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I'm kind of feeling like it's all about snakes today. So here are some slithery picks.
SNAKES ON A PLANE
Yes, the movie's hype is darn near unavoidable, but I'm very excited by this. Sure, the basic premise is pretty hilarious. I'm just hoping the filmmakers have really had fun with this. Samuel L. Jackson is likely to be great, and I'm even more excited about Juliana Marguiles as a plucky flight attendant. There's also a very fun, fey male flight attendant on board (shocker!)… And then there's all those snakes. I'm totally there on opening night. That'll be shrieking in the back of the theater.
Go watch the trailers here. And watch the cheesy/totally great video for the ridiculous theme song by the band Cobra Starship. It's very kitshy/80's in its vibe. I loves it!
LIZARD & SNAKES: ALIVE!
Perhaps, they're cashing in on the Snakes On a Plane media frenzy, but New York's American Museum of Natural History (which is perched grandly on leafy Central Park West) is currently featuring the big, crazy interactive exhibit, Lizards and Snakes: Alive! right now. It got a great write-up in the New York Times recently, and it's running from now through January. And you can go and visit cuddly fellows like these pictured below!
Isn't the Emerald Tree Boa cute? Tell him I said "hey!"
And yes, there are lizards, too. Wassup Rhinoceros Iguana?
THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES
If all this snakey talk is making you feel uneasy, then I've got a soundtrack for you. The slitheringly titled, Seattle-base four-man band, These Arms Are Snakes, have a new disc, Easter coming this fall. That's because the tone of their blisteringly raucous noisy rock (which their press materials call "post-hard/math core") is mix of aggression, melodic punkiness, grungy angst and simply driving rock. If this sounds up your alley, check ‘'em out! And FYI: Keyboardist/bassist Brian Cook just happens to be gay. Rockin'!
These Arms are Snakes are these guys. And that dude in the back with the beard? That's Brian Cook. Yay!
A quick tip for a gushy summer read, that's sure to infuse some glamour into your beach time: Grab a copy of the splashy fun, immensely readable, and totally entertaining Confessions from the Velvet Ropes, which just came out from St. Martin's Press. Penned by Glenn Belverio, the book tells the tales of nightlife drama and daffiness as lived by Thomas Onorato, New York City's pre-eminent clubland doorman.
Glenn Belverio (left) and Thomas Onorato
I know Thomas, he's a friend. So this isn't an unbiased plug at all. But it's totally merited. Reading Confessions you can expect fun tales of fussy club kids, fashion show drama (Thomas also is a major producer of New York fashion shows), and celebs gone crazy. Find out the behind-the-scenes dish about when Madonna suddenly decided to DJ and the wildly popular (and teensy) NYC club night MisShapes. Find out how you can actually charm your way into a club when you're not even remotely on the list (One tip: Go with Stella McCartney. Or at least be wearing Stella McCartney. And a big tip: Be nice!). And there are scads of brilliant tidbits of info: Like an A-Z clubland glossary; tips on how to rule the roost if you've got to work the door at a thrashy, trashy rock and roll party; and all the myths and legends of Studio 54 get either debunked or confirmed (including that time when Cher was turned away! Gasp!).
Thomas, at MisShapes
And hey, next time you're trying to get in the door when Thomas is working a party (he's still at MisShapes weekly in NYC, and he always presides over the legendary Motherf*cker parties), you have a great way to skip the line. Try a "Thomas—I read your book. It was truly wonderful!" And see how that works for you.
Ms. Loken's gonna spice up The L Word. Yum!
Woo-hoo! An L Word casting update: Hot out actress Kristanna Loken (from Bloodrayne and Terminator 3) is gonna be steaming up things in the forthcoming fourth season. AfterEllen says “Loken will appear in 10 episodes, playing a single mom who meets Shane (Katherine Moennig) at a PTA meeting.” Ummm… Shane at a PTA meeting?
Willow (and the Buffy gang) are coming back! Sort of...
Attention Buffy fans! There’s more coming! Bring on the Willow! (Scroll down the link for the news…)
 
 
GAY, GAY, GAY AND GAY: Clockwise from top left, Lance Bass; U.K. Pop Idol alum Will Young; Boyzone's Stephen Gately (in red hat) with his hubby, Andy Cowles; and Westlife's Mark Feehily.
Gay teen idols are accepted! Look at ’em! Love ’em! Maybe they should all just join together and start a totally gay super-boyband???
Justin hearts Lance.
And Justin Timberlake loves his gay pal Lance, too!
Rodrigo Santoro to star on Lost actually.
AfterElton’s “Best Gay Week Ever” column is chock full of stuff. Like the news (which I heard a couple of days ago, but it still makes me happy) that the very appealing Brazilian Rodrigo Santoro (whom Laura Linney lusted after in Love Actually) is joining the cast of Lost next season. Yay! And they’ve also added someone named Elizabeth Mitchell to the cast, too. Yay for her, too!
He's bringing sexy back--with his back--to Miami Vice.
If you’re into Jamie Foxx, you might wanna see Miami Vice. His back gets some steamy screen time. And film critics are very excited about it.
And, Foxx’s foxy costar, Colin Farrell took his sister to the European premiere of the movie. Sweet, right?
MEANWHILE…
So a straight couple puts a rainbow flag up at their B&B in Kansas. And people freak out. But the gay-loving straights ain’t budging. Hurrah!
And Andy’s also got news about efforts to save Laguna Beach’s venerable and beloved gay bar, the Boom Boom Room! See, we gays can’t expend all of our energy into the gay marriage battle…
And Turkey’s only gay magazine gets banned. Boo!
An anti-gay group in Ohio has broadened its scope. Now, they just kinda hate everybody!
Surprise, Surprise: MTV'ers love their gay Lance Bass action!
