative, this astutely elegant tale of love, acceptance and peace one that is all but guaranteed to continue to stand the test of time with steadfast ease. With a story and a script credited to six different writers, director Carlos Saldanha’s (Ice Age, Rio) energetic adaptation of Ferdinand unsurprisingly doesn’t deserve to be inside the same bullfighting ring with any of its predecessors. Even so, the film gets just enough right to hardly be a disaster, and while I wasn’t nearly as satisfied with this one as I hoped I would be, I can’t say the filmmakers stumble over themselves to the
Ferdinand – Photo courtesy of Blue Sky Studios / Twentieth Century Fox
point where their missteps cannot be forgiven. No, for young children, the energetic vitality of the motion picture coupled with its delicate story of nonviolence and standing up against bullying is one to be treasured, and even if I didn’t love it I won’t hold it against any viewer under the age of eight or so who do. The reality is that, whenever this version sticks to the source material, walks directly in the steps of Leaf and Lawson’s book without varying outside of them, Saldanha’s take is wondrous. But there’s a reason the Disney version came in under ten minutes in length, the amount of filler required to get this story up to feature length rather extraordinary. New additions like a talkative goat named Lupe (an unexpectedly annoying Kate McKinnon) and a trio of secretive hedgehogs (Gina Rodriguez, Daveed Diggs, Gabriel Iglesias) don’t bring anything substantive to the table, while the less said about the stunt casting
Timothée Chalamet in Call Me By Your Name – Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
AWARDS
continued from cover Two of the season’s biggest awards, the Golden Globes, given out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, voted on by thousands of members of the merged SAG-AFTRA actors union, announced their picks this week for the year’s best in film and television. The gay romance movie Call Me By Your Name earned an expected Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion PictureDrama, though it surprisingly was missing from the Outstanding Cast-Motion Picture
category, the SAG Awards equivalent of best film. Its lead star Timothée Chalamet, however, was recognized by both organizations for his work in the film, while his co-star Armie Hammer earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor, though nothing from the SAGs. Interestingly, it didn’t score any nods for its director, Luca Guadagnino, or its screenplay by James Ivory; however, both are expected to be in the running for Oscars. Battle of the Sexes, centering on the famous tennis match between then-closeted Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs to drum up support for equal pay in the sport, nabbed nominations for Emma Stone (Golden Globes, Best Actress-Comedy or
Visit us online www.sgn.org
of Peyton Manning as one of Ferdinand’s rival bulls at the Casa del Toro the better it would likely be for all involved. There is an obnoxious subplot concerning three German show ponies (Flula Borg, Sally Phillips, Boris Kodjoe) that’s fairly unfortunate, and for the life of me why so many of these second-tier animated movies always seem to insert chaos and destruction into the mix for no discernible reason whatsoever thinking that is what audiences wants to see is way beyond me. But Cena gives a lovably touching vocal performance as the title character, and many of the early scenes between Nina and Ferdinand are suitably heartwarming. I also respect the fact that the filmmakers didn’t fall prey to the easy out of having the heroic bull fight once he gets into the ring against the matador. Instead, sticking to the source material, it is the fact the he refuses to fight yet still treats his opponent with appreciative respect that the crowd is
won over by the animal, the themes of Leaf and Lawson’s book coming through with rapturous clarity. Not that this Ferdinand was for me. It’s too obnoxious, too self-involved, the hyperactive antics of pretty much every member of the supporting cast driving me bonkers. Coming so soon after the respectful cultural elegance of Pixar’s Coco, a story that celebrated Mexico in a way that felt authentic and pure no matter what my reservations might have been with the film as a whole, this one also can’t help but feel moderately insensitive, the Spanish flavor that could have made this adaptation sing sadly missing for the majority of the picture. I’m just not bullish on it, the finished product a minor disappointment I cannot imagine I will ever purposefully watch again.
Lily Tomlin in "Grace and Frankie" – Photo courtesy of Netflix
Musical) and Steve Carrell (SAGs, Best Supporting Actor), as well as the movie itself (Golden Globes, Best Motion PictureComedy or Musical). The biographical film chronicles the days leading up to the event, which includes King’s affair with Marilyn Barnett, played by Andrea Riseborough. On the TV side, the re-booted LGBT favorite “Will & Grace” will contend for Best Television Series-Comedy at the Golden Globes, while two of its cast members received nominations, Eric McCormack (Golden Globes, Best Lead ActorComedy) and openly gay Sean Hayes is in the running for Best Actor-Comedy at the SAGs, which combines lead and supporting actors into the same category.
Lily Tomlin, who was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the SAGs last year, will attend next year’s ceremony as a nominee, recognized for her work in the Netflix series “Grace and Frankie;” her costar, Jane Fonda, is also nominated. And, out writer-director Ryan Murphy landed a Golden Globe nomination for his miniseries “Feud: Bette and Joan.” The Golden Globes will be televised on January 7 and the SAGs ceremony is scheduled for January 21. Nominations for the big daddy of all awards show, the Academy Awards, will be revealed on January 23.
December 15, 2017
Seattle Gay News 17
Volunteer Park
• BACON MANSION
E. PROSPECT ST.
E. WARD ST. E. ALOHA ST.
12TH AVE. E.
E. ROY ST.
16TH AVE. E.
15TH AVE. E.
13TH AVE. E.
• B&B ON BROADWAY E. ROY ST. • UNDER U 4 MEN
E. VALLEY ST. 14TH AVE. E.
11TH AVE. E.
FEDERAL AVE. E.
10TH AVE. E.
BROADWAY AVE. E.
• SHAFER MANSION
E. MERCER ST.
MALDEN AVE. E.
BROADWAY E.
• THE CANTERBURY E. REPUBLICAN ST. E. HARRISON ST.
E. THOMAS ST.
10TH AVE. E. Cal Anderson Park
E AV
11TH AVE.
.
• CLUB Z BATHS
• THE STRANGER
NAGLE PL.
E. HOWELL ST.
• CASTLE SUPER STORE
N
• UPS STORE
E. DENNY WAY • LAMBERT HOUSE
BROADWAY
HARVARD AVE. E.
Seattle Central Seattle Central College Community College
C.C. ATTLEʼS• BOYLSTON AVE.
E. JOHN ST.
• NEUMOʼS
RE
GAY CITY HEALTH PROJECT •
• NEIGHBOURS
E. AV
T.
ES
PIK
BELMONT AVE.
• GLOʼS
R
ST.
• LINDAʼS • BILLʼS OFF BROADWAY
O
• SEATTLE EAGLE
BO
E PIN
• BALTIC ROOM
• HOT MAMAʼS PIZZA • TOYS IN BABELAND
IN
AY EW
IV OL
• R PLACE
. ST
M
W
HO
L
EL
SUMMIT AVE.
• REBAR
• STEAM WORKS
• KREMWERK
• THE CRESCENT
A EW
ST
• GSBA
T.
S RT
• SIMPLY FRAMES & MINER GALLERY
STUDIO 229 • NYX/PANACHE • LAUGHING BUDDHA TATTOO •
BELLEVUE AVE.
• SEATTLE COUNSELING SERVICE FOR SEXUAL MINORITIES MELROSE AVE.
• JULIAʼS
DENNY WAY
E. OLIVE ST. GLSEN ONYX LEATHER • SEAMEC
• STOUT • PURR
UNICORN• • POST OPTIONS •WILDROSE • HOT HOUSE
BATHS
LA CONNER RETAIL SHOPS
OLYMPIA
RESTAURANTS & BARS
PORT ANGELES SPOKANE
BELLINGHAM
POCO WINE ROOM - 1408 E. Pine St. - 322-9463 POKE BAR - 1542 12th Ave - 402-5178 PONY - 1221 E. Madison St. - 324-2854 PURR - 2307 24th Ave E. - 325-3112 QUEER BAR - 1518 11th Ave - 687-7491 R PLACE - 619 E. Pine - 322-8828 RE-BAR - 1114 Howell at Boren - 233-9873 ROOT TABLE 2213 NW Market St. - 420-3214 SEATTLE EAGLE - 314 E. Pike - 621-7591 SHORTY’S 2222 2nd Ave - 441-5449 STOUT -1530 11th Ave - 397-3825 TOULOUSE PETIT 601 Queen Anne Ave N - 432-9069 UNICORN - 1118 E Pike - 325-6492 WILDROSE - 1021 E. Pike - 324-9210 ZIPPY’S GIANT BURGERS 5633 Airport Way S - 466-5954 9614 14th Ave SW - 763-1347
DES MOINES
18 Seattle Gay News
December 15, 2017
ADULT AIRPORT VIDEO 2 21635 Pacific Hwy S - 878-7780
EVERETT
ADULT AIRPORT VIDEO 11732 Airport Road - (425) 290-7555 LOVER’S - 112 SE Everett - (425) 353-3607 LOVER’S - 3402 Broadway - (425) 252-8754
KENT
OVER’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
BELLINGHAM DES MOINES
T.
