SGN Feb 23, 2018 - Part 2

Arts & Entertainment

Arnaldo Inocentes talks about March is Cabaret Month in Seattle

by MK Scott

SGN Contributing

Writer

March begins next week, which means that Cabaret Month at Egan’s Ballard Jam House (1707 NW Market St.) is about to begin. Arnaldo Inocentes helped create

the Pacific Northwest Cabaret Association in 2006 and starting March 2nd they in association with Cricket Foundation and Brian Silkworth and Bill Colter will present March is Cabaret Month with two sets

see CABARET MONTH page 5

Mark Morris Dance Group’s “Pepperland” needs a touch of danger

by Sharon Cumberland

SGN Contributing Writer

MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP

“PEPPERLAND”

MOORE THEATRE

February 17

The Beatles’ monumental album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, exploded onto the charts in the UK and USA in 1967, where it remained at number one for the better part of a year. It provided

see MARK MORRIS page 9 SGN EXCLUSIVE:

Hamilton ’s OK by me

by Miryam Gordon SGN A&E Writer

HAMILTON Paramount Theatre Through March 18

There are a lot of different reasons to appreciate or even to love Hamilton: the crazy public scramble for tickets, the hype, the panic, the draw for middle schoolers who don’t even care for musicals who ask

see HAMILTON page 7

Fats Waller musical at Seattle Musical Theatre

SMT’s Ain’t Misbehavin’ touchingly recalls the true essence of the swinging era of boozy, smoky, sexy, and outrageous nightclub fun

by Paul Torres SGN Contributing Writer

AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ SEATTLE MUSICAL THEATRE Through March 4

No one to talk with / All by myself / No one to walk with / I’m happy on the shelf / Ain’t misbehavin’ / I’m savin’ my love for you are the classic lyrics that open Seattle

see AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' page 8

The Smashing Pumpkins and Dua Lipa announce Seattle summer concerts, Justin Timberlake and Jason Mraz add second shows

by Albert Rodriguez

SGN A&E Writer

Reunited, and it feels so good. Original members of the Grammy-winning alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins – Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlain and James Iha - are joining forces again for an upcoming tour that includes a stop in the Emerald City. The only group member not participating, due to personal reasons, is bassist D’arcy Wretzky. The Smashing Pumpkins enjoyed a major breakthrough in 1991 with their debut album Gish, but it was 1993’s Siamese Dream that made them a household name; that record produced three mainstream rock hits, “Today”, “Cherub Rock” and “Disarm”. Later singles released included “1979”, “Bullet with Butterfly Wings”, “Tonight, Tonight” and “The End is the Beginning is the End”. Tickets to see The Smashing Pumpkins live at Key Arena on August 24 are on sale now at www.LiveNation.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

If you were bummed, as I was, when Dua Lipa axed her February 17 concert at The Showbox Market then you’ll be very pleased to know she has rescheduled her performance for this summer. The British singer-songwriter, who rose to fame last year with her chart-topping hit “No Rules” (SGN ’s 10 Best Singles of 2017), will now appear July 2 at WaMu Theater. Just recently, Lipa became the first female artist to reach 1 billion views on YouTube with the music video for “No Rules”. Tickets for the show are on sale now at www.LiveNation.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-7453000. Tickets for the February concert will be honored for the July date; no exchange for new tickets is required.

Due to popular demand, a second Justin Timberlake concert has been added for the Tacoma Dome. Fans who couldn’t score tickets for the November 12 performance, which is already sold out, have another opportunity to see the pop superstar on his Man of the Woods World Tour the fol-

lowing night, November 13. In addition to a second show in select US cities, Timberlake this week revealed dates for the European leg of his tour, sandwiched between two North American itineraries. Overseas stops are planned for Paris, Manchester, Glasgow, London, Amsterdam, Cologne, Hamburg, Zurich and Frankfurt, to name a few. Tickets for the new concert go on sale February 26 at www.LiveNation.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Jason Mraz has also added another performance at Marymoor Park on his upcoming tour. The Grammy-winning singersongwriter, currently making his Broadway debut in the musical Waitress, will now play the outdoor venue in Redmond on September 9, in addition to the previously announced September 8 show. Opening for Mraz is Brett Dennen. Tickets for either concert are available now at www.aeglive.com.

Are you ready for more shows? Here are a few more announced this week: Post Malone with 21 Savage at the Accesso Showare Center (Kent) on April 29, Jimmy Buffet and The Coral Reefer Band at Key Arena on June 23 and Jane Monheit at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley on August 30 to September 2.

Finally, kudos to Holland for being the first openly gay K-pop idol and for debuting his new single with accompanying music video for the song “Neverland”. The South Korean artist received 700,000 views for his video on YouTube within the first 24 hours of it being uploaded to the site; it currently has 6.9 million views. The video for the light R&B tune finds Holland kissing another young man in bed and holding hands with him on the beach, something rarely seen – if ever - in contemporary Korean culture.

LGBT newcomer Matt Palmer is hoping to attract eyes and ears to his music

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer

Another year, another crop of new artists hoping for a breakthrough in music. Enter Matt Palmer, a Big Apple-based newcomer who already boasts a loyal fan base across the Pacific, as three of his releases have landed on the top ten Japanese iTunes R&B charts. His 2014 EP Stranger Than Fiction marked Palmer’s first recording as an openly gay performer. A graduate of the by-selection-only Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU, the young singersongwriter has collaborated with Jackie Boyz, who has worked with Madonna and Justin Bieber, and Fraser T. Smith, who has produced for Adele, Sam Smith, Celine Dion and Leona Lewis. His new EP, Get Lost, will be available March 9 in record stores nationwide. Via email, I caught up with Palmer to get the scoop on his music and inquire about a possible tour. Here’s what he had to say to Seattle Gay News

Albert Rodriguez: What comes to mind when you hear the word “Seattle”?

Matt Palmer: Two things come to mind, actually! First, “The Real World: Seattle,” which was definitely one of the best seasons. Secondly, my good friend Justin who moved there last year, and I still need to visit!

Rodriguez: Tell us about your new album Get Lost. It’s described as a “visual” EP? Can you tell us what this means? And, what’s the leadoff single?

Palmer: Get Lost is a 7-song Visual EP that tells the story of a relationship from start to finish. We shot seven interconnected music videos that tell a single story. Since each of the songs has a video, there’s

not a real “single” for this project, but I would call “Solo Act” & “Inevitably” the tracks that we’re highlighting the most. Rodriguez: Are you planning to tour at all in 2018?

Palmer: I would love to tour and will hopefully be setting up some shows in the LA area in the very near future. Stay tuned! Rodriguez: Was coming out a nonissue or a big deal for you, personally and professionally?

Palmer: I would say it was a big deal for me both personally and professionally!

My family are beyond supportive now, but it took a little bit of time for everyone to get used to the idea, which I understand. Once I became secure in my identity in my personal life, coming out professionally just made sense. I feel like the best art comes from when an artist is being truthful, so even though it was certainly a tough decision, I felt like there was no other choice.

Rodriguez: What was the first concert you ever went to?

Palmer: I feel like my first concert was something VERY ‘90s, like Marques

Medieval Women’s Choir present Spring Celebration concert March 10

MEDIEVAL WOMEN’S CHOIR SPRING CELEBRATION

TRINITY EPISCOPAL PARISH

MARCH 10

Today, it is hard to imagine how life in ages past was governed by weather and the passing seasons. Any Seattleite who has ever braved the lingering chill at an outdoor cafe in a warm coat in order to drink in the first tentative rays of spring sunshine can understand the exuberance with which medieval Europeans looked forward to spring: the balmy afternoons, the symphony of birdsong, the budding of trees and the explosion of flowers, and especially the stirrings of young love. All these things were extolled in song, and we invite you to

join the Medieval Women’s Choir in casting off the gloom of winter through a celebration of spring.

The concert features a number of works from the Carmina Burana manuscript, the same source in which Carl Orff found the texts he set for his modern work for the same name. The original Carmina Burana was compiled around 1230 and is one of the most important sources of music and poetry of the golliards, wandering students and clerics known for their riotous living and their satiric poems lampooning the rich and powerful. The choir will also perform motets from 13th-century Paris in which two texts – one sacred, one profane – are sung simultaneously; tender rondeaux by Adam de la Halle; and love songs by the titan of medi-

eval France, Guillaume de Machaut. The concert will be held on Saturday, March 10 at 8pm, at Trinity Episcopal Parish (609 8th Ave.). Tickets prices: $25 advance / $15 student / $30 at the door. Advance tickets available at https://singspring.brownpapertickets.com/.

About Medieval Women’s Choir

Led by Artistic Director Eric Mentzel, the Medieval Women’s Choir is dedicated to recreating and presenting medieval masterworks to increase knowledge and appreciation of this beautiful yet less familiar body of music. The choir was founded by the late Margriet Tindemans, a revered medieval scholar, performer, and teacher. Now in our 27th year, we are one of the very few non-professional choirs in the United States to specialize in medieval repertoire. Open to all women in the Seattle area interested in studying and performing medieval music, we sing in many languages, with dialectic variations from the period, accompanied by instrumentalists and vocal soloists with expertise in medieval musical performance.

Links: Website: www.medievalwomenschoir. org Concert Tickets: https://singspring. brownpapertickets.com/ Listen: http://medievalwomenschoir. org/recordings/

Courtesy of Medieval Women’s Choir

Houston’s group Immature, but I definitely have early memories of going to Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Patti LaBelle concerts with my mom.

Rodriguez: If you could open a concert for any artist right now, who would it be and why?

Palmer: I think Bruno Mars and Beyoncé are currently the best performers on the planet, so being able to open for one of them would be a dream come true.

Rodriguez: What are you hoping to accomplish with Get Lost? Do you have any specific goals for this EP?

Palmer: Of course, I hope that I can get as many eyes and ears on it as possible, but the real goal was to make something that I can be proud of, and I’ve already accomplished that.

Rodriguez: Do you lean Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey?

Palmer: I ADORE Whitney Houston and think she was one of the best live vocalists that ever walked this Earth, but Mariah is, was, and will always be my favorite artist. Her voice, songwriting ability and catalog put her in a league of her own.

Rodriguez: For anybody that hasn’t listened to your music yet, what’s the first song they should check out?

Palmer: I would recommend listening to “Solo Act” – I think that song is really strong lyrically, melodically and has a driving uptempo vibe that people seem to enjoy!

Rodriguez: Will we see you performing at any Pride festivals this summer?

Palmer: I would LOVE to, but none lined up just yet. As soon as I get all of these videos out, I’m going to start pitching myself for Pride festivals. Hopefully, some will have me!

Rodriguez: Do you lean “RuPaul’s Drag Race” or “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”?

Palmer: Everyone tells me to watch “Drag Race,” but I haven’t started yet! There are so many seasons and it would take me forever to catch up, but I’m sure I will when I get some free time. I love the “Housewives” though, and Atlanta is definitely the most consistently entertaining of the franchise. Speaking of Bravo, “Vanderpump Rules” is one of the best shows on television, so PLEASE get into it if you haven’t yet.

