Seattle Gay News
Issue 24, Volume 45, June 16, 2017
The weather is hot, but everything else in Phoenix and Scottsdale is cool by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer Who cares how hot it gets in Phoenix, because wherever you go there’s a swimming pool to dip into and many other things to see, do and explore that are just as cool. The Arizona city, the fifth most populous city in the country, and its poshy neighbor, Scottsdale, are the ideal location for fun, sun and plenty of relaxation. And, before you ask, yes, the Phoenix area is notably gay-friendly with an active and diverse local LGBT community that is rapidly growing. The other thing Phoenix has going for it is that it’s affordable; you can eat, drink, shop and sightsee within this destination on a moderate budget. The only downside is that it’s very spread out, so you’ll need to either rent a car, or take Uber to get around. But if you choose the right hotel or resort to stay at, you won’t have to go far to find great restaurants or entertainment. With multiple airlines flying non-stop from Seattle, in just over two hours of flight time, Phoenix is a convenient long weekend escape, as well as the perfect spot to spend any upcoming holiday. Spring Training delivers a lot of tourists to Phoenix and Scottsdale, and surrounding communities – and if you’re an M’s fan, definitely make plans to attend next year’s pre-season events – but throughout the year, a bevy of cultural events and open-year-round attractions are worth organizing a visit to the area for. On my recent visit to this part of Arizona, I not only indulged in the usual – dining, cocktailing, sunbathing – I also incorporated outdoor recreational activities into my itinerary, such as hiking and kayaking, that made me appreciate the desert landscape of the destination even more. For trip planning assistance, log onto www.visitphoenix.com and www.experiencescottsdale.com. Here are my recommendations for your next visit. STAY There are hotels and resorts to fit everyone’s budget and style, and on the high-end is the newly opened Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa (www.scottsdale.andaz.hyatt. com). Tucked behind a strip mall, literally,
Phoenix, Arizona – Photo courtesy of medium.com
this all bungalow-style hotel is a hidden 23-acre oasis with modern sophistication throughout, from guest room amenities to a lavish trio of pools to its trendy artsthemed restaurant. Single-level bungalows are clumped together in pods, which provide guests not only with more privacy than other hotels, but I found it to be quieter than most properties I’ve stayed at, because you don’t have fellow guests walking through the halls and closing their doors late at night or early in the morning. My bungalow was spacious with the sleeping and sitting room separated from the bathroom by a short foyer that doubled as a storage area for my clothes and belongings, plus a mini refrigerator with complimentary soft drinks, as well as free locally made snacks. Staying in for the evening was a treat with a huge flatscreen HDTV to watch my favorite reality shows and a loveseat positioned next to a window that
I curled up to for nighttime book reading. Two outdoor lounge areas, at the front with padded banquettes and the second at the back of the bungalow with side-by-side day loungers, were certainly appreciated to soak up the sun, but what I loved most about my Andaz room was the bright, elegant bathroom with glass-door shower that could fit an entire family of 6 comfortably (seriously, not exaggerating). Lovelyfragranted Argan soaps and lotions, and double sink basins with large mirrors were a nice bonus. On the minus side, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen, was not up to par with the rest of my experience, neither its menu nor service. The Breakfast Sandwich I ordered to my room one morning – ham steak, Swiss cheese, sunny up egg on two pieces of masa – was flavorless, messy to eat and was delivered with a large slice of soggy tomato. And the service the following morning
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa – Photo courtesy of Hyatt
inside the restaurant was slow in addition to getting my order wrong. I just wasn’t wowed by Weft & Warp, and I really wanted to be. Overall, however, the Andaz, part of the Hyatt chain of international hotels, is somewhere I’d recommend to anyone wanting upscale and somewhat remote accommodations. If you don’t plan on running around much in Phoenix and want a low-key, yet fabulous experience I suggest anchoring your stay in downtown Scottdale, specifically at Hotel Valley Ho (www.hotelvalleyho.com). Opened in 1956, this mid-century jewel has enjoyed a long history of hosting Hollywood’s elite, from Hugh Jackman and Billy Bob Thornton to Matthew Perry and A-list couple Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood, who honeymooned here after their first of two marriages, back in 1957. The see PHOENIX page 8
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Celebrating 43 Years!
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Unplug with an awe-inspiring rafting, hiking, and fishing trip to experience the magic of the Rogue’s natural environment.
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Celebrating 43 Years!
Paddle for Pride at Morrison’s Rogue Wilderness Adventures & Lodge Picture yourself on the legendary Rogue River, where beautiful blue skies complement the cold emerald water. The Rogue is one of eight original rivers inducted into the Wild and Scenic Act of 1968. This unforgettable river will leave you rejuvenated. At Morrison’s Rogue Wilderness Adventures & Lodge we offer a luxurious wilderness experience. Our 3-day Camp Lodge guided raft trip travels through the Wild and Scenic corridor of the Rogue River. We provide all the gear that you might need for rafting such as overnight and day dry bags, lifejackets, splash gear, and even an inflatable kayak for more excitement. An inflatable kayak or “duckie” is provided on this trip for those who may want to navigate their own craft through rapids. We use 16foot Sotar rafts down the river with “stern mounts” where the guide is in the back asking for paddle strokes from the guests. We also have a more laid back option on the lunch boat that involves no paddling just sight seeing and good company! If you are a photographer this is your ticket. All of the boats, guides, and guests travel together in a pod so we can enjoy casual splash fights, group swims, and great conversation! Your trip starts at Grave Creek put-in, where you will experience whitewater right away! Grave Creek rapids are rated class III and have big fun waves that will soak your stoke! The Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River is rated class II-IV and is family friendly while still giving whitewater excitement. The Rogue offers breathtaking scenery, coniferous forests, waterfalls, and wild animals. The river’s rapids and deep canyons cut through old bedrock and
earth’s ancient layers leaving the human eye with a breathtaking scene. We camp the first night on the beautiful Rogue River with wonderful sandy beaches and plenty to do. Upon arrival, you will see your tents set up and a clean and tidy camp, thanks to the gear boater. Your guides will provide a gourmet meal for you and clean up afterwards! At camp, this is your time to relax, hang out by the river, go for a hike, read a book, or just simply take in all of the beauty and clean air! We provide all gear that you might need for camping like tents, pads, sleeping bags, etc. In the morning your guides will make breakfast, clean up, pack, and rig for the day of rafting. Each day your guides will cater a riverside lunch, which varies from day to day, and always supplies local food. We grow most of our food at Morrison’s Rogue Wilderness Lodge, or it is bought at the local farmers market and local companies in the area. The community is important at Morrison’s Rogue Wilderness Adventures & Lodge. The second day offers unmatched beauty providing not only exciting whitewater, but the most dramatic scenes; including Mule Creek Canyon, a high-walled narrow slot canyon unlike any other river experience in Southern Oregon. The famous Blossom Bar upholds its name while your guide masterfully navigates their way through her rocky bones. This is a rapid that you will never forget. Our lodge on the trip is Paradise Lodge where you will find all of the comforts of home away from home. Forget the bustle of civilization and come enjoy some quiet time at Paradise Lodge, while still enjoy-
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Morrison’s Rogue Wilderness Adventures – Photo courtesy of wildrogue.com
ing great amenities like gourmet dining, personal rooms with showers and comfortable beds, a full bar, and an amazing deck with acres of property. The lodge and their staff are friendly and interesting people to chat with as well! The lodge has a volleyball court, horseshoe pit, frisbee disc golf course, and hiking opportunities. The only access to this lodge is either by helicopter, raft, jet boat, or hiking in! This is the most remote lodge in the canyon, not offering a road to access it. On the last day, we will gear up the boats and raft to the take-out. The shuttle is provided on all of our trips either with a Morrison’s van or we can shuttle your personal vehicle to the take-out so you can then drive to the coast and continue your vacation. We provide storage for your ve-
hicle while you are away on the trip as well. Our Wild and Scenic Rogue River trip allows for a detox from all digital devices and social media. Providing for a relaxing, yet manageable active adventure vacation. This is a wonderful trip that we offer, and great for those who have to work for the weekend! Let Morrison’s Rogue Wilderness Adventures & Lodge take care of all your vacation needs. Come adventure with us on the Rogue River and explore her wonderful beauty. We offer many amazing trips like this one, which allows people to re-connect with the outdoors. Come rediscover your soul! Please call for more information or questions 1-800-336-1647 or find us online at www.wildrogue.com.