Not exactly shocking news here, but...
According to MTV News, pop-culture loving America at large is pretty much totally cool with Lance Bass' coming out news. They're all for it! MTV talked to all kinds of folks, young fans, old fans, and the response has been overwhelmingly supportive for Lance.
One youngster told MTV: "I can't imagine how hard it must have been for Lance Bass, an international star, to come out," said Jarrid, 17, of Jonesboro, Georgia. "As a gay teen, I know that each of our own cases seems to be the worst and hardest there is, but the fact that he did it on such a large level, I truly admire him for doing this. Hats off to you, brother!"
And for one fan, Erin, 22, in Indiana, Lance's news had a more personal impact: "Lance Bass' story makes me so very happy," she wrote. "I am the daughter of a homosexual male. It kills me that my father had to hide who he truly was for 15 years. It makes me happy to see that Lance is happy and comfortable enough to tell the world who he is. In today's world, gay is becoming a norm. While many in the world may not agree, if we could all take the approach of Lance's grandmother, who loves him and accepts him no matter what, maybe we can become a more accepting world too."
So, there!
They want to be superheroes: Fighting for truth, justice--and a comic book deal and a Sci Fi channel movie! Oh, yeah... and immortality.
Tonight at 9pm EST on the Sci Fi Channel comes the debut of the new series Who Wants to Be a Superhero?, a reality show competition where real folks battle to live out their dreams of becoming superheroes. For real! Comics guru Stan Lee (the man behind Spiderman, The Hulk, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men) reigns as the judge as wannabe caped crusaders (with names like Monkey Woman, Cell Phone Girl, Major Victory, The Iron Enforcer and Creature) vie to be chosen as the best, most heroic, most worthy champion of goodness. The winner also gets their own comic book, a Sci Fi original movie and the gift of immortality (theoretically, at least).
Levity: Need a lift?
And yes, there’s a gay superhero amid the 11 hopefuls. Levity (who’s alterego is Tobias Trost, a designer and animator) is a dashing blond, black-clad dude who’sesuper powers include the ability to control air molecules, create force fields and to shoot blasts of air that can penetrate concrete, all of which he gained after being caught in an eruption from Mount St. Helen’s (why not?). He fights for “minorities and people who are different” and “is especially devoted to protecting gay people from harassment.” And face it, can’t we all use a bit more Levity as often as possible?
I’m not sure how this will all go over. Is it meant as spoofy fun, or a serious earnest competition (albeit in spandex tights and capes)? Either way, what’s not to love? Check out the show teasers and promos on its Sci Fi site.
And then get your superhero—and accompanying costume—prepped for season two!!!
Kiki, coming to you on Broadway, with open arms.
As they prep for their Broadway run (which begins previews August 11th), Kiki and Herb chatted up Broadway.com in a fun interview. And they performed (with President George W. Bush) at Madame Tussaud's in New York, allowing Kiki to tell W: "Oh, George... I don't know what this country would be like without you... But I like to think about it." (Via Narcissism 101)
The always awesome Toni Collette (with fabulously gay theater director George C. Wolfe) at the Little Miss Sunshine premiere in NYC.
Little Miss Sunshine hit movie theaters last night. Toni Collette is in it. And Steve Carell plays a depressed gay guy. And the reviews are good! Check it out!
Women want to watch them get busy. Ahoy, mateys!
Jane Magazine readers are a festive bunch. So much that if they could arrange such things, they’d like to see two of their favorite men get it on. Yes, Jane’s devotees decided of all the male celebs they wanna see get it on, they’d most like to see Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom get all “yo ho ho” on each other. Insert your own “butt pirates of the Caribbean” joke here, please.
Willi Ninja = Legendary
Paris Is Burning star and NYC voguing legend, Willi Ninja, is ill and in the hospital in New York City. Send him some love! He’s an amazing artist and generous soul. Thanks to Emanuel Xavier for passing this along.
These people all get naked in Short Bus.
And wanna see a preview for John Cameron Mitchell’s saucy Short Bus film? Then, here ya go…
MORE NEWS (WITHOUT PICS)...
A post-Boy George Culture Club has unveiled its new lead singer, Sam. Not sure why, but they have…
And you can book your travel now… The International Mr. Gay Competition will return to Palm Springs this October.
A Washington Post writer whines because her former crush Lance Bass is gay. Oh, brother…
And here’s an old *NSYNC clip (via Defamer and Best Week Ever) that seems somehow relevant now…
Welcome to the world, Fake Baby Shiloh.
Have your photo made with the world's most famous recent baby, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie Pitt! And a buck will go to UNICEF. Yes, New York’s Madame Tussaud’s has unveiled wax figures of proud parents Brad and Angelina, and of their teensy tot Shiloh, in its Times Square location. Kinda weird, but there goes the celeb-obsessed world we live in…
Check these pics of the odd spectacle which debuted yesterday, which includes a recreation of an “African-themed nursery,” the press thongs cramming in to get pics, and Madame Tussaud’s General Manager Janine DiGioacchino thrusting the wax infant up for a better photo op.
And yes, if you pay your $30 to visit Madame Tussaud’s you can then pay $1 (which does indeed to to UNICEF) to have your photo taken with little newborn effigy.
The happy, waxy family.
The attendant press hullabaloo.
And Madame Tussaud's general manager thrusts the waxy tot up for closer inspection.
Life is weird.
Lance might have been giving us clues all along...
So… Hooray! Lance Bass, former *NSYNC-er, wannabe astronaut, and seemingly really nice guy came out of the closet today in an exclusive with People Magazine. And yes, as it's been blogged about and reported for a while now, he’s in a relationship with former Amazing Race/QTV hottie Reichen Lehmkuhl.