Rodriguez: What’s your favorite thing to shop for?

Palmer: Set me free in an Apple Store, and I’m in heaven.

CABARET MONTH

at 7pm and 9pm every Friday and Saturday night starting March 2nd. I have personally known Arnaldo for almost 20 years and I jumped at the chance to chat with him earlier this week (2/19) about the lineup as well as his own legendary career as Arnaldo! Drag Chanteuse.

MK Scott: Hello Arnaldo! You helped create Pacific Northwest Cabaret Association/Cabaret Month 12 years ago. What can we look forward to this year?

Arnaldo Inocentes: First of all thank you to SGN for the many years of support. So very grateful, always. This is the 11th Seattle’s March is Cabaret Month Festival. When we started in 2008, it started as a one-night showcase for local performers. In the early years, we had a workshop for new cabaret performers followed by a recital showcase that mixed the workshop attendees with veteran performers.

Today, the festival has evolved. We have mostly veteran regional performers like Joanne Klein and Jayne Muirhead along with some new talents like Gabrielle Nicole and Sweet Spot Combo. Festival participants go through a jury process with our artistic team of Angie Louise, John Engerman and me. Also this year, we have three non-local talents – two from the Bay Area: Bistro Award Winner Linda Kosut and Benn Bacot, and one from the LA area Broadway World Award Winner: Robyn Spangler. Our dream is to become a National Cabaret Festival someday and we are taking it one step at a time towards that direction. Last year, we were added into Shunpike as our fiscal sponsor and their support has helped us in leaps and bounds. Pacific Northwest Cabaret Association is the producer of Seattle’s March is Cabaret Month and we are powered by Shunpike! The concept of the festival is to provide a platform for cabaret artists to have their own solo shows. By pairing two acts in a one-hour cabaret show, they cross pollinate their audience and expose both to a wider base. We do two shows every Friday and Saturday in March with different acts in the 7pm and the 9pm. We also like to keep our ticket prices accessible at $15 and that’s why I say it is the best $15 you will spend on live entertainment. We also give back 85% of the ticket sales to the performers directly – only keeping 15% for our administrative costs – and if you are a businessperson, you know that is NOT a sustainable model. That’s why we rely on donors, grants and Shunpike to keep us fiscally afloat. Our festival focuses on what I call “American Style” cabaret – what you would have seen in the bars and clubs of New York and urban American cities during the Golden Age of Cabaret in the 1940’s and beyond. All live singing and live instruments – mostly piano and voice – a style which is dear to my heart. Of course, it is updated with current nuances and styles. Egan’s is also the perfect venue for us! You’ll feel like you’re in some club in the heart of the East Village but you are actually in the heart of Ballard!

MK: What will you be performing and how many times?

Arnaldo: I traditionally open and close the festival and I host in between as well. March 2 is when we open and I am at the 9pm slot with Sweet Spot Combo. We chose to create one show for the one hour and our show is titled “What is This Thing Called Love?” from a famous Cole Porter song. Sweet Spot Combo is composed of three handsome and very talented gentlemen: Ben Lang on the acoustic guitar, David Salonen on the upright base and Matthew Stull on the snare. They sing and play! We are having a blast rehearsing and melding our musical styles and I am learning a lot from them. For closing on March 31 at the 9pm, I will be partnered with Angie Louise and we are doing two solo 30-minute shows for the one hour. For this closing show, I will be Arnaldo as opposed to Arnaldo! Drag Chanteuse and performing songs that have a personal meaning to me interwoven with personal stories. I hope that the audience will also like

me without the bling, hair and makeup.

MK: You should know a little about Cabarets, didn’t you win an Award for your Cabaret in New York in 2008?

Arnaldo: Yes – I was honored with a Bistro Award in 2008 by Backstage East. I attended the International Cabaret Workshop at Yale University in 2005, the first and only drag performer accepted and who performed at the recital, and met all these NY performers and club owners. It took me a year to muster the nerve to perform in NY – so in 2007 I did three shows in NY in February with “An Evening with Arnaldo!” and sold out the three nights and then came back in the fall to do another three shows called “Just an Old Fashioned Girl” at THE DUPLEX. That’s the show that earned me the Bistro Award. I also performed in Manila in 2014 and was awarded “Most Innovative Concert Artist in Manila” that year by Gawad Musika. Both have been unexpected recognitions and very, very much appreciated and honored to receive them. In 2016, the Filipino Community of Seattle also awarded me with a Lifetime

Achievement Award in Arts & Culture. Now THAT was really a surprise! So very thrilled to receive that as well.

MK: You have sung songs from Judy Garland, Billie Holiday, and Eartha Kitt. Who speaks to you the most?

Arnaldo: EARTHA of course! Though I love Judy, Billie, Ella, Rosemary, Peggy, Anita, etc., it’s Eartha Kitt who continues to inspire me especially knowing more of her story. So misunderstood and so bedeviled by the Lyndon Johnson Administration and the FBI after she spoke out against the Vietnam War. They tried to ruin her career and she became a pariah in the US ...and yet she persisted. I also love her song choices. She was a unique artist and strong human being and humanitarian. Totally under appreciated.

MK: Didn’t you first start this in the Seattle Men’s Chorus, The Sondheim Concert I believe?

Arnaldo: Yes, I started with SMC at The Sondheim Concert singing Madonna’s “Sooner or Later” in 1991. At that time drag was not mainstream even in the Gay and Lesbian community. I did a very

risqué move as part of the “Madonna” act – the audience loved it and even the SGN reviewer at that time loved it (check my website www.dragchanteuse.com as it is quoted there in the “MORE” tab under reviews) but the chorus got some complaints from more conservative audiences. I called Dennis Coleman, my beloved mentor and artistic director at that time, as I was upset by the news. He calmly said “Arnaldo, people will say what they want to say. You have no control over that.” And that was my very first lesson in dealing with the public. After that, I did Carmen Miranda for SMC’s Lawrence Welk show and then Patsy Cline for the holiday show and then Honey Bun for the Rodgers and Hammerstein show which is the one you mentioned and other solo characters for SMC. And yes, I will be forever grateful to SMC for trusting my talents and giving me those solo opportunities,

MK: You have been doing this act for over 25 years. How have you changed as a person?

Arnaldo: Maturity comes with the 20 years. I am more forgiving – both to myself and others... although some say I am still very hard on myself. My priorities have shifted, too, and I am more focused on family and very close friends ... and, of course, my husband, Steve.

MK: What is next for you?

Arnaldo: My priority right now is my Mom so I am staying close to home. So working with Sweet Spot Combo and thinking of doing more events locally and more local fundraisers for Pacific Northwest Cabaret Association.

MK: Finally, you have influenced other queens in town from Aleksa Manila to Gaysha Starr. Describe their best quality in one word.

Arnaldo: I am not sure I was an influence to many other queens as I am least well known among the younger ones unlike Aleksa and Gaysha. Aleksa has been a dear friend for many years and she has influenced me as much I have her. Aleksa to me continues to inspire! She is a smart, talented, kind and motivated human being and we are only starting to see the many achievements she will do in and outside the drag world. Her future is very, very promising! Gaysha and I know each other but are only now starting to get to know MORE of each other. I so appreciate what she does with her philanthropy work and I have always admired her and her work from afar. Seattle is very lucky to have three active and very civic-minded Filipino American queens in Aleksa, Gaysha and Arnaldo! ... sharing what we can in our own unique ways to help make the world a little better for all.

The full schedule of performers and ticket information can be found at www. marchcabaret.com.

MK Scott is a Seattle-based arts blogger; check out his blog at outview.online.

Surrealistic Annihilation a humanistic sci-fi quest for truth

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer

ANNIHILATION

Now playing

On the eastern coastline of the United States, a giant swath of land known as “Area X” is guarded by the U.S. military and studied by a dedicated team of scientists. A growing anomaly, referred to as the “Shimmer,” has slowly been growing in size, doing something to the landscape and to all forms of life residing there as it consumes more and more territory. For the past three years, every group of soldiers and scientists that have gone into the Shimmer have not returned, all of them presumed dead until information proving otherwise is found.

An Area X psychologist and the woman tasked with selecting all potential candidates to enter the Shimmer, after sending so many to what she can only assume was their doom, Dr. Ventress (Jennifer Jason Leigh) decides to lead the latest expedition herself. This time, she’s assembled an all-female team, Anya Thorensen (Gina Rodriguez), Cass Sheppard (Tuva Novotny) and Josie Radek (Tessa Thompson), all volunteering for a variety of cryptic reasons, all of them personal. They are joined at the last minute by esteemed biologist and retired soldier Lena (Natalie Portman), her reasons for heading into the Shimmer ones she’d rather no one other than Dr. Ventress knows about.

I haven’t read any of the books in author Jeff VanderMeer’s award-winning “Southern Reach Trilogy,” of which Annihilation is the first installment, but from what I understand writer/director Alex Garland (Ex Machina) has reworked the material considerably as far as the script for his feature adaptation is concerned. However faithful this movie might or might not be,

what can be said is that this is pure science fiction and is as thought-provoking, intellectually challenging and as spiritually fascinating as anything that’s hit theatres this side of 2014’s Under the Skin or 2012’s Cloud Atlas. It is a mystifying, continually absorbing trek into the cryptically unknown, the ideas being discussed and discovered putting the human experience as a whole under a powerful microscope where the image being dissected isn’t always an appealing or satisfying one.

Much like Ex Machina, Garland’s second directorial outing is undeniably cold and cerebral. Yet that doesn’t mean the filmmaker isn’t interested in the finer points of the human condition. There is a mournful emotionalism that powers things forward to their conclusion, an intensely visceral aching for something more out of life that appears to be driving each of these women onward. The pain and disappointment each has dealt with in their respective pasts affects their personal judgment in a variety of ways. Some let their curiosity increase in intensity. Some allow fear to take root and fester. Some need answers, a hunger to get some form of understanding as to why so many were apparently sent to their untimely doom investigating the Shimmer.

Finally, some just want to fight. They want to fight back against dangers real or imagined. They want to fight back against anything that looks as if it is going to destroy all they know and hold dear. Most of all, they want to fight back because doing so lessens the frustration and anguish they feel from their own personal indiscretions, mistakes made in hunger and lust they worry might have led someone they cared about to go on a suicide mission in order to avoid what likely would have been a heartbreaking confrontation.

These are just some of the emotional

elements that lay at the heart of Annihilation. Garland attempts to sweep them together into one somber mélange, and more often than not he is successful. Watching these women attempt to navigate an uncertain psychological minefield that sits right alongside an ever-shifting practical environment where nature appears to be bending in on itself and all sorts of mutations violently hunger to feast on their flesh is pretty extraordinary. Each idea and concept the director presents proceeds to bounce off those around them in a multitude of ways, the literal and the figurative joined at the hip in such a manner making heads or tails out of every presented piece is likely impossible on initial viewing.