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Seattle Gay News 5
Pacific Science Center’s summer-long “Terracotta Warriors” exhibit is a must see buried alongside him in the same tomb. But as the years went on, human sacrifices were replaced by objects, like miniature figures, though Qin Shi Huang opted for something much more large scale, an entire life-sized military force. The large, heavy statues and accompanying items were brought to Seattle via air directly from China. Undoubtedly, transporting them across the Pacific Ocean was done with the utmost care. At Pacific Science Center, the exhibit is under tight security and due to high demand you have a maximum time of 2 hours to view it (I saw the entire exhibit in 45 minutes). Guests are asked to line up outside the doors by their allotted time slots and wait to be escorted into the Special Exhibition Hall on the complex, accessed through the outdoor courtyard, where you’ll wait again until the exhibit is ready for the next group to enter. After a brief video introduction, shown on tree-shaped projection screens, an automatic sliding door opens dramatically, thus signaling it’s your turn to go inside. The exhibit is laid out in two ample galleries in upper and lower levels, and guests are welcome to take nonflash photos, so don’t leave your camera at home. Besides 10 authentic Warriors, positioned apart from each other on the main floor of the exhibit, there’s also a replicated bronze chariot on display, as well as replicas of the Warriors in an underground-like section that provide a visual of how the original figures were found and restored. In the upstairs gallery, be sure to watch the 3-minute video titled “Rebuilding an Em-
Warrior – Photo courtesy of the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center
by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer “TERRACOTTA WARRIORS OF THE FIRST EMPEROR” PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER Through September 4 In 1974, local farmers in the Shaanxi province of China were digging a well when they made an astonishing discovery, the rarest of treasures buried deep below the earth’s surface. Known as the Terracotta Warriors, or Terracotta Army, thousands of handmade clay statues and artifacts were discovered 2,200 years after they were placed there near the tomb of the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang (aka Shihuangdi). The Qin dynasty is said to have ruled between 221-206 BC. At least 8,000 of these figures, standing 2 meters tall and weighing an average of 300 pounds each, have been discovered near the city of Xian in four separate pits that span 22 miles. 2,000 of them have been excavated to date. While the majority of the Warriors permanently reside at the original site in China, nearly a dozen of the now famed statues and related weapons, vessels, tools, miniature figures and other artifacts are currently on display at the Pacific Science Center, here in Seattle, through September 4.
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“Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor” offers an exclusive look into this fascinating, surreal world wonder that began when 700,000 laborers – some who contributed voluntarily, others who were tasked as punishment for crimes committed, and yet others commissioned as skilled artisans to assist – formed the clay army at the demands of the Emperor. Although there are similarities, each figure is distinct and all fall into military categories and rankings, such as Armed Officer, Armed Infantryman, or Calvaryman, to name a few. The legs and feet are thought to have been made first with clay molds, then the remaining parts of the body – arms, heads, hands – were made separately. The figures were then fired in large kilns, followed by a coating of raw lacquer and painted before they were meticulously positioned in the underground chambers. Of course, the big question everybody asks is to what purpose did these statues and objects serve by being buried deep into the pits. In ancient times, it was believed there was another world where people could carry on their lives after death. Rulers, attendants and followers were loyal to their masters when he was alive, so they were expected to follow him when he died. When rulers died, more often than not his faithful also died – willingly, or unwillingly – as the ultimate sacrifice to their commander, and
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General – Photo courtesy of the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center
Celebrating 43 Years!
pire” with actual footage of archaeologists gently dusting off and scraping away dirt deposits on the Warriors after they were unearthed two centuries later. This is a wonderful exhibit to experience with friends, family, spouses or partners, children and visitors coming to Seattle this summer. If you’re like me, with no immediate travel plans to China to see the massive Terracotta Warriors exhibit and burial site there, this is as close as we’re going to get. “Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor” is only in North America for a two-stop tour; from Seattle it heads to The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. In conjunction with the Warriors exhibit, the museum is screening Mysteries of China, an IMAX film that gives additional details on the discovery of what has become an international tourist attraction, designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987. Guests must purchase an admission ticket to view the whole museum, even if you just want to see the Warriors. The last entry into the Terracotta Warriors exhibit is at 6pm, though be aware that because the museum closes at 7:30pm, you will have 90 minutes to see it, instead of the two hours maximum time limit if you arrive earlier. For more information, go to pacificsciencecenter.org.
Horse – Photo courtesy of the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center
Standing Archer – Photo courtesy of the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center
Calveryman – Photo courtesy of the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center
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What happens when a brilliant lost soul comes to stay in his sister’s basement and refuses to leave? And if the menacing brother-in-law doesn’t approve? Two eccentric siblings explore the nature of family, of memory, and of sanity. 8 Seattle Gay News
June 16, 2017
Celebrating 43 Years!