In the People story, Lance talks about his struggles with sexuality during *NSYNC’s heyday, and his worries if he came out, he’d bring the band down. "I knew that I was in this popular band and I had four other guys' careers in my hand, and I knew that if I ever acted on it or even said (that I was gay), it would overpower everything," Lance tells People.
Turns out that Joey Fatone was the first bandmate to know. He and Lance are still tight, and are apparently working on a gay sitcom idea together. Wonder how Justin Timberlake took the news? You can probably expect him to be chased down for comment today by Entertainment Tonight and Inside Edition types. And I love that Christina Applegate (love her!) chimes in saying nice things about her gay pal Lance: "I back him up 100 percent." Oh, how Christina loves her gays.
We’re pleased as punch that Mr. Bass decided to come out… Yay for him! And we’re gonna be totally entertained by the media coverage that ensues. Let’s hope it’s tasteful… At least kinda.
But does this mean Lance’s once-hyped plans for space travel are over? Reichen used to be in the Air Force. Maybe they can aspire to be the first gays in space together.
We’ll also look forward to see what Lance puts up on his website addressing all of this. Not surprisingly, it’s down right now.
Here's a little photo album of Lancey to celebrate his big coming out party.
Hi, y'all! I am a gum-chewing Gay American!!!
Lance and the guys, back in the day.
Turns out Joey Fatone was the first to know. Awwww... That's kinda sweet, right?
And surely JT is gonna be happy for his former band buddy...
Will Lance's new openly gay status change the way his female fans feel about him? Surely they're all old enough to know better by now... They'll think it's sweet.
And now Lance won't have to take female dates to big premieres and stuff. (Here he is with actress Jennifer Gimenez a while back.)
And professional beard Dakota Fanning can get a night off now, too.
And remember when Lance was gonna be an astronaut? (That's him in the center!)
Lance was really serious about it. Crazy, huh!!!??
But really, we all should have clearly seen the signs a while back... Here's Lance performing at a charity event with his friend Wendy in 2003. Mercy!
And here's Lance showing off his penchant for "jean jewels" at a product launch event. Sparkly!
And here's a close-up of Lance's jewels. Ahem.
And how many straight guys do you know who look at Ashton like that? (Sigh... Ashton...)
Now Lance is focusing his attention on this one. Not bad for your first big, public boyfriend, eh? (Psst. More of Reichen here.)
And yes, the blogs are reporting more on Lance's coming out already (like they did about he and Reichen sharing clothes not so long ago). Check it out. And here's wishing he and Reichen all the best and stuff.
Welcome to gayness, Lance!
UPDATE! This is perhaps shameless, but if you're so inclined you can see me on CNN's Showbiz Tonight at 11pm tonight, chatting with the show's hosts A.J. Hammer and Brooke Anderson about Lance Bass' coming out. I'll be on for about a half-second at the top of the show; Lance's story is the lead story. Also chatting up the "what does this all mean for gays" angle is Here TV's Paul Colichman. Hopefully, I won't sound like a complete goofball. Yikes!!!
This guy's gonna stir up some trouble on Desperate Houswives this coming season. Yay!
NEW HOUSE-BOY ALERT!
Desperate Housewives is getting some new young male talent. Josh Henderson (from the flick Yours, Mine & Ours, FX’s Over There and the WB's PopStars 2 reality band show) is gonna join the cast as Edie’s misbehaving nephew.
MORE STYLISTS, HAIRDRESSERS & PARTY PLANNERS NEEDED
This sounds kind of gay… Bravo is looking for “people who are the best in these professions: hairdressers, on-air TV/Radio personalities, party planners, chefs, concierge, yoga/aerobics instructors, pre-school/Kindergarten teachers and stylists. These professionals will team up with their novice significant others and compete against another expert and their partner for a huge prize.” Good luck!
THAT MYSPACE BLACKOUT?
So your MySpace issues this weekend... Blame that power outage in L.A.
GO GREEN!
Has summertime been a bit too hot for ya? Air Greenland is launching its first U.S. route! And it goes to and from Baltimore! Starting in May 2007. Why not? "Baltimore with its hinterland including New York, Washington and Philadelphia is very attractive to us," said Per Karlsmose, a sales manager for Air Greeland. "We also know that Americans seek peaceful places with no terror threat and Greenland is the spot for that." And evidently, they have golf!
 
Ah, summertime in Greenland...
CELEBS AGAINST AIDS, EH!
Alicia Keys wants you to get tested. So does Richard Gere. They’re among the celebs participating in the International AIDS Conference headed to Toronto this August.
No wedding bells for George & Kenny?
GROOM DOOM
And George Michael’s intended, Kenny Goss, tells the pop star (who, as you might have heard, was caught in a tryst with another man in London’s Hampstead Heath this past weekend) that the wedding’s off.
TALK ABOUT A WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT
Today Gay Marriage advocates (backed by GLAAD, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Freedom to Marry) have placed a big full-page ad (see below) in 50 major U.S. newspapers (like the NY Times, the Fresno Bee, and so on) saying how “Marriage matters.” It features five committed same-sex couples, and its pro-gay marriage sentiments are endorsed by the likes of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, some church big-wigs, the head of the ACLU, Melissa Etheridge, Tim Gill, James Hormel, TV magnate Norman Lear and other notables. So there!
Could Superman have been gayer? Director Kevin Smith thinks so...
Kevin Smith wanted a gayer Superman. Seems he expected more homo-ness from queer director Bryan Singer. Who’s to argue?
 
Is Robbie stirring Guy & Madge's pot?
Is Robbie Williams trying to start a row between Guy Ritchie and Madonna? He’s all up in their business, sort of.
Another Gay Movie, another prison....
In cinemas, gay Survivor champ Richard Hatch is showing his all in a full-frontal nude scene in Another Gay Movie. In real life, he’s shuttling from one prison to another, from Massachusetts to Oklahoma. Yikes!