But Garland doesn’t expand on and flesh out every character as cleanly or as succinctly as much as I would have liked. Thompson’s Josie randomly spurts out some of the film’s most essential and thought-provoking pieces of information, her brilliance never in doubt as she observantly studies the Shimmer and its seemingly inexplicable mysteries. At the same time, I never had a sense I knew who this woman was, her calm grace in the face of tragedy and terror, not to mention fear for her own survival after mutated creatures begin to hunt them, never feeling quite right to me. The choice she ends up making near the end, while enigmatic and ethereal in a manner that caught me slightly by surprise and brought a quiet tear or two to my eyes, still rang slightly hollow as far as I was concerned, and I’m not altogether certain I entirely grasp what Garland wanted me to take away from the moment.

There is also the issue of Oscar Isaac. Portraying the only soldier to return from the Shimmer, I can’t say I was particularly shocked or surprised by anything that ended up being revealed about the char-

acter. While his ties to Lena are exposed in the film’s first few minutes, how he survived and the ordeals he experienced while out on his mission are hardly revelatory. I knew almost immediately what the twist was going to be and was honestly a little taken aback by just how straightforward and obvious this particular plot point turned out to be.

None of which lessens the power Garland’s sophomore outing has to enthrall. Featuring a colorfully ingenious landscape right out of Princess Mononoke or Howl’s Moving Castle, Mark Digby’s (Dredd, Never Let Me Go) exquisite production design is like a surrealistic Hayao Miyazaki-inspired animated wonderland come to vibrant practical life. There’s always something to look at and obsess over, each flower, crystal tower and fleshcovered mutation a gloriously intriguing enigma worthy of discovering an answer to. This is a world one wants to crawl inside and live in for hours, maybe even days, at a time, the dangers of doing so almost secondary to the naturalistic discoveries and environmental truths that could potentially be revealed.

I’m not sure how much I liked Annihilation. I’m still sitting here dissecting its pieces, mulling over its ins and outs in ways that aren’t always entirely satisfying. But I’m also blown away by the ambition and the imagination of Garland’s latest, consumed by the myriad of ideas and emotions it revels in with such pointedly, scientifically exacting precision. Allowing Portman the freedom to deliver a performance that shifts and evolves like the landscape she is investigating, this is a piece of science fiction cinematic wonderment I’ll have trouble forgetting, it’s ultimate destination one of self-inflicted humanistic absolution worthy of additional examination.

to learn its songs, or the thousands of regular people suddenly interested in one of our less well-known founding fathers and a few of his contemporaneous buddies. It’s a phenomenon that has rejuvenated an interest in musical theater so much more deeply into the wider culture than Broadway has been penetrating in recent years.

The production of the show is beloved for being “sung through” in almost entirely Hip Hop and Rap style lyrics, with sides of jazz and Broadway sprinkled over the top. Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda’s longing to change the American Songbook has been a crowning achievement of this score.

Then there are the deliberate choices that upend most of the standard tropes in casting, choosing performers of color for almost every role, including those like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington who were slave owners, pointing out the irony without ever uttering a word in the script.

There may be many reading these words who will feel that tickets to the second national tour, which opened here in Seattle at the beginning of February, are completely out of reach, or that trying for one pair of the 20 pairs of lotteried tickets ($10 per ticket) each performance is too hard to win. We all know that eventually there will be another production to see, even if it’s because we wait for the regional theaters to get rights or the thousandth tour comes through and tickets come back down to earth in price.

As a production, the musical has aspects of genius – the lyrics are dense and complex and have internal rhyming schemes and contrapuntal characterizations, the choreography combines aspects of modern dance/Broadway style/Fosse/rock-and-roll and emphasizes the emotional rollercoaster of the script – and many aspects are more

totally thought about than meet the eye. But it is by no means flawless.

We’ve heard so much about Hamilton that the sheer excitement of actually getting a ticket to the show is a function of the event itself! After it’s over, do you feel the same level of excitement? Maybe many do. I wasn’t quite as enthralled. It’s good! It’s… LONG! Reading reviews from the earliest days, that was a critique from the very beginning. It’s three hours! Truthfully, it kind of wore me out.

So much history is packed into the show that sometimes an incident is recognized in one line – or even half of one. It goes by

really quickly, pacing-wise. The sound system at the Paramount does not do this show much service. It’s mushy. If you have time, go online and find the lyrics and read them. You will be glad you did.

Also, the women in the show are crucial, but only in service of Hamilton’s life. Yes, everyone is in service to Hamilton’s life, but many of the famous men do get quirks and recognition of their own. The three Schuyler sisters are introduced as all in love with Hamilton. It’s like their claim to fame – but there is much more than meets that eye to find in history. Additionally, Angelica and Eliza actually get to have relationships with Hamilton and the youngest, Peggy, just gets to be in love with him and she’s about done. Her character doubles as Maria, the woman who has an affair with him.

Another overall impression is that the second act tends to be slower and sadder since all the worst things happen in it: the duel that kills Philip, the duel that kills Hamilton, and the revelation that Eliza (Elizabeth Hamilton) is the keeper of his legacy and the teller of his story for years after. And that’s about where it ends! On a downer note. While I would not expect some funny, upbeat dance rap, I do feel like I would have liked a shot of some energetic singing, summary, SOMEthing to give me some energy to get out the door and go home with.

The choreography is relentless. There is always a lot to see. For a first time viewer, it may be too much. Yes, the ensemble dancers/chorus functions as a “Greek” chorus in witnessing and commenting on his behaviors, but sometimes you might wish they weren’t so present!

After seeing the show, I have learned about how many more layers there are to everything and I learned that there is a dancer named The Bullet. A female dancer appears as a harbinger of death and in the crucial moment when Burr shoots Hamilton, she holds her fingers an inch and a half apart and “becomes” the Bullet that kills him! However, if you didn’t know anything about there being such a dancer, there is likely no way you could pick her out in first viewing!

Of course this points to the idea that there is so much more you can get out of subsequent attendings, but given the ticket prices and how hard it is to get to see it once, that seems rather remote!

Now I must comment on this particular cast and their execution. The women who play Angelica and Eliza are wonderful. Ta’Rea Campbell and Shoba Narayan are at the top of their game. So, too, is Kyle Scatliffe as Lafayette/Jefferson. You might have seen him at the 5th Avenue Theatre doing his best Jud in Oklahoma while consternation rained around him about a black

man being cast as the bad guy in an otherwise very white cast. In this production, he shows wit, comedy, agility and arrogant strutting as Jefferson.

Marcus Choi is George Washington. He has a low-key manner in this, and in some ways sets himself apart from more animated actors. But when he comes to the moment where he tells Hamilton that he is saying “goodbye,” that moment becomes filled with meaning and gravitas. It is revealed as such a key moment in the formation of our political system and how important it is that we change leaders every few years, unlike so many monarchies and dictatorships.

The small but choice role of King George is Jon Patrick Walker who was a joy to see in a beautifully written role. King George’s song is the most like earworm music this musical has.

Nik Walker as Burr does his best to position himself as the villain and the “failure” of this story. His main difficulty is that Joseph Morales is the actor playing Hamilton and, unfortunately, Morales is not really able to pull off this role properly. Hamilton in this play is a tricky and complicated role and calls for many unusual aspects. Two of them are clear passion and charisma.

We must care about Hamilton and want him to win, even as we wince at some of his poorer choices. If we don’t, this play becomes like a very long Wikipedia entry. We must see his passion and zest for life in addition to his ability to thrive in some very unexpected ways. His verbal acuity swayed men’s emotions and politics, after all.

Morales seems like he’s trying to be a copy of Lin-Manuel Miranda in a kind of meticulous and uninspired way. He knows the show well and has been in it many times, likely, in the “Chicago” version. He raps well. He sings less well. He seems outclassed by other leads in the production. He might be charismatic in a rehearsal room, thirty feet away from viewers, but his energy did not translate off the stage into a 3,000-seat auditorium.

All that is to say that I appreciate that Hamilton exists, I’ve learned a lot more about it after I saw it, which is kind of fun, and it was certainly an “Experience!” So, Hamilton is OK by me.

For more information, go to www.stgpresents.org or try for the lottery at http:// hamiltonmusical.com/lottery.

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

Seattle Children’s presents The Little Prince and The Journal of Ben Uchida

by Miryam Gordon SGN A&E Writer

THE LITTLE PRINCE SEATTLE CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Through March 4

THE JOURNAL OF BEN UCHIDA: CITIZEN 13559 SEATTLE CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Through March 4

Two wonderful shows are going on at Seattle Children’s Theatre this month and they are very different from each other. The Little Prince is of course based on the wellloved children’s classic and has an interesting choice of casts. The book is written with all male characters except for The Rose, who is very (stereotypically) female. The play casts women for all the roles except for The Aviator (played charmingly by Lamar Legend). The Prince, himself, is embodied by elfin Khanh Doan, who embodies the offhand naiveté and quizzicalness of the role. The rest of the cast plays multiple roles in wonderful costumes by Yao Chen and includes Dedra Woods, Anne Allgood, and Sydney Andrews.

With gorgeous projections (by L.B. Morse) on a desert set by Carey Wong, this handsome production is directed by new artistic director Courtney Sale. It’s geared toward ages 6 and up. It will help you recall, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”

The other play is by lauded playwright Naomi Iizuka, who adapted The Journal of Ben Uchida: Citizen 13559, Mirror Lake Internment Camp by Barry Denenberg.

Ben (Mikko Juan) is a young American teen, growing up in 1940 San Francisco. His Japanese immigrant dad and mom (Ray Tagavilla and Annie Yim) have embraced their new country and his dad is an optometrist with a small shop.

Ben tells us of a birthday present his dad gives him, a journal for him to write everything down in. Everything starts out very normal until suddenly Japan bombs Pearl Harbor. Then everything changes for his family. He and his sister, Naomi (Mi Kang), and their parents must suddenly pack everything into one suitcase each, find a way to sell everything they can, and are taken on a mysterious trip far away to a camp in Mirror Lake.

But clearly, this camp is not for summer fun, and there are guards and barbed wire. Ben and his sister ask unanswerable questions of their parents. “Why is this happening? We didn’t do anything wrong.”

This somber tale focuses on Americans of Japanese descent. They were incarcer-

ated. Jailed. We use the term “internment camp” but for Americans kept against their will with no criminal history or offense, it was incarceration.

While this short (hour-long) play is presented in a children’s theater, it is not suitable for smaller children who can’t understand the grays and difficulties of adult decisions. It’s appropriate for sophisticated young folk from about age 10 or so to 110.

Though the father tries to take care of his family, he, too cannot understand why this is happening and he is powerless to stop it.

Tagavilla presents us with a relentlessly positive man who always tries to see the glass half full, but he has no way to cope with this dramatic circumstance that befalls his family. There is no positive thing to say.

Conner Neddersen and Brenda Joyner play all the “wipipo” (POC slang for white people) and they do a good job on the ones that discriminate and the ones that try to help. There is a tiny subplot about a teacher (Joyner) and her dead husband (Neddersen)

that distracts and may accurately reflect the book, but doesn’t much move the story along except to say that not all white people thought the same way at that time.