NS
E. PINE ST. E.
O DIS
MA
• DOGHOUSE LEATHERS
E. PIKE ST. • CHOP SUEY • MADISON PUB • DIESEL BAR • PONY
WILDROSE - 1021 E. Pike - 324-9210 ZIPPY’S GIANT BURGERS 5633 Airport Way S - 466-5954 HOT MAMA’S PIZZA - 700 E. Pine St. - 322-6444 9614 14th Ave SW - 763-1347 THE HERON INN & WATERGRASS DAY SPA CASTLE #17 CLUB Z - (men) JAZZ SUPERSTORE ALLEY - 2033 6th Ave. E. - 441-9729 BATHS 117 Maple Ave. - (877) 883-8899 1017 E. Pike- 300 St - 204-0126 1117 Pike near Boren - 622-9958 JULIA’S Broadway Ave. E. - 860-1818 info@theheron.com DOGHOUSE LEATHERS HOT HOUSE SPA & SAUNA - (women) KREMWERK - 1809 Minor Ave. #10 - 682-2935 CASTLE SUPERSTORE #17 CLUB Z - (men) 1312 E. Pike St.PUB - 257-0231 MADISON - 1315 E. Madison - 325-6537 SW corner of Pike & 11th 1017 E. Pike St - 204-0126 1117 Pike near Boren 622-9958 EMERSON SALON - 909 Broadway E. Pike St. - -323-7437 NEIGHBOURS - 1509 324-5358 (stairs behind Wildrose) - 568-3240 DOGHOUSE LEATHERS HOT HOUSE SPA & SAUNA (women) OUT WEST - 5401California SW HASHTAG - 3540 Stone Way N - Ave. 946-8157 STEAM WORKS - (men) 1312 E. Pike St. - 257-0231 SW corner of Pike & 11th PINEEXCHANGE BOX - 1600 Melrose Ave - 588-0375 DARBY’S NEWTHE YORK 1520 Summit - 388-4818 CAFE EMERSON SALON - 909 E. Pike St. - 323-7437 (stairs behind Wildrose) - 568-3240 WINE 225POCO Broadway E. ROOM - 726-3300 HASHTAG 3540- (360) Stone357-6229 Way N - 946-8157 211 5th Ave.- S.E. STEAM WORKS - (men) 1408 E. Pine St. - 322-9463 ONYX LEATHER - 1605 12th Ave. #8 - 328-1965 NEW YORK EXCHANGE LOVER’S 1520 Summit - 388-4818 BAR -Way 1542N12th Ave - 402-5178 225 Broadway 726-3300 OZ -POKE 3831 Stone - 251-0630 3959 Martin WayE. E.-Suite D - (360) 456-7300 88 KEYS - 315 2nd Ave. S. - 839-1300 PONY -- 1221 E. Madison - 324-2854 ONYX- LEATHER - 1605 #8 - 328-1965 PANACHE 225 Broadway E. -St. 726-3300 JAKES 311 4th Ave. E. - 12th (360)Ave. 956-3247 BALTIC ROOM - 1207 Pine St. - 625-4444 PURR 1465 - 1518 Ave. -St. 325-3112 OZ - 3831 Stone Way N - 251-0630 RUCKUS E 11th Republican - 257-4805 RESTAURANTS & BARS THE BOTTLENECK LOUNGE PLACE - 619 E. Pine - 322-8828 PANACHE THERFANTASY SHOP 2328 E. Madison St. - 323-1098 RE-BAR - 1114 Howell at Boren - 233-9873 225 Broadway E. - 726-3300 9630 16th Ave. SW - 762-3299 88 KEYS 315 2nd Ave. S. 839-1300 C.C. ATTLE’S BAR & GRILLE ROOT TABLE 2213 NW Market St. - 420-3214 RUCKUS 1465 E Republican St. - 257-4805 TABOO ADULT VIDEO BALTIC1701 ROOM 1207 Pine St. 625-4444 MAPLE ROSE INN E. Olive Way - 726-0565 SEATTLE EAGLE - 314 E. Pike - 621-7591 THE FANTASY SHOP 9813 16th Ave SW - 767-4855 THE BOTTLENECK LOUNGE 112 Reservoir Rd - (800) 570-2007 THE CANTERBURY - 534 15th Ave. E. - 322-3130 SHORTY’S 2222 2nd Ave - 441-5449 9630 16th Ave. SW - 762-3299 BABELAND - 707 E. Pike St. - 328-2914 2328 E. Madison St. 323-1098 CHANGES IN -WALLINGFORD STOUT -1530 11th Ave - 397-3825 TABOO ADULT VIDEO UNDER U 4 MEN C.C. ATTLE’S BAR & GRILLE 2103 N. 45th - 545-8363 TOULOUSE PETIT 9813 16th Ave SW - 767-4855 709 Broadway Ave. E. 324-6446 1701 E. Olive Way - 726-0565 THE CRESCENT - 1413 E. Olive Way - 720-8188 601 Queen Anne Ave N - 432-9069 TOYS IN BABELAND - 707 E. Pike St. - 328-2914 UNCLE IKE’S - 1118 E Pike - 325-6492 THE CANTERBURY - 534 15th Ave. E. - 322-3130 THE CUFF COMPLEX UNICORN ANDY’S W. 1st Ave. - (509) 747 - 0304 UNDER -U1401 4 MEN 2310 E Union St - 1-800-GET-DRUGS CHANGES IN WALLINGFORD STRAY NIGHTCLUB 709 Broadway Ave. E. - 324-6446 501 15th Ave E - 1-800-GET-DRUGS 2103 N. 45th - 545-8363 415 W. Sprague UNCLE IKE’S Ave. - (509) 624 - 4450 9822 15th Ave SW - 1-800-GET-DRUGS THE CRESCENT - 1413 E. Olive Way - 720-8188 2310BAR E Union StBISTRO - 1-800-GET-DRUGS NYNE AND WILD AT HEART THE CUFF COMPLEX - 1533 13th Ave. - 323-1525 501W. 15th Ave EAve. - 1-800-GET-DRUGS 232 Sprague - (509) 474 -1621 1111 NW Leary Way - 782-5538 DIESEL BAR - 1413 14th Ave. - 322-1080 9822 15th Ave SW - 1-800-GET-DRUGS GLO’S - 1621 E. Olive Way - 324-2577 WILD AT HEART HOT MAMA’S PIZZA - 700 E. Pine St. - 322-6444 1111 NW Leary Way - 782-5538 JAZZ ALLEY - 2033 6th Ave. E. - 441-9729 JULIA’S - 300 Broadway Ave. E. - 860-1818 KREMWERK - 1809 Minor Ave. #10 - 682-2935 LOVER’S LOVER’S MADISON PUB - 1315 E. Madison - 325-6537 193 Telegraph Road - (360) 752-1862 193 Telegraph Road - (360) 752-1862 NEIGHBOURS - 1509 Broadway - 324-5358 RUMORS CABARET RUMORS CABARET OUT WEST - 5401California Ave. SW 1119 Railroad - (306) 671-1849 1119 Railroad - (306) 671-1849 THE PINE BOX - 1600 Melrose Ave - 588-0375 1533 13th Ave. - 323-1525 DIESEL BAR - 1413 14th Ave. - 322-1080
