SGN May 17, 2019 - Part 2

Arts & Entertainment

Pacific MusicWorks’ Samson a brilliant production and a story for our times

by Sharon Cumberland

SGN A&E Writer

PACIFIC MUSICWORKS

SAMSON AN ORATORIO BY G.F. HANDEL

LIBRETTO BY NEWBURGH HAMILTON

BASED ON JOHN MILTON’S SAMSON AGONISTES

SEATTLE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

May 4

We’re living in difficult times. Tweets and insults triumph over the kind of thought that matches the complexity of our problems. A disturbing number of leaders in Washington, D.C., are sly, vicious, or both. Beloved institutions meant to protect the people are undermined by those meant to “support and defend” the Constitution. Collectively we are forced to commit crimes that appall us: we force Mexican children from their parents and incarcerate them in soulless desert

see SAMSON page 5

by Miryam Gordon

SGN A&E Writer

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

VILLAGE THEATRE

Issaquah: through June 23

Everett: June 28 - July 28

In 2007, Village Theatre debuted a fabulous new musical revue which was based on a real life night when Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis walked into Sun Records. Twelve years

SIFF 2019 preview: Interview with Artistic Director Beth Barrett

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer

It’s that time of year again. Last night the 45th annual Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) kicked off 25 days of cinematic euphoria with a gala screening of Seattle director Lynn Shelton’s latest comedy-drama hybrid Sword of Trust. This year’s festival will screen 410 films (narrative features, documentaries, archival presentations and shorts) from 86 countries and includes 33 world premieres. This edi-

Trans rights doc

tion of SIFF also highlights women working in comedy, some of the highlights on that front including a centerpiece showing of Nisha Ganatra’s Late Night with Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling, Gurinder Chadha’s exuberant Blinded by the Light based on journalist and author Sarfraz Manzoor’s acclaimed memoir of his Bruce Springsteen-loving childhood, and a closing night screening of writer/director Lulu Wang’s The Farewell with Awkwafina.

see SIFF page 6

The Most Dangerous Year a powerfully personal family journey

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer

THE MOST DANGEROUS YEAR

@ NW Film Forum May 17-May 21

It’s difficult to imagine a more personal documentary for its director than The Most Dangerous Year In 2016 Seattle filmmaker Vlada Knowlton set about to document the fate of various anti-transgender “Bathroom

see DANGEROUS YEAR page 5

Choir of the Sound presents “Viva La Diva!”

CHOIR OF THE SOUND

“VIVA LA DIVA!”

SHORECREST

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

June 1 @ 3pm & 7pm; June 2 @ 3pm

Choir of the Sound will present their annual spring pops show at Shorecrest Performing Arts Center on June 1st and 2nd. The title for this year’s event is “Viva La Diva!”

Etta. Dolly. Aretha. Barbra. Cher. Whitney. Beyonce. Gaga. These are just some of the amazing divas that Choir of the Sound will be highlighting in our spring show! Please join us as we celebrate the women singers, songwriters, and performers that have lifted us up, moved us to tears, and made us dance. “Who run the world?”

Advance purchase offers discounts to people 60 and over, 30 and under, or in groups of 10 or more. Tickets at the door are

at:

Vocalpoint! Seattle presents “BOOGIE FEVER”

– An evening of ’70s Funk, Disco and Soul!

May 16-18 & May 23-25 @ 7:30pm May 19 & May 26 @ 2:30pm

“Boogie Fever” features the vocal, dance, and dramatic talents of the 40-member Vocalpoint! Seattle ensemble, a select group of high school men and women from throughout the Puget Sound region.

All performances will take place at Broadway Performance Hall at 1625 Broadway on Capitol Hill. Performance times are 7:30pm Thursday through Saturday, and 2:30pm on Sunday. The production closes on Sunday, May 26.

Tickets are $20 adult, $15 senior, $10 students. Student tickets are only $5 on Thurs-

A tribute to Barbara Hammer: Making movies out of sex and life

NORTHWEST FILM FORUM

A TRIBUTE TO BARBARA HAMMER

May 22 @ 7:30pm

Barbara Hammer (May 15, 1939March 16, 2019) is a key figure in the “second wave” of experimental women filmmakers. She made technically innovative, personal, essayistic, political, and passionate films for a full five decades. Nurtured and inspired by the films and lives of Maya Deren and Marie Menken, Hammer’s filmmaking practice took root in the ’70s, when she became a pioneering figure in the film portrayal of lesbian identity, creating iconic works like Dyketactics (1974). Through her work as a filmmaker, teacher, and author, she continued to inspire young women filmmakers. Her book, Hammer: Making Movies Out of Sex and Life was published by The Feminist Press in 2010.

A few months ago, Hammer delivered a lecture at the Whitney Museum in New York called “The Art of Dying (or, Palliative Art Making in the Age of Anxiety)” that contextualized her own imminent death from terminal cancer in relation to her artmaking

practice. We are deeply moved by the courage and generosity with which she shared the details of her transition. Join Engauge Experimental Film Festival and Northwest Film Forum (1515 12th Ave.) for a memorial screening and celebration of Barbara Hammer’s life and work on May 22nd. Tickets: $12 general, $9 student/senior, $7 member.

Screening in this program – both films presented on 16mm:

Place Mattes (US, 1987, color/b&w, sound, 8 min)

Traveling mattes of the artist’s torso, limbs, and extremities in Puget Sound, Yosemite and the Yucatan.

As the figures (traveling mattes of the artist’s torso, limbs, and extremities) and ground (Puget Sound, Yosemite and the Yucatan) are presented as two planar relationships, flattened and made two-dimensional through optical printing, so the artist (figure) is unable to touch the natural environment (ground), yet finally comes to rest in the interior space of a restaurant. (Description provided by the filmmaker. Sound score by Terry Setter.)

Nitrate Kisses (US, 1992, b&w, sound, 67 min)

Nitrate Kisses explores eroded emulsions and images for lost vestiges of lesbian and gay culture in this first feature by Hammer. A forbidden and invisible history of a marginalized people are put in context by the contemporary sexual activities of four gay and lesbian couples. The role of sexuality in the historic present underscores the resistance of two cultures, gay and lesbian, struggling to survive in the complex interaction of power and domination of a dominant heterosexist ideology. (Description provided by the filmmaker.)

day and Friday night! Seating is reserved, and tickets are available in advance by calling the Northwest Choirs office at 206-5243234, visiting www.vocalpointseattle.org, or at the door. The box office opens one hour prior to concert start time.

ABOUT VOCALPOINT! SEATTLE

Vocalpoint! Seattle is an affiliate ensemble of the highly acclaimed Northwest Boychoir. It serves as an advanced educational and performance program for high school age men and women with vocal, dance and theater skills. The Northwest Boychoir is a non-profit organization that has been offering professional-level music education in the greater Seattle area for 40 years.

of Vocalpoint! Seattle

“Passionate, subjective meditation on the repressed and marginalized history of gay women and men.” – Vincent Canby, The New York Times

“Nitrate Kisses brings past and present into dialogue, mixing the sound of testimonials with the image of sex acts, refusing to allow its audience the escape of either amnesia, or invisibility.” – B. Ruby Rich, pop culture critic

“Nitrate Kisses conjures history from shadows, layering the voices of lesbians and gay men into rhythmic lyric.” – Lawrence Chua, Artforum

“Barbara Hammer’s Exit Interview” published in The New Yorker

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/ the-new-yorker-interview/barbara-hammers-exit-interview

The pioneering filmmaker talks about her career, her quest to die with dignity, and why being a lesbian is so much fun.

Courtesy of NW Film Forum

FINAL WEEKEND:

Curious Incident is a great story

by Miryam Gordon SGN A&E Writer

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME VILLAGE THEATRE: EVERETT

Through May 19

Christopher didn’t kill the dog! But his neighbor, and Wellington’s owner, Mrs. Shears, thinks he did. So she calls the police. The policeman probably thinks Christopher killed the dog and makes a lot of warning noise at him, and then tries to touch him. Christopher hates being touched and he strikes out at the policeman. That gets him a written warning, a humiliation, and potentially a lot more trouble if he touches another policeman that way!

So begins the creative and absorbing story, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, currently at Village Theatre, Everett. The play does not specify that Christopher is not neurotypical, but makes it pretty clear that he thinks fairly differently and behaves differently than many people. What it does make clear is that the world does not accommodate Christopher’s differences very well and that he needs champions to help him succeed. The play makes the audience empathize so much that it’s likely most want to be his champion by the end!

The play started life as a novel by Mark Haddon, and then became an internationally celebrated play by Simon Stephens. A local actor, Mickey Rowe, found himself tapped to play the central role of Christopher, aged 15 ¼, once the play started making the rounds of regional theatres and is the first autistic person to be cast in that role.

In this production, Michael Krenning takes on this very intricate and specific character and does an amazing job! He conveys with clarity the ways that Christopher thinks and manages his decisions about the world and how he should handle it.

After Christopher is accused of killing Mrs. Shears’ dog, he decides he must find the killer and methodically goes about asking people if they know. As this unfolds, we learn more about his family, and initially find out that he lives with his dad (played by James D. Sasser) and that his mom died.

when Christopher stumbles on a trove of letters addressed to him, he finds out that his mom has been writing to him all these months and that his dad has lied to him.

This is a major crisis, as most people would agree that finding out your father has grossly lied to you might be devastating. When Christopher finds out, as well, that his dad is actually the person who killed the dog, Christopher deduces that it might mean that his father is a danger to Christopher as well, and that Christopher must go find his mother to live with her, instead.

The second act is about his frightening, yet successful journey to find his mother (Kathryn Van Meter) and working through a process of whether he gets to live with her in London. Due to his sensitivities, it’s a scary journey, but the whole audience pulls for him to succeed.

Supporting cast members become incidental characters. They include Anne Allgood, Eric Polani Jensen, William Shindler, Rob Burgess, Keiko Green and Cheryl

Massey Peters. A warmly supportive Jéhan Òsanyìn, as Christopher’s teacher or teaching assistant Siobhan, fills in a kind of narrative role as she reads from what might be Christopher’s personal book, or diary, that he’s writing but not intending to show anyone.

With sensitive direction from Jerry Dixon, and an infusion of movement around the stage by Sonia Dawkins, the play moves quickly and deliberately through its paces. A key aspect of this somewhat dimly lit production is the lighting scheme by Amiya Brown. Scenic designer Mark Wendland and projections designer Gregory W. Towle have their hands full with chalkboard sized screens getting pushed around the stage in strategic ways that project colors and patterns of Christopher’s feelings and experiences. Original underscoring is provided by Curtis Moore, which adds to the overall atmosphere in significant ways.