QUEER THREADS: CRAFTING IDENTITY AND COMMUNITY celebrates LGBTQ creativity and diversity through fiber crafts and art
NEW YORK, NY – AMMO Books with Todd Oldham Studio present Queer Threads: Crafting Identity and Community, a new coffee table book based on the gallery show of the same name which opened at NYC’s Leslie Lohman Museum in 2013. The book features all 30 artists who contributed to the show along with a collection of interviews with these artists conducted by some of today’s most influential members of the LGBTQ arts community, including Jonathan Adler, Tim Gunn and Michael Cunningham. The first-ever of its kind, the 192-page volume spotlights an international, intergenerational, intersectional mix of 30 artists who are reconsidering the binaries of art and craft, masculine and feminine, gay and straight by remixing fiber craft traditions such as crochet, embroidery, macramé, quilting, and sewing. Designed by Todd Oldham Studio and edited by independent curator John Chaich, the hard cover, 8” x 10” book features fullcolor spreads of each artist’s work, along with intimate details of selections and artist studios, paired with a range of interviews by makers and thinkers from the worlds of dance, design, fashion, media, music, museums, scholarship, and more – many of whom are members of the LGBTQ community if not passionate allies themselves. Featured interviewers include: Jonathan Adler, Justin Vivian Bond, Costello Tagliapietra, Michael Cunningham, Tim Gunn, Kathleen Hanna, Bill T. Jones, Glenn Ligon, JD Samson, Mickalene Thomas and more. The featured interviews explore how
queerness informs their work in fiber and textiles, or vice versa. The book expands on exhibition of the same name that Chaich curated for the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art in Manhattan in 2013. The exhibition has since traveled to the Maryland Institute College of Art and Boston Center for the Arts.
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“When I saw the Queer Threads exhibition, I was so enamored with the technical skill and diverse ideas that these artists bring to hand-made traditions,” says Oldham. “This book celebrates not just fiber art, but queer creativity, which feels all the more necessary and vital in today’s political climate.” Spanning the globe from Buenos Aires to Cape Town and across the US, featured artists include: Cindy Baker, Chris Bogia, Diedrick Brackens, Melanie Braverman, Jai Andrew Carrillo, Nick Cave, Caroline Wells Chandler, Chiachio and Giannone, Liz Collins, Ben Cuevas, Josh Faught, Pierre Fouché, James Gobel, Harmony Hammond, Jesse Harrod, Larry Krone, Rebecca Levi, Aubrey Longley-Cook, Aaron McIntosh, Allyson Mitchell, Ramekon O’Arwisters, John Thomas Paradiso, Maria E. Piñeresl, Sheila Pepe, LJ Roberts, Athi-Patra Ruga, Buzz Slutzky, Nathan Vincent, Angie Wilson and Jade Yumang. Formally, the featured works range from intimate to immersive, scrappy to abstract, multi-colored to muted. Conceptually, the artists address contemporary issues in making identity and making art such as gender nonconformity and sloppy craft. “It’s so rare – and so cool – to find such a diverse collection of contemporary LGBTQ talent spanning ages, races, geographies, and identities in one place as you can in Queer Threads,” says Chaich. “The voices and visions of the artists and interviewers are as colorful and textured as the artworks themselves.” In a carefully curated, dynamically designed piece, Queer Threads contributes to the growing body of research on contemporary fiber art. “We hope that students, scholars, collectors, and crafters alike will find inspiration in how these artists are pushing the boundaries of art, craft, and identity,” Chaich notes.
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Queer Threads: Crafting Identity and Community is available online at Ammobooks.com and Amazon.com and at select retailers. Follow QueerThreads on Instagram and Facebook. #queerthreads ABOUT THE EDITORS OF QUEER THREADS: John Chaich is a curator, designer, and writer interested in queerness, materiality, and communication. With a background in LGBTQ outreach and arts programming, he has presented on queer fiber art at conferences and campuses around the world on and curated exhibitions on words, craft, and books that have traveled nationwide. Todd Oldham is a well-known designer whose career spans more than 30 years. Distinguished as an innovator of accessible design, Todd Oldham is the founder of Todd Oldham Studio, a multifaceted, fullservice design studio based in NYC. Queer Threads is Oldham’s 23rd book ABOUT AMMO AMMO (American Modern) Books publishes provocative, one-of-a-kind titles on the visual arts and pop culture. We create must-have books with great design, thoughtful writing, and exquisite printing. With our exclusive Limited Editions and accessible Popular Editions, we have proudly celebrated and highlighted the work of unique designers, photographers, illustrators, and artists. Based in Los Angeles and New York City, AMMO brings a bicoastal sensibility to a global audience. www.AMMOBOOKS.com. Courtesy of AMMO Books
Seattle Gay News 9
PHOENIX
continued from cover Valley Ho has stood the test of time, primarily because it’s been well maintained with timely renovations, as recently as 2005, when it underwent an $80 million restoration. The property boasts 241 tastefully decorated guest rooms and suites in multiple buildings with all the modern amenities, such as 49” to 55” flatscreen HD TVs, morning bars with complimentary coffee and terrazzo tile bathrooms with the Red Flower line of beautifully-scented soaps, lotions and hair essentials. I stayed in a Cabana Guest Room that included a double-size patio with colorful deck furniture, to lounge or get some work done. Also outside, you can swim in, or recline by, a martini-shaped pool (you read that correctly, martini-shaped), or stroll to a number of local eateries, wine tasting rooms, coffee shops, bakeries, or Scottsdale’s only gay bar, BS West. ZuZu is Hotel Valley Ho’s on-site restaurant that serves classic American favorites – burgers, salads, pasta, seafood and meat entrees, full breakfasts, weekend brunch – in a retro cool atmosphere with adjoining lounge that features long bar counter with swivel stools, leather couches, wingback chairs and terrific signature cocktails. The restaurant offers outside patio seating, too. Should you want centralized accommodations, where you won’t even have to drive to go eat or explore, consider Hotel Valley Ho. EAT Phoenix and Scottsdale have really upped their food game in recent years with a growing number of new restaurants, from Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican to independent brewery pubs serving delicious familiar favorites. You won’t go hungry here, that’s for sure. I dined at four new establishments on my recent trip and at the top of my list of recommendations is FnB (www. fnbrestaurant.com), situated in Scottsdale’s historic Craftsman Court, next door to BS
Hotel Valley Ho – Photo courtesy of experiencescottsdale.com
West. Chef Carleen Badman has created a sumptuous menu of dishes that combine unlikely, locally-sourced ingredients that really stuck with me long after the meal, in addition to broadening my palate. It was the consistency of excellent small plates that won me over, including the Peruvian Chicken Spring Rolls with pecans, tomatillo and cilantro, the Roasted Carrots blended with harissa oil, avocado and dukka, and an incredible salad of beets, watermelon, pumpernickel croutons, goat cheese and vadouvan (Indian curry spice) that I already miss. But the dish that made me squeal with delight was the flavorful, moist Grilled Half Chicken marinated in sherry
FnB exterior – Photo courtesy of dobbernationloves.com
Grilled eggplant, crispy wheat berries, and goat cheese dish at FnB – Photo by Michele R. via Yelp