RETAIL GLO’SSHOPS - 1621 E. Olive Way - 324-2577
• THE GASLIGHT INN
• POCO WINE ROOM
• THE CUFF COMPLEX • POKE BAR
E. UNION ST.
SEATTLE SEATTLE
• RUCKUS
E. UNION ST.
LA CONNER TACOMA
THE HERON INN & WATERGRASS DAY SPA 117 Maple Ave. - (877) 883-8899 - info@theCASTLE SUPERSTORE heron.com 6015 Tacoma Mall Blvd. - (253) 471-0391 CLUB SILVERSTONE 739½ St. Helens Ave. - (253) 404-0273 DARBY’S CAFE SHOP THE FANTASY 211 5th6th Ave. S.E. - (360) 357-6229 2301 Ave. - (253) 272-6640 LOVER’S LOVER’S 3959 Martin Way E. Blvd., Suite D 7002 Tacoma Mall #F- -(360) (253)456-7300 475-2271 JAKES - 311- 4th E. - (360) THE MIX 635 Ave. St. Helens Ave. 956-3247 - (253) 383-4327 RAINBOW CENTER 2215 Pacific Ave. - (253) 383-2318 SHAKABRAH JAVA CAFE MAPLE ROSE INN 2618Reservoir 6th Ave. -Rd (253) 572-2787 112 - (800) 570-2007
OLYMPIA
PORT ANGELES SPOKANE TRI-CITIES
ANDY’S CLUB OUT & ABOUT 1401 W. 1st Ave. - (509) 747 - 0304 327 W.NIGHTCLUB Lewis St., Pasco - (509) 543-3796 STRAY 415 W. Sprague Ave. - (509) 624 - 4450 NYNE BAR AND BISTRO 232 W. Sprague Ave. - (509) 474 -1621 LOVER’S - 530 Southcenter Blvd. - (206) 248-5085
TUKWILA
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
Seattle Gay NewsTRI-CITIES is available at CLUB OUT & ABOUT 327 W. Lewis St., Pasco - (509) 543-3796 EVERETT most Seattle, King County, Tacoma, ADULT AIRPORT VIDEO 11732 Airportand Road - (425) 290-7555CountyTUKWILA Pierce Public Libraries. LOVER’S - 112 SE Everett - (425) 353-3607 LOVER’S LOVER’S - 3402 Broadway - (425) 252-8754 Southcenter Blvd. - (206) 248-5085 If your branch library530isn't carrying SGN, KENT please let us know! LOVER’S 25801 104th Ave. S.E. - (253) 852-1720 THE FANTASY SHOP 206-324-4297 sgn2@sgn.com 604 Central Ave. S. - (253) 850-8428
ADULT AIRPORT VIDEO 2 21635 Pacific Hwy S - 878-7780
NASHVILLE’S SPORTS BAR (Drag Shows) 114 - Railroad Ave. N. - (253) 852 - 0909
Celebrating 43 Years!
community calendar
Meetings Events Activities
TO GET A CALENDAR LISTING: To have your meeting or event considered for the Community Calendar, please mail, fax, or drop off details to: SGN, Attn: Community Calendar, 1707 23rd Ave., Seattle, WA 98122. SGN phone: (206) 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. NOTE: 10-digit dialing has come to the Seattle area. The (206) area code must now be used to dial local calls. Location of meetings/events is in Seattle unless otherwise noted.
SATURDAY - December 16
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. (206) 4488518. www.seattlefrontrunners.org. Positively Living Coffee Social. 9:30am-12 noon. Cupcake Royale, 1111 E Pike St. Every Saturday. Casual social get-together for the HIV community. Anthony, 206-957-1600. Sponsored by LIfelong. Crystal Meth Anonymous. 10:30am. Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 1729 Harvard Ave. Also Mon @ 6:30pm, Thurs @ 6:30pm, Sun @ 6:30pm. Lambert House Queer Rec. 1pm. 1818 15th Ave. Meets 3rd Saturday each month. Outdoor & indoor adventures for youth ages 22 & under. www.lamberthouse.org PNW G/B/Q Longhaired Men. 2pm. Locations vary. Check the website or call for details. An informal social group for longhairs, growers, longhair admirers & their friends. We gather for brunch on the 3rd Saturday each month to socialize, chat & often go out afterwards for coffee or some activity. Please join us! For information & to RSVP: www.longhair.shorturl.com Seattle Prime Timers Holiday Banquet. 2pm. Best Western Executive Inn, 200 Taylor Ave N. Bring a gift if you want to participate in the exchange at the party; $10 limit. Silly is good! We will also have our annual general meeting. Members are FREE; guests $20. RSVP to Gregory by December 8 to attend this event. 206-7896778 or info@seattleprimetimers.org. We are limited to 35 guests this year. www.seattleprimetimers.org Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma - For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Youth, Ages 14-25. 6pm-12 midnight. Call for location & details. Every Saturday. (253) 671-2838. www.oasisyouthcenter.org. (Also Thursdays & Fridays 4-10pm.) “Somebody Get Me A Chainsaw” (12/14-12/17). 6:30pm door; 7pm show. Calamus Auditorium at Gay City, 517 E Pike St. Beware she’s loose!!! It’s been about a decade since Mark Finley tried to make a comeback; at least 2 decades since she’s done a live show; and she’s been stuck in this damn town for nearly 3 - wasn’t she supposed to be dead by now?!?! Yet Drag Icon Mark “Mom” Finley is doing a new live show at Gay City. The evening promises to be full of Finley’s unbelievable stories, funny songs, classic performances, and maybe a giant dildo!!! As the “script” will be pulled out of a button bag live during the performance, he won’t know what he’s performing until that minute!!! And you wonder why she wants the chainsaw!!! General admission: $15-20; students & seniors: $12. gaycity.org/arts
SUNDAY - December 17
Center for Spiritual Living. 8:25, 9:45, 11:30am. 5801 Sand Point Way NE. Blessings & we hope to see you soon! (206) 527-8801 ext 203, www.cslseattle.org Seattle Unity Church. 9am & 11am Sunday Services. 200 8th Ave N. (206) 622-8475; www.seattleunity.org. Seattle Soto Zen. 9:15am Zazen Instruction, 9:30am Zazen. 101 Nickerson St, Lower Level. Follow the traditional forms of the Soto school of Zen in a spirit of warmth & inclusion. Anyone interested in meditation, whether new or experienced in Zen practice or other traditions, is welcome. (206) 323-1659, www.seattlesotozen.org Gay Men’s Bowling in Everett. 9:30am. Glacier Lanes, 9630 Evergreen Way, Everett. Every Sunday. Spectators welcome. Join us for lunch afterwards! Sponsored by the Snohomish County Gay Men’s Task Force. For info email John at johndmarsh@mac.com; www.gaysnohomish.org Tacoma First United Methodist Church. 9:30am Worship, 11am Adult Education. 423 Martin Luther King Way, Tacoma. (253) 627-0129, www.fumctacoma.org University Lutheran Church. 9:30am Worship, 10:30am Coffee Fellowship, 11am Adult Forum & Education Hour. 1604 NE 50th St. All are welcome. We choose love. (206) 525-7074. universitylutheranseattle.org University Unitarian Church. 9:30am & 11:15am Sunday Services. 6556 35th Ave NE. www.uuchurch. org for details. Ravenna United Methodist Church. 9:45am Worship. 5751 33rd Ave NE. (206) 525-7988. Baha’i Prayer & Fellowship Circle. 10am. Pearl Warren Bldg, 606 12th Ave S. Meets 3rd Sunday each month. Share prayers, readings, thoughts & music. All backgrounds, all faiths welcome. (206) 391-2188. Central Lutheran Church. 10am Worship. 1710 11th Ave (just north of E Pine St). (206) 322-7500. East Shore Unitarian Church. 10am Sunday Service. 12700 SE 32nd St, Bellevue. (425) 747-3780. Ethyl Forever Car Club, Pacific NW Region Lambda Car Club Monthly Tire Kick/Social. 10:30am. Randy’s Restaurant, 10016 E Marginal Way S (south of the Museum of Flight). Meets 3rd Sunday each month.