While no one would call Judy, the mother, a great mother, Van Meter plays her with a ton of heart and longing. Along

side the pathos and struggle of Christopher, Van Meter really calls out our empathy and sympathy in a lovely effort. She’s had a huge year, this year, in significant acting roles that show that she’s one of our major talents on stage.

This production is particularly great for anyone who has neuro-untypical family members that might like to see themselves portrayed on stage. But it’s also just a riveting event and a solid piece of theatrical presentation! Try to see it, since it’s closing this weekend. And if you can’t see it, maybe you should read the book.

For more information, go to https://tickets.villagetheatre.org/TheatreManager/1/ login?event=2278 or call (425) 257-8600.

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

later, Million Dollar Quartet has been to Broadway and awarded Levi Kreis, the virtuoso piano man playing Lewis, a Tony Award. Now, it’s playing regionally and Village decided it was time to remount their hit production.

It is December 4, 1956 and Sun Records had recently launched the careers of all but the new-and-brash Lewis. Sam Phillips (Matt Wade) is hoping to sign Cash to a new longer contract not knowing that Cash has already signed with another company. Phillips sold Elvis’s contract in order to salvage Sun from going under, but Elvis still trusts Phillips more than most people and wants Phillips to come work with him again. Perkins is angry that Phillips has paid more attention to others and has also signed with another company. It’s a moment of great transition.

Million Dollar Quartet features some of the best rockabilly musicians. Four remarkable performances by Brian Grey as Johnny Cash, John Countryman as Jerry Lee Lewis, Skye Scott as Carl Perkins and Jason Kappus as Elvis Presley, are as good as it gets, as they sing and play all their own instruments on stage. They are backed up by Chris Jones on bass and James “Rif” Reif on drums, creating a seamless musical experience of the earliest days of these great performers.

Director Scott Weinstein, having been attached to various iterations of the revue over the years, knows many of these quadruple threats. It’s hard enough to find people who are excellent at singing, dancing and acting. Here, they must be consummate, amazing musicians, as well! Thankfully, they are.

The revue adds a woman to, probably, infuse at least a little female influence in the evening. Vocally sumptuous, Cayman Ilika brings her silky pipes to “Fever,” just

so we can all swoon in her presence. Elvis did bring his current girlfriend to that evening, but she wasn’t a singer. Still, the revue is made better by adding Ilika’s vocals to the song harmonies.

Countryman is, like Kreis, an amazing piano man. He’s funny and unassuming, until his fingers hit the keyboard, and then he’s simply on fire.

From the first notes of “Blue Suede Shoes” to the last of the mini-concert-inshiny-clothing at the end (don’t leave before

that happens!), this is a joyous evening of top-notch entertainment. Don’t miss it! For more information, go to www.villagetheatre.org or call (425) 392-2202.

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

SAMSON

continued from cover buildings; we open floodgates of opportunity to foreign governments who mean us harm; we dismantle laws forged over time to defend our fragile earth and beloved public spaces. We allow the proliferation of guns and tolerate school shootings. Education, medical care, and opportunity are increasingly restricted to a wealthy white minority. And that’s the short summary – the pages of this newspaper have documented at length the threats and violence to our readership, including women, LGBTQ communities, and people of color.

Into this desperate moment steps none other than John Milton (1608-1674) the great English poet who used his brilliant gifts to defend human freedom and to fight a form of government – inherited monarchy – that he believed to be as corrupt as the one we are struggling with now. He didn’t carry placards or chain himself to the fence of Buckingham Palace. He wrote poems in an age when poetry was the internet of its day. He also wrote polemics for freedom of the press, divorce, and free expression when the King and then Cromwell’s parliament attempted to control liberal forces among the populace.

Now, as in Milton’s time, “the pen is mightier than the sword” and valiant writers – journalists, poets, lyricists, novelists, dramatists, film writers and performers of all kinds – are raising their voices to protest the erosion of civility and justice in this dangerous era. But in addition to new works, this is the right time for us to turn to masters of the past who remind us how to fight the good fight for human rights. The human race has been here before – we know how to combat powers that would throw us backward into darker times. PacificMusicWorks, by bringing to the stage G.F. Handel’s oratorio Samson based on Milton’s great poem Samson Agonistes has used its brilliant musical forces to present a work that, in addition to being a sublime musical experience, speaks directly to our condition.

It is the biblical story of the Israelite warrior Samson, blinded and enslaved by his enemies, the Philistines, because he foolishly, self-destructively, revealed to the spy Delilah that the secret of his dominating power was his hair – which she then cut. As Samson struggles with his own stupidity and loss of vision – literally blinded, but also duped, discouraged, and helpless – a chorus of family, friends, and enemies come to condole or ridicule Samson’s reduced condition. As he exchanges arguments with these various voices, we see Samson reevaluate his position and slowly regain hope and power. He doesn’t reveal his regained strength when led to the temple where the pagan god Dagon is being celebrated, and so pulls the whole temple down on the heads of the Philistines, sacrificing himself in the process. He conquers despair, fear, and blindness so that he can save his people.

What seems so timely about this story, and its lively, compelling presentation in Handel’s oratorio, is how Samson moves from paralyzing anguish to enlightened agency. In an Act I aria, “Total eclipse!” Samson bemoans his loss of “glorious light” and asks (in the poem – in the oratorio the friend Micah is given the question) why light is confined to the “tender eyes,” a site so vulnerable that it would have made more sense if the Creator had enabled the perception of light “through all parts diffus’d, that we might look at will through every pore.” Since light is the extended metaphor for wisdom, the loss of it is a double tragedy. In a careless, boastful moment Samson screwed himself and got his fellow Israelites into a devastating mess, giving primacy to the pleasure-loving worshipers of Dagon. The question of the poem and the oratorio is “How do you get yourself and your people out of a mess so great it seems almost impossible to overcome? How do you forgive yourself and move forward?” Good question for 2020.

Samson, at first, blames God – not an unusual move when looking for relief. “Why does the God of Israel sleep?” he asks. “Arise with dreadful sound, and clouds encompassed round!” I can relate to this – I’ve fantasized about the Second Coming. Wouldn’t Trump and his gang of thieves be gob-smacked if the Sistine Chapel came to life and threw them all into the lower depths? “In whirlwinds them pursue,” Samson sings, “The tempest of Thy wrath now raise,/Full fraught with vengeance due, /Till shame and trouble all thy foes shall seize!” The problem with this solution is that Samson thinks God’s action is separate from his own. It’s someone else’s job to set things straight – not mine. Samson feels so guilty he thinks his only recourse is to die, “…to expiate my crime, why should I live?”

Death, of course, is not the solution. The narrative turns in Act II, when Samson is distracted from his doomsday thoughts by Delilah, who comes to seduce Samson all over again – to offer to take care of him in his distress since “Life is not lost, though lost your sight/Let other senses taste delight.” But Samson doesn’t fall for her “warbling charms” and gets so angry that he sends her away and offers to fight his next visitor, the tormenting giant Harapha. Samson feels that his strength is still in his body, “returning with my hair.” By rejecting the false love of Delilah and threatening the giant who mocks him, Samson recognizes that strength is a renewable commodity, like hair. He starts to see himself as the agent of change – still a warrior who can defend his people.

Milton’s poem, like Handel’s oratorio, observes the Aristotelian unities of time (action within 24 hours), place (one location), and action (one dramatic problem). Thus in Act III, when Samson exacts revenge on the Philistines by pulling down the temple, we hear chaos in the orchestra as messengers run in to describe what happened. By today’s narrative standards Milton left the exciting part out – but the beauty of the unities is that they avoid the showy drama for a laser-like focus on the real topic: how do you turn things around, redeem a terrible mistake, overcome wickedness and return the world to forward movement? No sooner is Samson’s body brought back in a funeral cortege,

and tributes paid – “Samson like Samson fell/Both life and death heroic” – than the most famous aria of the work is sung by the soprano Israelite Woman, “Let the bright seraphim.” It calls upon the angels to “Let their celestial concerts all unite/Ever to sound his praise in endless blaze of light.”

Blind no more, Samson has enlightened his world by taking his strength back and recovering light for his people.

PacificMusic Works’ renowned director, Stephen Stubbs, has once again marshaled a talented cast of singers, bringing back the gifted tenor Aaron Sheehan – who sang a memorable Orphée for PMW in 2015 – to sing the demanding role of Samson. It’s such a baroque thing to have the brawny hero a tenor instead of a hearty baritone or bass – but in the 18th century the heroic voices of opera were the high voices. Sheehan stood up to the demands of the role with stamina and verve. It is usually sung by a heroic tenor – I first saw this work performed by Jon Vickers at the Met in 1986 – so it’s surprising that Sheehan can sing a high tenor role like Gluck’s Orphée, and yet bring the necessary power to the deeper, heavier tones of Samson. Bravo!

Equal bravos go to the expressive characters surrounding Samson, especially the counter-tenor Reginald L. Mobley whose flawless contralto never fails to amaze.

Most male altos show some sign of a passagio, or have the piping tones of a choirboy, but Mobley has a round, powerfully smooth voice all up and down the range.

Jonathan Woody’s Harapha was wonderfully dramatic, and Tess Altiveros was suitably cooing and seductive as Delilah, getting the only laugh of the evening when she stomped off stage with her nose in the air when Samson refused to fall for her seductions. The wonderful chorus – nineteen singers under the direction of Chorus Master Dr. Geoffrey Boers – navigated the lively Jehovah/Great Dagon choral fuge in a way that demonstrated the doubleness of Philistines vs Israelites with real excitement. They were terrific throughout.

As ever, the PacificMusicWorks Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Stubbs with concertmaster Tekla Cunningham, challenges the capacity of language to express its perfection and visual drama. It’s hard to believe anyone in the Seattle area can put down their money – the equivalent of six lattes – and see

this brilliant orchestra embroider sound with a delicacy and excitement that rivals the finest orchestras in the world. Watching the orchestra create Handel’s full range of emotions, seeing the bows rise and fall, hearing the twice-looped, keyless trumpets blare out, and the harpsichord silver the air, the baroque guitar thrum – there’s nothing like it. I know I keep saying this, but you have to see baroque music to understand how wonderful it is. I have just one little complaint. The librettist of this 1743 re-telling of Milton’s 1671 poem, Newburgh Hamilton, is given sole credit for the words, though his real gift was selecting key passages from Milton and distributing them into several voices. A comparison of the libretto to the poem shows how well this job was done, so I don’t begrudge Hamilton his credit –but the genius here is Milton, whose name should surely have been in the credits.