Director Desdemona Chiang keeps things simple and the character emotions in check. As she does so, the audience is left to cope with their emotions. Carey Wong does this set, too (prolific man) and the sliding panels change the set in an instant, but also reflect the Japanese building style of sliding walls. Bring your teens and tweens to see this show and learn some uncomfortable history. It’s excellently done and important to remember.

For more information, go to www.sct. org or call 206-441-3322.

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

Musical Theatre’s latest production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ – The Fats Waller Musical. Their latest production transcends those well-worn descriptions of “rollicking good time” and gives the audience a night of sheer down-home entertainment, if we were lucky enough to be down home in a Harlem jazz club in the 1930s, that is.

The marvelous performers shine on this stage that is set as a cocktail club with a live jazz band. The cast have an abundance of talent in their respective roles. Directors Teresa Thuman and Savannah Brittian have near magical skills in illuminating the best from the already talented troupe.

With cocktails in hand, the performers sing and dance their way through the evening with style, class, and soul. Ain’t Misbehavin’ honors the life of eminent jazz pianist Thomas “Fats” Waller who is celebrated for his innovative modern jazz. In this musical, his portrait hangs near the stage as a luminary-god guiding his performer-disciples of song and dance giving the congregation some churchin’ in the form of great musical entertainment.

The production itself is in the style of a musical revue; six performers sing through a night of songs including the upbeat classic opener “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and the catchy “The Joint is Jumpin’” through slower numbers such as the exquisite “Ladies Who Sing with the Band”, burlesque style songs like “Yacht Club Swing”, soulful songs like “Mean to Me,” and mournful tunes in the unforgettable spiritual ballad “Black and Blue.” They even include a rambunctious call and response number called “Fat and Greasy” (the audience enthusiastically chiming out “fat and greeeezie!” on

cue after “Man that fool is…”). They show off their sense of humor in “Your Feet’s too Big” about a guy whose gal’s feet are too big. She wasn’t having any of it in her follow-up tune, “That Ain’t Right” where she musically and physically puts him in his place. They get a bit risqué with “The Vipers Drag” an audacious ode to marijuana smoking complete with a joint as long as walking stick.

Musical Director Darrius Willrich reigns supreme in Ain’t Misbehavin’. The music supplies an unrivaled energy with the interplay of Charles Simmons’ amazing choreography – it’s seemingly simple jazz jitterbug moves and tap dancing, but little

gestured nuances like coy winks, hands on hips, and “in the know” strutting add to the Harlem-wise vibe of its era.

The strength of this jazz ensemble on stage is absolutely thrilling. Drums and bass are key to any production like this. Drummer Scot Sexton is pure energy and Geoff Harper is IT on standup bass. The rest of the musicians diane fast on piano, Jason Harper on trumpet, Reginald Commodore on sax, Greg Schroeder on trombone, Dexter Stevens and Tim Webster on reeds give a revved up vitality to the acts.

Reina Strohmayer’s costumes in this are stunning. The women are gorgeous in purple, rose, and yellow with spectacular

patterns and styles that define that great American jazz era. The men are appropriately dapper in smooth suits, ties, topped off with stylish hats from that time.

The musical includes six powerful singers portraying six delightful characters. Brenda Melrose as Dorothy LaRue is splendidly feisty in “That Ain’t Right.” As Carmelia Smithart, Cammi Smith delivers the vocal goods in “I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling,” a true highlight of the night. DeSean Halley plays William Earl Jackson whose rendition of “‘T Aint Nobody’s Business” is an outright smash. As Langston Livingston, DuWayne Andrews displays his musical prowess in the perfectly melancholic “I’m Gonna Sit Down and Write Myself a Letter.” Patrick Tolden becomes Curtis J. Lamar whose over the top performance in the aforementioned “The Viper Drag” gave the evening some sweet and naughty frivolity. As Mercedes Savoy, Kiery Vida Valdez lights up the stage with her gifted voice in “Yacht Club Swing,” a righteous tribute to jazz era’s version of girl pop music.

Seattle Musical Theatre definitely knows how to punch up a much revered stage show about a mighty talent like Fats Waller. This production touchingly recalls the true essence of the swinging era of boozy, smoky, sexy, and outrageous nightclub fun. Yes, the joint was jumpin’ as you should be. Ain’t Misbehavin’ – The Fats Waller Musical Show is a must see!

Ain’t Misbehavin’ continues at Seattle Musical Theatre (7120 62nd Ave NE) located in Magnuson Park (main entrance at 7400 Sand Point Way NE) through March 4. Tickets: 206-363-2809 and www. seattlemusicaltheatre.org.

MARK

MORRIS continued from cover

the theme music for an entire generation of high school and college students, hippies, soldiers, war protesters, and psychedelic drug aficionados during one of the most turbulent periods in American history.

In 1967 President Johnson had just escalated the war in Vietnam, where 450 American soldiers were being killed in combat every month. Young American men were divided into two camps: those who submitted to the draft and those who elected to go to jail or to Canada in order to dodge the draft. Veterans and “hardhats” were locked in a class war with “longhairs” and hippies over military service. Parents who fought and won WWII were appalled by their own children, who refused to defend their country by fighting in Vietnam. Anti-war protests in cities and on college campuses were frequent and violent. So when John, Paul, George, and Ringo appeared on the cover of Sgt. Pepper in their wildly colorful uniforms surrounded by a crowd of celebrities – from Marilyn Monroe to Oscar Wilde –they looked like officers in the alternative army many young Americans would rather have joined.

I was in college in 1967 and I remember exactly where I was when I first heard Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The whole album was so revolutionary, and so welcome, that most of my contemporaries can recall where they were when they first heard it, and how it felt to have their musical heroes come to the rescue during what was a terrible, terrible time to be young. Everyone was vulnerable to the old men in power cranking up the war machine, taking away your boyfriend, brother, husband, son, or classmate. Young men were faced with life-and-death decisions: stave off the draft by going to college, being a conscientious objector, or fleeing to Canada, or have the luck to be the only son of a widow, to have an illness like diabetes, or a high draft lottery number. Otherwise you were up shit

creek. Whether you ended up in boot camp, “in country,” marching on Washington, or setting fire to the ROTC building, you knew the truth of what the Beatles said so clearly in Sgt. Pepper – that the only way to get by was with a little help from your friends.

Now fast forward fifty years. It came as welcome news that my favorite choreographer, Mark Morris, was commissioned by the City of Liverpool to create a new dance to honor the 50th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Even though Morris is not British, it was a logical choice. Like the Beatles, Morris is famous for his wit, vibrancy and humor, for his sensitive ear for music of all types, and for the invention of new forms of expressive artistry. Morris’ choreography builds on established dance forms while reinventing them for contemporary audiences. He brings multi-layered depth to dance using allusions from ancient forms, folk dances, and myth to create truly sublime experiences for the viewer.

So how, I wondered, will Morris tackle the complexity of 1967 woven into the subtext of Sgt. Pepper – the war, the protests, the drugs, the longing for peace, the danger at the heart of the music? Morris was only eleven years old when Sgt. Pepper burst on the scene, but he grew up here in Seattle, where war protesters were very active and where, in 1970, the University of Washington erupted into protests against the escalation of the war in Cambodia and the shooting of students at Kent State, prompting 15,000 war protesters to shut down I-5. A kid in middle school was sure to notice all that drama, feel the intensity of the city, the fighting between civilians and police, the rage. But did the turbulence fuse with the Beatles’ iconic Sgt. Pepper the way it did in the minds of young adults?

I figured that Morris would capture the joyful, goofy, colorful part – the wild style that the Beatles brought to their album cover – and I was right. The fifteen members of Mark Morris Dance Group who performed at the Moore Theatere were dressed in Elizabeth Kurtzman’s

fabulously bright costumes that perfectly evoked the era without resorting to nostalgia. Some of the dances were wonderfully witty, like the crazy chorus line that develops to “When I’m Sixty-four” – starting with one girl, who links arms with a couple of boys, joined by a couple of additional girls, and then more boys, until a line of dancers is strung across the stage repeating a dance pattern that speeds up, fragments, shatters into kaleidoscopic movement, breaks apart, and peters off. Each dancer disappears like a meteor fragment until the first girl, exhausted, finally flings the last boy over her shoulder and marches away. It was Morris at his most hilarious, structured best, delighting the audience not only with its charm but with the complex, syncopated movement that unfolded within the simplicity of a single line.

The energy and technical precision of the dancers was entirely pleasing as they moved through Ethan Iverson’s arrangements of seven of the songs from Sgt. Pepper, interspersed with compositions of Iverson’s own. It was a clever device that evoked the qualities of the album without slavishly recreating the original music, though Iverson’s penchant for jazz seemed a bit farflung from the Beatles’ musical universe. Especially weird and wonderful was the use of the theremin, an electronic feedback instrument that sounds alternately like an invader from outer space and a heartbroken baritone at the bottom of a well.

What was missing, for me, in “Pepperland” was the sense of originating danger – the tragedy of war that provoked the Beatles’ musical protest – their creation of a parallel universe where “things are getting better all the time” while recognizing that things “couldn’t get no worse.” One dance sequence, to George Harrison’s “Within You Without You” used gestures of falling together in mutual support, with a kind of mudra in the “thumbs up” position, that succeeded in capturing a dimension of the era – a search for mindfulness that implies the presence of stress without being explicit. The closest “Pepperland”

gets to the worm in the apple is “A Day in the Life”, in which the drudgery of ordinary life is explicit. Dancers doing mundane activities – reading the news, eating breakfast – are sitting in chairs carried aloft by other dancers, as if their reality is so mediated that they don’t experience life on the ground. Below them are dancers enacting the English winning a war, a man blowing his brains out – none of it reaching the floating chair people.

While it was a terrific evening of dancing and music – as well as a feast for the eyes – I think my disappointment in “Pepperland” is based on my knowledge of Morris’ body of work. Morris has the ability to express the most complex and challenging ideas through choreography that might otherwise be left to the realm of language or film. Morris can say anything, no matter how difficult or nuanced. I was hoping he would use that tremendous insight to probe the Beatles’ great masterpiece – a work that fascinated and enriched my generation while offering a kind of refuge from the frightening and chaotic time in which we grew up. Nevertheless, a certain dimension of Sgt. Pepper was captured – just not the dimension that people of my generation know and love so well.

Thirty years ago in NYC, when hippie clothing style started to come back into vogue, I remember looking at kids on the subway (from my lofty perch as a forty-yearold) and thinking that they got the style just right – the fringes, the headbands, the flowered fabric, the macramé bags – but were missing the essential ingredient of danger. They were in no danger of being drafted, or bashed on the head by a billy club in a protest march, or shot to death on campus waving a peace sign. Without that their style was too orderly, flat, a little shallow. As much as I love the Mark Morris Dance Group and admire their perfections, they looked a little like those neo-hippies on the subway – in need of a touch of danger.

Magnificent Fantastic Woman an empathetic drama of self-acceptance

by Sara Michelle Fetters

SGN A&E Writer

FANTASTIC

WOMAN

Now playing

Waitress and singer Marina (Daniela Vega), a young woman with big dreams, is dating 57-year-old Orlando (Francisco Reyes), a highly successful businessman long divorced from his overbearing and angrily self-righteous ex Sonia (Aline Küppenheim). She loves him, and he loves her back, the two making quiet preparations for a romantic getaway away from the hustle, bustle and noise of their everyday lives.