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and coriander and served with cucumbers and spring onion rice; simply outstanding. A smooth, yummy Butterscotch Pudding for dessert sealed the deal. If comfort food is your go-to while on vacay, the place you need to saddle up to is Mother Bunch (www.motherbunchbrew. com). And should you also love beer, this friendly neighborhood pub in downtown Phoenix will definitely be up your alley, considering it brews its own award-winning IPAs, porters, blondes and stouts on the premises. The beers were great, but the food was the star of the show when I visited, as part of a brewery tour (Arizona Brewery Tour & Bites, www.azbrew.com). When anybody tells me they make the best mac n’ cheese, I don’t believe them. However, I left Mother Bunch convinced they were onto something. The kitchen, directly facing the seating section on one side of the popular bar-restaurant, serves three different versions of the American favorite, a plain mac n’ cheese, a blue cheese and bacon-style and a spicy option with smoked tri-tip and Siracha. And the hits at Mother Bunch kept coming: Salty Pork Rinds, Smoked Wings, House Cured Salmon and a Roasted Garlic Spread that I couldn’t pry my fingers away from the entire evening. If you get a chance before leaving, say hello to the owners Julie Meeker and Jimmy McBride; they are a hoot! The newish Mora Italian (www.moraitalian.com), on bustling 7th Street in the fast-developing micro-hood of Uptown Phoenix, is an upscale restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating in a very lively environment. Chef Scott Conant’s menu features traditional osteria fare with the freshest ingredients, among them the Strozzapretti with duck ragu, truffles and arugula, the Fettucine with mushrooms, roasted garlic and escarole, and the Grilled Octopus Ceci with bean puree, crispy potato, cured olives and mint. I’m pretty sure my dining companions and I devoured everything that we ordered. Mora is well recommended for lunch or dinner, with your spouse or partner, or with a group. Seize the opportunity of being in Arizona to eat authentic, inexpensive Mexican food, which you’ll find around the city from quiet neighborhoods to strip malls to public festivals. However, if you like your tostadas and burritos with a side of fabulous, then allow me to suggest The Mission (www. themissionaz.com), the newest of local star chef Matthew Carter’s modern Latin eat-
eries. Nestled in the Kierland Commons, a shopping center adjacent to the Westin Kierland, this two-level restaurant glistens with immaculate floors, elegant light fixtures and a giant illuminated cross overlooking the bar counter. From the menu, start with chips and fresh tableside guacamole, then try the Chicken Torta, a layering of breaded chicken, chorizo, green chile pintos, cotija and grilled onions, or Pork Shoulder Tacos with pineapple glaze, cilantro and cotija. On the side, ask for a bowl of the Pozole to go with your entree; salty, but heavenly. Back in Scottsdale, before heading to the airport, should you have a mid to late afternoon flight, drop by Hash Kitchen (www.hashkitchen.com) for brunch, located in the Hilton Village. This busy restaurant whips up divine, hearty and large portioned breakfasts in an enthusiastic ambiance with table and booth seating. The perfect start to your meal is a trip to Hash Kitchen’s BYOBM Bar, allowing you to choose from three Bloody Mary mixes and your preferred vodka, plus a self-service counter with over 40 different garnishes to top it with, from real bacon strips and chicken wings to dried meat sticks and pickled vegetables; virgin Bloody Mary’s are available, too. From the extensive menu, I’d go with S’Mores French Toast, Oreo Cookies Pancakes, or Fresh Berries Waffles, if you have a sweet tooth, or the Carnitas Hash, Herb Fried Chicken Benedict, or the Mexicana Scrambler for something savory. LGBT NIGHTLIFE Unlike Seattle, where the bulk of gay bars and clubs are concentrated on Capitol Hill, they are further apart from each other in Phoenix, so you’ll have to plan ahead and decide which to check out. Definitely get to the Melrose district and attend a performance by drag legend Barbra Seville, who appears every Saturday at The Rock (www.therockdmphoenix.com), a friendly hole-in-the-wall that also offers themed nights, karaoke and bar games (darts, etc.). On the night I visited, Barbra brought down the house with a stunning lipsync of Bette Midler’s “Stay With Me” and charmed us with a fun, rocker-chick routine to ACDC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long” with another local queen. A hop and skip away is Stacy’s @ Melrose (www.stacysatmelrose. com), the city’s lone lesbian bar, though like Wildrose back here in Seattle it’s open
Celebrating 43 Years!
45-minute nature trek was so relaxing and fun, not to mention we spotted wild horses, heron and other wildlife along the way, that I wanted to do it all over again when we finished. Each kayak holds two persons, so you’ll be paired with someone else who’ll help you paddle, which is a cinch even if you’re a novice. You will get wet, therefore bring a pair of swim trunks, and tour guides will provide you with a waterproof bag for your belongings. Another outdoor attraction, yet one that can be done with minimal exercise, is the Desert Botanical Garden (dbg.org). With more than 50,000 plants spread throughout five thematic trails, plus educational tours, lectures and workshops, not to mention special events, such as the festive “Las Noches de las Luminarias” during the Christmas and Hanukkah season, this garden is a marvelous excursion to add on your itinerary.
Barbra Seville at The Rock – Photo courtesy of phoenista.com
to all. You can’t go wrong with Charlie’s (www.charliesphoenix.com), which draws a mix of Phoenix men and some out-oftowners, who let loose in a vibrant atmosphere that includes dancing, drag queen performances and karaoke battles. If staying in Scottsdale, your best bet is the aforementioned BS West (www.bswest. com), a nightclub that draws a seemingly young crowd with fun dance parties, drag shows and good drinks. Located in downtown Scottsdale, it’s walkable distance from Hotel Valley Ho and a 5 to 10-minute Uber ride from most other nearby hotels. OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES & CULTURAL SITES Don’t just pack your dancing shoes, throw in a pair of hiking boots. Arizona is not only known for its deserts, but also for it’s colorful, majestic mountain ranges that provide outdoorsy types with several options: hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, wildlife and botanical exploration, photographing, or a simple excuse to get out of the city. A 15 to 20-minute drive from Scottsdale is the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (www.scottsdaleaz.gov/pre-
serve), a protected land mass of over 30,000 acres, with an expected total of 36,000 acres in the foreseeable future. Guests can begin their hike at Gateway Trailhead, the preserve’s main entrance, by getting information at the Desert Discovery Center. From there, hike one side of the trail, then back to your starting point, or do the entire Gateway Trail Loop. Our group completed the trail in a couple of hours, and it wasn’t too challenging; however, we hiked before noon to avoid the rising temperatures. The preserve is very safe and draws mostly locals, who get their morning exercise in with some amazing vistas from the gradual ascent to the top. Definitely bring water, boots or shoes with good traction, sunscreen, snacks and a head accessory (cap, visor, bandana, etc.) to keep you cool. If it’s your first time hiking in this area, I recommend booking a personal or group tour with Arizona Outback Adventures, or AOA (www.aoa-adventures.com), who’ll guide you through the trail, as well as offer an educational experience by telling you about the wildlife and various forms of cacti found in the preserve. For more adventure, try a kayaking ex-
pedition in the Lower Salt River with the same tour company, AOA. And before you get jittery about your kayak tipping over, know that the water is about 3 to 4 feet at its deepest, and tour guides stick close to your group to ensure nobody falls behind. The
For something inside, the Heard Museum (www.heard.org) is currently presenting “Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera” through August 20, featuring genuine photos and paintings – 33 works in total – by the master artists. It’s a special ticketed exhibit that costs $7 on top of the general museum admission, but certainly worth the price bump if you’re a fan of either. The Heard also has hundreds of items on permanent display, many that document the Native American history and culture of Phoenix and the Southwest. Whether it’s eating, wandering, partying, or just sitting by the pool, you can definitely get it done in Phoenix and Scottsdale. And the year-round warm weather will always be waiting for you.