Milton is thought by many (myself included) to be the greatest poet in the English language – surely equal with Shakespeare but never yet exceeded. He and the Bard are equals in their mastery of the language – its music and rhythms, Shakespeare is more wide-ranging in his interests. But Milton – who thought of himself as a poet-priest because, in his blindness, he believed the Holy Spirit dictated his poems to him in his sleep – conveys a sense of the world beyond the world, a vast and fundamentally benign universe available to those who overcome despair and take agency in creation. That’s why this oratorio is a wonderful message to Americans in this dark political moment of aggressive cruelty and selfishness in high places. We can remain blind, depressed, despairing, waiting for some god or other force to do something, or we can notice the power renewing itself in us and take agency.

The message of Samson is hope – not just sacrificial hope, but analytical hope in the face of a wickedness that we somehow, through our own blindness, brought down on ourselves. (I know…I didn’t vote for him either…but somehow we didn’t work hard enough to prevent this disaster, and now we have to pull ourselves together and fix it). Each of us has a gift that can be used in defense of human rights and dignity. PacificMusicWorks has gifts in such abundance that you leave the concert knowing that light will always conquer darkness.

SIFF

Another highlight of the festival will be a tribute to award-winning actress Regina Hall on Sunday, June 2 at the SIFF Egyptian, an intimate afternoon at the theatre, which will include a screening of Andrew Bujalski’s Support the Girls. There will also be a number of parties throughout SIFF’s 25-day marathon, including a bash at the Kirkland Performance Center after a screening of Olivier Assayas’ Non-Fiction as well as a celebration at the Nordic Museum at 2655 NW Market Street after the North American Premiere of Maximilian Hult’s Pity the Lovers. Also of personal interest is an archival screening of 1925’s The Phantom of the Opera, this silent classic being shown with a live musical score performed by indie band the Invincible Czars.

There’s just too much stuff to talk about, and there’s nowhere near enough room for me to go into it all here. Thankfully, I was able to sit down briefly with SIFF Artistic Director Beth Barrett to talk about SIFF and a variety of things audiences can expect from this year’s festival. Here’s what she had to say:

and that recognition will lead to bigger and more projects – just normal!

Sara Michelle Fetters: Additionally, with nearly 90 countries being represented in this year’s festival, what is it like for you and your team of programmers to assemble such a lineup? What are the challenges involved in programming nearly 400 narrative features, documentaries, archival presentations and shorts for one 25-day festival?

Sara Michelle Fetters: And we’re back! It’s year 45 for the Seattle International Film Festival. For someone that has been involved with SIFF for such an extended period of time, who has really had such an incredible journey with the organization, what does it mean to you to see the festival thriving as it is?

Beth Barrett: It is incredibly inspiring! Meeting people coming to SIFF for the first time, on staff or as audience, and discovering the amazing films! We have worked very hard in the last years to reflect the changing Seattle, a focus on equity and representation, and to really meet filmmakers where they are working, to provide a sounding board, or a way to connect with the incredible Seattle audiences.

Sara Michelle Fetters: The past few years we’ve seen such a rich explosion of female filmmakers being given the spotlight during the festival. This is true once again this year, especially in regards to the wide variety of female voices in comedy this festival. This cacophony of diverse voices, why is it important to showcase them?

Beth Barrett: You know, we hear about “normalization” in the news every day –that as modern consumers of media, the constant barrage of terrible things happening around the world just becomes normal. But we have the choice to normalize in the other way as well – that it is completely normal that women make up half of the filmmakers, half of juries, half of programmers. By really focusing a lens on the amazing stories from women and filmmakers of color, we are able to provide an audience,

of talent working in film, TV and episodic content. A lot has to do with the creativity we support, the collaboration that is built into our industry and the ability to take some risks. Good Kisser, from Wendy Jo Carlton, puts a lens on an awkward lesbian threesome;The Wild, from Mark Titus, revisits Bristol Bay and the Pebble Mine and one of the last remaining pristine parts of nature; while Dominic Barbero and

Beth Barrett: We struggle to include every film we love, and we know we just can’t! Balancing the festival is work every year; to represent a very broad swath of genre, culture, voice, community. Seattle is a city that is growing and is also very curious, so trying to satisfy all that curiosity about the world is impossible, but we try.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Local filmmaker Lynn Shelton gets her second opening night selection (her first being 2011’s Your Sister’s Sister) with her latest comedydrama hybrid Sword of Trust with Marc Maron, Michaela Watkins and Jillian Bell. What was it about this movie that made it perfect to open the festival?

Beth Barrett: Lynn has a distinctive voice, and her collaborative style is a great way to really kick off our focus on women working in comedy. It can be a hard place to get a foothold, and her extensive work in film and TV has given her a unique way of saying what she has to say. Also, in this world where we have to really put everything we read in context, and take the time to really know where our facts come from, this idea of the “alternative facts” as a central theme was incredibly timely. Alternative facts, but emotional truth.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Speaking of local filmmakers, this year’s Northwest Connections lineup in my opinion is one of the richest, most intriguingly diverse I’ve ever had the pleasure to cover in my time attending SIFF. Can you speak about some of these films and filmmakers a little bit?

Beth Barrett: We are so lucky here in the Pacific Northwest to have a plethora

decades of incredible work and we wanted to celebrate that.

Sara Michelle Fetters: For a SIFF newcomer, in your opinion, what’s the best way to try and navigate the 25 days of the festival? Any tricks of the trade you might be willing to share?

Beth Barrett: Our website (www.siff. net) has so many different ways to search (by title, venue, country, genre, day and all

Jerry Spears’ We Take the Low Road drops down the rabbit hole of fighting big pharma in your own way. We have 41 films in all genres and categories, from a 1938 archival title recently restored (As the Earth Turns) to an in-depth look at an all-male burlesque dancing troupe (The Long Haul: The Story of the Buckaroos). Sara Michelle Fetters: For LGBTQ audiences, what are some of the selections that might prove to be of most interest to them? What stands out to you?

Beth Barrett: We have everything from a thriller set on a gay porn set (Knife+Heart), biopics of iconic designers Yves Saint Laurent (Celebration), Jean Paul Gaultier (Jean Paul Gaultier: Freak and Chic) and Halston (Halston), Russian film The Man Who Surprised Everyone, lesbian dramas To the Stars and The Ground Beneath My Feet, and the very inspiring Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts

Sara Michelle Fetters: Regina Hall is being given special recognition this year, her tribute evening including a screening of Andrew Bujalski’s excellent Support the Girls for which she won the New York Film Critics Circle Awards’ prize for Best Actress of 2018. What is it about Hall that made her the right person to honor with a tribute this year?

Beth Barrett: Regina Hall has consistently shone in everything she does, from the very physical comedy of the Scary Movies to the heartfelt The Hate U Give (Girls Trip is a little of both), and that is the mark of an incredible character actor. We really felt like for the last few years. She is really being recognized for the nearly three

of those at once!) it makes it easy to pinpoint films you are interested in. But we always encourage people to find a film they want to see, and then see the one before or after it. Those often surprise and turn out to be the totally unexpected gems. Also, strike up a conversation with someone in line and see what they liked or what they recommend.

Sara Michelle Fetters: For you, what keeps you coming to work every day? What keeps you excited about bringing SIFF to life each and every year?

Beth Barrett: Connecting audiences to films! Getting to tell the stories of our time! The conversations that happen at screenings, in the SIFF Lounge and especially as we stand in line.

Sara Michelle Fetters: And for the festival itself, how does it continue to grow and thrive? Where do you see things going next?

Beth Barrett: We will continue to look at how to support filmmakers with programs like the New Works-in-Progress Forum, which connects filmmakers to industry and audiences, bringing communities together to experience great film from around the world.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Any final words before the festival begins and Seattle (and the rest of the Pacific Northwest) goes cinema crazy for the next 25 days?

Beth Barrett: Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!

DANGEROUS YEAR

continued from cover

Bills,” first in the Washington State Senate (where it failed to pass by a single vote) and then later during the initiative process as proponents of the measure attempted to get enough signatures to force a statewide public vote on the matter. They eventually failed in that quest.

It was important to Knowlton to record these events in large respect due to the fact she is the parent of a transgender daughter. Going to the public hearings, recording lawmakers talking about the issue, watching attendees at a local outdoor festival sign the bathroom bill initiative, interviewing people like Joseph Backholm, the founder of the Family Policy Institute of Washington, spew venom and hate as if he was standing in a line at Starbucks ordering an iced coffee with extra foam, she willingly put herself through all of that in a quest to show people the absurdity of all it was she and her family were being forced to live with. The director was able to find the inherent hypocrisy in all of this madness simply by letting those spewing the most vitriolic lunacy speak for themselves, juxtaposing their fear-mongering and intellectual dishonesty with a mixture of scientific fact, emotional tenderness and selfless resolve that’s positively uplifting in its compassionate dexterity.

To do this Knowlton does end up having to put her own family, and specifically her daughter Annabelle, right at the center of the maelstrom. But she does so by celebrating her child’s happiness, by capturing the boundless joy she and her various friends feel from being accepted for who they proudly proclaim to be by those closest to them. The film also introduces the viewer to Gender Diversity founder and transgender youth advocate Aidan Key, and through interviews with him and the parents of the other featured children it becomes clear

just how much this love, tolerance and acceptance can change a child’s life for the better in any number of incredible ways.

It is a very traditional documentary, Knowlton’s style straightforward and devoid of anything coming close to a visually experimental flourish. The film is assembled in a routine manner, each “talking heads” interview or recording of a Senatorial hearing presented as if they were a segment cut together for the local nightly news, the director not looking to add any melodramatic touch that might take the viewer’s focus away from the central story she’s attempting to showcase.

Even so, Knowlton’s approach allows for the documentary to achieve an emotional resilience that’s striking. The stories

of the transgender children and their parents, the many ups and down her own family faces as they ponder the repercussions of what might happen if this initiative were to achieve enough signatures to be placed on the November 2016 ballot, all of that matters in ways that grabbed a hold of my heart and refused to let go. Knowlton presents her information with succinct clarity, and anyone with even the passing pretense of an open mind will walk away from her film understanding just how insane and regressively idiotic (and downright vile) all of these anti-transgender measures ultimately prove to be.

I do understand there will be those reading this review who will insist that my only reason for championing this motion picture

is due to the fact that I myself am a transgender woman. That’s fine, believe that if you must, but that doesn’t change my opinion that The Most Dangerous Year is a powerfully moving piece of documentary filmmaking that cuts right to the core of a raging debate in a way that is passionate, thought-provoking and intellectually honest. In the wake of current events, it is ironically depressing that the Trump administration’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military goes into effect the same day as this doc’s New York theatrical release, Knowlton’s feature couldn’t be more timely or essential. Open your hearts and your minds and give this one an immediate look.