Tragedy strikes. After sharing a delightful birthday dinner, Orlando suffers an

aneurysm, tumbling down a flight of stairs and sustaining a number of horrifying injuries. Rushing him to the hospital only to see him die on the operating table, Marina is forced to call her beloved’s brother Gapo (Luis Gnecco) and inform him what has happened. Later on, struggling with the best way to face and deal with her grief, she is then hounded by a female police detective (Amparo Noguera) and barred from attending Orlando’s funeral by the vindictive Sonia. Things couldn’t appear to be going any worse for the emotionally devastated woman. But Marina refuses to give in, persevering as best she can as more obstacles are thrown her way in her altruistic pursuit to mourn for Orlando in a manner that the pair’s love deserved.

For a variety of reasons, I find it difficult to talk about the luminous brilliance of writer/director Sebastián Lelio’s (Gloria) Oscar-nominated Best Foreign Language Film A Fantastic Woman with anything approaching coherence. Needless to say, this is a superb drama, one that flirts with being a thriller only in reality to become nothing short of a marvelously introspective character study of self-identity and grief that proves to be universally accessible in its emotional resonance. Understandably notable for featuring a Transgender actress in the lead role, Lelio’s opus deserves to be lauded and embraced for reasons that go beyond the politically timely, this story one of tender understanding and observational restraint that shook me right to my core.

Awards 2018:

Daniela Vega will be first ever Transgender presenter at Academy Awards; Purr to host Oscars viewing party

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer

For the first time in the Academy Awards’ 90-year history, a Transgender person will serve as a presenter during the telecast. Daniela Vega, who starred in the Best Foreign Language Film nominee A Fantastic Woman, in which she grapples with the loss of her lover and then has to deal with his disapproving family, will appear at the Oscars ceremony as a presenter, although it isn’t known whether she’ll give out an award or introduce a film clip. A Fantastic Woman, by the way, is showing this week at the SIFF Cinema Egyptian Theatre on Capitol Hill; definitely see it, if you get a chance – it is, well, fantastic. The Academy Awards will be televised on March 4.

Purr Cocktail Lounge will once again host an Oscars viewing party this year, complete with prizes and, of course, multiple TV screens to watch all the action, from the red carpet arrivals to the drum roll and announcement of Best Picture, plus everything in between. Just in case you weren’t aware, Purr has relocated to the Montlake neighborhood, a short Uber drive from Capitol Hill, or you can take the #48 Metro bus to/from. Get off at the southbound E. Calhoun St. stop or the northbound E. McGraw St. stop. Gaysha Starr will serve as the party’s host and guests can enjoy drink specials, as well as a variety of

great food. Plan to get there early (red carpet arrivals will begin around 4pm) to get a good seat. Purr’s new address is 2307 24th Avenue East (Seattle, WA 98112) and is located across the street from Mont’s Market, Glam & Tonics Aveda Salon, and Fuel Coffee and a short half block south of the Montlake Branch Library.

As of February 21, the list of Academy Awards presenters, besides Vega, includes 2017 winners Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Mahershala Ali, plus Armie Hammer, Greta Gerwig, Chadwick Boseman, Jennifer Garner, Mark Hamill, Laura Dern, Gina Rodriguez, Zendaya, Kumail Nanjiani, Eva Marie Saint, Tiffany Haddish, Tom Holland, Margot Robbie, Gal Gadot, Oscar Isaac, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Wes Studi and Kelly Marie Tran. More presenters and musical performers will be announced in the days ahead.

Call Me By Your Name captured the Best Adapted Screenplay award last weekend at the BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) ceremony in London. Sadly, it was the only prize given to the gay coming-of-age movie, despite four nominations going into the event, which was telecast overseas but not here in the US. All of the Oscar frontrunners in the major categories – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Best Film), Frances McDormand (Best Actress, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri ),

Gary Oldman (Best Actor, Darkest Hour), Allison Janney (Best Supporting Actress, I, Tonya), Sam Rockwell (Best Supporting Actor, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri ) and Guillermo del Toro (Best Director, The Shape of Water) – all took home awards on Sunday evening.

Earlier this month, Guillermo del Toro was honored by the Directors Guild of America (DGA) with the prestigious Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film award for The Shape of Water This pretty much assures him the Best Director prize at next month’s Oscars, so remember to check his name on your guess-the-winners ballot.

Lastly, the Costume Designer Guild Awards (CDGA) were handed out this week in film and television categories representing various genres. I, Tonya (Jennifer Johnson) won for Excellence in Contemporary Film and The Shape of Water (Luis Sequeira) nabbed the honors for Excellence in Period Film. Other film winners were Wonder Woman (Lindy Hemming) for Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film. In the TV field, “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Ane Crabtree) got the award for Excellence in Contemporary Television, while “The Crown” was chosen for Excellence in Period Television and “Game of Thrones” was selected for Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television).

Vega is stunning. She delivers a performance of such breadth, scope and unwavering strength the cumulative power of what she accomplishes is unquestionably exceptional. She gives herself entirely over to Marina and in the process brings the viewer inside her skin in a way that’s breathtaking. What’s notable is that she does this by not just being a Transgender actress in a Transgender role. While that facet of her performance cannot be ignored or denied, that does not lessen or minimize just how complex and complete her rendering of this young woman becomes. Vega balances multiple levels of grief as she is also forced to stare down various forms of intolerance that don’t just want to minimize her existence, but want to hopefully erase it altogether. Through it all, her iron-willed resolve materializes with brutally unnerving vivacity, the empathetic grace that is achieved in the process extraordinary.

Throughout the film, Lelio adds a bevy of visual concepts that, to some, will strike as initially obvious and maybe even a little facile. But as things progress it becomes apparent that the director’s use of mirrors and reflective imagery has been utilized in order to twist things back on the viewer, to force them to walk with Marina as she confidently strides forward on her journey of acceptance. He and cinematographer Benjamín Echazarreta (Mozart’s Sister) strike a sort of balance between the elliptically ethereal and the grittily documentarian. By doing this, they dive into the Transgender experience in a way that is refreshing in its subtle, naturalistic simplicity, Marina’s everyday struggle to unapologetically be herself achieving a dignified universality that’s all-encompassing in its sympathetic warmth.

I admit that I couldn’t help but see myself in elements of this story. I understand much of what Marina is facing from the inside, and it’s undeniable that I was affected by this while I was watching the movie for the first time. But there is a reason I try not to talk about my own Transgender experiences as a critic and film writer, and, much like the main character here, it is because I want my abilities and my talents to speak for themselves unclouded by blind misconception and misplaced attempts at understanding. I am passionate about cinema because I am a human being who has been moved by the sights, sounds, stories and images I discovered as a youngster and grew to adore and cherish as I grew older while passionately striving to learn more about the medium. While my Transgender experiences shape who I am and my worldview, they are not the end all-be all for who I am, these just one facet of the greater human journey all of us are on whether or not we choose to recognize this to be the case.

That is the glory of what Lelio has accomplished. Marina has dreams and aspirations that go far beyond just being accepted as the woman she undeniably is. She is a talented singer. She is a passionate lover. She is an exceptional human being who cares fervently about others and their well-being no matter how clueless they might choose to be about topics they fail to take the time to understand with anything approaching intelligence, let alone respect. She speaks up for herself when forced into a corner. But, more importantly, she makes the boldest and brightest statement by just living her life out in the open, the simple task of slipping on shoes and walking to work a courageous form of activism that should never be undervalued or underestimated. A Fantastic Woman is spectacular because it doesn’t just understand this, it celebrates it, making the film a stunning cinematic achievement that I cannot help but hope viewers of any age, gender, race or political ideology make it a point to see.

Enjoyably silly Game a goofy good time

by Sara Michelle Fetters

SGN A&E Writer

GAME NIGHT

Now playing

Ultracompetitive Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Rachel McAdams) host an annual game night at their suburban home. Regular guests include the laidback Michelle (Kylie Bunbury), her droll husband Kevin (Lamorne Morris) and the rather vacuous, if still good-natured and kindhearted, Ryan (Billy Magnussen). He always shows up with some random bubble-headed blonde, something the two married couples take great joy in poking fun at him about. That’s what makes Ryan’s date to their latest game night so surprising, the juvenile thirtysomething arriving with the smart, witty and altogether way out of his league Sarah (Sharon Horgan) as his companion.

Good thing, because this evening’s competition is going to be unlike any the group has ever played before, so the more strong players the better. All of them have been invited to the home of Max’s smooth-talking, investment banker brother Brooks (Kyle Chandler), and he’s put together something special for them, a true challenge that will see how each of them can communicate and work together as teammates. Brooks has thrown together a murder mystery party and he’s the prospective victim, Max, Annie, Michelle, Kevin, Ryan and Sarah the amateur detectives all in direct competition to solve the crime before the others do.

With the comedy-thriller-romance Game Night, things don’t exactly work out as Max, Annie and their friends expect. Brooks doesn’t get fake kidnapped. Unbeknownst to the entire group he actually gets kidnapped for real, all of them wrongly thinking they’re heading out to partake in an interactive bit of silly intellectual fluff when in all actuality the life and death stakes are quite literal. Screenwriter Mark Perez (Accepted, Herbie Fully Loaded ) has engineered a deliciously anarchic scenario that plays out like the haphazard, devilmay-care composite of fellow subversively absurdist comedies like Into the Night Adventures in Babysitting, Risky Business, After Hours and Date Night, while directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein handle all the chaos and calamity with confidence and flair. It’s a heck of a lot of fun, and even if the movie might overstay its welcome, for the most part I had a terrific time sitting in the theatre watching things play out to their ridiculously cheery conclusion.

The nice thing here, and the reason the film works as well as it does, is that Perez has done a fine job of crafting six uniquely appealing characters all of whom are worth spending time with. While the focus is naturally on Max and Annie, thankfully the script doesn’t forget about the other four primary adults. Bunbury, Morris, Magnussen and especially Horgan all get stuff to do, each actor up to the challenge of stealing a choice scene or two. They interact effortlessly with one another, the collective

charm they showcase undeniably appealing right from the second all six of them share the screen for the first time.

But the real show-stopping standout is Jesse Plemons. Playing Max and Annie’s freshly divorced next door neighbor and former game night participant Gary, a police officer with an unnerving fondness for his floppy-eared dog, this feels like a breakout moment for the veteran character actor and comedian. He’s an unnerving force of nature, the steadily focused intensity of his stare making me decidedly uncomfortable. Yet Plemons does this in a way that led to a number of steady belly laughs, each line delivery, jerk of the head or raise of an eyebrow causing me to quietly giggle. The physical rigidity of his body movements is something to behold, everything building to a penultimate moment near the end that had me laughing so hard I was fighting back tears.