Scottsdale, Arizona – Photo courtesy of experiencescottsdale.com
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Seattle Gay News 11
Clay Cane talks about the intersectionality of race and sexuality LIVE THROUGH THIS CLEIS PRESS Clay Cane’s collection of personal essays LIVE THROUGH THIS (Cleis Press, June 2017, Paperback Original) explores the nuances of race, class, gender, sexuality, and faith in American society. With honesty and humor, Cane reflects on his diverse racial identity, searching for his “tribe” as a black gay man, growing up in Philadelphia and Washington state during the 1980s and 1990s, and eventually moving to New York City, where he became a journalist and filmmaker. A frequent contributor to CNN.com, Clay Cane is a rising star and LIVE THROUGH THIS reflects his experience as a journalist by combining the human interest aspect through personal stories with intriguing and researched analysis of the issue. Moreover, LIVE THROUGH THIS is a direct response to Trump-era politics. Through the art of storytelling, the communities most disenfranchised are represented in the book: undocumented workers, transgender women of color, queer people, single mothers, poor whites and how these various identities intersect. The essays help readers from all backgrounds connect with these issues, delivering emotional narratives that demand to be heard, respected and understood, now, more than ever.
THROUGH THIS is his first book. He directed the BET.com original documentary Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church, which earned a 2016 GLAAD Media Award nomination for Outstanding Digital Journalism. Clay’s work has been featured in The Washington Post and on MTV, ABC, MSNBC, CNN, and FOX. For more information, please visit his website: www.claycane.net or follow him on Twitter: @claycane Courtesy of Clay Cane
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Clay Cane is a journalist, author, and documentary filmmaker. LIVE
Clay Cane – Photo courtesy of nabjdigital.wordpress.com
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Celebrating 43 Years!
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Celebrating 43 Years!
Memoir of a Reluctant Shaman (Tales of the Reluctant Shaman #1) “My grandmother’s song would make her wooden dolls dance without strings, something I have sought to do in my own relationships without much success. Perhaps my song is not strong enough, or perhaps I would be better off with stiffer relationships than the blood and bone-based lovers I’ve chosen – or that have chosen me. “Living in cities that are so bright they blot out the stars at night, my lovers have had skin washed pale as fish bellies back home, and I have never quite figured out how to explain to them what happens on our reservation, where stars look new and are strong enough to burn our bodies brown. How do I explain to my vegetarian significant other that he can buy a t-shirt in the tribal store that reads, ‘Vegetarian is an Indian word for poor hunter.’ How do those for whom meat is something wrapped in plastic make sense of my siblings hacking meat off a still-warm carcass? Do they really understand that the smooth hardness of the drums of mine they touch and admire is the flesh of the animal scraped clean?” Thus begins a Young Adult story of Native American Magical Realism by Ty Nolan interwoven with traditional American Indian Legends. The first chapter was a finalist in National Public Radio’s Short Fiction Contest under “Dolls.”. Now discover the full story of a most remarkable family.
ABOUT TY NOLAN My mom was one of the very first Head Start teachers on the reservation, and she always worked with three year olds. I would visit her in the classroom, and without warning, she’d walk out, leaving me with 15 preschoolers. Out of desperation, I would tell them a legend and teach them the song and dance that went with it. It wasn’t until much later I realized my mom was forcing me to use the Stories I had been taught. Most recently I’ve worked with the National Science Foundation’s Flagship Project, Synergy. I was asked to teach STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) professors at over a dozen colleges how to use Storytelling to more effectively communicate complex concepts about technology to a general audience. Until recently I was living in Arizona, where our local college (South Mountain Community College) has one of the only Storytelling Institutes in the United States, where one can be certified as a storyteller. My series, Coyote Cooks, has recipes included, but it’s really more about ideas than how much flour to add to the fry bread. Courtesy of Ty Nolan
Witches, Princesses and Women at Arms:
Erotic Lesbian Fairy Tales “An excellent series of Sapphic fantasies. Highly recommended.” – Library Journal This imaginative collection takes readers on a journey through lands of magic, danger, and seduction in each one of these erotic lesbian fairy tales. While exploring these mythical worlds, readers will be enchanted by the clever and provocative retellings that weave fairy tales with eroticism – a perfect combination for lovers of both the fantasy and erotica genres. From the classics like Rapunzel to more contemporary stories and mash-ups, each heroine – whether she is a witch, princess, thief, dryad, or knight – must rise to the challenge and face each evil curse, torturous battle, and nefarious plot in the name of love. The power and sensuality of femininity plays a key role in each tale of love, lust, and magic. This book is full of wild adventures with women who use their wit and strength to defeat their foes and enchants the reader with each passionate page.
MEET THE AUTHOR Sacchi Green is a Lambda award-winning writer and editor of erotica and other stimulating genres. Her stories have appeared in scores of publications, including seven volumes of Best Lesbian Erotica, four of Best Women’s Erotica, and three of Best Lesbian Romance. In recent years she’s taken to wielding the editorial whip, editing eight lesbian erotica anthologies, most recently Lesbian Cowboys (winner of a Lambda Literary Award in 2010), Girl Crazy, Lesbian Lust, Lesbian Cops, and Girl Fever: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex for Lesbians, all from Cleis Press. She lives in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts and you can follow her online at sacchig. livejournal.com.
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Courtesy of Cleis Press
June 16, 2017
Seattle Gay News 17
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Celebrating 43 Years!
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Seattle Gay News 19
Beaches along coastal walk in town of Llafranc – Photo by Ed Walsh
by Ed Walsh SGN Contributing Writer
them with its scenery and a wealth of gayfriendly hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Costa Brava is a spectacular 135-mile stretch of the Spanish Mediterranean coast between Barcelona and the French border. Its picturesque beaches and laid-back but lively nightlife have long made it a popular vacation spot for Spaniards and the French for decades, but it has been relatively unexplored by Americans. Spain’s tourist board wants to change all that. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Spain for a dozen years now giving it the legacy of being the fourth country in the world to allow gay marriages after the Netherlands, Belgium and Canada. Gay marriage gave a boost to LGBT tourism to Spain and the tourism industry continues to bank on that momentum. The most visited gay destinations of Madrid, Barcelona, and the resort beach town of Sitges can boast a busier nightlife, but Costa Brava can match
Sights Costa Brava offers a lesson in history at every turn. The medieval villages of Pals, Besalu, and Santa Pau are good examples. Stepping into the villages is like walking back in time. But you won’t find anything backward about the towns’ attitudes toward gays and lesbians. Even in the smaller towns of Spain, anti-gay bias is more the exception than the rule. A must-see stop for any gay visitor to Costa Brava is the Dali Theatre and Museum dedicated to artist and Costa Brava native Salvador Dali. While Dali’s sexuality is a matter of debate, few who have visited the museum in the town of Figueres would debate his artistic genius. Dali died in 1989 and is entombed in the museum beneath his famous painting of Abraham Lincoln. Probably its best-known exhibit is
Outside view of Dali Museum in Figueres – Photo by Ed Walsh
20 Seattle Gay News
June 16, 2017
the room that features Dali’s giant rendition of Mae West’s head. You have to climb a ladder and view the head through a looking glass to get the best picture of it. Costa Brava is home to countless
vineyards and its wines are perpetually celebrated in restaurants throughout the region. By the way, as you might expect, like Northern California’s wine country, spas are everywhere in Costa Brava.