December 16 thru December 24 Rain City Soccer Club - Kickabout. Sunday afternoon usually at 3pm. Location varies. Join us for Seattle’s mostly-weekly mostly-LGBTQ pickup soccer game. We play an organized, 2-hour scrimmage on nice fieldturf surface. Sometimes there is a brief training/practice session before we play. Usually there is a “one-beer” after the scrimmage. To sign up visit www.raincitysoccer.org Seattle Poly Potluck & Discussion Group. 5-8pm. (contact for new location) Meets 3rd Sunday each month. For people interested in polyamorous, open, and ethically non-monogamous relationships. $5 donation; please bring a potluck dish. This event is open to the public. Look for us on Facebook or Meetup. 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 (206) 237-8828, SAA International Service Organization 1-800-477-8191. Crystal Meth Anonymous. 6:30pm. Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 1729 Harvard Ave. Also Mon @ 6:30pm, Thurs @ 6:30pm, Sat @ 10:30am. crystalmeth.org. Pride League Bowling. 6:30pm. West Seattle Bowl, 4505 39th Ave SW. Every Sunday. Regular league bowling. Jeff, (206) 932-3731; leagues@wsbowl.com. [EXCEPT no bowling June, July & August.] Integrity/Puget Sound. 7pm Worship & Fellowship. St. Mark’s Cathedral, Thomson Chapel, 1245 10th Ave E. Integrity is an international ministry of Gay & Lesbian Episcopalians, their friends & families, dedicated to education, support & service within the Church & the GLBT community. (425) 226-2746. “Somebody Get Me A Chainsaw” (12/14-12/17). 6:30pm door; 7pm show. Calamus Auditorium at Gay City, 517 E Pike St. Beware she’s loose!!! It’s been about a decade since Mark Finley tried to make a comeback; at least 2 decades since she’s done a live show; and she’s been stuck in this damn town for nearly 3 - wasn’t she supposed to be dead by now?!?! Yet Drag Icon Mark “Mom” Finley is doing a new live show at Gay City. The evening promises to be full of Finley’s unbelievable stories, funny songs, classic performances, and maybe a giant dildo!!! As the “script” will be pulled out of a button bag live during the performance, he won’t know what he’s performing until that minute!!! And you wonder why she wants the chainsaw!!! General admission: $15-20; students & seniors: $12. gaycity.org/arts Noche Latina - Latino Night. 10pm. Neighbours, 1509 Broadway. Every Sunday.
MONDAY - December 18
This monthly informal auto enthusiasts event starts with breakfast at this location with a show & tell and continues to a chosen point of interest. Open to all LGBTQ persons & friends who have an interest in the automobile, not just collector or performance vehicles. ethylforever@hotmail.com Gethsemane Lutheran Church. 10am Worship. 911 Stewart St. (206) 682-3620. Plymouth Church United Church of Christ. 10am Workship. 1217 6th Ave. Love your (LGBTQ) neighbor as yourself. (206) 622-4865, plymouthchurchseattle.org Queen Anne United Methodist Church. 10am Worship. 1606 5th Ave W. (206) 282-4307. Unity Church of Kent. 10am. 218 State Ave S, Kent. (253) 854-9747. University Congregational United Church of Christ. 9am all ages education; 10am Worship. 4515 16th Ave NE. (206) 524-2322; www.universityucc.org. Wallingford United Methodist Church. 10am Worship. 2115 N 42nd St. A progressive congregation. In 1984 Wallingford UMC became the 9th reconciling Methodist church in the U.S. (206) 547-6945; (206) 285-5077. All Pilgrims Christian Church. 10:30am Worship. 500 Broadway E. Come as you are. All are welcome. A congregation of the Disciples of Christ & the United Church of Christ. (206) 322-0487, www.allpilgrims.org St. Clement’s Episcopal Church. 10:30am Worship. 1501 32nd Ave S. Great music. Dynamic preaching. Holy communion. Encountering the transformative and unconditional love of God in Christ. Join us! www. stclementseattle.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. Welcome Table Christian Church. 9:45am Meditation; 10:30am Worship; Labyrinth 2nd Sundays 1-4pm. 1322 S Bayview St. Where people of all genders and sexualities, and families of all shapes & sizes are welcome and celebrated. A welcoming and affirming community since 1987. welcometablecc.org Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation. 10:30am. 7141 California Ave SW. www.wsuu.org Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church Seattle. 11am Worship. Chapel at University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 NE 43rd St. MCC is a progressive Christ-centered faith community committed to providing a nurturing environment for individual &
Visit us online www.sgn.org
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. 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. PFLAG/Kitsap County (Bremerton) Monthly Meeting. 6-7pm. Kitsap Pride, 532 5th Ave #20, Bremerton. Meets 3rd Monday each month. Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays is a national support organization for parents, spouses & families of GLBT persons, as well as those minorities. www.kitsappflag.org and on Facebook. kitsappflag@yahoo.com. (888) 636-0652. PFLAG/Puget Sound: (206) 325-7724. [Location updated 11-3-17] Crystal Meth Anonymous. 6:30pm. Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 1729 Harvard Ave. Also Thurs @ 6:30pm, Sat @ 10:30am, Sun @ 6:30pm. crystalmeth.org. Orca Swim Team Workout. Evening. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday afternoon listing.) 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.org PFLAG/Everett (Snohomish County) Monthly Meeting. 7pm. Stillaguamish Public Meeting Room #1, Robert J. Drewell Bldg., 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett. Meets 3rd Monday each month. Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays is a national support organization for parents, spouses & families of GLBT persons, as well as those minorities. www.pflageverett.org; PFLAG/Puget Sound: (206) 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. (206) 322-2515, www.lamberthouse.org Unity Gay Men’s AA Group in Tacoma. 7:30pm. New Heart MCC, 759 S 45th St. Tacoma. Every Monday. (253) 474-8897. Washington Gender Alliance Support Group Meeting in Shoreline. 7:30pm. Center for Human Services, 17018 15th Ave NE, Shoreline. Every Monday. www. washingtongenderalliance.com Queers, Crackpots & Fallen Women AA. 8-9pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Monday. Open women only AA group. www.sasgcc.org
community growth thru Jesus Christ while celebrating unity in diversity. MCC is Seattle’s oldest Gay-friendly church. (206) 325-2421, www.mccseattle.org. Meditation for GBT Men. 11am-1pm. Cal Anderson House, 400 Broadway. Suitable for beginning & experienced meditators. Sponsored by Dharma Buddies. Contact Forrest Rode, (206) 920-6117, or Doug Allison, doug.l.allison@gmail.com. Find us under “Dharma Buddies” under Meetup.com or DharmaBuddies.org. (Women may wish to contact our sister meditation group at www.LotusSisters.org.) St Paul’s United Church of Christ. 11am Worship. 6512 12th Ave NW. www.stpauluccseattle.com. St Paul’s Episcopal Church. 11:15am (also 7:30am, 9am, 5pm). 15 W Roy St. We are an accepting, progressive, Anglo-Catholic parish, renewing its people for their Christian lives in today’s world through worship, spiritual formation, engagement in the arts, and acts of compassion. www.stpaulseattle.com Holy Covenant International Christian Community Church. 12pm. 4525 19th Ave NE. Outreach to the LGBT community. holycovenantccc@gmail.com Just for Today. 12-1:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Sunday. Drop-in 12-step (Narcotics Anonymous) group open to anyone in recovery. 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 (206) 625-0000; www.seattle-al-anon.org SLAA New Beginnings. 12 noon-1pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E #201, O’Neil Room. Meets daily (except Saturday). SLAA is a 12 Step/12 Tradition-oriented Fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope to overcome sex and love patterns of addiction. www.sasgcc.org Seattle Prime Timers Rap Group. 1:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E Ste 201, Ian MacKintosh Room. Subject: What is your favorite holiday memory? www.seattleprimetimers.org Orca Swim Team Workout. Sun: Afternoon; Mon/Weds/ Fri: Evenings; Tues/Thurs: Mornings. Seattle University, TUESDAY - December 19 Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. Preregistration required. Orca Swim Team workouts are Orca Swim Team Workout. Morning. Seattle University, for both competitive & recreational swimmers. www. Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday afternoon listing.) orcaswimteam.org
December 15, 2017
Seattle Gay News 19