It can get a little too overly convoluted, and it does take a little while for the screenplay to get to the crux of what is going on and why. There are also madcap side events that transpire, most notably one featuring a blink-and-you-might-miss-him Danny Huston, because the film needs something zany and weird to happen and for practically no other reason, although a strand involving government witnesses and a secret list of names feels tossed in only because the story requires a McGuffin to trigger Brooks’ kidnapping. I also can’t say the final reveal, which leads to an impromptu car-versus-plane showdown on a secluded tarmac, did much for me, the story coming perilously close to running on fumes by that point of the narrative.

But Bateman and McAdams are a superb comedic pair, the two actors playing off of one another as if they’ve been doing it their whole careers. As for Daley and Goldstein, the confidence they display behind the camera is impressive, and I really liked how they were able to balance all of the different characters, locations and subplots with what appeared to be relative ease. It’s good work, especially with how deftly they utilize a variety of unique, board game-based visuals, this film a serious step in the right direction after their illconceived remake of Vacation understandably crashed and burned with critics and audiences alike back in 2015.

Game Night feels like one of those comedies from the 1980s, usually made by Touchstone Pictures, more often than not starring the likes of Bette Midler (Ruthless People, Outrageous Fortune) or Richard Dreyfuss (Stakeout), or even better the both of them (Down and Out in Beverly Hills), and that’s a good thing. While its edges might sometimes be a little rough, the fact the film is so willing to take so many idiosyncratic chances while affably reveling in its R-rating is a thing I happily applaud. That it does so by putting its characters, their relationships and the collective journey front and center before everything else is even more impressive, all of which makes this a gleefully enjoyable comedic contest of murder, mystery and mayhem well worth playing.

Unsettling Double Lover a romantically lurid psychological thriller

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer

DOUBLE LOVER

Now playing

Chloé Fortin (Marine Vacth) is 25-years-old. She is a former model who became disillusioned with the life even though she was making good money. Suffering from frequent stomach pains, she goes to countless doctors, none of whom are able to come up with a credible diagnosis for what’s ailing her. Believing it might be psychosomatic, Chloé is referred to psychologist Paul Meyer (Jérémie Renier), a young, good-looking professional who quietly and intently listens to his new patient with a sensitive ear.

Fast-forward a few months, and even though it goes against all ethical standards, Paul has fallen for Chloé, the pair entering into a passionate relationship. They even move into an apartment together, their romance quickly speeding towards what looks like marriage and, in the future, children. But things are not as serene as they appear. Chloé suspects Paul is lying. As the young woman’s stomach pains return she also begins to dig into her boyfriend’s past, her grasp on reality beginning to fracture into a myriad of shimmery, light-catching pieces almost as if she were a mirror shattering on the bathroom floor after being cruelly pushed from the shelf in anger.

I was not familiar with Joyce Carol Oates’s novel Lives of the Twins before I sat down to watch writer/director François Ozon’s (Frantz, In the House) uncomfortably spellbinding adaptation Double Lover, so I had no idea just how crazily psychotic this lurid piece of pulp fiction was going to get. I almost don’t feel like one viewing of the film does it justice, and I find I’d like to jump right back in for a second viewing right away so I can spend more time dissecting its ominously abhorrent twists in greater detail. Ozon toyed with my emotions so completely I found myself alternating between hating what it was he doing here and loving it with every fiber of my being down to the last strand of DNA. Equal parts De Palma, Hitchcock, Cronenberg and Lynch, the acclaimed French auteur still manages to make the material his own, all of it centered upon a performance from rising star Vacth that’s as fearlessly complex as it is heartrendingly intimate.

It’s difficult to know how deep to dig into the plot, as spoiling one little nugget of what happens at any given point could potentially ruin the host of surprises Ozon has in store for the viewer. What can be said is that Chloé’s investigation reveals what she thinks is a double life for, not just Paul, but in many ways herself, too. By starting to explore her sexuality she begins to long for family, siblings and all the creature comforts of home in a manner she’s never felt worthy or deserving of in the past. But Chloé also uncovers more questions than there are answers, and the more craven her pursuits the more she starts to wonder if she’s cannibalizing her own flesh, almost

as if she has some sudden longing to selfmutilate even though she’s certain none existed before Paul came into her life.

Vacth, whose first breakout role also came working for Ozon in 2013’s Young & Beautiful, is magnificent. Chloé mentions early on that she used to be a model, and the way the actress carries herself is a constant reminder of this passing remark. Her effortless physicality is spellbinding, especially when the weight of all that is happening begins to take its toll. Vacth showcases these mental and physical changes with graphically demoralizing subtlety, the ways in which Chloé begins to change as so many carnivorous adversaries, maybe real, maybe imagined, begin to eat away at her devastatingly visceral in their carnal succinctness.

Renier, another Ozon regular appearing in 1999’s Criminal Lovers and 2010’s Potiche, is also very good, but talking about his performance as Paul leads me into another narrative minefield where exploding a secret or two becomes something of a devilish inevitability. What I can say is that he plays two sides of a single coin. Darkness and light, levity and cruelty, love and lust; one does not exist without the other, the actor doing a grand job of toying with these dueling psychological aspects with a clever minimalistic enthusiasm that’s often unexpected. Two Grande Dames of French and British cinema, the wonderful Myriam Boyer and the luminous Jacqueline Bisset, also make appearances in a pair of key supporting roles. Both make immediate, unforgettable impressions yet I’m loath to go into any sort of detail about either of their characters, Bisset, in particular, having the greatest impact on Chloé’s quest to understand what is happening and what it will take for things to return to some sort of normalcy.

Manuel Dacosse’s (Evolution) sultry cinematography is intriguingly seductive in the way in which it utilizes symmetry, reflection, color and a swarm of mirror images to help augment the emotional and psychological ocean Chloé is attempting to navigate. It’s stunning stuff, so effortlessly refined it took me almost half the motion picture before I realized just how fully and completely he and Ozon were manipulating and subverting all it was I thought I was looking at. The way the pair kept me on my toes only helped make Chloé’s journey all the more bracingly affecting, the haunting final moments an emotional punch to the gut that left me speechless.

It can get fairly lurid at times, and I can’t say all of the purposefully cryptic pieces end up fitting together as succinctly as I found myself hoping they were going to. There’s also an inherent pulpiness here that sometimes becomes moderately, and I believe unintentionally, comical, a third act bit of full-blown, gorily unpleasant body horror not so much unnecessary as it is cartoonish its bloody asperity. Yet Ozon keeps the focus right where it needs to be no matter what is happening, Chloé standing right in the middle of all that transpires. As such, Double Lover is a gripping descent into the psychological abyss, the discoveries waiting to be found there captivatingly vast.

1533 13th Ave. - 323-1525

SEATTLE

BATHS

SEATTLE

BATHS

CLUB Z - (men)

1117 Pike near Boren - 622-9958

HOT HOUSE SPA & SAUNA - (women)

CLUB Z - (men)

SW corner of Pike & 11th

1117 Pike near Boren - 622-9958

(stairs behind Wildrose) - 568-3240

HOT HOUSE SPA & SAUNA - (women)

STEAM WORKS - (men)

SW corner of Pike & 11th

1520 Summit - 388-4818

(stairs behind Wildrose) - 568-3240

STEAM WORKS - (men) 1520 Summit - 388-4818

RESTAURANTS & BARS

88 KEYS - 315 2nd Ave. S. - 839-1300

BALTIC ROOM - 1207 Pine St. - 625-4444

RESTAURANTS & BARS

THE BOTTLENECK LOUNGE

2328 E. Madison St. - 323-1098

88 KEYS - 315 2nd Ave. S - 839-1300

C.C. ATTLE’S BAR & GRILLE

1701 E. Olive Way - 726-0565

BALTIC ROOM - 1207 Pine St. - 625-4444

THE BOTTLENECK LOUNGE

RETAIL SHOPS

DIESEL BAR - 1413 14th Ave. - 322-1080

GLO’S - 1621 E. Olive Way - 324-2577

HOT MAMA’S PIZZA - 700 E. Pine St. - 322-6444

BABELAND - 707 E. Pike St. - 328-2914

CASTLE SUPERSTORE #17

JAZZ ALLEY - 2033 6th Ave. E. - 441-9729

JULIA’S - 300 Broadway Ave. E. - 860-1818

1017 E. Pike St - 204-0126

KREMWERK - 1809 Minor Ave. #10 - 682-2935

DOGHOUSE LEATHERS

MADISON PUB - 1315 E. Madison - 325-6537

1312 E. Pike St. - 257-0231

EMERSON SALON - 909 E. Pike St. - 323-7437

NEIGHBOURS - 1509 Broadway - 324-5358

OUT WEST - 5401California Ave. SW

FANTASY UNLIMITED

THE PINE BOX - 1600 Melrose Ave - 588-0375

POCO WINE ROOM

2027 Westlake Ave. - (206) 682-0167

1510 1st Ave - (206) 624-1784

1408 E. Pine St. - 322-9463

POKE BAR - 1542 12th Ave - 402-5178

HASHTAG - 3540 Stone Way N - 946-8157

PONY - 1221 E. Madison St. - 324-2854

NEW YORK EXCHANGE

PURR - 1518 11th Ave. - 325-3112

225 Broadway E. - 726-3300

R PLACE - 619 E. Pine - 322-8828

ONYX LEATHER - 1605 12th Ave. #8 - 328-1965

RE-BAR - 1114 Howell at Boren - 233-9873

OZ - 3831 Stone Way N - 251-0630

ROOT TABLE 2213 NW Market St. - 420-3214

PANACHE - 225 Broadway E. - 726-3300

THE CANTERBURY - 534 15th Ave. E. - 322-3130

2328 E. Madison St. - 323-1098

CHANGES IN WALLINGFORD

2103 N. 45th - 545-8363

C.C. ATTLE’S BAR & GRILLE

1701 E. Olive Way - 726-0565

SEATTLE EAGLE - 314 E. Pike - 621-7591

SHORTY’S 2222 2nd Ave - 441-5449

RUCKUS - 1465 E Republican St. - 257-4805

STOUT -1530 11th Ave - 397-3825

THE FANTASY SHOP

TOULOUSE PETIT

9630 16th Ave. SW - 762-3299

THE CRESCENT - 1413 E. Olive Way - 720-8188

THE CUFF COMPLEX

THE CANTERBURY - 534 15th Ave. E - 322-3130

CHANGES IN WALLINGFORD

2103 N. 45th - 545-8363

THE CRESCENT - 1413 E. Olive Way - 720-8188

THE CUFF COMPLEX - 1533 13th Ave. - 323-1525

DIESEL BAR - 1413 14th Ave. - 322-1080

GLO’S - 1621 E. Olive Way - 324-2577

HOT MAMA’S PIZZA - 700 E. Pine St. - 322-6444

JAZZ ALLEY - 2033 6th Ave. E - 441-9729

JULIA’S - 300 Broadway Ave. E - 860-1818

KREMWERK - 1809 Minor Ave. #10 - 682-2935

THE LUMBER YARD - 9619 16th Ave. SW - 695-2007

MADISON PUB - 1315 E. Madison - 325-6537

NEIGHBOURS - 1509 Broadway - 324-5358

OUT WEST - 5401California Ave. SW

THE PINE BOX - 1600 Melrose Ave - 588-0375

POCO WINE ROOM - 1408 E. Pine St. - 322-9463

POKE BAR - 1542 12th Ave - 402-5178

PONY - 1221 E. Madison St. - 324-2854

PURR - 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

TABOO ADULT VIDEO

601 Queen Anne Ave N - 432-9069

UNICORN - 1118 E Pike - 325-6492

9813 16th Ave SW - 767-4855

UNDER U 4 MEN

709 Broadway Ave. E - 324-6446

UNCLE IKE’S

2310 E Union St - 1-800-GET-DRUGS

501 15th Ave E - 1-800-GET-DRUGS

9822 15th Ave SW - 1-800-GET-DRUGS

WILD AT HEART

1111 NW Leary Way - 782-5538

BELLINGHAM

LOVER’S

193 Telegraph Road - (360) 752-1862

RUMORS CABARET 1119 Railroad - (360) 671-1849

DES MOINES

ADULT AIRPORT VIDEO 2 21635 Pacific Hwy S - 206-878-7780

SECRETS 22862 Pacific Hwy S - 206-878-8480

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. SE - (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