Magnetic Parabellum an energetic ballet of imaginatively violent carnage

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM

Now playing

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is on the run. He’s been declared excommunicado by the High Table. All services from the Continental or anyone associated with the establishment are no longer welcome to him. He also has a $14-million price on his head, and every hour he remains alive the amount goes up exponentially. All of which means that John, even with his lethal skills, no matter how much fear his name sparks when it is uttered aloud, isn’t long for this world, and unless he finds his way back into the good graces of the powers controlling the High Table he will join his beloved wife, as well as the puppy she gifted him on her deathbed, in an early grave.

Picking up immediately after the events of John Wick: Chapter 2, the exhilaratingly violent John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum continues to expand and deepen the crazy mythology of a secret society of assassins and the elite hotels that cater to them in a wide variety of unexpected ways. It is also one of the more explosively imaginative and dynamically entertaining action films in recent memory, returning director Chad Stahelski and his crack team of elite stunt performers delivering sights that frequently defy belief. While arguably the weakest overall film in the franchise from a storytelling perspective (we’ve got four credited screenwriters this time, including original scribe Derek Kolstad), this third entry is nonetheless a wonder to behold. It’s pretty darn incredible, and even with the sequel’s more obvious flaws and shortcomings I still find that I pretty much loved every single solitary second of it.

This is a movie that quite literally runs out of the starting gate, John and his new dog sprinting through the streets of New York as his hour grace period before the entire world is allowed to hunt him down like a wild animal comes to an end. There is a brutal fight in the Public Library where he takes down a killer with nothing more than a book, while the extended sequence after that features a bevy of martial arts impresarios battling the assassin inside an Asian antique shop utilizing a variety of sharp-edged weaponry sitting in various glass display cases. All this happens within the first 30 minutes and it only gets increasingly insane from there, John ultimately making his way to the desert city of Casablanca in hopes of finding an ally who could help him get out of his current predicament. While the plot is fairly simplistic, I still find it easy to say too much and potentially ruin the cacophony of wonders Stahelski and the writers have in store for

the audience. It can be said that actors Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Laurence Fishburne and Randall Duk Kim reprise their roles from the previous films, while newcomers like Asia Kate Dillon (as an adjudicator with the power to shut down the Continental’s New York location), Oscarwinner Angelica Huston (as a Russian enforcer who has known John long before he became branded in the criminal underworld as “The Boogeyman”) and Mark Dacascos (as an elite hired gun the High Table only turns to in the most critical of situations) make unforgettable impressions upon the ongoing story. Best of all is Halle Berry as a former killer who owes a debt to John Wick, she and her pair of well-trained Belgian Malinois having to decide whether or not it’s in their best interest if they lend a helping hand to the excommunicated assassin. While this series has always been fine allowing humor into the proceeding, there is a level of knowing wink-wink-nod-nod

this time that wasn’t as obvious in the prior installments. It mostly works, but there is a danger that these films could become something akin to a parody of themselves if the filmmakers aren’t careful. Additionally, things become needlessly convoluted, John’s return to New York for the climax happening in a roundabout sort of way that feels far more contrived than it probably should be.

But the action remains topnotch, each key sequence surpassing the one before it. A Casablanca melee featuring John teaming up with someone to escape a High Table compound is magnificent, while the entire climactic throwdown inside the walls of the New York Continental location is an outright stunner that builds in tense magnificence as it moves along to its final confrontation. It is here that Reeves and Dacascos finally face off against one another and the moment is well worth the wait, the two action stars going absolutely ballistic as their characters do everything and anything it takes to gain the upper hand against one another.

I’m not sure I actually liked the semicliffhanger coda, the setup for an eventual fourth chapter feeling slightly forced and moderately nonsensical, even more so than the one that came at the end of the second film. But once again Reeves proves he is nothing less than perfect as the title character, while Stahelski continues to cement himself as one of the greatest action directors working today (even if one motorcycle set piece does feel slightly lifted from 2017’s Korean hit The Villainess), and if his remake of cult favorite Highlander ever gets made I guarantee I’ll be first in line to see it opening day. All-in-all John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum is a highflying ballet of bloodshed and carnage that’s altogether remarkable, the adrenaline rush I got while watching it a euphoric high I wish I could bottle and sell at the neighborhood store.

Haunting Wind a starkly ethereal psychological stunner

by Sara Michelle Fetters

SGN A&E Writer

Now playing (at Grand Illusion)

Somewhere on the windswept plains of the American frontier, Lizzy Macklin (Caitlin Gerard) lives with her husband Isaac (Ashley Zukerman). One day they are happy to welcome two newlyweds to their stretch of deserted nothing, Gideon Harper (Dylan McTee) and his pregnant young wife Emma (Julia Goldani Telles). The two women become fast friends, each learning about the other in intimate detail. But this isolation weighs on Emma and she becomes convinced the never-ending howl of the wind is hiding some sort of demonic presence intent on doing all of them deathly harm. Her growing terror leads to unimaginable tragedy, and while Isaac is off with Gideon dealing with the repercussions of a gruesome disaster, Lizzy is left alone, only her disintegrating psyche and panicked imagination left to keep her company for multiple days and nights at a time.

A striking psychological horror-western, director Emma Tammi’s debut The Wind is something special. Written by Teresa Sutherland, the movie is a devastating journey into darkness where fantasy and reality are in constant flux, Lizzy a stalwart figure of forthright courage who finds her grasp on the tactile practicalities of everyday life slipping as the night wind unforgivingly howls as if it were in constant anguish. Truth and fiction start to have no meaning, and even the appearance of a kindly Reverend (Miles Anderson) looking for a hot meal and a bit of pleasant conversation brings no lasting solace to the person most in need of feeling its comforting embrace.

The nonlinear style of storytelling can be initially distracting. The movie opens with as shocking an event as can be imagined only to almost immediately double back to the moment Isaac introduces Lizzy to both Gideon and Emma. Yet, as the film goes on this presentation begins to cast a suitably nightmarish spell, even if it is difficult to get a grasp on what is actually happening. Is all of this only a figment of Lizzy and Emma’s fevered imaginations? If it isn’t, if these visions and apparitions aren’t brought on by something psychological, if it isn’t madness, that means the demons born out of the shrieking winds whipping through the desert plains that Emma even-

tually becomes so terrified of are real, this constant question an unnerving conundrum that had me sitting on the edge of my seat eager to learn the answer to.

I am haunted by this movie. Sutherland’s script is ephemeral and doesn’t spend a lot of time explaining what is going on. Yet its emphasis on Lizzy’s transformation, how it centers her in the story and refuses to pass judgment on any of her actions, all of this works in ways that are difficult to describe. The subtlety of this one woman’s journey into the unknown is striking in its ruggedly forthright resolve, her complexity as a protagonist slowly coming into increasingly intense focus as things build to their quietly devastating conclusion. It’s a meticulous piece of screenwriting where every piece connects to the ones next to it in multiple ways, making it up to the viewer to interpret the reality behind the finished picture even if the image itself remains purposefully indistinct.

Tammi’s direction of Sutherland’s script is superb. The filmmaker’s formalist western visual style echoes the likes of John Ford (most notably The Searchers), Anthony Mann (The Man from Laramie comes to mind) and Monte Hellman (specifically The Shooting), yet her determined concentration keeps things coming from a distinctly feminine sensibility which suits the material perfectly. Tammi achieves a level of discombobulating uncertainty that is rooted in the practical tactile realities of the situations Lizzy finds herself facing, Isaac’s tone-deaf reactions to his wife’s pleas for understanding and sympathy arguably more terrifying than the potentially supernatural evil that might be lurking right behind the man’s own front door.

Gerard is incredible as Lizzy. She’s in virtually every scene of the film, and almost all that ends up transpiring is seen via her increasingly frazzled point of view. The actress does a sensational job giving Lizzy life, the strength of her presentation overflowing in small, almost minuscule cracks that cleverly hint at the deathly stark madness of the terrors that will eventually be unleashed during the story’s climactic act. Gerard’s scenes with Anderson, as brief as they are, are breathtaking, the two having a haunting backand-forth that left me shivering in anticipation as to what the outcome of their meeting might prove to be. She also has terrific rapport with Telles, the byzantine nature of their relationship concealing psychological and physical dangers that will leave lasting scars, some of them lethal.

I can’t get The Wind out of my head. Tammi’s intensely focused horror-western bursts free of its genre roots to achieve an emotional resonance that sends chills up my spine just thinking about it again now. This is a haunting foray into isolation and madness that has far more to say about what it

is to be a strong, resolute woman than some may initially think it does, its windswept howls for acceptance and understanding helping make this motion picture a timeless stunner I’ll be thinking about and deconstructing for a very long time to come.

Morally ambiguous Shadow a spectacular and haunting battle of wills

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer SHADOW

Now playing

Two Chinese kingdoms are in the midst of an uneasy peace. The King of the Pei (Zheng Kai) has no wish for war. He is noticeably upset when his revered military leader Commander Yu (Deng Chao) returns from the city of Jingzhou, a former Pei stronghold that was won in battle by the ferocious General Yang (Hu Jun). Against the wishes of his King, Commander Yu has challenged General Yang to a duel, a fight between the two that could result in the two kingdoms returning to a state of conflict. For going against his wishes the King strips the Commander of his authority, rank and privilege, demoting him to the status of a commoner and exiling him from the castle.

But not all is as it seems. There is a plan afoot, and this version of Commander Yu is not the real one. He is instead nothing but a “shadow,” a duplicate raised from an early age to be every bit the person he has been chosen to impersonate in case circumstances arise forcing him to do so. The real Yu, critically wounded in battle against General Yang when Jingzhou initially fell, has been diligently training his imposter for just this moment. Aided by his dutiful wife (Sun Li) who has been instrumental in maintaining this deception, he has crafted a plan that will allow Pei to take back their lost city while at the same time leading to the usurping of the ineffectual King. It all relies upon the fake Yu being able to still convince General Yang to face him in one-on-one combat and his ability to hold his own against the unbeatable warrior long enough for the real attack

see SHADOW page 13

BOOKS

Presenting the nominees for The Third Annual Prism Awards

Winners and honorees will be announced at Comic-Con International: San Diego July 18 - 21

PRISM COMICS, THE QUEER COMICS EXPO and the CARTOON ART MUSEUM are pleased to announce the Nominees for the THIRD ANNUAL PRISM AWARDS. The winners of this year’s Prism Awards and Prism Award Honorees will be announced at the Prism Awards presentation at COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL SAN DIEGO, Thursday, July 18 through Sunday, July 21. (https://www.comic-con.org/) (Admission to Comic-Con International San Diego is required to attend the Prism Awards presentation. The day and time of the presentation will be posted when Comic-Con programming schedule is published in early July.)