LGBTQ+ Group. 1:15-2:15pm. Orion Center, 1828 Yale Ave. Every Tuesday. A group for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 & their allies. Sponsored by Youthcare. (206) 622-5555. LGBTQ-Affirming Affordable Senior Housing Community Visioning Workshop. 5:30-7:30pm. The Summit, 420 E Pike St. Environmental Works, our architects, will be leading a participatory process where they hope to hear from everyone attending about ideas for the new building, especially community gathering areas. The hope is to identify community goals and a shared vision for the project as well as program ideas for the retail spaces. They’ll use this feedback as they begin the design process. This will be a facilitated discussion about developing a shared vision and community goals for an affordable housing development at 14th Ave & Union St that aims to address the needs of LGBTQ elders in the community. Food and beverage will be provided. More info and to RSVP available online at bit.ly/union14. RSVP (requested but not required) helps with planning for food and seating. Sponsored by Capitol Hill Housing. LGBTQ Questioning & Allied Youth Drop-in Group in Renton. 6-8pm. Renton Area Youth Services (RAYS), 1025 S 3rd St, Renton. 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 Seattle Police Department LGBTQ Advisory Council Monthly Meeting. 6-8pm. Seattle Police Department East Precinct Community Meeting Room, 12th Ave & E Pine St. Meets 3rd Tuesday most months. An opportunity for the GLBT community to speak openly with the SPD to dialog on public safety issues, plan officer training on sexual-minority topics, suggest ways to improve communications & procedures, explore protection strategies to minimize Gay-bashing incidents, & address other related concerns. The Sexual Minority Community Advisory Council has been established by the SPD to increase relationships & communication between the community & the SPD. Members of the GLBT community are invited to attend. kim.bogucki@seattle.gov 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. Diverse Harmony. 6:30-9pm. Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave. Every Tuesday. Diverse Harmony is the nation’s first Gay/Straight Alliance Youth Chorus. Youths ages 13-22 are welcome regardless of sexual orientation. www.diverseharmony.org Queer Young Females Group - For Female-Identified Youth, Ages 22 & Under. 6:30-7:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Tuesday. Topics range from family issues to school happenings to like/lust/love relationships. All Queer females welcome. Come discuss how smart. strong Queer women live their lives. (206) 3222515, 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 (206) 237-8828. SAA International Service Organization 1-800-477-8191. Different Drummers. 7:15-8:30pm. Every Tuesday. Hand drumming classes for Gay men. It’s easy, it’s fun & anyone can do it! Learn traditional African & AfroCaribbean rhythms & basic hand drumming techniques. Experience connection, community & spirituality. Drums are provided. For info & location call Dennis at (206) 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. www. sasgcc.org Here & Now Gay & Lesbian AA Meeting in Tacoma. 7:30pm. Christ Episcopal Church, 310 N “K” St, Tacoma. Every Tuesday. Spiritual Empowerment. 7:30-9pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. A group for all LGBT & friends of any spiritual belief to explore how spiritual practice can enrich their life. 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. Beginners & experienced players welcome. Check our website for up to the minute details, or call the Otter Hotline (206) 414-8797. www.otterpolo.com. Seattle Poetry Slam. Doors 8pm, Show 8:30pm. Rebar, 1114 Howell St. Every Tuesday. A spoken word poetry event that features a weekly open mic, feature poet, and slam (poetry competition). Come out and express yourself. LGBTQ- & QTPOC-friendly; all genders welcome. $5. 21+. seattlepoetryslam.org
community calendar
Bottom Dwellers Scuba Club Monthly Potluck & Meeting. 7pm. Meets 3rd Thursday each month. Bottom Dwellers promotes safe & responsible scuba diving & other outdoor activities for the GLBT community & friends at all experience levels. For info & location, www. bottomdwellers.org. Boys’ Group - For Male-Identified Youth, Ages 1422. 7-8:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Thursday. Youth take the opportunity to talk about issues that relate to their everyday lives, with the facilitation of a male volunteer. (206) 322-2515 ext 16. www. lamberthouse.org GLBT Legal Clinic. 7-9pm. Meets 3rd Thursday each month. QLaw Foundation holds a monthly legal clinic addressing the legal needs of LGBT individuals & couples. Volunteer attorneys provide FREE 30-minute consultations. For information and to schedule an appointment, call (206) 235-7235. Clinic volunteers return calls on Tuesdays between 12noon-3pm. For information, visit www.q-law.org/legalclinic PFLAG Bellevue/Eastside Monthly Meeting. 7-9pm. First United Methodist Church, 1934 108th Ave NE, Bellevue. Meets 3rd Thursday each month. Wheelchair accessible. We offer support and education in a safe, confidential, and welcoming atmosphere and serve East King County communities including Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Bothell, Woodinville, Duvall, Snoqualmie, and Carnation. The first half of each meeting is dedicated to support, the second half is usually a guest speaker. See http://community.pflag.org/PFLAGBellevue. Contact us at info@ bellevue-pflag.org or (425) 483-6642. PFLAG Bellevue/ Eastside is a support and advocacy group, uniting members of the LGBTQ community with friends, families, and allies. PFLAG does not promote one political or religious view and is inclusive to people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and faiths. Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays is a national support organization for parents, spouses & families of GLBT persons, as well as those minorities. 21st Century Bowling. 7pm. West Seattle Bowl, 4505 39th Ave SW. Every Thursday. Regular league bowling. Jeff, (206) 932-3731; leagues@wsbowl.com. [EXCEPT no bowling June, July, August.] Buddhism & Recovery. 7:30-9pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Thursday. A meditation/recovery group. www.sasgcc.org Gay Fathers Association of Seattle. 7:30-9pm. Group Health, 201 16th Ave E, Central Bldg, Lower Atrium. Every Thursday. Support meetings for Gay fathers & Gay men who are currently or previously married. Safe, anonymous, non-judgmental environment of caring fathers & friends. You are not alone. For information, community events & “questioning” visit www.gfas.org or our message board at http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/ gayfathersseattle Gay Male Sexuality & Relationships. 7:30-9pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Thursday. A discussion group that is strictly focused on sexual topics and relationship issues related to being a Gay male. www.sasgcc.org Debauchery. Doors 7:30pm, Show 8pm. Neighbours Nightclub, 1509 Broadway. Meets 3rd Thursday each month. Queers stripping for Queers in a hot, anti-oppressive space, raising money for organizations that serve the Queer community. The show features stripteases, THURSDAY - December 21 lots of audience interaction & even birthday lapdances Orca Swim Team Workout. Morning. Seattle University, on stage! Be sure to bring plenty of dollar bills - a portion Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See of the proceeds goes to non-profits providing health & Sunday afternoon listing.) social services within the Queer community. Tickets: Alcoholics Anonymous “Safe & Sober Group.” $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Pay-what-you-can also 12noon-1pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Open available. www.lilydivine.com meeting of AA. www.sasgcc.org Seattle Otters Water Polo Team. 8-9:30pm. Medgar BABES Women’s Support Group/Lunch Meeting. Evers Pool, 500 23rd Ave E (at E Cherry St). Every 12 noon-2pm. Call for location. Every Thursday. The Tuesday & Thursday - except summer break mid-JuneBABES Network is a peer led agency; a sisterhood of Aug. (See Tuesday listing at 8pm.) women facing HIV together. (206) 720-5566 or 888-292FRIDAY - December 22 1912; www.babesnetwork.org. Seattle LGBTQ Employees for Equality (SEqual). AA Ageless in Recovery. 12noon-1pm. SASG, 115 15th 12noon. Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave, Room Ave E, Suite 201. Every Friday. A drop in AA group for 4070. Meets 3rd Thursday each month. Open to the older & wiser people 55+. www.sasgcc.org public. Re-Parenting Ourselves. 12noon-1pm. SASG, 115 Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma - For Gay, Lesbian, 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Friday. A peer support Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Youth, Ages group for adult children of any addiction. www.sasgcc.org 14-25. 4-10pm. Call for location & details. Every Thurs- SLAA Road to Recovery. 12noon-1:30pm. SASG, 115 day. (253) 671-2838, www.oasisyouthcenter.org 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Friday. Ongoing 12 step Shifting Gears. 