WILDROSE - 1021 E. Pike - 324-9210

ZIPPY’S GIANT BURGERS

LA CONNER

5633 Airport Way S - 466-5954

9614 14th Ave SW - 763-1347

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

RETAIL SHOPS

CASTLE SUPERSTORE #17

OLYMPIA

1017 E. Pike St - 204-0126

DOGHOUSE LEATHERS

DARBY’S CAFE

1312 E. Pike St. - 257-0231

EMERSON SALON - 909 E. Pike St. - 323-7437

211 5th Ave. SE - (360) 357-6229

HASHTAG - 3540 Stone Way N - 946-8157

NEW YORK EXCHANGE

LOVER’S 3959 Martin Way E, Suite D - (360) 456-7300

225 Broadway E. - 726-3300

ONYX LEATHER - 1605 12th Ave. #8 - 328-1965

JAKES - 311 4th Ave. E - (360) 956-3247

OZ - 3831 Stone Way N - 251-0630

PANACHE

PORT ANGELES

225 Broadway E. - 726-3300

RUCKUS 1465 E Republican St. - 257-4805

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

THE FANTASY SHOP 9630 16th Ave. SW - 762-3299

SPOKANE

TABOO ADULT VIDEO 9813 16th Ave SW - 767-4855

TOYS IN BABELAND - 707 E. Pike St. - 328-2914

UNDER U 4 MEN

ANDY’S - 1401 W. 1st Ave. - (509) 747 - 0304

709 Broadway Ave. E. - 324-6446

UNCLE IKE’S 2310 E Union St - 1-800-GET-DRUGS

STRAY NIGHTCLUB 415 W. Sprague Ave. - (509) 624 - 4450

NYNE BAR AND BISTRO 232 W. Sprague Ave. - (509) 474 -1621

501 15th Ave E - 1-800-GET-DRUGS 9822 15th Ave SW - 1-800-GET-DRUGS

WILD AT HEART 1111 NW Leary Way - 782-5538

BELLINGHAM

LOVER’S 193 Telegraph Road - (360) 752-1862

DES MOINES

EVERETT

KENT

TACOMA

LA CONNER

CASTLE SUPERSTORE

6015

OLYMPIA

PORT

SPOKANE

TACOMA

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

NOTE: 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 - February 24

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. Black History Month Gathering at Mount Zion Baptist Church. 10am-3pm. 1634 19th Ave. Everyone is welcome to attend this FREE community gathering. Keynote speakers include Police Chief Carmen Best, Seattleʼs first female African-American to hold this position; Historian Quintard Taylor, an expert in Black settlement in the Pacific Northwest and King County; Dr. Michele Andrasik, a social scientist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, who is known for her work on behalf of women with HIV. Other speakers include Dr. Bessie Young, Christopher Moore, George Dicks, Linda Chastine, Mattie Taplin and Louis Shackleford. In addition to the featured presentations, FREE HIV and Hepatitis C and other health screenings will be offered. Information will also be provided on diabetes and other health-related issues. The program includes a free lunch catered by “Satisfied Palate.” For more information, please call 206-867-6360.

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

Mature Friends Monthly Potluck. 6pm. Wallingford Community Senior Center, Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 140. Monthly potluck meets last Saturday most months. MF is a social organization for Gay men & women, 40 years & over. www. maturefriends.org

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.)

Dance with ALISS - Lesbian Dance & Pisces Party. 7-10pm. SE Seattle Senior Center, 4655 S Holly St. DJ Candy. Bring food and drink to share. 18+. $5-$15 sliding scale. Message line: 253-777-3357. (We’ll call you back.) ALISSquestion@gmail.com. Sponsored by ALISS - Aging Lesbians in South Seattle. k.d. lang Ingenue Redux - Two Intimate Evenings on Vashion (2/23 & 2/24). 7:30pm. Katherine L. White Hall, Vashon Center for the Arts, 19600 Vashon Highway SW, Vashon WA. k.d. lang kicks off her latest U.S. tour with two benefit concerts on Vashion Island with all proceeds going to the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust and the Vashon Center for the Arts. Tickets: $250 premium seating (includes $170 tax write-off) and $499 VIP meet & greet with premium seating (no tax write-off). 206-463-5131 or vashoncenterforthearts.org.

SUNDAY - February 25

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 Ravenna United Methodist Church. 8:30am “Seattle’s most dangerous Sunday school” - 9:45am Worship. 5751 33rd Ave NE. A reconciling congregation, fully inclusive and affirming of LGBTQ persons. (206) 525-7988. Seattle Unity Church. 9am & 11am Sunday Services. 200 8th Ave N. “Come join our Gay & Lesbian-friendly, spiritual family at Seattle Unity Church. Our mission is to bring love, miracles & spiritual awakening into everyday life!” (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. This reconciling congregation welcomes with warm hands, warm hearts & open minds GLBT persons seeking a spiritual home. (253) 627-0129, www.

community calendar

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. (Late June-Aug 9:30am only.) 6556 35th Ave NE. Interweave is the official name for LGBTQ groups in the Unitarian-Universalist family as a common thread of identification. UUC’s Interweave group meets the first Friday every other month (Oct, Dec, Feb, April & June) usually at UUC for a potluck, a summer picnic or whatever else we might dream up. Drop in & join us. www.uuchurch.org for details.

Central Lutheran Church. 10am Worship. 1710 11th Ave (just north of E Pine St). An open & affirming church, which in Lutheran churches is called “Reconciled in Christ.” “We seek to share God’s love with all people regardless of race, age, gender or sexual orientation.” All are welcome. (206) 322-7500.

East Shore Unitarian Church. 10am Sunday Service. 12700 SE 32nd St, Bellevue. An open & affirming congregation. (425) 747-3780.

Gethsemane Lutheran Church. 10am Worship. 911 Stewart St. A downtown faith community centered in justice. An open & affirming congregation. (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.

University Congregational United Church of Christ. 9am all ages education; 10am Worship. 4515 16th Ave NE. UCUCC is an open & affirming congregation. (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 (office); (206) 2855077 (George).

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

Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church Seattle. 11am Worship. Chapel at University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 NE 43rd St. MCC is a progressive Christ-centered faith community committed to providing a nurturing environment for individual & community growth thru Jesus Christ while celebrating unity in diversity. MCC is Seattle’s oldest Gay-friendly church. (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 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. www. sasgcc.org

Paths to Recovery Al-Anon Family Group. 12-1:30pm. Seattle University Student Center, 901 12th Ave, Room 122. Every Sunday. LGBTQ supported. The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives & friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength & hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness & that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Greater Seattle AIS 24-hour number (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

Orca Swim Team Workout. Sun: Afternoon; Mon/Weds/ Fri: Evenings; Tues/Thurs: Mornings. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. Preregistration required. Orca Swim Team workouts are for both competitive & recreational swimmers. www. orcaswimteam.org

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, www.nosafewordwritersgroup.org

Seattle Prime Timers Rap Group. 1:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E #201 in the Ian MacKintosh Room. Meets 4th Sunday most months. This month’s topic: Can memories spoil our quality of life? www.seattleprimetimers.org

QTPOC in Sci-Fi & Fantasy Bookclub. 2pm. Gay City, 517 E Pike St. Every 4th Sunday. This month: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers.) Join us online at Facebook.com/groups/QTPOCbookclub. Members receive 20% off book of the month at Elliott Bay Book Co. Rain City Soccer Club - Kickabout. Sunday afternoon usually at 3pm. Location varies. Join us for Seattle’s mostly-weekly mostly-LGBTQ pickup soccer game. We play an organized, 2-hour scrimmage on nice fieldturf surface. Sometimes there is a brief training/practice session before we play. Usually there is a “one-beer” after the scrimmage. To sign up visit www.raincitysoccer.org Shame to Grace Sunday SAA. 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Sunday. SAA is a fellowship of men & women who share their experience, strength & hope with each other so they may overcome their sexual addiction & help others recover from sexual addiction or dependency. Seattle SAA helpline (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. Noche Latina - Latino Night. 10pm. Neighbours, 1509 Broadway. Every Sunday.

MONDAY - February 26

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.. 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 Lotus Sisters South Seattle/Columbia City Meditation & Dharma Discussion. Gather at 6:45pm; sit at 7pm. Meets 4th Monday each month. Short presentation with discussion to follow. Oriented to LBTQ sisters. Email us or call (206) 550-5587 for details and location; www. LotusSisters.org. (Wheelchair accessible.)

PFLAG/South King County Monthly Meeting. 7pm. Unitarian Universalist Church, 25701 14th Pl S, Kent Meets 4th Monday each month. Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays is a national support organization for parents, spouses & families of GLBT persons, as well as those sexual minorities. PFLAG/Puget Sound: (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

TUESDAY - February 27

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

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 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

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

ALISS - Aging Lesbians in South Seattle Evening Gathering. 6:30-8pm. Southeast Seattle Senior Center, 4655 S Holly St, Rainier Ave S & S Holly St., Social Hall. Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month. This is a group primarily for Lesbians but all are welcome to attend. Facilitator: Fai Coffin; Cost: FREE. Metro route 7. Wheelchair accessible. Kate, (206) 722-0317; www.sessc.org. LGBTQ MS Connection/National MS Society. 6:308pm. Swedish Conference Center, Cherry Hill Campus, James Tower, 550 17th Avenue, Room E, 1st Floor. Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month. MS Connection is a support group with the goal of providing a safe environment for the LGBT community to express their experiences and the impact of MS on their lives and the lives of their loved ones, as well as provide support for one another. Contact Shelly at (206) 250-5002 or LGBTMSConnection@gmail.com.