Wanna hear Jake and the gang's latest?
The Scissor Sisters' new tune is up online. Whatcha think? Feel like dancing?
Christina cleans up?
Xtina ain’t so drrty anymore. Not sure how I feel about that…
And lastly...
Scottish Firefighters recruit in gay bars. Which is cool. Actually who cares why they’re there… Firefighters are just kinda hot.
Been seeking a gay point of view about all of the Hezbollah news stories? Then here you go.
Happy! This medalist's smile sums up the Gay Games big finish.
The Gay Games VII wrapped up in Chicago yesterday. Medalists, participants and supportive fans gave the Games one last hurrah in Wrigley Field at the splashy Closing Ceremonies. OutSports, 365Gay and CBS News on Logo all have reports from the finale. Props to all the inspiring athletes (from figure skaters to ballroom dancers, from wrestlers to rowers) who had the courage and enthusiasm to participate.
Now, sports fans… Catch your breath because the Montreal OutGames get underway later this week, with k.d. lang, Liza Minnelli, Deborah Cox, Martha Wash and Cirque du Soleil among those entertainers ready to welcome you during the OutGames Opening Ceremonies this Saturday, July 29th.
But first, here are some parting shots from the Gay Games Closing party. And yes, Cyndi Lauper just may be gaydom’s biggest supporter ever! A rainbow-hued Statue of Liberty? Why not???
The L Word's Pam Grier hit the stage for the Gay Games Closing shindig.
Outside, anti-gay protestors were met by these warm and fuzzy anti-anti-gay signwavers.
Some kind of onstage Brokeback tribute? Okay... Sure...
And as always, Cyndi Lauper shows her gay-loving "True Colors." Let freedom ring, y'all!
Let the drama commence! Back for more on the Arc in season two are Noah (Darryl Stephens) and Wade (Jensen Atwood)... And introducing Dre (Merwin Mondesir)!
As promised yesterday, we're bringing you more hot photos of the Noah's Arc cast as featured in the upcoming second season. And the show's creator, Patrik-Ian Polk offered some hints (though highly guarded hints) of what’s coming for Noah and his crew. Polk assures his viewers that they can expect "much more drama, and much more comedy" this time around. Here’s what else Mr. Polk had to offer:
On Noah and Wade: "Yes, the question of what's going to happen to Noah and Wade will be answered. You can say that things get shaken up as season two opens."
On Noah's career: "As Noah becomes more and more of a fixture in Hollywood as his career becomes more successful he definitely will cross paths with a lot more Hollywood types. Rachel True joins the cast, playing a young Beyonce type singer/actress that Noah crosses paths with in a very interesting way. She's going to be a really character."
And on newcomer Keith Hamilton Cobb: "Yeah I think Keith's character has a definite interest in Noah. I also have a feeling Keith will challenge Wade and some of the others for the heart-throb status on the show."
And that's saying something considering the caliber of hot guys already on the show…
As these new exclusives pics illustrate so well...
Okay. So remember all the stuff between Noah & Wade last season...?
Things get very interesting this time around...
Dre (Merwin Mondesir) is a bartender at The Study. But what's that got to do with Wade?
Dre is like, really, cute.
More Dre...
And nobody minds looking at Wade (Jensen Atwood), right?
More to come soon...
Happy Weekend!
Psssst--hey kid! Wanna buy a used iPod?
Quick! Here's a speedy roundup of a few techie/gadget-related finds you might kinda dig…
NEW IPOD DEALS! CALL THEM "PRE-OWNED"...
Let’s face it: You work hard, and you enjoy life, but you may not have the extra cash to spring for a new fancy iPod. Lucky for you, Apple is offering great deals on "refurbished" I-Pods. They may not be new, but they work just as well, and, what’s more, they come with free accessories! Consider it iPod rescue, if you prefer.
BLOWHARDS MAKE BETTER DRIVERS
This one’s for all the aspiring musicians out there. At some point, all woodwind players have trouble hitting the right notes, but be out of pitch no more! The Breath Car can help you practice your puffy prowess. The little remote car, powered by your breathing, turns left and right depending on the strength of your blow. Different notes have specific turns, so if you want to perfect your pitch, check it out.
LOOKS GOOD, SOUNDS GOOD TOO
Chances just might be that you have an iPod. And at this point, you may have iPod speakers. And you may also wish that your I-Pod speakers could reflect you better: As in, elegant and sleek. Intempo has just released a beautiful new surround sound speaker system that will look good in your home as well as play your music crisply. Don’t have an iPod? Don’t worry, it’s MP3 player-compatible, too!
SIRIUS TAKES A STAB
Maybe you love listening to Howard Stern babble for hours on end, but now, instead of being confined to a desk or car, you can do it on the go! The Stiletto (cue the jokes) looks to be a handheld version of Sirius radio, so next time you have to run but still want to listen to one of Stern’s endearing rants, have no fear, for the Stiletto may be on its way!
IS THAT A CAMCORDER ON YOUR HELMET OR ARE YOU JUST HAPPY TO SEE ME?
With the Gay Games here, what better time is there to reach out to the more extreme athletes amongst us? Introducing the Samsung Sports Camcorder, a video camera with a wireless component that allows you to pocket the sleek camcorder and attach the lens to something else, say, a sky-diving helmet. Game on!
The boys are back: Wade (Jensen Atwood), Ricky (Christian Vincent), Noah (Darryl Stephens), Alex (Rodney Chester) and Chance (Doug Spearman) gear up for season 2 of Noah's Arc.
OMG! The premiere of the second season of Noah’s Arc is less than three weeks away! As of yesterday, a new page on LogoOnline went up previewing the new season, so check it out. It’s got some killer photos shot exclusively for Season 2, as well as some hot behind-the scenes videos of the cast of the Arc showing you around.