Salvador Dali’s crypt and Abraham Lincoln painting in the Dali museum in Figueres – Photo by Ed Walsh
Celebrating 43 Years!
(L’Areny, 33). The town of Figueres, birthplace of Dali, is home to a gay sauna, Sauna Sparta (C/Requesens, 18). It has been there for over 25 years and is open every day from 3pm to 10pm. Costa Brava’s gay-popular beaches Blanes: Los Pinos beach, at the end of the campsites to the right, on the mouth of the Tordera River. Empuriabrava: On the beaches far from the village there is a nude gay-popular beach. Lloret de Mar: On the Boadella beach, descending on the left, you will find a mostly nude, gay-friendly area. Sant Mart’ d’Empuries: Gayest on the section of the Sant Mart’ d’Empuries beach past the steel bridge. Sant Pere Pescador: Gayest section on the town’s main beach, between the sand dunes. Hotel Llevant in Llafranc – Photo by Ed Walsh
The Hotel Perlada Wine Spa & Golf in Peralada manages to combine both. It features a spa treatment that includes a wine bath. No, you won’t be bathed completely in wine, rather a pitcher of wine is poured into a whirlpool bath giving the person a virtual sensory overload of wine. The city of Girona, with a population of 90,000, is the biggest city in Costa Brava. Its Jewish Quarter and Museum of Jewish History chronicle a dark period in Spain’s history in the late 15th century when Jews were expelled from the country. At one time, as much as 10 percent of the city’s residents were Jewish. Girona’s old town gives visitors a glimpse back in time to the city’s Jewish roots. The adventure-oriented will not be bored in Costa Brava. The town of Empuriabrava boasts that it is the skydiving headquarters of Europe. The town’s airport is home base to a skydiving training base and is a big attraction for adventure-seeking tourists who line up to tandem-jump out of a plane. For those seeking a more gentle way to see the scene, the Volcanic Zone of La Garrotxa features mountain biking through a spectacular forest and balloon rides above. Accommodations Costa Brava doesn’t have any exclusively gay hotels but there are many gay-owned hotels and many more gay-friendly ones. A great example is the Hotel Moneda in the town of Castello d’ Empuries. The 11-room hotel is owned by Dolors Canet Reitg, a woman who happens to be a lesbian. The hotel is a great reflection of something the Spanish do best, combine very old architecture with modern interior design. The Hotel Mas Crisaran in Fonolleres is the perfect romantic getaway for any couple. The hotel is a former 15th-century farmhouse that has been perfectly incarnated into a luxury accommodation. It still maintains a farm ambience complete with a pen for fowl and a friendly rabbit that has its run of the property. The rural hotel, Cal Sastre, overlooks the farms and mountains in the Volcanic Zone that surrounds the medieval town of Santa Pau. You can follow the footpath from the hotel to the center of Santa Pau. The Torremirona Sport and Spa Hotel in Navata is an upscale gay-friendly property. The “Sport” in its name is because it’s on a golf course, one of Costa Brava’s favorite pastimes. The ultra-modern Hotel AC is a perfect gay-friendly choice for visitors to Girona. It overlooks the city but is an easy walk to everything. Its bathrooms feature glass walls with murals depicting the city. The honor bars in its rooms are a great honor indeed. The beer and soft drinks are free. On the downside, like many other upscale properties, the hotel charges to use its wireless Internet connection.
By the way, if you plan on stopping off in Barcelona on your way to or from Costa Brava, you would be hard-pressed to do better than the Hotel Axel. It’s a 66-room gay boutique hotel in the center of Barcelona’s gay neighborhood, Eixample, sometimes called Gayxample. Nightlife When asked by a reporter about gay nightlife in Costa Brava, Anna Rosell, of the Girona tourist board said, “If they don’t have a partner, they go to Barcelona or Sitges, but if they are a couple, they come here. It’s easier to meet a partner in Sitges and Barcelona.” But if you are a single gay traveler, don’t let that discourage you. There are gay bars and discos throughout Costa Brava, not to mention Grindr and Scruff. But if you can’t live without a faster paced bar-hopping scene, you would be better off in Barcelona. Incidentally, if you’re clubbing, be prepared to stay up late. The discos usually open around 10pm and stay open all night. Spain’s nightlife is very late night. People generally don’t eat dinner until 9 or 10pm and the clubs don’t get busy until after midnight. The town of Lloret de Mar is the busiest spot for Costa Brava vacationers. It has about 70 percent of all hotel rooms in Costa Brava. A popular gay bar there is La Bubu
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Getting there Costa Brava is about an hour’s drive from the Barcelona airport and about five hours from Madrid. There are no nonstop flights to Barcelona from SeaTac, but a connecting flight can get you there in about 14 hours. If you want to do sightseeing in the area, a car rental is your best bet. As an alternative, you can also bike your way around Costa Brava. The ATMA company in Les Preses will deliver your luggage to each of your destinations as you pedal your way around the region. Girona is served by frequent train service from Barcelona and beyond. The summer is the busiest time of the year to visit Costa Brava because of the busy beach scene. But if you can travel in the off-season, you can save as much as 50 percent or more on hotel rooms. The airlines also generally discount fares in the winter. Spanish lesson Vale: pronounced bally. It means okay. You won’t hear it much in Latin America but it’s one of the most commonly used words in Spain. Ambiente: Literally means “atmosphere” but is also used as an adjective to describe something that is gay. For example, if someone says a club is de ambiente, it means it’s a gay club. Entiendes?: Technically, it means “Do you understand?” but it is also used in Spain
Jewish Quarter and Jewish Museum in City of Girona – Photo by Ed Walsh
as slang to ask someone if they are gay. Spanish is the second language of Catalonia, including its biggest city, Barcelona and the Costa Brava area. The first language is Catalan. But whatever Spanish you know will work just fine there. Few Spaniards outside Catalonia can speak Catalan but virtually all Catalonians can speak Spanish. For more information Spain’s official tourist website: http:// www.spain.info/en_US/. Click on the “LGTB” section under the “Spain for” tab.
Beaches along coastal walk in town of Llafranc – Photo by Ed Walsh
June 16, 2017
Seattle Gay News 21
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Celebrating 43 Years!