The Prism Awards are presented to comic works by queer authors and works that promote the growing body of diverse, powerful, innovative, positive or challenging representations of LGBTQAI+ characters in fiction or nonfiction comics. The goal of the Awards is to recognize, promote and celebrate diversity and excellence in the field of queer comics, and the nominees and awards are voted on by a diverse group comics professionals, educators, librarians, journalists and writers.

Announcing the Nominees for the 2019 Prism Awards (click hyperlink for more information)

Short Form Nominees:

• You Don’t Have To Be Afraid of Me by Victor Martins

• Fazenda De Sangue Azul by H. Pueyo and Dante Luiz

• see me by e Jackson

Webcomic Nominees:

• SuperButch by Barry Deutsch & Becky Hawkins

• After the Fog by H-P Lehkonen

• Null Point by Amara Sherm

Small To Midsize Press Nominees:

• It Will Be Hard by Hien Pham(self published)

• Meal by Blue Delliquanti and Soleil Ho (Iron Circus)

• The Lie and How We Told It by Tommy Parish (Fantagraphics)

Mainstream Nominees:

• Runaways #12 by Rainbow Rowell, Kris Anka, Matthew Wilson and Joe Carmagna (Marvel)

• Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #6 by Mark Russell, Brandee Stilwell, Paul Mounts, Jeremy Lawson, Rose Campbell, Ben Caldwell, Mark Morales, Gus Vazquez, Sean Parsons and Mike Feehan (DC)

• Lumberjanes: The Infernal Compass by Lilah Sturges, polterink, and Jim Campbell (Boom! Studios)

Anthology Nominees:

• ABO Comix Vol 2: A Comic Anthology by LGBTQ Prisoners edited by Casper Cendre

• Group Chat edited by Carolynn Calabrese, Jenny Mott, Ashley Gallagher, Rachel Weiss

• Being True: LGBTQ+ Comics From The Boston Comics Roundtable edited by Renie Jesanis, Kyri Lorenz, and Steph Rose Glass

We are honored to work with and thank the talented group of fifteen judges who read and evaluated this year’s submissions:

Short Form Judges:

• Mey Valdivia Rude (writer at them, Autostraddle)

• Joamette Gil (Heartwood: Non-binary Tales of Sylvan Fantasy)

• Sfé R. Monster (The Beyond Anthologies)

Webcomic Judges:

• Matt Lubchansky (The Nib)

• Ajuan Mance (Gender Studies)

• Zora Gilbert (Dates: An Anthology of Queer Historical Fiction Stories, Books 1 and 2)

Small to Midsize Press Comic Judges:

• Juliette Capra (Crowded )

• Noella Whitney (Dates: An Anthology of Queer Historical Fiction Stories, Book 2)

• Heidi MacDonald (editor-in-chief of Comicsbeat)

Mainstream Publisher Comic Judges:

• Brian Andersen (Stripling Warrior)

• AJ Real (writer, Advanced Death Saves)

• Jack Baur (Librarian, Berkeley Public Library)

Anthology Judges:

• e jackson (Flux)

• Hazel Newlevant (Sugar Town)

• Rob McMonigal (founder and head writer at Panel Patter – http://www.panelpatter.com/)

The Prism Awards Organizing Team:

• Ted Abenheim (Prism Comics)

• Nina Taylor Kester (Queer Comics Expo, Cartoon Art Museum)

• Maia Kobabe (Gender Queer: A Memoir)

ABOUT PRISM COMICS

Founded in 2003, Prism Comics is an allvolunteer non-profit organization that supports LGBTQ+ and LGBTQ+ friendly comics, comics professionals and readers. Prism fosters diversity in comics and popular geek culture and is one of the only comics organizations that provides an annual financial grant to emerging comics creators – The Prism Comics Queer Press Grant. Learn more at prismcomics.org.

ABOUT QUEER COMICS EXPO

The Queer Comics Expo (QCE) is an event to celebrate queer culture and promote diverse queer representation in comics, animation and other great ways to tell stories. QCE is also a fundraiser for the Cartoon Art Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving, documenting, and exhibiting the unique and accessible art form of cartooning in all its forms for over 30 years. For more information, please visit https://www.cartoonart.org/event/2019-qce

ABOUT

THE CARTOON ART MUSEUM

The Cartoon Art Museum’s mission is to ignite imaginations and foster the next generation of visual storytellers by celebrating the history of cartoon art, its role in society, and its universal appeal. The museum’s vision is to be the premier destination to experience cartoon art in all its many forms from around the world, and a leader in providing insight into the process of creating it. The Cartoon Art museum can be visited online at cartoonart.org and at its new location: 781 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94109.

of Prism Comics, Queer Comics Expo, and The Cartoon Art Museum

continued from page 8

to begin, the fate of an entire nation resting upon the courage, and the commitment, of a shadow whose fight this has never been.

After the box office and critical failure of Zhang Yimou’s first foray into Hollywood filmmaking, The Great Wall, the acclaimed director of classics like Raise the Red Lantern, Ju Dou and The Story of Qiu Ju ventures back into the world of the wuxia epic with his latest drama Shadow. However, unlike Hero or House of Flying Daggers, this one is even more enigmatic, more ephemeral, existing in a constant state of gray where good and bad barely exist, a place where right and wrong have no meaning and finding a way to live with the repercussions of one’s decisions is all that ultimately matters. This is an angry movie that refuses to compromise, the level of mournful melancholy that permeates every cell of the narrative a quietly painful cry for understanding that tragically may never materialize.

There are many layers to this film. Each key character is attempting to play a psy-

chological game against their adversaries, and like chess grandmasters they are constantly plotting out each move while also trying to anticipate how their adversaries will counter their attacks. However, at the center of all of these machinations doesn’t just sit Commander Yu’s shadow. The King’s sister, Princess Qing Ping (Guan Xiaotong), is also caught up in the chaos, especially when her brother agrees to gift her to General Yang’s haughty son Ping (Leo Wu), not as his bride, but instead as a concubine. The decisions the Princess and the shadow end up making are vital to the outcome that both the King and the real Commander Yu are attempting to orchestrate from behind the scenes, and if either of them choose to go off the predetermined script then all they’re fighting for could be lost and General Yang will rise to become ruler of two kingdoms and not just one. I need to be a little vague as to what happens next, as the machinations of the plots being hatched by the various protagonists are best left to be discovered by watching them play out inside the movie and not hinted in a review. But it is still safe to say that this is one of the more morally ambigu-

ous motion pictures of Yimou’s storied career, concepts of heroism, courage and valor not meaning near as much as they have in his prior action spectacles. There is little in the way of honor for any of the characters trying to survive all of the carnage and bloodshed, revenge and recompense for both imagined and genuine wrongs almost more important than victory at the end of the day.

Not that Yimou still doesn’t deliver a visual extravaganza that’s right up there with anything he has ever conjured up before, including the impressive gathering of forces sequence in Curse of the Golden Flower or the magnificent snow-covered final bout in House of Flying Daggers. He and frequent cinematographer Zhao Xiaoding (Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles) utilize production designer Kwong Wing Ma’s (Drug War) sets with spectacular aplomb, editor Zhou Xiaolin (When Larry Meets Mary) melding it all into a seamless series of eye-popping images that jump off the screen. The battle in Jingzhou is incredible, while the fight between General Yang and the shadow is well worth the wait. It is all a little too cryptic for its own good every now and then, and for some reason

Yimou turns away from the central action to focus on the secondary characters at rather strange moments that end up dulling the emotional magnitude of what is transpiring in Jingzhou once the battle begins. The climax is also strangely rushed, and I couldn’t help but wish the filmmaker had taken a little more time before bringing things to conclusion. Additionally, where things eventually end up isn’t that giant of a surprise, and at a certain point in the film it became clear to me there was really only one way for things to resolve themselves. But I love the ethical uncertainty of this story, Kai, Chao, Xiaotong and Li all giving magnetically complex performances I found impossible to take my eyes off of. I was also thrilled by many of the central set pieces, their violently beauteous creativity and viciously gorgeous imagination nothing short of sublime. Shadow is a masterful spectacle of human frailty and intellectual dishonesty that only grows in resonance as it goes along, its haunting final image of a pained decision in the process of being made one that will stick with me for quite some time to come.

SEATTLE

BATHS

SEATTLE

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CLUB Z - (men)

1117 Pike near Boren - 622-9958 HOT HOUSE SPA & SAUNA - (women)

CLUB Z - (men)

SW corner of Pike & 11th

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(stairs behind Wildrose) - 568-3240

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CASTLE SUPERSTORE #17

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THE NEW YORK XCHANGE

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1701 E. Olive Way - (206) 726-0565

2103 N. 45th - 545-8363

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2103 N. 45th - (206) 545-8363

THE CRESCENT

1413 E. Olive Way - (206) 720-8188

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DIESEL BAR - 1413 14th Ave. - (206) 322-1080

GLO’S - 1621 E. Olive Way - (206) 324-2577

HOT MAMA’S PIZZA

700 E. Pine St. - (206) 322-6444

JAZZ ALLEY - 2033 6th Ave. - (206) 441-9729

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9619 16th Ave. SW - (206) 695-2007

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5401California Ave. SW - (206) 937-1540

THE PINE BOX - 1600 Melrose Ave - (206) 588-0375

POCO WINE ROOM

1408 E. Pine St. - (206) 322-9463

PONY - 1221 E. Madison St. - (206) 324-2854

QUEER BAR - 1518 11th Ave - (206) 687-7491

R PLACE - 619 E. Pine - (206) 322-8828

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ROOT TABLE 2213 NW Market St. - (206) 420-3214

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ZIPPY’S GIANT BURGERS

9614 14th Ave SW - (206) 763-1347

TOULOUSE PETIT

1605 12th Ave. #8 - (206) 328-1965

601 Queen Anne Ave N - 432-9069

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4411 Wallingford Ave. N. - (206) 535-6920

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

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

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DES MOINES

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

EVERETT

ADULT AIRPORT VIDEO 11732 Airport Road - (425) 290-7555

LOVER’S - 112 SE Everett - (425) 353-3607

LOVER’S - 3402 Broadway - (425) 252-8754

KENT

WILDROSE - 1021 E. Pike - 324-9210

ZIPPY’S GIANT BURGERS

5633 Airport Way S - 466-5954

9614 14th Ave SW - 763-1347

LOVER’S - 25801 104th Ave. SE - (253) 852-1720

RETAIL

SHOPS

THE FANTASY SHOP 604 Central Ave. S - (253) 850-8428

CASTLE SUPERSTORE #17

NASHVILLE’S SPORTS BAR (Drag Shows) 114 - Railroad Ave. N - (253) 852-0909

1017 E. Pike St - 204-0126

DOGHOUSE LEATHERS

LA CONNER

1312 E. Pike St. - 257-0231

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

HASHTAG - 3540 Stone Way N - 946-8157

NEW YORK EXCHANGE

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

225 Broadway E. - 726-3300

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

OZ - 3831 Stone Way N - 251-0630

OLYMPIA

PANACHE

225 Broadway E. - 726-3300

RUCKUS 1465 E Republican St. - 257-4805

DARBY’S CAFE

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

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

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

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

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

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

UNDER U 4 MEN

ORCAS ISLAND

709 Broadway Ave. E. - 324-6446

BROWN BEAR BAKING, LLC

29 N Beach Rd #1966, Eastsound - (360) 855-7456

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

PORT ANGELES

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

BELLINGHAM

SPOKANE

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

THE BLIND BUCK

204 N. Division St. - (509) 343-9425

GLOBE BAR AND KITCHEN

DES MOINES

204 N. Division St. - (509) 443-4014

NYNE BAR AND BISTRO

232 W. Sprague Ave. - (509) 474-1621

EVERETT

LA CONNER

TACOMA

CASTLE SUPERSTORE 6015 Tacoma Mall Blvd. - (253) 471-0391

CLUB SILVERSTONE

739½ St.