Queer Young Females Group - For Female-Identified Youth, Ages 22 & Under. 6:30-7:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Tuesday. Topics range from family issues to school happenings to like/lust/love relationships. All Queer females welcome. Come discuss how smart. strong Queer women live their lives. (206) 3222515, www.lamberthouse.org

PFLAG/North Seattle Monthly Meeting. 7-9pm. Haller Lake United Methodist Church, 13055 1st Ave NE. Meets 4th Tuesday each month. (206) 325-7724 or northseattle@pflagseattle.org. PFLAG, a national organization founded in 1972, provides support, education and advocacy for families and friends of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer persons and is committed to moving LGBTQ equality forward.

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. [EXCEPT no water polo mid-June through Labor Day Weekend.]

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

WEDNESDAY - February 28

Mature Friends Walk Around Greenlake. 11am. Meet up at 10:50am with a group of older men gathered at the north end of the parking lot that is next to the boathouse along the southwest side of Greenlake. Every Wednesday. Walk around Greenlake followed by lunch at a local restaurant. www.maturefriends.org

Mature Friends Dining Out Luncheon. 12 noon. Roosters Restaurant, 611 Broadway E. Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesday each month. Just drop in - no RSVP required. MF is a social organization for Gay men & women, 40 years & over. www.maturefriends.org

True Colors: Connecting LGBTQ Teens in Shoreline 4-5pm. Every Wednesday. Discussing your important

community calendar

issues, building a supportive community. For information, location & to REGISTER call Lindsay Bagley (206) 362-7282 x 8018 or email lbagley@chs-nw.org

Positively Living. 5-7pm. Lifelong, 1016 E Pike St., 3rd Fl. Every Wednesday. Social and support group for the HIV community with various topics for discussion and conversation. Anthony, 206-957-1600. Sponsored by Lifelong.

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 “Necessary Errors” by Caleb Crain. https://faculty. washington.edu/swittet/SGLBookClub/

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 DiscussionNorth. 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

SEAMEC Monthly Meeting. 7pm. 1605 12th Ave, Suite 21. Meets 4th Wednesday each month. SEAMEC interviews, researches & rates candidates for public office on issues of concern to the LGBT community. www. voteseamec.org

“Rebels on Poiinte.” 7:30pm. Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave. A joyous celebration of NYC’s Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a notorious all-male drag ballet company founded on the heels of the Stonewall riots! $12-general; $7-student/senior. www.nwfilmforum. org. (Also 3/3 at 7pm.)

Washington Gender Alliance Open Support Meeting in Everett 7:30-9pm. Everett United Church of Christ, 2624 Rockefeller Ave, Everett. Every Wednesday. Trained peer facilitators lead a structured support meeting helping people deal with issues of gender identity & expression. All adults are welcomed, including those who are questioning, allies, or identify as FTM, MTF, Transgender, Queer, or Intersex, among others. (360) 445-2411; www.washingtongenderalliance.com.

THURSDAY - March 1

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

ALISS - Aging Lesbians in South Seattle Lunch Gathering. 11:30am-2:30pm. Southeast Seattle Senior Center, 4655 S Holly St, Rainier Ave S & S Holly St., Arts & Crafts Room. Meets 1st Thursday each month. This is a group primarily for Lesbians but all are welcome to attend. Facilitator: Fai Coffin; Cost: Free for gathering; $5 suggested donation for lunch. Metro route 7. Wheelchair accessible. Kate, (206) 722-0317; www.sessc.org.

Alcoholics Anonymous “Safe & Sober Group.” 12noon-1pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Open meeting of AA. www.sasgcc.org

BABES Women’s Support Group/Lunch Meeting. 12 noon-2pm. Call for location. Every Thursday. The BABES Network is a peer led agency; a sisterhood of women facing HIV together. (206) 720-5566 or 888-2921912; www.babesnetwork.org.

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

First Thursday Art Walk in Downtown Seattle/Pioneer Square. 5-9pm. Art galleries in Downtown Seattle/Pioneer Square host opening night receptions. Seattle Art Museum is free today. Rouge at Maximilien. 5-7pm. 81a Pike Place Market. Live Parisian music during First Thursday Art Walk.

Seattle Human Rights Commission. 6-8pm. Se -

attle City Hall, 600 4th Ave. Meets 1st Thursday each month. SHRC is made up of 15 citizen representatives who advise the Mayor, the City Council, & all City of Seattle Depts in matters regarding human rights. The commission advocates for justice & equal opportunity & collaborates with & educates the public & private sectors about how to prevent & eliminate discrimination city-wide. Meetings open to the public. (206) 684-4540. Shifting Gears. 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Thursday. Drop-in support group (non 12-step) for anyone of any orientation or gender who desires recovery from drugs or alcohol. www.sasgcc.org

B-GLAD (Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Trans & Questioning Adolescent Drop-In Group). 6:30-8pm. Call for location. Every Thursday. Sponsored by Youth Eastside Services, which offers many programs for GLBT youth. (425) 747-4937.

Crystal Meth Anonymous. 6:30pm. Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 1729 Harvard Ave. Also Mon @ 6:30pm, Sat @ 10:30am, Sun @ 6:30pm. crystalmeth.org. Westside Unitarian Universalist CongregationContemplative Service. 6:30pm. 7141 California Ave SW. (206) 935-0418, office@wsuu.org, www.wsuu.org

Boys’ Group - For Male-Identified Youth, Ages 1422. 7-8:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Thursday. Youth take the opportunity to talk about issues that relate to their everyday lives, with the facilitation of a male volunteer. (206) 322-2515 ext 16. www. lamberthouse.org

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

Emerald City Social Club. 7:30pm. Call for details & location - phone staffed most Tuesday evenings or leave message. Meets 1st Thursday each month. ECSC is a confidential crossdressing social & support organization for Transvestite & Transsexual individuals, primarily MTF, which offers confidential membership, private monthly meetings, frequent events on the town, & help in coming out. (425) 827-9494.

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

Seattle Otters Water Polo Team. 8-9:30pm. Medgar

Evers Pool, 500 23rd Ave E (at E Cherry St). Every Tuesday & Thursday. (See Tuesday listing at 8pm.) [EXCEPT no water polo mid-June through Labor Day Weekend.]

FRIDAY - March 2

AA Ageless in Recovery. 12noon-1pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Friday. A drop in AA group for older & wiser people 55+. www.sasgcc.org

Re-Parenting Ourselves. 12noon-1pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Friday. A peer support group for adult children of any addiction. www.sasgcc.org

SLAA Road to Recovery. 12noon-1:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Friday. Ongoing 12 step group for sex & love addicts. www.sasgcc.org

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

Strength Over Speed. 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. FREE drop-in support group (not a 12-step) for Gay & Bi men who desire recovery from meth. www. strengthoverspeed.org.

Cascades Rainbow Community Center - in Mount Vernon 6:30-10:30pm. 1508 N 18th St, Mount Vernon. Every Friday. Weekly social get-togethers including potlucks and movie nights for LGBTQAI folks in Skagit County and beyond. The Center has the largest LGBTQAI library in Skagit County with an online catalog of their collection. (360) 840-8499 and on Facebook. Orca Swim Team Workout. Evening. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday afternoon listing.)

Lambert House Queer Movie Night. 7-9:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Friday. Lambert House is a nationally-recognized activities & resource center for GLBT & questioning youth, ages 14-22. (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.

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 - March 3

(See previous Saturday for ongoing activities.) Northwest Bears Potluck and Meet & Greet Beer Bust. 6pm. The Cuff, 1533 13th Ave at E. Pine St. Meets 1st Saturday each month. Northwest Bears is a Gay men’s social and service organization providing a focal point within the Gay community for Bears and Bear admirers. www.nwbears.com.

“Rebels on Pointe.” 7pm. Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave. A joyous celebration of NYC’s Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a notorious all-male drag ballet company founded on the heels of the Stonewall riots! $12-general; $7-student/senior. www.nwfilmforum. org. (Also 2/28 at 7:30pm.)

SUNDAY - March 4

(See previous Sunday for ongoing activities.) Border Riders Motorcycle Club First Sunday Ride. Contact Border Riders for details and rendezvous point. Meets 1st Sunday most months. BRMC provides a social & educational fraternity for individuals interested in recreational motorcycle touring. www.borderriders.com Knights of Mantra Monthly Meeting. 3pm. The Cuff, 1533 13th Ave. Meets 1st Sunday each month. K of M/ Jet Chapter is a fun-loving leather/Levi social & charitable organization that raises money for various causes & organizations. (206) 329-0886. www.facebook.com/ kofmjetchapter/ PFLAG/Whatcom County (Bellingham) Monthly Meeting. 5pm. Community Food Co-op Bakery, 405 E Holly St, Bellingham. Meets 1st Sunday 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.whatcompflag.org; PFLAG/Puget Sound: (206) 325-7724. Seattle Jazz Vespers. 6-8pm. Seattle First Baptist Church, Seneca St & Harvard Ave. Meets 1st Sunday each month (October-June). The historic Gothic sanctuary of Seattle First Baptist Church is offered to the best jazz groups in the city to perform 100 minutes of their own popular music. FREE. For info (206) 325-6051, www.seattlefirstbaptist.org/sjv

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 Networksupport & 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 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 - 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

community calendar

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

Pride Foundation - (206) 323-3318; 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

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

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

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.

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

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

20 [HEALTH & WELL-BEING]

ENERGY/BODYWORK

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

[BODYWORK]

EROTICALLY CHARGED nude full body rubdown from playful top, stimulating the senses. Get seduced. Incalls in Renton area. Scott, 206-355-4469. 09/3

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. 27/12 38

[MEN]

RAIN CITY JACKS

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. 06/12

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

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

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

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. 27/12

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.

February 20: Meet your Valen-Canine at Lagunitas Brewing Company! Meet your Valen-Canine on Tuesday night at Lagunitas Seattle TapRoom & Beer Sanctuary! 5:30-8:30pm. Join Pet Connection Magazine, Brokers Supporting Pet Rescue, and Mud Bay at Lagunitas TapRoom & Brewing Sanctuary for a fun event to support Seattle Humane!

* Meet adoptable animals * All beer proceeds will be donated to Seattle Humane * Well-mannered dogs on leash welcome https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/ images/emoji.php/v9/f4c/1/16/1f642. png

Clark Kent

Clark Kent is a handsome and athletic 4-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier/Bulldog mix. Clark Kent is always up for an adventure and would love to join you on hikes and other outdoor endeavors. When he is properly tuckered out he also makes a good snuggle-buddy!

As with all of our wonderful dogs, Clark Kent has been neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and behavior-tested. He will go home with a certificate for a veterinary examination 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!

Introduce to children 12 years and older. Resident dogs are required to visit Clark Kent prior to adoption. Cat-free home.

Nightingale

Meet Nightingale, a 15-years-young black and orange petite fluffy girl! Nightingale is a regal beauty with a heart of gold. She is a sweet and affectionate girl who is easygoing and very loving. Come find Nightingale on the adoption floor at Seattle Humane today and talk to staff about welcoming her home-you'll be glad you did and have her adoring you!

As with all of our wonderful cats, Nightingale is spayed, microchipped and vaccinated. She will go home with a certificate for a complimentary veterinarian examination and an identification tag. PLUS, most cat adoptions include 30 days of pet insurance from Trupanion - a great way to start off on the right paw!