Watch the clips and check out Gregory Keith (Trey) showing you around the on-set home he shares with Alex (Rodney Chester), and better yet, you can check out an eye-candy filled clip of Gregory Keith and Christian Vincent (Ricky) working out in the gym. You might get a little sweaty just watching…
I’ll be posting a new interview with Noah’s Arc creator Patrik-Ian Polk in the next week, in which he’ll be dishing about what you can expect Noah and the crew to be up to in Season 2, as well as other projects that Polk is working on, too. “People will definitely not want to miss the first episode of the new season,” Polk told me. “In fact, they won’t want to miss the first two minutes of the first episode. There are some definite shockers that are going to be revealed that will set the tone for the rest of the season.”
So there ya go… In the meantime, today and tomorrow I’ll be serving up some hot (as in shirtless) exclusive photos of the Noah’s Arc season two regulars just to whet your appetite. Tomorrow (as in Friday) you can expect to see some sizzlin’ pics of Noah (Darryl Stephens), Wade (Jensen Atwood), and hottie bartender Dre (Merwin Mondesir). But that’s tomorrow…
Here's a bonus: Gorgeous Keith Hamilton Cobb plays a magnetic (and hot!) political activist who stirs the pot in season 2. Yay!
Today, feast your eyes on the pics below, to get jonesing for more this season of Alex and Trey, the possibly troublemaking Guy (Benjamin Patterson), hubbies Chance and Eddie, the always up-for-it Ricky, and a glimpse at newbie Jason Steed, who’ll be playing a loud-mouth British rapper who's sure to stirs up some trouble.
Enjoy!
Alex (Rodney Chester) and Trey (Gregory Keith) reunite as season two kicks off. But how's that gonna go?
Trey (Gregory Keith) is coming back from Africa... But will he be alone?
And where is Trey's bud Guy (Benjamin Patterson) gonna end up sleeping?
Eddie (Jonathan Julian) and Chance (Doug Spearman) continue to forge their way through parenthood, but can they still make time for each other?
Ricky (Christian Vincent) is still sleeping around...
...but he might get challenged to get serious.
Can he handle it?
British rapper Baby Gat (Jason Steed) is coming to town, too.
Yep, things are getting interesting...
More skin from the Noah's Arc men tomorrow...
Stay tuned.
A participant in the physique competition flexes backstage at the Gay Games VII in Chicago.
In today’s reports from the Gay Games, the OutSports crew reports on an ice hockey standout, a woman’s triumphing, medal-winning mountain biking story (it’s steamy!), the massive media attention focused on the Games, good experiences with cute medics, and lots of great pics! Tonight OutSports is having its Gay Games party at Crew Bar & Grill. Stop by and tell them hey!
And this late report... WBNA superstar Sheryl Swoopes and out pro golfer Rosie Jones stopped by and took the stage last Friday night’s Women’s Kickoff Party at the Hilton Chicago. The event was sponsored by Olivia Cruises and the HRC, and both pro athletes spoke of how important coming out has been in their professional and personal lives. And Swoopes told the crowd she wishes she could participate in the Games herself: ““Having come out in October, and now truly being able to live my life and be me, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate it than to go to the Gay Games. Unfortunately I can’t do that. But when I’m done playing [in the WNBA], I would absolutely love to be a part of the Gay Games.”
 
Swoopes and Jones stopped by and hung with at the Women's Kickoff Party. Go team!
And the crew at CBS News on Logo is bringing you hot (literally!) video reports from the Games. Check out Jason chatting up cute beach volleyballers, and Itay Hod dishing from the gay wrestling events, which included one match between two boyfriends! Tricky!
And speaking of wrestling, congrats to gay blogger and media pundit Keith Boykin for snagging a gold medal for his grappling talents! Go Keith! Read all about his route to snag the medal on his blog. And check out his cool gallery of rasslin' pics.
Congrats, Keith!
For tons of Gay Games pics, you can check out Yahoo’s gallery. Although blogger Andy at Towleroad’s not totally sure that some of these shots are being taken with the best intentions. Hmmm…
Meanwhile, Getty Images' photographer Nick Laham got a very cool batch of shots from yesterday’s physique competition as well. Check them out below! Start flexin’!!!
A participant gets pumped before the physique competition.
Guillermo Pavon of Ecuador (in the center) and other competitors prep for the competition at Welsh Ryan Arena in Evanston.
These woman are pumped and ready to hit the stage!
Yes, part of getting ready involves a bit of gloss--and tan!
Color me ripped!
Everyone needs a lift now and then. (har, har...)
Smiles everyone, smiles!!!
Dig the dramatic lighting. Or lack thereof.
Hell, yeah!!!
A pair of participants present themselves to the judges. Awwww...
LONDON'S BURNING
Just so you don’t feel quite so bad because you’ve been roasting in much of the U.S. (As I write this at 5pm on Tuesday, the temp is 93, which The Weather Channel says feels like 99 thanks to the humidity. Gack!) Britain has been scorching at record temps as well. These women are cooling their heels in the Princess Diana Memorial in London. We’re sure Di wouldn’t mind. And if you’re visiting in London, your timing could be impeccable. People will be wearing less clothing!
SLEEPIN' WITH NICKY
Nicky Hilton gets into the family biz. Yes, Paris’ kid sis (who’s generally considered the more responsible, low-key Hilton offspring) is going to open a pair of hotels bearing her name in Chicago and South Beach. Wanna check yourself into the Nicky O? Be her guest.
WALLPAPER'S WORLD
Ever since 1996, Wallpaper* Magazine has been publishing its decadent and stylin’ jet-set take on life around the world. So it’s about time that the mag put out a print version of its always slick and savvy “City Guides.” They’re coming out this fall.