OLYMPIA

PORT

SPOKANE

TACOMA

TRI-CITIES

TUKWILA

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 - May 18

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. 10am-12 noon. Cupcake Royale, 1111 E Pike St. Every Saturday. Casual social get-together for the HIV community. (206) 9571600. Sponsored by LIfelong. New Beginnings (SLAA). 12-1pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave #100, Room 3. Meets daily. Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous 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. (206) 322-2437; www.peerseattle.org.

Lambert House Queer Rec. 1pm. 1818 15th Ave. Meets 3rd Saturday each month. Outdoor & indoor adventures for youth ages 22 & under. www.lamberthouse.org

PNW G/B/Q Longhaired Men. 2pm. Locations vary. Check the website or call for details. An informal social group for longhairs, growers, longhair admirers & their friends. We gather for brunch on the 3rd Saturday each month to socialize, chat & often go out afterwards for coffee or some activity. Please join us! For information & to RSVP: www.longhair.shorturl.com

Seattle Prime Timers Monthly Potluck. 2pm. Plymouth Church, 1217 6th Ave (downtown between University and Seneca Sts.), lounge. Meets 3rd Saturday most months. Cost: $5 per person (please try to bring exact change) to help pay for room rental. Please bring a dish that will serve eight or more to share. Free parking under the church (entrance on University). Take garage elevator to 2nd floor or enter thru south front doors on 6th. Info: www.seattleprimetimers.org.

Mature Friends Monthly Potluck. 6pm (appetizers), 7pm (dinner). Wallingford Community Senior Center, Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 140. Held on last Saturday most months but moved up due to the Memorial Day holiday. MF is a social organization for Gay men & women, 40 years & over. Info: 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.

SUNDAY - May 19

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. Center for Spiritual Living. 9am meditation; 9:30am & 11am services. The Mountaineers, 7701 Sand Point Way NE. Blessings & we hope to see you soon! (206) 527-8801 ext 203, www.cslseattle.org

Seattle Unity Church. 9am & 11am Sunday Services. 200 8th Ave N. “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. 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

Baha’i Prayer & Fellowship Circle. 10am. Pearl Warren Bldg, 606 12th Ave S. Meets 3rd Sunday each month. Share prayers, readings, thoughts & music. All backgrounds, all faiths welcome. (206) 391-2188. Central Lutheran Church. 10am Worship. 1710 11th Ave (just north of E Pine St). An open & affirming church,

community calendar

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 Worship. 1217 6th Ave. Love your (LGBTQ) neighbor as yourself. (206) 622-4865, plymouthchurchseattle.org

Queen Anne United Methodist Church. 10am Worship. 1606 5th Ave W. (206) 282-4307.

Unity Church of Kent. 10am. 218 State Ave S, Kent. A welcoming congregation open to people of all races, religions, creeds & lifestyles. Join us any Sunday for an inspirational message, joyful fellowship & a fresh spiritual outlook. (253) 854-9747.

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

Ethyl Forever Car Club, Pacific NW Region Lambda Car Club Monthly Tire Kick/Social. 10:30am. Randy’s Restaurant, 10016 E Marginal Way S (south of the Museum of Flight). Meets 3rd Sunday each month. This monthly informal auto enthusiasts’ event starts with breakfast and a show & tell, and continues to a chosen point of interest. Open to all LGBTQ persons & friends who have an interest in the automobile, not just collector or performance vehicles. ethylforever@hotmail.com

First Church - First United Methodist Church of Seattle. 10:30am. 180 Denny Way. (Enter on 2nd Ave N for worship.) Welcome to First Church, a progressive community advocating for the homeless and hungry, and creating a refuge of inclusive Christianity. First Church is a proud member of the Reconciling Ministries Network. (206) 622-7278; firstchurchseattle.org

Northminster Presbyterian Church. 10:30am Worship. 7706 25th Ave NW. A village church in the city open to all. (206) 783-3402. www.northminsterpres.org (Conveniently located a block from the Metro #40 bus route.)

St. Clement’s Episcopal Church. 10:30am Worship. 1501 32nd Ave S. Great music. Dynamic preaching. Holy communion. Encountering the transformative and unconditional love of God in Christ. Join us! www. stclementseattle.org

Seattle Sunday Bowling. 10:30am. West Seattle Bowl, 4505 39th Ave SW (at SW Oregon St). Open bowl every Sunday for the GLBT community & friends. You don’t have to worry about how you bowl! $6.50 + $3 shoe rental. (425) 785-4729.

Welcome Table Christian Church. 9:45am Meditation; 10:30am Worship; Labyrinth 2nd Sundays 1-4pm. 1322 S Bayview St. Where people of all genders and sexualities, and families of all shapes & sizes are welcome and celebrated. A welcoming and affirming community since 1987. welcometablecc.org Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation. 10:30am. 7141 California Ave SW. (206) 935-0418, office@wsuu.org, www.wsuu.org

Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church Seattle. 11am Worship. Chapel at University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 NE 43rd St. MCC is a progressive Christ-centered faith community committed to providing a nurturing environment for individual & 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” on Meetup.com or at DharmaBuddies.org. (Women are invited to contact our sister meditation group at www. LotusSisters.org.)

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. 11am Worship. 6512 12th Ave NW. An “open & affirming” congregation. “We celebrate our diversity in religious background, sexual orientation, race, age & abilities.” (206) 783-6733; www.stpauluccseattle.com.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. 11:15am (also 7:30am, 9am, 5pm). 15 W Roy St. We are an accepting, progressive, Anglo-Catholic parish, renewing its people for their Christian lives in today’s world through worship, spiritual formation, engagement in the arts, and acts of compassion. www.stpaulseattle.com

Just for Today (NA). 12-1:15pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave #100. Every Sunday. Drop-in 12-step Narcotics Anonymous group open to anyone in recovery. (206) 322-2437; www.peerseattle.org

New Beginnings (SLAA). 12-1pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave #100, Room 3. Meets daily. (See Saturday listing at noon for details.)

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

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

Movie: “The Celluloid Closet.” 3pm. Scarecrow Video, 5030 Roosevelt Way NE. Classic documentary of how Hollywood historically treated LGBT people on- and off-screen prior to the revised Production Code in 1990. Based on Vito Russo’s celebrated book. Free to Mature Friends and Seattle Prime Timers members and their guests. Screening room accommodates 30 people. Rain City Soccer Club - Kickabout. Sunday afternoon usually at 3pm. Location varies. Join us for Seattle’s mostly-weekly mostly-LGBTQ pickup soccer game. We play an organized, 2-hour scrimmage on nice fieldturf surface. Sometimes there is a brief training/practice session before we play. Usually there is a “one-beer” after the scrimmage. To sign up visit www.raincitysoccer.org

Seattle Poly Potluck & Discussion Group. 5-8pm. (contact for new location) Meets 3rd Sunday each month. For people interested in polyamorous, open, and ethically non-monogamous relationships. $5 donation; please bring a potluck dish. This event is open to the public. Look for us on Facebook or Meetup. Shame to Grace (SAA). 6-7:30pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave #100. Every Sunday. Sex Addicts Anonymous 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. (206) 322-2437. www. peerseattle.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. 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.

MONDAY - May 20

New Beginnings (SLAA). 12-1pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave #100, Room 3. Meets daily. (See Saturday listing at noon for details.)

SOBER On Meds. 1-2pm. Peer Seattle 1520 Bellevue Ave #100. Every Monday. 12-step group open to anyone in recovery & living on a medicine regimen. (206) 3222437; www.peerseattle.org Strength Over Speed (SOS). 2-3:30pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave #100. Peer support for Gay and Bisexual men recovering from crystal meth addiction. www.strengthoverspeed.org. (206) 322-2437, www. peerseattle.org

Seattle Women’s Commission Meeting. 5:30-8pm. Municipal Bldg, 600 4th Ave Rm 221. Meets 3rd Monday each month (except December). SWC is a 20-member volunteer advisory board that advises the Mayor, City Council, & all City of Seattle departments on matters concerning women & women’s rights. Meetings open to the public. (206) 684-4537.

PFLAG/Kitsap County (Bremerton) Monthly Meeting. 6-7pm. Kitsap Pride, 532 5th Ave #20, Bremerton Meets 3rd Monday each month. Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays is a national support organization for parents, spouses & families of GLBT persons, as well as those minorities. www.kitsappflag.org and on Facebook. kitsappflag@yahoo.com. (888) 636-0652. PFLAG/Puget Sound: (206) 325-7724.

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

Meditation Class for LGBTQ Seniors. 6:30pm. GenPride Senior Center, 401 Broadway E, Suite 223. Free class every Monday for LGBTQ seniors, their caregivers and allies. Beginners welcome. www.gapseattle.org

Freely Speaking Toastmasters. 7pm. Gay City, 517 E Pike St, downstairs space. Every Monday (except holidays & the last Mondays in August & December). Seattle’s only LGBT speaking club. www.FreelySpeaking.org

PFLAG/Everett (Snohomish County) Monthly Meeting. 7pm. Stillaguamish Public Meeting Room #1, Robert J. Drewell Bldg., 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett. Meets 3rd Monday each month. Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays is a national support organization for parents,

spouses & families of GLBT persons, as well as those minorities. www.pflageverett.org; PFLAG/Puget Sound: (206) 325-7724.