Neon Keon – Photo courtesy of the Can Can
JonnyBoy – Photo courtesy of the Can Can
Le Minx – Photo courtesy of the Can Can
ICE CREAM: It’s cult classics and doo-wop in Can Can’s latest cabaret spectacular Can Can integrates new video mapping technologies into their signature cabaret performance in this all-new production running June 9 - October 1 Nothing says summer like hot weather and ice cream, so who can’t get behind steamy nights and an ice cream theme! Seattle’s own Can Can Kitchen and Cabaret invites you to its latest effervescent, dancecrazed spectacle, ICE CREAM, the historic venue’s kick-off to the summer season. ICE CREAM is Can Can’s latest original production featuring performances from the professional dancers of the Can Can Company and a market fresh menu of seasonal dishes and cocktail treats curated by in-house Chef John Gilbert. Tickets to ICE CREAM are on sale now and available by calling (877) 280-7831 or by visiting the online box office at TheCanCan.com. The historic Can Can venue transforms into a doo-wop ice cream shop for its latest production. Located underneath the world-famous Pike Place Market for over 10 years, the intimate setting is evocative of Paris at the turn of the 20th Century, and as such its productions capture that same excitement and spirit through dance, performance, music, and food. Can Can choreographer Fae Phalen, a Cornish grad and former Seagal, approaches each new production collaboratively with the dancers in the company, working to play up themes each show focuses on. “We have a very unique space to work within for our shows – it is an ongoing effort for us to push forward artistically within our space and to be inventive with how we use it, making changes with each new show we produce,” Phalen comments. “We are very excited that with ICE CREAM we will be introducing new video mapping technologies that integrates with the choreography and costuming, as opposed to just using video as a backdrop. Featuring a vast array of music spanning from original works, rearranged/remixed classics by production duo Pink + Pezzner to local band Manatee Commune, there are newly designed set pieces, and a performance apparatus that will bring our dancers even closer to the audience. So close you’ll smell the glitter!” ICE CREAM is inspired by all-time favorite summer cult-classics like Grease, Cry Baby, and Hairspray, and thus the menu seasonally reflects its theme. Stacked with mouth-watering dishes like Spicy But-
termilk Fried Chicken and Seared Cajun Yellowtail Tuna, Can Can sources much of its foods from its neighbors at Pike Place Market – Beecher’s cheese curds for its Tenderloin Poutine or mushrooms from Frank’s Produce in its Wild Mushroom Ravioli. To top it off, seasonal craft cocktails make the menu complete – try a Mr. Pink, named after Can Can artistic director Chris Pink who has recently been named Mayor of Pike Place Market, or a Cowboy Cola made with bourbon, lemon, sarsaparilla simple syrup, with a rhubarb amaro float. In addition to the celebrated dinner shows, Can Can will also produce an all ages appropriate matinee production of ICE CREAM, which will play on the weekends only – kids and families welcome. For these Magnificent Matinees, the brunch menu is offered, featuring more locally sourced dishes like the Ellenos Parfait, Egg Sandwich with Beecher’s cheddar, three benedicts, and so much more. The complete dinner show cast features: Jonny Boy, Le Minx, Neon Keon, Fair Elise, Baby Kate, and Sugar Shay.
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The complete brunch show cast features: Tom Tom the Phenomenon, Joel from Personnel, Lindy Lou, Alissa Bliss, and Legs Benedict. To see complete dinner and brunch menus, visit TheCanCan.com. Tickets start at $10. Box Office: (877) 280-7831 or TheCanCan.com. Can Can is located in the Pike Place Market at 94 Pike St B, Seattle. SOCIAL: TheCanCan.com; Facebook. com/cancanseattle; Twitter.com/cancanseattle; Instagram.com/cancanseattle; #CanCanSeattle; #CanCanIceCream ABOUT CAN CAN CABARET Can Can Cabaret is an original show that celebrates over a decade of dance, theatre, and music while also offering a market fresh menu of seasonal delights and libations carefully curated and prepared by Chef John Gilbert. Founded in 2005 by artistic director Chris Pink and nestled underneath the world-famous Pike Place Market, Can Can’s intimate underground
Baby Kate – Photo courtesy of the Can Can
setting is evocative of Paris at the turn of the 20th Century. At the heart of the institution is Can Can’s core creative team whose transformation of the unique venue with each new show features ever-changing scenic design, choreography, music, costuming, and more several times a year. In addition to its celebrated dinner shows, Can Can also produces seductive late nights, all ages matinee brunch shows, and various live music, variety extravaganza’s both at Can Can as well as at its sister venue FRED Wildlife Refuge, and with various venues in Seattle. Can Can also welcomes the public into its Absinthe and Craft Cocktail Bar, open 5pm to close from WednesdaySunday with no cover. TheCanCan.com. Courtesy of Can Can Cabaret
Suga Shay – Photo courtesy of the Can Can
June 16, 2017
Seattle Gay News 23
Costa Del Sol – Photo courtesy of local.irvingchamber.com
by Ed Walsh SGN Contributing Writer If you are like most Americans, you probably have never heard of Torremolinos, but it is one of the gayest vacation towns in the world. The city boasts that it has the most gay venues of any Spanish city outside of Madrid or Barcelona. Torremolinos is the only gay resort town in Europe close to a major airport, making it very easy to get away without driving for hours. The Malaga airport is just 10 minutes away from the heart of Torremolinos. Madrid is just 2.5 hours away on high-speed rail. If you can make it to Torremolinos, you won’t run into many other American tourists. Most of the people who populate the
gay scene are locals or tourists from other parts of Spain. It is also a popular getaway for Brits. Costa del Sol’s abundant nightlife is only matched by its weather, with an average of 324 days a year of sunshine with mild winters, warm springs and falls, and hot summers. Former First Lady Michelle Obama helped raise Costa del Sol’s profile in the US when she vacationed there with her youngest daughter, Sasha, in 2010. Costa del Sol has three gay beaches and is rich in culture and history. If you want to rapidly change cultures, you can do it in Costa del Sol and still make it back to your hotel in time for dinner. Boats will take you to Morocco and other parts of northern Africa in less than an hour. The British-
owned Rock of Gibraltar can easily be seen on a clear day from Costa del Sol and the rock is an easy drive on the western end of the coast. Sights The first stop for most visitors to Costa del Sol is Malaga. With a population of 600,000, it is the area’s largest city. Malaga’s airport is the third busiest in Spain. A number of other nonstop flights to Malaga are offered from European cities including London, Paris, and, of course, Madrid and Barcelona. It’s about an hour’s flight from Madrid and about 1.5 hours from Barcelona. The budget airline Ryanair offers one-way flights for less than $50 from Barcelona and less
Malaga’s famed shopping street, Calle Marques de Larios – Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
24 Seattle Gay News
June 16, 2017