LE COOL LIKE THAT
Maybe even cooler than the Wallpaper* City Guides (you can be the judge, of course), are the Le Cool Guides. They began as a weekly email rundown of what’s what (meaning what’s worthy and hip) in Barcelona, and they expanded to include other brilliant cities such as Madrid, Lisbon and Amsterdam (with London being added soon). You can buy the actual book guide to Barcelona (it’s gorgeous; amazing graphic design and thrillingly sharp info), and subscribe the other weekly city guides online. Hot, hot, hot. Each city is covered by its own editorial team. Thanks, Gridskipper for clueing us in. And gracias Le Cool for being so… Cool.
POSTCARDS FROM VENICE
It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Venice, which is too long because the watery old city is amazing. Then today, stumbling through blogs and travel info and photos I came across gay blogger Jonno’s pics from his visit to last fall’s Biennale in Venice. No big story here, just gorgeous pics. Cute dudes, too. Check ’em out!
HOW MANY LICKS?
Viagra ice cream? Yes. From Hungary. I’m sure there’s a bad “cookies and cream” pun in there some where. Dip in!
SISTERS ARE DOIN' IT
You think sleazy men are the only ones who indulge in “sex tourism?” Uh… nope. Some women are happy to travel and put the "lay" in layover. Mercy.
BLOG AROUND THE WORLD
And it’s been around a while, but check out the travel blog, Jaunted. It’s cool. And kinda gay… And its sibling, Hotel Chatter, dishes up all you need to know about where Xtina stays in Paris, where to swill absinthe in New Orleans and where to avoid bedbugs in Memphis. Handy stuff!
JUNK IN YOUR TRUNKS
And here’s a foxy look at what you might be wearing on the beach next summer, thanks to the Sunglass Hut sponsored swimwear shows in Miami this week. Yay! Here’s a few looks from the Parke & Ronen and Red Carter shows. Looking good, y’all!
Parke & Ronen always delivers beachy, foxy style.
Ladies will be checking out the styles of Red Carter next summer. Love the parasol, y'all.
Nice suit. But that headgear is gonna give you some freaky tanlines. By Red Carter.
This Red Carter look is cute, cute, cute. See ya!
STRIKING!
And finally... Thunderstorms recently charged through Vegas. Which looked way cool.
FLASHY!!!!!
For more fun travel info, you can head to Logo's new travel site, Trip.Out. Bon voyage!
Keepin' cool at the Gay Games. Photo for Gay Games VII by Edith Sieg.
Despite the sweltering temps, the Gay Games keep charging along in Chicago. Cyd and the Outsports guys bring you pics and dish from the fields. And the CBS News on Logo folks (Jason Bellini, Chagmion Antoine and Itay Hod) are running all over Chicago chatting up atheletes and gamers galore.
Among the varied offerings on tap today, you can check out the Physique preliminaries (Strike a pose! Shows us your muscles!), a concert by the Gay Games VII Band, a “Big Gay Cruise” and a Pride Pool Party. So yes, the goings-on in Chicago haven’t been all about sports. Some guys from the West Hollywood water polo crew evidently entertained club-goers by dancing onstage Sunday night at the watering hole Spin, wearing little more than hand towels! Sporty, indeed.
And a quote from one amusingly frank tennis competitor (via Outsports): ““Being used to the heat isn’t much of an advantage. me. I need Tonya Harding to come and bash my opponents’ knees if I’m ever going to have a chance to win.”
And here are some more pics to put you in the spirit of things…
The men get their volleyball on at North Avenue Beach. Spike it! Photo by Betty Lark Ross for Gay Games VII.
Beach volleyball gets huggy. Photo by Betty Lark Ross for Gay Games VII.
Diving's a pretty good way to keep cool. Photo by Edith Sieg for Gay Games VII.
Gay divers, the "stars and stripes"... Now, that's America! Photo by Edith Sieg for Gay Games VII.
Even cooler than diving (temperature wise, anyway) would be hockey! Though gay hockey's kinda hot. Photo by Jon Peterson for Gay Games VII.
And a glimpse from the DanceSport activities in Chicago. Nice ballroom, eh? Photo by Beth Rooney for Gay Games VII.
Awww... Kinda sweet, right? Photo by Beth Rooney for Gay Games VII.
These women are serious dancers. And sassy! Photo by Beth Rooney for Gay Games VII.
Getting loose and ready backstage. Photo by Beth Rooney for Gay Games VII.
Awwww... Photo by Beth Rooney for Gay Games VII.
Soldier Field gets rainbow-hued as the Gay Games opened with glitz, this past Saturday night. Photo by Judy Rolfe for Gay Games VII.
Things are sporty—and insanely hot—in Chicago as the Gay Games VII charge ahead full-throttle. Yes, temperatures may have topped 100 degrees as Sunday’s events officially got underway, but the Gay Games officials are already taking special precautionary measures, putting hydration and medical support teams on alert. Sounds like a good time to be competing in water sports!
A participant in Saturday's Rainbow Run at the Gay Games feels the heat.
Saturday’s opening ceremonies brought talented types such as Andy Bell, Margaret Cho, Megan Mullally introducing Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Jody Watley, Kate Clinton, Frankie Knuckles, and lots more, including former NFL-star Esera Tuaolo singing the Gay Games Anthem.
All week you can expect news from the games on 365Gay.com, and Outsports’ Cyd Zeigler and his team will be delivering photos, opinionated first-person coverage, and commentary galore. Andy at Towleroad also already has some fun reports, as well as links to lots of Flickr photos pages from the Games. Plus, the CBS News on Logo team will be filing reports from Chicago daily, full of saucy video footage.