Trans Youth Group. 7-8:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Monday. A chance for youth to talk with others about their experiences & concerns related to identifying as Transgender. www.lamberthouse.org

Destiny/Unity AA Meeting in Tacoma 7:30-8:30pm. Christ Episcopal Church, 310 N “K” St, Tacoma. Every Monday. LGBTQ-friendly AA meeting. (253) 474-8897. (Also meets Fridays.)

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

Washington Gender Alliance Support Group Meeting in Shoreline 7:30pm. Center for Human Services, 17018 15th Ave NE, Shoreline. Every Monday. www. washingtongenderalliance.com

TUESDAY - May 21

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

New Beginnings (SLAA). 12-1pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave #100, Room 3. Meets daily. (See Saturday listing at noon for details.)

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

Seattle Police Department LGBTQ Advisory Council

Monthly Meeting. 6-8pm. Seattle Police Department East Precinct Community Meeting Room, 12th Ave & E Pine St. Meets 3rd Tuesday most months. An opportunity for the GLBT community to speak openly with the SPD to dialog on public safety issues, plan officer training on sexual-minority topics, suggest ways to improve communications & procedures, explore protection strategies to minimize Gay-bashing incidents, & address other related concerns. The Sexual Minority Community Advisory Council has been established by the SPD to increase relationships & communication between the community & the SPD. Members of the GLBT community are invited to attend. kim.bogucki@seattle.gov

Strength Over Speed (SOS). 6-7:30pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100. Peer support for Gay and Bisexual men recovering from crystal meth addiction. www.strengthoverspeed.org. (206) 322-2437; www. peerseattle.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. Youth ages 13-22 are welcome regardless of sexual orientation. www.diverseharmony.org

No Man’s Land - For Female-Identified Youth, Ages 22 & Under. 7-8:30pm. 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) 322-2515, www.lamberthouse.org

Tuesday Night Sex Addicts Anonymous (GLBTQI). 7-8:30pm. All Pilgrims Christian Church, 500 Broadway E (enter at 509 10th Ave E; buzz in, Colonial 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. Men’s Discussion Group. 7:30-9pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100. Every Tuesday. Peer group for Gay & Bi men. (206) 322-2437; www.peerseattle.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. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100. A vibrant drop-in workshop for those of any spiritual belief. (206) 322-2437; www. peerseattle.org

Washington Gender Alliance Open Support Meeting in Bellingham 7:30-9pm. St James Presbyterian Church, 910 14th St., Bellingham. Every Tuesday. (360) 445-2411; www.washingtongenderalliance.com. (See Wednesday listing at 7:30pm for details.)

Seattle Otters Water Polo Team. 8-9:30pm. Medgar Evers Pool, 500 23rd Ave E (at E Cherry St). Every Tuesday & Thursday. GLBT & GLBT-friendly co-ed water polo team is open to all who want to play. Beginners & experienced players welcome. Check our website for up to the minute details, or call the Otter Hotline (206) 414-8797. www.otterpolo.com.

Seattle Poetry Slam. Doors 8pm, Show 8:30pm. Rebar, 1114 Howell St. Every Tuesday. A spoken word poetry event that features a weekly open mic, feature poet, and slam (poetry competition). Come out and express yourself. LGBTQ- & QTPOC-friendly; all genders welcome. $5. 21+. seattlepoetryslam.org

WEDNESDAY

- May 22

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

community calendar

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

New Beginnings (SLAA). 12-1pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100, Room 3. Meets daily. (See Saturday listing at noon for details.)

True Colors: Connecting LGBTQ Teens in Shoreline 4-5pm. Every Wednesday. Discussing your important issues, building a supportive community. For information, location & to REGISTER call Lindsay Bagley (206) 362-7282 x 8018 or email lbagley@chs-nw.org

Living Positively. 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. (206) 957-1600 or www.lifelong.org.

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. University Book Store Cafe, 4326 University Way NE. Every Wednesday. This month’s title: “Leading Men” by Christopher Castellani. https://faculty.washington.edu/swittet/SGLBookClub/ Lotus Sisters Meditation & Dharma DiscussionNorth. 6:15-8pm. Ravenna Bryant neighborhood. Every Wednesday. Call (206) 525-7295 for location. www. LotusSisters.org.

Seattle Frontrunners Fun Run. 6:30pm. Volunteer Park, 14th Ave E & E Prospect St. Every Wednesday. Meet at Black Sun sculpture across for museum. (See Saturday at 9am.)

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

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

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

- May 23

12th Annual Emerald City Hoedown (5/23-5/27) emeraldcityhoedown.com

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

Aging Ballard Lesbian Exchange (A.B.L.E.) Monthly Lunch Get-Together. 12 noon. Ballard NW Senior Center, 5429 32nd Ave NW. Meets 4th Thursday each month. Look for the A.B.L.E. sign on the table. We are Lesbians, 60 years (generally) and up, living (mostly) in the north half of Seattle. The purpose of this group is to connect, socialize, and support each other. We have been meeting since 2015. The group hosts evening potlucks, outings and get-togethers. Co-sponsored by Puget Sound Old Lesbians Organizing for Change. (PSOLOC).

BABES Women’s Support Group/Lunch Meeting. 12-2pm. Call for location. Every Thursday. The BABES Network is a peer led agency; a sisterhood of women facing HIV together. (206) 720-5566 or 888-292-1912; www.babesnetwork.org.

New Beginnings (SLAA). 12-1pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100, Room 3. Meets daily. (See Saturday listing at noon for details.)

Safe and Sober (AA). 12-1pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100. Open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. (206) 322-2437; www.peerseattle.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.)

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.

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.

Buddhism & Recovery. 7:30-9pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100 Every Thursday. A meditation/ recovery group. (206) 322-2437; www.peerseattle.org

Gay Fathers Association of Seattle. 7:30-9pm. Group Health, 201 16th Ave E, Central Bldg, Lower Atrium. Every Thursday. Support meetings for Gay fathers & Gay men who are currently or previously married. Safe, anonymous, non-judgmental environment of caring fathers & friends. You are not alone. For information, community events & “questioning” visit www.gfas.org or our message board at http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/ gayfathersseattle

Gay Male Sexuality & Relationships. 7:30-9pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100. Every Thursday. Ongoing support group open to Gay and Bisexual men. (206) 322-2437; www.peerseattle.org [NOTE: Please contact the facilitator prior to attending.]

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.)

FRIDAY - May 24

12th Annual Emerald City Hoedown (5/23-5/27) emeraldcityhoedown.com

Ageless in Recovery (AA). 12-1pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100. Every Friday. A drop-in AA group for 55+. (206) 322-2437; www.peerseattle.org

New Beginnings (SLAA). 12-1pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100, Room 3. Meets daily. (See Saturday listing at noon for details.)

Road to Recovery (SLAA). 12-1:30pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100. Every Friday. Ongoing 12-step group for sex and love addicts. (206) 322-2437; www.peerseattle.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.)

LGBTQ & Allies 18+ Free Friday Night Drop-In Volleyball. 6-7:45pm. Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave E. Every Friday. (206) 684-4753. Orca Swim Team Workout. Evening. Seattle University, Redhawk Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday afternoon listing.)

Strength Over Speed (SOS). 6-7:30pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100. Peer support for Gay and Bisexual men recovering from crystal meth addiction. www.strengthoverspeed.org. (206) 322-2437; www. peerseattle.org

Game Night. 7pm-11pm. Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100 Every Friday. Card games, board games and fellowship. (206) 322-2437; www.peerseattle.org

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/Unity AA Meeting in Tacoma 7:30-8:30pm. Christ Episcopal Church, 310 N “K” St, Tacoma. Every Friday. LGBTQ-friendly AA meeting. (253) 474-8897. (Also meets Mondays.)

LGBT Friday Night Al-Anon Family Group. 8-9pm.

Peer Seattle, 1520 Bellevue Ave, Suite 100, Room 3. 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; (206) 322-2437; www.peerseattle.org

SATURDAY - May 25

(See previous Saturday for ongoing activities.) 12th Annual Emerald City Hoedown (5/23-5/27) emeraldcityhoedown.com

Seattle Red Dress Party. 7pm (VIP), 7:30pm (general). 415 Westlake Ave. Benefits POCAAN and The AMP: AIDS Memorial Parkway. Features Jiggly Caliente, DJ Sammy Jo, Purple Crush, Gaysha Starr, and many others. Presented by Pridefest. Tickets: $95 VIP, $40 general. Info: www.pridefest.org.

“Embracing Pasifika in Us” – Seattle U.T.O.P.I.A.’s 3rd Annual Lu’au – Registration: 6pm; Lu’au: 7pm. Welcome Palace, 21031 International Blvd, SeaTac. Theme: “Embracing Pasifika in Us.” Lu’au buffet dinner, live entertainment, tropical beverages, traditional music, DJ dancing. Tickets: $65. Info: www.utopiaseattle.org.

U.T.O.P.I.A. (United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance) is a social and community service organization serving the U.T.O.P.I.A. LGBTQ community.

SUNDAY - May 26

(See previous Sunday for ongoing activities.) 12th Annual Emerald City Hoedown (5/23-5/27) emeraldcityhoedown.com

Pride Asia Fest 2019. 12 noon-6pm. Hing Hay Park, 423 Maynard Ave S. Eighth annual event hosted by Alexsa Manila, with keynote speaker EJ Agoot and music by DJ Moist Towelette with DJ Phenohype and DJ Basil. Also featuring Northwest Kung Fu & Fitness plus many special guests. Free, all ages. Presented by Seattle Pride. www.prideasia.org

Seattle Prime Timers Rap Group. 1:30pm. Generations Aging with Pride (GenPRIDE), 401 Broadway E #223 (above QFC in Broadway Market). Meets 4th Sunday each month in the Ian MacKintosh Room. This month’s topic: “What medical advice do you have to share?” Coffee and tea will be served. Info: www.seattleprimetimers.org

Pacific Northwest Black Pride Memorial Day Party. 10pm-1:30am. The Underground, 124 S Washington St. Twerk contest for women and men: $150 1st place; $125 2nd place; $75 3rd place. Winner selected on most creative and dynamic dances. General admission by suggested donation; VIP admission $20 includes admission, VIP lounge, and two premium drinks. Music by DJ T-Bone. Must be 21+ with ID.

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

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) 393-3400; 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 - (425) 785-8593; lgbtmscon-

nections@comcast.net. 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.com; Q-Squared: www.qsquared.org; Rain City Jacks: www.raincityjacks. org; Seattle Gay Couples: www. seattlegaycouples.org; Seattle Men in Leather: www.seattlemeninleather. org; Seattle Prime Timers: Gay & Bi men 40 & over, www. seattle primetimers.org; Tacoma Older LGBT: www. tacomaolderlgbt.org. (See also listings under Bisexual, Parenthood, People of Color, Transgender.)