than $100 from London. History can be found at every turn in Malaga but it may be best known as the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. A museum packed with the prolific painter’s works, the Museo La Casa Picasso, is one of the most visited attractions on the coast. You don’t have to go to Rome to see a Roman theater. One was unearthed from beneath a library in the city’s downtown and has become one of the most photographed sights of the city. Malaga’s Cathedral is best known for having just one steeple. Construction ended in 1782 after 250 years. But they ran out of money to finish the second steeple. Now, Malagans are very happy with having such a distinctive landmark. Marbella began as a small fishing village. In the 1940s it blossomed into a resort destination for the rich and famous. Marbella’s new patron saint is Mrs. Obama. You can see photos from her August 2010 visit throughout the city’s shops. Strolling through Marbella’s Old Town is a wonderful window on the past. The narrow streets and white buildings were designed to minimize the sun and the heat during the hot summer months. La Meridiana in Marbella is widely regarded as the finest restaurant in Costa del Sol. It features food prepared with local ingredients and is set in an Arabian-style building surrounded by a garden and a decorative pool with a glass, walkable top. But if you really want to see how the rich and famous live, check out the ultra chic port town of Puerto Banus. It’s next to Marbella and showcases an incredible array of shops alongside multimillion-dollar yachts. Ronda is another Costa del Sol highlight not to be missed. The town of 37,000 is on a mountainside 2,400 feet above sea level. It takes an hour and 45 minutes to drive the winding road to the town from Torremolinos. Along the way, you will get great views of the iconic white Andalucian villages that dot this part of the country. On a clear day, you can see Gibraltar and the
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north African coast. The town’s emblematic symbol is the bridge over the gorge that separates two sides of the city. It is like a mini-version of the Grand Canyon. There are no gay bars in Ronda but the park next to the bullfight ring is known to be very cruisy in the evening. The Ronda bullfight ring, which first opened in 1785, is the oldest in Spain. They only host bullfights once a year but the ring is open for tourists every day. Admission is six euros or about $8.50. You can stand in the middle of the ring and get a sense of what it is like to be a matador. The charming city of Mijas is in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, about 11 miles west of Torremolinos. Bullfights take place almost every week, usually on Sundays, at the town’s small ring. The town has spectacular views of the coast. Be sure to check out the Mijas Wine Museum for a good history of the area’s wines or a great tapas meal in this historic circa 1839 building. Hotels The Marbella Club Hotel and its nextdoor sister property, the Hotel Puente Romano, are among the finest resort hotels in Europe. They are situated along the socalled Golden Mile of Marbella, between the Old Town and the ultra chic Puerto Banus. Unlike most European hotel rooms, the rooms are quite spacious and most include balconies or patios. Amenities include tennis courts, pools, and a gym and spa. If you have the budget and really want to splurge, you can stay where Michelle Obama stayed, the Villa Padierna Hotel, part of the Ritz Carlton chain. The property includes two golf courses. You can sign up for a beginner’s course at the Flamingo golf course. The hotel’s spa features scented sauna and steam rooms. One of the best-known properties in the Paradores Hotels chain is in Ronda, next to the arched bridge and gorge that are emblematic with the city. It was a former town hall that was remodeled into a hotel in 1994. The Paradores are owned by the Spanish government and are often situated, like the Ronda location, next to historic sights. If you choose to stay in Torremolinos, you will save some dinero. It is among the more affordable cities in Costa del Sol and if you have had a little too much to drink, you will be a cheap cab ride or walk from your hotel. For example, rates at the very gay-friendly Hostal Guadalupe start at about $80 and that includes taxes and a breakfast.
Nightlife As mentioned, the biggest concentration of gay life is in Torremolinos. It is just 10 minutes from Malaga. The gay village, where most of the clubs are concentrated, is in an area known as La Nogalera. As Costa del Sol’s most populous city, Malaga also supports a gay-friendly nightlife scene. The El Carmen bar is busy earlier in the evening and it attracts a mix of gay men and lesbians, but it is mostly gay male. The nightclubs Peter Pan and Theatro Club are gay and straight mixed. Beaches Of the three gay beaches in Costa del Sol, the most popular is Cabopino Beach. It is in a nature reserve, near the five-star Don Carlos Hotel, between Marbella and Calahonda. Gays tend to hang out in the far end of the clothing optional beach. The bushes overlooking the beach tend to attract a very adventurous crowd. Torremolinos has a gay beach called Poseidon Beach. It is about a 15-minute drive from the Cabopino Beach and right in the center of town, so it’s very easy to get to. Unlike the other two gay beaches, it is not clothing optional. The Poseidon is part of the Playamar Beach and is in the middle, near the tourist information center.
Gay clubs in the Nogalera section of Torremolinos – Photos by Ed Walsh
The Guadalmar Beach is the third gay beach. It’s between Torremolinos and Malaga. It is also clothing optional. Overall Cabopino has an older crowd, the crowd tends to skew younger at Poseidon, and Guadalmar tends to be more mixed. When to go The busiest time for tourism in Costa
del Sol is the summer. That is when tourists from other parts of Spain head to the beach. But you will also be faced with higher hotel rates. Most locals advise visiting in October and November and April and May. The weather is still warm. You can comfortably go to the beach and at the same time, it is not too hot to walk around to the historical sights of the region during the middle of the day. Even if you go in winter, you probably won’t be hit with unpleasant weather. January is the coldest month in Costa de Sol with an average low temperature of 45 degrees and with an average high about 60. Spanish lesson Vale: pronounced bally. It means okay. You won’t hear it much in Latin America but it’s one of the most commonly used words in Spain. Ambiente: Literally means “atmosphere” but is also used as an adjective to describe something that is gay. For example, if someone says a club is de ambiente, it means it’s a gay club. Entiendes?: Technically, it means “Do you understand?” but it is also used in Spain as slang to ask someone if they are gay. Spanish is the second language of Catalonia, including its biggest city, Barcelona and the Costa Brava area. The first language is Catalan. But whatever Spanish you know will work just fine there. Few Spaniards outside Catalonia can speak Catalan but virtually all Catalonians can speak Spanish. For more information Spain’s official tourist website: http:// www.spain.info/en_US/. Click on the “LGTB” section under the “Spain for” tab.
Oscar Barea, one of the owners of El Carmen gay bar in Malaga – Photo by Ed Walsh
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26 Seattle Gay News
June 16, 2017
Celebrating 43 Years!
Northwest Harvest invites you to join us in making a difference in the lives of those who struggle with hunger. We know that fighting hunger requires much more than just feeding the hungry. Eliminating hunger requires addressing its root causes in poverty and social disparities. Poverty and hunger are experienced at disproportionately higher rates for people of color, women, LGBTQ communities, and other oftenmarginalized minority groups. The reasons for the disparate impact of poverty are often rooted in structural barriers created by discriminatory laws, racist policies, and prejudicial societal practices—resulting in generations of lost opportunities for education, employment, health care, and housing. In order to better understand and identify solutions, we need to question these structural barriers. And to end hunger, we must help end practices that widen opportunity gaps, as well as instill the practices that help create opportunities and lead to a more equitable society. Advocacy on behalf of marginalized people is nothing new to Northwest Harvest. For 50 years, we’ve been building coalitions and partnerships to help those in need. During this time, we’ve grown from a project of local social activists to our position today as the foremost leader in fighting hunger in the state of Washington. Every day, we are proud to be a loud and active voice for those who are too often voiceless in our society. And, in today’s current social and political climate, we must do everything we can to turn up the volume. We ask you to join us. Make yourself heard. Donate. Volunteer. Be a voice. Together, we can end hunger in our state.
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