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, group for sex & love addicts. www.sasgcc.org Suite 201. Every Thursday. Drop-in support group (non Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma - For Gay, Lesbian, 12-step) for anyone of any orientation or gender who Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Youth, Ages desires recovery from drugs or alcohol. www.sasgcc.org 4-10pm. Call for location & details. Every Friday. WEDNESDAY - December 20 B-GLAD (Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Trans & Question- 14-25. (253) 671-2838, www.oasisyouthcenter.org Mature Friends Walk Around Greenlake. 11am. Meet ing Adolescent Drop-In Group). 6:30-8pm. Call for Strength Over Speed. 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave up at 10:50am with a group of older men gathered at the location. Every Thursday. Sponsored by Youth Eastside E, Suite 201. FREE drop-in support group (not a 12-step) north end of the parking lot that is next to the boathouse Services, which offers many programs for GLBT youth. for Gay & Bi men who desire recovery from meth. www. along the southwest side of Greenlake. Every Wednes- (425) 747-4937. strengthoverspeed.org. day. Walk around Greenlake followed by lunch at a local Crystal Meth Anonymous. 6:30pm. Capitol Hill PresbyCascades Rainbow Community Center - in Mount restaurant. www.maturefriends.org terian Church, 1729 Harvard Ave. Also Mon @ 6:30pm, Vernon. 6:30-10:30pm. 1508 N 18th St, Mount Vernon. True Colors: Connecting LGBTQ Teens in Shoreline. Sat @ 10:30am, Sun @ 6:30pm. crystalmeth.org. Every Friday. Weekly social get-togethers including 4-5pm. Every Wednesday. Discussing your important Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities. 6:30- potlucks and movie nights for LGBTQAI folks in Skagit issues, building a supportive community. For informa- 8:30pm. Municipal Bldg, 600 4th Ave, Room 221. Meets County and beyond. The Center has the largest LGtion, location & to REGISTER call Lindsay Bagley (206) 3rd Thursday each month. SCSM is made up of 15 BTQAI library in Skagit County with an online catalog 362-7282 x 8018 or email lbagley@chs-nw.org volunteer members who work to ensure that the City of their collection. (360) 840-8499 and on Facebook. Positively Living. 5-7pm. Lifelong, 1016 E Pike St., of Seattle fairly & equitably addresses sexual minority Orca Swim Team Workout. Evening. Seattle University, 3rd Fl. Every Wednesday. Social and support group for concerns. Meetings open to the public. (206) 684-4514. Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See the HIV community with various topics for discussion Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation - Sunday afternoon listing.) and conversation. Anthony, 206-957-1600. Sponsored Contemplative Service. 6:30pm. 7141 California Ave Lambert House Queer Movie Night. 7-9:30pm. Lamby Lifelong. SW. (206) 935-0418, office@wsuu.org, www.wsuu.org bert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Friday. Lambert House
20 Seattle Gay News
GLOBE (GLBTQ Loving Ourselves, Becoming Empowered): A Support Group for GLBTQ+Youth (14-20) serving Snohomish County & surrounding communities. 6-8pm. Phone or email for location. Every Wednesday. Sponsored by PFLAG Everett. Brenda, (425) 263-2908. globeleaders@hotmail.com Queer Seattle Book Club. 6pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E (upstairs). Every Wednesday. This month’s title is Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman. www.sasgcc.org The Rowing Team Peer Recovery Group. 6-7:30pm. All Pilgrims Church, 500 Broadway E. Every Wednesday. This peer recovery group provides a safe & supportive faith community to share your recovery journey with, God answers our prayers & sends us a boat. Sometimes rowing furiously for yourself & sometimes for others. All are welcome. Lotus Sisters Meditation & Dharma Discussion North. 6:15-8pm. Ravenna Bryant neighborhood. Every Wednesday. Call (206) 525-7295 for location. www. LotusSisters.org. Center for Spiritual Living. 6:30pm-Meditation, 7pmService. 5801 Sand Point Way NE. Blessings & we hope to see you soon! Info (206) 527-8801 ext 203, www.cslseattle.org Orca Swim Team Workout. Evening. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday afternoon listing.) Seattle Frontrunners Fun Run. 6:30pm. Volunteer Park (in front of Black Sun across for museum). Every Wednesday. (See Saturday at 9am.) Ingersoll All-Trans Drop-In Support Group. 7-9pm. Seattle Counseling Services, 1216 Pine St, Suite 300. Every Wednesday. All Transgender, Gender Variant, Gender Queer, Gender Questioning, allies, family & friends are welcome. This is a drop in group to get & give support, social interaction & information for the whole Gender community. No fee, donations welcome. www. ingersollcenter.org Mature Friends Weekly Bridge Group. 7pm. Wallingford Community Senior Center, lower level of Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnywide Ave N. Every Wednesday. All levels welcome. MF is a social organization for Gay men & women, 40 years & over. www. maturefriends.org HIV/AIDS Newly Diagnosed or Newly Dealing. 7:309pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave, Suite 200. Meets 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month. Ongoing support group for anyone who is HIV+. www.sasgcc.org Mature Friends Pinochle Group. 7:30pm. Wallingford Community Senior Center, lower level of Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnywide Ave N. Meets 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month All levels welcome. MF is a social organization for Gay men & women, 40 years & over. www.maturefriends.org 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.
December 15, 2017
is a nationally-recognized activities & resource center for GLBT & questioning youth, ages 14-22. (206) 322-2515, www.lamberthouse.org Rain Country Dance Night. 7-11pm, lessons at 7:15pm. The Cuff, 1533 13th Ave. An evening of country-western dancing for the LGBTQ community. FREE. www.raincountrydance.org. Destiny Gay AA Group in Tacoma. 7:30pm. New Heart MCC, 759 S 45th St, Tacoma. Every Friday. (253) 474-8897. GaYme Night 4 the LGBT Community. 8pm-1am. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Meets 3rd & 4th Friday each month. Board games, cards & fun. www.sasgcc.org LGBT Friday Night Al-Anon Family Group. 8pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201 - in the O’Neill Room. Every Friday. 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 (206) 625-0000; www.seattle-al-anon.org
SATURDAY - December 23
(See previous Saturday for ongoing activities.)
SUNDAY - December 24
CHRISTMAS EVE (See previous Sunday for ongoing activities.) No Safeword Writers Group. 1pm. See website for location. Meets 2nd & 4th Sunday 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. NSWG’s primary focus is erotic writing - but they welcome anyone who writes. The only requirements are to write, to attend, & to be respectful. For info & location, NSWG@sexpositiveculture.org; www.nosafewordwritersgroup.org
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Allyship - an organization of LGBTQ individuals fighting for economic and social justice. www.LGBTQAllyship. org, allyship@yahoo.com, (206) 279-8169. American Veterans for Equal Rights - www.aver.us Another Gay Social Club! - www.meetup.com/AnotherGay-Social-Club/ Bellingham/Whatcom County - www.theslowlane. com/guide.html BiNet Seattle is a mixed gender, social group for Bisexuals, their partners & other Bi-friendly folks - www. binetseattle.org. Bremerton/Kitsap County - www.outwestsound.org Capitol Hill Alano Club - www.chacseattle.org Cascade Rainbow Community Center (Mount Vernon) - (360) 840-8499 and on Facebook. COLAGE unites people with LGBTQ parents and caregivers into a network of peers and supports them as they nurture and empower each other to be skilled, self-confident, and just leaders in our collective communities - www.colage.org Central Washington University GALA Hotline: (509) 963-1994. DIFFA/Northwest (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS). (206) 763-8885; www.diffanorthwest. org DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ASSAULT: Crisis Clinic, (206) 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, (206) 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, (206) 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 - (206) 324-2570; www. equalrightswashington.org Everett/Snohomish Cty - www.gaysnohomish.org Freely Speaking Toastmasters - www.freelyspeaking.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, (206) 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. Generations Aging With Pride empowers elder LGBTQ adults to live with pride and dignity by promoting, connecting, and developing innovative programs and services that enhance belonging and support, eliminate discrimination, and honor the lives of older members of our community - (206) 495-8312; info@gapseattle.org; gapseattle.org GLSEN/WA - Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network - (206) 330-2099; www.glsenwa.org Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) - (206) 363-9188; www.thegsba.org HIV/AIDS Program, Seattle/King County Dept of Public Health, provides confidential/anonymous information about & testing for HIV/AIDS. (206) 205-7837. For a
Celebrating 43 Years!