And yes, there was a streaker at the Opening Ceremonies, prompting Margaret Cho to comment: “I was so glad I got to see the streaker up close. Sitting by the field, balls whizzing by my head, oh yes, this is the Gay Games.”
Play ball, folks! And stay cool. And check out the pics from Chicago below...
Opening Ceremonies: Soldier Field gets full of gays!
Megan Mullally and Chicago's Mayor Richard M. Daley head up to the stage to welcome all the Gay Gamers.
The cheerleading crews hit the field to rally the gay troops.
Maggie Cho loves the gays!
So does Jody Watley!
Andy Bell does, too. And he loves Madonna.
Olympic medalist Greg Louganis took the stage to give out the Tom Waddell award for outstanding service in athletics. Nice 'stache!
The athletes grouped up to hit the field during the Opening Ceremonies. Here's Taiwan...
And some of the Australian contingent.
And the happy Irish crew...
And Papua New Guinea gets some representation, too!
A solemn moment during the festivities...
And more fireworks! Yay!
And on Sunday, sports got underway...
There were swimming events...
More swimming as part of the triathlon...
Rubdowns and triage to keep the triathletes healthy and moving...
And then more running. Go, go, go!!!
Dancers turn out the Can-Can at the annual Bastille Day bash at Les Halles restaurant in New York City.
Bonjour Mes Amis…
Today is Bastille Day in France, that lovely day when the French gays and lesbians and bisexuals and transgender folks (and the rest of the country, too) celebrate their nation’s independence. Or something like that. (Or to quote Wikipedia: “Bastille Day commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the Fête de la Fédération was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern French "nation", and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution.”
Sacre bleu! Here in the U.S., it’s usually an excuse for French-themed parties and such.
Is there a hunchback in the house?
A vineyard in Burgundy. Yum!
I happen to be a huge fan of France. I love Paris, the wine country and just about every place I’ve been in France. And so now, I’ll just rattle off a few other things that are great about the land of vin, fromage and Catherine Deneuve. Celebrate wherever you are, if you’d like. Or (shameless plug alert) plan a trip to Paris and check out the info on French capital on LogoOnline’s new Trip.Out travel site.
French Gay Magazines
I love the French gay magazines Tetu and Pref because they feature frank, intelligent articles about serious issues affecting gays everywhere, cool cultural coverage, and yes because they also include sexy, artful photography. And, oui, they target gay men mainly (as you can tell from the skin on their covers), but their content is worthwhile reading (albeit in French) for any smart LGBT person.
  
Vote for one of these lads (or others) to be on the cover of Tetu. Photos by Steeve Beckouet for Tetu.
Right now, Tetu has a fun stunt going online where you can vote on who gets to be one of the magazine’s cover models. These guys above are among those in the running. Go here to vote for your favorite!
And if you just happen to be in New York City tonight, you can go to a Bastille Day party at Crobar celebrating designers Nico & Adrian and Pref Magazine and NYC’s own photographer Joe Oppedisano. It’s gonna be more stylish than a shopping spree at Colette (with more drinks)!
 
 
AMELIE
Not that cutesy movie with Audrey Tautou from a few years back. I’m talking about the French lesbian tennis player who triumphed at Wimbledon last week! Sure, the Frenchies blew their chances to win the World Cup, but Mademoiselle Mauresmo is a fabulously out athlete who’s at the top of her game, so the French sports world has nothing to sob about. Plus, she’s hot!
NOUVELLE VAGUE
I love this Paris-based confab, who’ve recently been crafting delicious covers of classic New Wave or punk tunes (like The Clash’s “Guns of Brixton” or “Love Will Tear Us Apart” for the past year or so. Their arrangements veer from Brazilian bossa nova, or plonky French cabaret to strummy, almost folky, eclectic carnival tunes. Their latest release, Bande A Part, comes out in August. It features fab takes on songs like “Heart of Glass,” “The Killing Moon” and “Dancing With Myself”—and they’re all delightfully off-kilter and yet spot-on. Sip a cool rose on a terrace as you spin around in circles in your espadrilles. C’est si bon!
Jason Schwartzman, Kirsten Dunst, director Sofia Coppola, her companion, Phoenix singer Thomas Mars, and British actor Steve Coogan hit the red carpet in Cannes for the Marie-Antoinette premiere.
MARIE-ANTOINETTE
Sofia Coppola’s latest film, starring Kirsten Dunst as the legendarily capricious French monarch, opened at Cannes in May. It didn’t win rave reviews, but I’m dying to see. I can’t quite get my head around Jason Schwartzman as Louis XVI, but the soundtrack features the likes of Adam Ant, The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Bow Wow Wow (Yes, Marie-Antoinette wants candy!) The music was all overseen by My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields, who worked so successfully on Coppola’s Lost in Translation soundtrack, so I kinda wanna see it just to experience that. And it’s bound to look gorgeous, at least. Scenes were actually filmed at Versailles!
The film comes out in the U.S. in October.
And of course there are a zillion other reason to celebrate France. Les Nubians. Gay filmmaker Francois Ozon. Camembert. Jean-Paul Gaultier. Some of the world’s best wine. And for just being fussy, freaky, fancy, foppish and fabulous.
The openly gay mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, sez: Come visit France, gays!
Sunset over the Seine. C'est magnifique.
Happy Bastille Day!
Usher heads in to Broadway's Ambassador Theatre last night to catch a performance of Chicago.
Looks like another pop/soul star is gonna get “Caught Up” on Broadway. Usher is going to join the cast of the long-running Broadway musical Chicago, taking over the role of Billy Flynn (which Richard Gere assumed in the Oscar-winning film), starting on August 22nd. The 27-year-old will make his Broadway debut stepping into a role that’s been played by George Hamilton, Huey Lewis, Taye Diggs, Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson, Billy Zane and Louis Gossett, Jr. And of course, the female leads in the show (Roxie and Velma) have been peppered with assorted names through the years, with the likes of Bebe Neuwirth, Melanie Griffith, Brooke Shields, Sandy Duncan, Ute Lemper and currently Rita Wilson (Mrs. Tom Hanks) slipping into the slinky black costumes favored by this mega-smash revival.