MUSIC: Diverse Harmony: www.diverseharmony. org; Rainbow City Band: 1-866-841-9139 ext 2126; rainbowcityband@onebox.com; www.rainbowcity band. com; Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus: (206) 388-1408, (206) 323-0750. www.seattlechoruses.org.

Northwest Lesbian & Gay History Museum Project - gayhistnw@aol.com

Northwest Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf - www. nwrad.org

Olympia/Thurston County - www.RainbowCenterOly. org

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates/Seattle Regional Affiliate supports the work of LGBT employees and the growing number of ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) making a difference within local companies, including Alaska Airlines, Amazon.com, Amgen, AT&T, Bank of America, Deloitte, Macy’s, Microsoft, Russell Investments, Safeco Insurance, Starbucks Coffee, Xerox. www.outandequal.org/affiliates/seattle Out & Proud Grays Harbor Coalition - http://outandproudgh.org

PARENTHOOD: Families Like Ours provides a gateway for LGBT families interested in adoption & provides a network of safe placement agencies, training, support & resources: (206) 441-7602, www.familieslikeours. org; Family Works offers support, information & activities for LGBT families: (206) 694-6727, www.familyworksseattle. org; Gay Fathers’ Association of Seattle offers support groups & social activities: www.gfas. org; Proud & Loud Families - Northwest, www.meetup.com/proudand-loud-families-northwest, plfnorthwest@aol.com; Queer Parent Networking Dinners: (206) 568-7777, qpnd@nwnetwork.org, www.nwnetwork.org; Rainbow Families of Puget Sound: www.rainbowfamiliesps.org PFLAG is the national organization for parents, families, allies, and LGBTQ people united for equality with chapters in Seattle, Bellevue/Eastside, the Puget Sound region and across Washington state. PFLAG Seattle: (206) 325-7724, info@pflagseattle.org, and www.pflagseattle.org; PFLAG Bellevue/Eastside: (425) 483-6642, info@bellevue-pflag.org, http://community. pflag.org/PFLAGBellevue; PFLAG Pacific Northwest: www.pnwpflag.org; PFLAG Washington State: www. pflagwsc.org.

Peer Seattle (formerly Seattle Area Support Groups) 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.peerseattle.org

PEOPLE OF COLOR: AARTH (African American Reach & Teach Health Ministry), (206) 850-2070, www.aarth.org; Asian/Pacific Islander Queer Network Program at API Chaya, (206) 467-9976; Center for MultiCultural Health, (206) 461-6910, www.multiculturalhealth.org; Entre Hermanos, GLBT Latinos/as, (206) 322-7700, www.entrehermanos.org; Ile LaiLai, (206) 781-3565, iya@ilelailai.org; Men of All Colors & Cultures Together (MACCT), (206) 923-8313, macctseattle@yahoo.com, www.macctsea.org; Northwest Two Spirit Society, https://www.facebook.com/ groups/nw2spiritsociety/, Nubian Pride Productions, nubianpride@gmail.com; People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN) offers rapid HIV testing, M-F, 10am-5pm, (206) 322-7061, www.pocaan.org and on Facebook; QBASS - Queer Black Alliance of the South Sound, (253) 256-1846, weareqbass@gmail. com; Sistah 2 Sistah, LBT women of African descent, (206) 322-7061, (206) 255-8951; Somos Seattle, somosseattle.org; Trikone-Northwest, GLBT South Asians, (425) 985-4376, www.trikonenw.org; Two-Spirit Honor Project, 1-866-685-0164; U.T.O.P.I.A. Seattle, www.utopiaseattlewa.org; VietQ Greater Seattle, vietqorganization@gmail.com Pierce County AIDS Foundation - (253) 383-2565; www.piercecountyaids.org Pride Foundation - (206) 323-3318; www.pridefoundation. org

Pride Lives - www.facebook.com/PrideLives/ 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

Rainbow Center - Resource Center for Tacoma/Pierce

community calendar

County LGBTIQA community. Through education, advocacy and celebration, the Rainbow Center expands resources, and safe space for the LGBTQIA community. Sponsors Tacoma Pride Festival. (253) 383-2318, www. rainbowcntr.org

Resource & Referral Line can connect you to LGBTfriendly resources throughout Puget Sound and beyond. Call (206) 323-LGBT Mon-Fri 2-8pm; Sat 2-5pm. At other times leave voice mail and your call will be returned. Or visit www.gaycity.org to view list of resources online or through Facebook.

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) i- SEE LISTING for Peer Seattle. 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. www/ seattle.gov/lgbtq Seattle Out & Proud - (206) 322-9561; www.seattlepride.org

Seattle Police Department Sexual Minorities Community Advisory Council: kim.bogucki@seattle.gov Seattle PrideFest - www.seattlepridefest.org

Seattle Treatment Education Project (STEP) E-zine is an electronic resource distributed to people affected by HIV/AIDS, case managers, front line workers & other health professionals. Now a part of Lifelong AIDS Alliance, (206) 328-8979, www.thebody.com/step/ steppage.html

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network - (202) 328-3244; www.sldn.org

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan - (206) 860-3666; www.theabbey.org

Snohomish Health District HIV/AIDS Program provides free confidential/anonymous HIV counseling & testing 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, until 7pm Tuesdays. (425) 339-5298. 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 Flag Football: www.cascadeflagfootball.org; Cascade Flyers: www.cascadeflyers.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

Three Dollar Bill Cinema - TWIST: Seattle Queer Film Festival; Translations: Seattle Transgender Film Festival; Outdoor Cinema at Cal Anderson Park. www. threedollarbillcinema.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; Mature Friends: Gay men & women 40 & over, www.maturefriends.org; Puget Sound Old Lesbian Organizing for Change: http:// psoloc.org, (253) 777-3357; 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; OKAY! LGBTQ+ Outreach for Kent Area Youth: (253) 859-0699 ext 3034. OKAY! is an open support group for youth ages 13-19 who identify as LGBTQ+. A program of Kent Youth & Family Services; OUT There Adventures: www.outthereadventures.org; Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG)/Puget Sound: (206) 325-7724, 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) 726-8500; 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

10 [HOUSEMATES]

11 [FOR RENT]

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20 [HEALTH & WELL-BEING]

ENERGY/BODYWORK

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Frustratingly flat Hustle a dirty rotten remake

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer

THE HUSTLE

Now playing

The Hustle isn’t very good. This perplexes me. A gender-flipped remake of 1988’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Michael Caine, Steve Martin and Glenne Headly (itself a remake of 1964’s Bedtime Story with Marlon Brando, David Niven and Shirley Jones), there’s no reason for this comedy to be as flat as it is. Anne Hathaway is a talented superstar with a flair for comedy. Rebel Wilson has the ability to generate laughs as well as any actor working today. Chris Addison has directed 13 episodes of HBO’s Emmy-winning sensation “Veep.” All the pieces are here for a strong new take on the material, so the fact the film proves to be so consistently underwhelming and, more surprisingly, frequently boring is something of a frustratingly bizarre mystery I can’t begin to decipher.

I can’t explain it. While not completely devoid of laughs (with a pair of actresses this talented, the fact they’re able to generate a couple of snickers or giggles is hardly shocking), overall this is 90-plus minutes of tedium that feels more like a series of unfunny and unfocused vignettes than it does a carefully constructed feature-length narrative. Considering the film follows the original scenario dreamt up by writers Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning (the pair responsible for Bedtime Story) and Dale Launer (brought in to modernize Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) note-for-note and beat-forbeat this might be the most startling turn of events out of them all as far as this remake is concerned.

Yet that’s how it is. Whatever screenwriter Jac Schaeffer (TiMER) was tasked to bring to the material in order to successfully switch the genders of the two main characters goodness knows if I can figure out what that might have been. Characters are not developed. The scenario is uninspired. There is no wit. There is even less whimsy. The actual plot, when it eventually kicks into high gear, feels like a pointless afterthought. I never had a reason to care

about anything that was happening. Even the climactic twist is devoid of life, this remake so inane I can’t imagine even diehard fans of Hathaway or Wilson walking out of the theatre with anything positive to say after they’ve given it a look.

For those needing a plot synopsis, in the posh resort community of Beaumontsur-Mer on the French Riviera elegant con artist Josephine Chesterfield (Hathaway) has found success swindling vain and pompous men for a number of years now. Her happy paradise is disturbed, however, with the arrival of uncouth, fast-talking Australian Penny Rust (Wilson). While initially coerced into taking the hyper young woman under her wing, Josephine quickly grows tired of this ill-mannered upstart. In turn, Penny is increasingly angered by her mentor’s haughty disposition and coldly dismissive attitude. Coming to the conclusion that Beaumont-sur-Mer is just too small for the both of them, the pair make a wager on who is the best con artist, the winner the proud recipient of a half-million dollars of dorky tech genius Thomas Westerberg’s (Alex Sharp) fortune while the loser will be on the next train out of town.

Okay. Where to start? Hathaway and Wilson have zero chemistry. While they are supposed to be mutually antagonistic towards one another their back-and-forth rapport has nothing in the way of sizzle of spunk. Their respective energy levels are never in balance and because of that I never felt an ounce of pizazz whenever they shared the screen. This makes the training montage as well as their subsequent early partnership where Josephine is supposedly tutoring Penny in the art of the long con but is actually trying to surreptitiously trick her into leaving France meaningless, their growing antipathy towards one another equally laborious.

The next issue is related to the heart of the piece, and that’s the con being played on Thomas. He’s never developed as a character. Instead, the tech billionaire is a series of mechanical constructs who is never believable as a human being. It was impossible to accept that his affection for either woman would ever blossom into anything substantive. Worse, this means Josephine and Penny’s conniving and trickery as it pertains to him has no emotional resonance. The guy is nothing more than a cog that allows the

story to go from A to B to C in a relatively straightforward manner, and any potential twists or surprises involving him fail to register on any level that might even remotely be construed as being meaningful.

Hathaway gets to unleash her flair for accents, and she certainly looks stunning in just about every single haute couture ensemble costume designer Emma Fryer (Free Fire) dresses her in. Wilson has a couple of solid moments of physical zaniness, and the film’s post-credit scene showcasing more of Penny as a deranged princess eating dinner with the prim and proper Josephine is arguably the funniest thing in the entire motion picture. But to watch that you have to endure the rest of the film, and even Hathaway’s most ardent fans aren’t going to find her German accent or glorious gowns to be so amazing that they make sitting through the whole remake start to finish close to worthwhile. As I’ve already stated, The Hustle just isn’t very good, and the only con being pulled is on any audience member who has found themselves coerced into buying a ticket.