comprehensive list of HIV/AIDS service organizations see the GSBA Guide or visit www.thegsba.org or call Lifelong AIDS Alliance, (206) 328-8979. Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle & the Olympic & Rainier Empire - www.facebook.com/ISCSORE; www. imperialcourtofseattle.com Lambert House - (206) 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 - (206) 250-5002; LGBTMSConnection@gmail.com. Support group for LGBT persons with MS and their partners and their caregivers. Sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Lifelong AIDS Alliance - (206) 328-8979, www.lifelongaids alliance.org Lion’s Main Art Collective - www.lionsmain.org MEN: Gay City: (206) 860-6969, www.gaycity.org; Knights of Mantra: (206) 329-0886, www.jetchapterkofm.com; Mature Friends: Gay men & women 40 & over, www.maturefriends.org; Northwest Bears: www. nwbears.com; The Olympians: www.TheOlympians. net; POZSeattle: www.pozseattle.org; Q-Squared: www.qsquared.org; Rain City Jacks: www.raincityjacks. org; Seattle Gay Couples: www. seattlegaycouples. org; Seattle Men in Leather: www.seattlemeninleather. org; Seattle Prime Timers: Gay & Bi men 40 & over, www.seattle primetimers.org; Tacoma Older LGBT: www.tacomaolderlgbt.org. (See also listings under Bisexual, Parenthood, People of Color, Transgender.) MUSIC: Diverse Harmony: www.diverseharmony. org; Rainbow City Band: 1-866-841-9139 ext 2126; rainbowcityband@onebox.com; www.rainbowcity band. com; Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus: (206) 388-1408, (206) 323-0750. www.seattlechoruses.org. Northwest Lesbian & Gay History Museum Project - gayhistnw@aol.com Northwest Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf - www. nwrad.org Olympia/Thurston County - www.RainbowCenterOly. org Out & Equal Workplace Advocates/Seattle Regional Affiliate supports the work of LGBT employees and the growing number of ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) making a difference within local companies, including Alaska Airlines, Amazon.com, Amgen, AT&T, Bank of America, Deloitte, Macy’s, Microsoft, Russell Investments, Safeco Insurance, Starbucks Coffee, Xerox. www.outandequal.org/affiliates/seattle Out & Proud Grays Harbor Coalition - http://outandproudgh.org PARENTHOOD: Families Like Ours provides a gateway for LGBT families interested in adoption & provides a network of safe placement agencies, training, support & resources: (206) 441-7602, www.familieslikeours. org; Family Works offers support, information & activities for LGBT families: (206) 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: (206) 568-7777, qpnd@nwnetwork.org, www.nwnetwork.org; Rainbow Families of Puget Sound: www.rainbowfamiliesps.org PFLAG is the national organization for parents, families, allies, and LGBTQ people united for equality with chapters in Seattle, Bellevue/Eastside, the Puget Sound region and across Washington state. PFLAG Seattle: (206) 325-7724, info@pflagseattle.org, and www.pflagseattle.org; PFLAG Bellevue/Eastside: (425) 483-6642, info@bellevue-pflag.org, http://community. pflag.org/PFLAGBellevue; PFLAG Pacific Northwest: www.pnwpflag.org; PFLAG Washington State: www. pflagwsc.org. PEOPLE OF COLOR: AARTH (African American Reach & Teach Health Ministry), (206) 850-2070, www.aarth.org; Asian/Pacific Islander Queer Network Program at API Chaya, (206) 467-9976; Center for MultiCultural Health, (206) 461-6910, www.multiculturalhealth.org; Entre Hermanos, GLBT Latinos/as, (206) 322-7700, www.entrehermanos.org; Ile LaiLai, (206) 781-3565, iya@ilelailai.org; Men of All Colors & Cultures Together (MACCT), (206) 923-8313, macctseattle@yahoo.com, www.macctsea.org; Northwest Two Spirit Society, https://www.facebook.com/ groups/nw2spiritsociety/, Nubian Pride Productions, nubianpride@gmail.com; People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN) offers rapid HIV testing, M-F, 10am-5pm, (206) 322-7061, www.pocaan.org and on Facebook; QBASS - Queer Black Alliance of the South Sound, (253) 256-1846, weareqbass@gmail. com; Sistah 2 Sistah, LBT women of African descent, (206) 322-7061, (206) 255-8951; Somos Seattle, somosseattle.org; 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, www.utopiaseattlewa.org; VietQ Greater Seattle, vietqorganization@gmail.com Pierce County AIDS Foundation - (253) 383-2565; www.piercecountyaids.org Pride Foundation - (206) 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. (206) 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
community calendar
Q Law: The GLBT Bar Association of WA - (206) 682-6711; www.q-law.org; Q Law GLBT Legal Clinic - (206) 235-7235. Queer Geek! - queergeekseattle.org Resource & Referral Line can connect you to LGBTfriendly resources throughout Puget Sound and beyond. Call (206) 323-LGBT Mon-Fri 2-8pm; Sat 2-5pm. At other times leave voice mail and your call will be returned. Or visit www.gaycity.org to view list of resources online or through Facebook. Safe Schools Coalition - www.safeschoolscoalition. org; (206) 451-SAFE; (206) 451-7233. SEAMEC interviews, researches & rates candidates for public office on issues of concern to the LGBT community. www.voteseamec.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. (206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Seattle Bisexual Women’s Network - BiSeattle.wixsite. com/SBWN and on Facebook. 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. (206) 323-1768. Seattle LGBTQ Commission - (206) 684-4503. Seattle Out & Proud - (206) 322-9561; www.seattlepride.org Seattle Police Department Sexual Minorities Community Advisory Council: kim.bogucki@seattle.gov Seattle PrideFest - www.seattlepridefest.org Seattle Treatment Education Project (STEP) E-zine is an electronic resource distributed to people affected by HIV/AIDS, case managers, front line workers & other health professionals. Now a part of Lifelong AIDS Alliance, (206) 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 - (206) 860-3666; www.theabbey.org Snohomish Health District HIV/AIDS Program provides free confidential/anonymous HIV counseling & testing 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, until 7pm Tuesdays. (425) 339-5298.
Visit us online www.sgn.org
South Sound Q Calendar - LGBTQ events in Tacoma, Olympia & Sound Puget Sound area; www.SouthSoundQCal.com Spokane/Inland Northwest - www.outspokane.com; www.stonewallnews.net SPORTS & RECREATION: Bent Car Guys: www. bentcarguys.org; Border Riders Motorcycle Club: www.borderriders.com; Bottom Dwellers Scuba Club: www.bottomdwellers.org; Capitol Hill Cyclers: join their Facebook group or email capitolhillcycling@ groups.facebook.com or jordan.l.simonson@gmail.com; Cascade Flyers: www.cascadeflyers.org; Different Spokes Bicycling Club: www.differentspokes.org; Emerald City Mudhen Rugby: www.mudhenrugby. com; Emerald City Softball Association: www.emeraldcitysoftball.org, www.eteamz.com/womensecsa; Ethyl Forever Car Club: ethylforever@hotmail.com; Festival of the Babes: www.festivalofthebabes.com; Olympic Yacht Club: www.oycnw.org; OutVentures: outdoor education & recreation activities, www.outventures.org; Pacific Northwest Gay Rodeo Association: www.pacificnwgra.org; Puddletown Squares: www. puddletownsquares.org; Rain City Soccer: www.raincitysoccer.org; Rain Country Dance Association: a country-western dance organization catering to the LGBTQ community but open to all, www.raincountrydance. org; Sea Dawgs: LGBT ice hockey - SkateSeaDawgs@ gmail.com and on Facebook; Seattle Frontrunners: www.seattlefrontrunners.org; Seattle Gay Basketball Association: www.seattlegaybasketballassociation. com; Seattle Orca Swim Team: www.orcaswimteam. org; Seattle Otters Water Polo: www.otterpolo.com; Seattle Quake Rugby: www.quakerugby.com; Seattle Tennis Alliance: www.seattletennisalliance.org; Seattle Unified Bowling Association (SUBA): magee98106@ aol.com, www.teamseattle.org/bowling.htm, www. theprideleague.com, Century 21 League; Seattle Volleyball Club: www.seattlevolleyballclub.com; Ski Buddies: www. skibuddies.org; Team Seattle Gay Sports Network is an umbrella organization for a wide range of local GLBT sports activities, (206) 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
December 15, 2017
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 & Foreign-Born Support Group: (206) 322-7700; Ingersoll Gender Center: (206) 329-6651, www. ingersollcenter.org; Lion’s Main Art Collective: www. lionsmain.org The New BoyZ Club: www.olympiaftmgroup.webs.com; Olympia Trans Discussion Group: www.facebook.com/pages/Olympia-Trans-DiscussionGroup/262449878114; [trans] ACTION: Trans* & Gender Non-Conforming Sex Workers’ Support Group - a safe, peer-led space. mail@utopiaseattle.org; TRANSform Washington: transformwashington.com; Trans Resource & Referral Guide: kctransguide.org; Washington Gender Alliance: (360) 445-2411, www. washington genderalliance.com WOMEN: Aging Ballard Lesbian Exchange (A.B.L.E.): We are Lesbians 60 years (generally) and up, living (mostly) in the north half of Seattle. The purpose of the group is to connect, socialize and support each other. ruthemilyvogel@gmail.com; Aging Lesbians in South Seattle (ALISS) - Lesbian Group at the Southeast Seattle Senior Center. This is a gathering primarily for Lesbians but all are welcome to attend. Kate, (206) 722-0317; www.sessc.org; BABES: support groups for HIV+ women. (206) 720-5566, 1-888-292-1912; Coming Out Women Support Group of Tacoma: www. comingoutwomen.org; Festival of the Babes: www. festivalofthebabes.com; Lesbians Over 40: (206) 7220729; Mature Friends: Gay men & women 40 & over, www.maturefriends.org; Puget Sound Old Lesbian Organizing for Change: http://psoloc.org, (253) 7773357; 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 Bisexual Women’s Network: BiSeattle.wixsite.com/SBWN; Seattle Girls of Leather: www.sgol.org; Tacoma Lesbian Concern (TLC): www.tacomalesbianconcern.org; Tacoma Older LGBT: www.tacomaolderlgbt.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, (206) 461-4493. (See also listings under Bisexual, Parenthood, People of Color, Transgender.) 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; Coyote Central: www.coyotecentral.org; 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. (206) 330-2099; www.glsenwa. org; www.wagsa.org. GLOBE (GLBTQ Loving Ourselves, Becoming Empowered): a support group & HIV/STD prevention program for GLBTQ youth, 14-20, in Everett, (425) 263-2908, www. globeyouth.org; It Gets Better Project: www.itgetsbetter.org; Lambert House: an activities & resource center for LGBT youth, 14-22, in Seattle, 1818 15th Ave @ E Denny Way; (206) 322-2515, www.lamberthouse.org; Lifelong HEYO (Health Education Youth Outreach): for LGBTQ youth, ages 16-24: (206) 957-1665; www. llaa.org/HEYO; www.MatthewsPlace.com; The Mockingbird Society: (206) 323-KIDS (5437), www.mockingbirdsociety.org; Oasis Youth Center: for GLBTQ youth, ages 14-25, in Tacoma, (253) 671-2838, www. oasisyouthcenter.org; OUT There Adventures: www. outthereadventures.org; Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG)/Puget Sound: (206) 3257724, www.seattle-pflag.org; Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets (PSKS) Drop-In Center & Young Adult Shelter: 1609 19th Ave @ E Pine St., (206) 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; Roots Young Adult Shelter: 1415 NE 43rd St., (206) 632-1635; www.rootsinfo.org; Safe Schools Coalition: www.safeschoolscoalition.org; (206) 451-SAFE, (206) 451-7233 (non-emergency), 1-877-SAFE-SAFE (1-877-723-3723) (crisis line); Seattle Young People’s Project (Queer Youth Resource Board): (206) 860-9606, www.sypp.org; Street Youth Ministries (SYM): (206) 524-7301 ext 111; www. streetyouthministries.org; Teen Link: (206) 461-4922, 1-888-431-TEEN; The Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor; www.thetrevorproject.org; True Colors - Connecting LGBTQ Teens: in Shoreline, (206) 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): (206) 522-8412; YouthCare/ Orion Center Young Adult Shelter: 1828 Yale Ave @ Stewart St. (206) 622-5555; Youth in Focus: (206) 723-1479; www.youthinfocus.org; Youth Suicide Prevention Program (OUTLoud-GLBTQ): (206) 297-5922, ext 116, 1-800-273-TALK, www.yspp.org
Seattle Gay News 21
38 [MEN] 10 [HOUSEMATES] 11 [FOR RENT]
14 [HELP WANTED] 19 [SERVICES] HOME IMPROVEMENT CHUCK'S HANDYMAN SERVICE
Painting / Decks / Fences / Drywall / Miscellaneous Jobs. Over 20 years exoerience in the West Seattle area. References. 206-935-6730. 38/6
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Looking to clean beautiful homes. Attention to detail and hardworking. References available upon request. Jeffrey, 206-919-0194. jeffhealea@gmail.com 48/3 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
SILVERHAWK SERVICES
General Contractor SILVES*835KH Licensed Bonded & Insured I do pool painting, interior/exterior painting, remodeling, fire damage, water damage. 34/3 David - 206-465-6639
RAIN CITY JACKS
20 [HEALTH & WELL-BEING]
RCJ is Seattle’s private club hosting hundreds of group jack-off events since 2005. Hot, friendly, and genuine male bonding for men 18+ only. Email or visit our web site for information. info@raincityjacks.org; www. raincityjacks.org. 46/12
ENERGY/BODYWORK
FREE & ANONYMOUS HIV & STD COUNSELING/TESTING Walk-In or by Appt GAY CITY HEALTH PROJECT 517 E. Pike St. M-F: 3pm-8pm; SAT: 12:30pm-5pm More Info & to Schedule Appt 206-860-6969 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Therapeutic massage. 30 years experience. Relaxation, major/minor injuries, chronic muscle pain. Small Queen Anne home office/studio. Massage table or massage chair. Convenient parking. (I’m a Gay-friendly straight male graphic artist, web author.) First session 50% off = $45/1.5 hours (travel extra). By appointment only. References available. Chris Pringer, Reiki Master, 206-286-0899. If you get a voice message mentioning “extension #,” please hang up and call back again. Brochure, testimonials, etc. via chalicebridge.com/ BMI-Brochure.html. 44/21
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
21 [LICENSED MASSAGE - NON-SEXUAL] EXCEPTIONAL BODYWORK
Given by highly trained LMP. I specialize in injury treatment, acute, chronic, and repetitive stress motion. I have a studio on CapHill, and one just north of the UW. Insurance accepted. Matt Shafer, LMP, 206-2357766. 05/12
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
22 [FOR SALE] 34 [BISEXUAL] SEEKING: Bisexual women age 70+ for a paid research study. Call 616-334-6594 or email srjen@ uw.edu for more information. 42/3
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
37 [BODYWORK]
EROTICALLY CHARGED nude full body rubdown from playful top, stimulating the senses. Get seduced. Incalls in Renton area. Scott, 206-355-4469. 40/3
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
GREAT MASSAGE
Given by highly-trained, clean-cut, handsome guy. I have two private studios, one on CapHill, and one just north of the UW. Call/text Matt, 206-235-7766. In/ out calls. 05/12
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-
PETS OF THE WEEK Adoption Center
Sunday – Wednesday | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday – Saturday | 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. 13212 SE Eastgate Wy, Bellevue, WA 98005 (425) 649-7563 | adoption@seattlehumane.org
Is your life missing a furry friend? Now is the
perfect time to open your world to a pet in need. Coldwell Banker’s Homes for Dogs program
with Adopt-a-pet.com has helped place 20,000
dogs into homes across the country. Could your
place be the next happy ending for a pet in need? Make your house a home by visiting the shelter and bringing back the pet of your dreams.
Ralph
Josie
Meet Ralph, a 1-year-old American Bulldog and Mastiff mix, who would love to be your go-to guy! This sweet boy loves a good adventure, and will happily lead you anywhere you want to go. He really loves a good neck scratch and would trade lots of kisses for one.
Meet Josie, a 3-year-old black and silver tabby! Josie is a gorgeous girl with her warm amber eyes and distinctive stripes and white mittens. Josie is very sweet and loves to snuggle, but she also gets scared easily and will hide. Go slow and be gentle with this shy girl and she'll love you forever! Does Josie sound like the little cat for you? Come meet her today at Seattle Humane!
If you have room in your heart and home for this sweet boy, then come meet him today at the Seattle Humane – you'll be glad you did! Introduce to children 16 years and older. Resident dogs are required to visit Ralph prior to adoption.
Adoption Specials: Whisker Wonderland Dec. 15-17 Each cat at Seattle Humane is as unique and special as a snowflake. In the spirit of this “Whisker Wonderland,” Seattle Humane is waiving adoption fees on all cats ages 1 and up from Dec. 15-17. You’ll be filled with joy and coziness this season with your new feline snuggle buddy. Prepare to have their paw prints tracked all over your heart, just like imprints in the snow; except their love will never melt away. Cheers to making a kitty’s dreams come true – it’s purrrfection!
22 Seattle Gay News
As with all of our dogs, Ralph has been neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and behavior tested. He will go home with a certificate for an examination by a King County veterinarian and an identification tag. PLUS, most dog adoptions include 30 days of pet insurance from Trupanion and a training rebate when you complete a dog behavior course - a great way to start off on the right paw!
December 15, 2017
As with all of our cats, Josie is spayed, microchipped and vaccinated. All of our cats have been tested for Feline Leukemia/ FIV and go home with a certificate for an examination by a King County veterinarian and their very own identification tag and collar. PLUS, most cat adoptions include 30 days of pet insurance from Trupanion - a great way to start off on the right paw!
Celebrating 43 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
December 15, 2017
Seattle Gay News 23