In a statement released today, Usher says: "This is a very exciting time in my career. I have always admired Broadway actors for their showmanship, dedication and focus that goes into performing live onstage every night. Being on Broadway allows you to connect to audiences in a whole new way that's different from music and movies. When they asked me to play Billy Flynn in Chicago, I jumped at the chance to be a part of such an amazing production."
All he really wants is love...
And hey, if Broadway’s good enough for Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Denzel Washington, Madonna (remember Speed the Plow?) and Toni Braxton, it’s good enough for Usher, right?
Lesbians heading to the Gay Games are going to have a busy week ahead. Sure, there are all the mad sporting events to consume, artsy endeavors and pervasive camaraderie. And yes, there are parties! For example, Curve Magazine is hosting scads of shindigs targeting the female games-goers.
There’s a Welcome Reception honoring Lambda Legal hosted by Curve and ChixMix this evening (Friday, July 14th), and next Friday (July 21st) there’s a bash called Score!, which is a ChixMix circuit party to be held, aptly enough, at Circuit nightclub. But the most fun sounds like the saucily titled Black Bra Internationale (which you know is swanky, since it’s got the “e” on the end of “Internationale”). This throwdown is promised to be “Chicago's wildest and sexiest annual dance party with thousand of sexy women sporting black bras, dancing to wild beats and live DJs, and featuring exotic dancers.” Oh my… Sounds crazier than that L Word episode when they all went to Dinah Shore in Palm Springs! For comic relief, the zinger-slinging Suzanne Westenhoefer is gonna perform, too. The Black Bra bash is on Sunday, July 16th at Transit Nightclub.
And yes, there’s also big, week-ending blowout bash to celebrate the closing of the Games on Saturday, July 22nd. Curve Mag’s Official Gay Glames Closing Party, Adrenaline, will open a can of party madness at Metro/Smart Bar. On hand will be The L Word’s newest star, Janina Gavankar, as well as Iyari Limon (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer), God-Des & She (also seen on The L Word, and atop Logo’s Click List music video charts), and singer/songwriter Doria Roberts (who’s been featured on this blog!).
Of course, these female-filled smackdowns are just the tip of the lesbian iceberg. Full more party options in the Windy City, head to the Gay Games pages. And for more about these events, head to Curvemag.com.
Photo by Leslie Hahn.
Enjoy yourselves, ladies.
Attention sports fans! Gay Games VII is only two days away! Yes, the athletic antics begin in Chicago this Saturday, when about 16,000 participants kick off the Games with a star-studded opening ceremony and a week’s worth of jock-tastic and artsy activities.
On the blog, we’ve given you a few personal stories of athletes headed to Chi-town to participate. A championship ballroom dancing pair, an African-American women’s softball team, and an online sports guru’s own plans to compete. This Thursday, we chat up a West Hollwyood based runner/swimmer, who’s got his own personal story about why he’s heading to the Games.
Andrew Gonzalez sports his slew of Sydney medals. Score!
Of course, every participant at the Gay Games has their own tale to tell. It usually involves hours, weeks or years of determination and practice, valiant perserverance, and of the uplifting reward that comes with performing at your utmost. L.A.’s Andrew Gonzalez (pictured above) has such a story. He’s scored medals running in the previous two Gay Games (in 1998 in Amsterdam and in 2002 in Sydney), and his got his own moving family tale about this year’s events.
And he’s got some fun dish about cute swimmers, being out in sports, Olympic idols and his own aspirations (think medals!).
Name: Andrew Gonzalez (I used to be called “Speedy Gonzalez,” but that was in my teens and 20s! Now, I’m just “Speed Limit Gonzalez.”)
Age: 40 (gulp!)
From: West Hollywood, CA
Occupation: Business Affairs, HBO
What sport will you be competing in during the Gay Games?
I will be competing in two sports: Swimming (the 50-meter breaststroke and 4 x 50 medley relay), and Track & Field (the 4 x 400 meter relay, 800 meters and 1500 meters).
Gonzalez (far left) and his 4 x 400 meter relay pals.
How did you get started running? How long have you been involved in track & field?
I started running after my school gymnastics program got cancelled when I was 12. I ran cross country and track for 12 years straight, then quit. I re-emerged on to the track for the 1998 and 2004 Gay Games.
Are you’re going to be competing in Swimming, too.
Yeah, I’ve got to support my swim mates! Plus, it will be great to have this under my sports belt!
What's been your proudest sporting acheivement ever?
I think making the USA Junior National Track & Field Team, although winning three medals in Australia four years ago is up there as well!
Why do you enjoy running?
It’s something I became good at after a lot of work. It makes me feel like I can accomplish things. I get this inner peace when I’m on a run. My mind clears, I solve problems, burn calories… It’s all good!
Your father was planning to come see you run in a race for the first time. Which might also be his last, since his eyesight’s fading. What's the latest on that?
Well, it’s very sad. He’s fallen ill and can’t make the trip after all. I celebrated my 40th birthday this past January and in lieu of gifts, I accepted donations to raise money to send my parents to Chicago (I received $3,000 from friends and co-workers… An amazing accomplishment/birthday gift!!) to watch me in the Games. My father has never been able to see me run in a race, ever! This was going to be the first and probably last time for it to happen. He suffered a severe stroke in 1999 and has since lost his most of his vision and hearing. But, he got a very bad sinus infection that has affected his throat and ability to eat. So we decided it would be too difficult for him to travel at this time; he was in tears this past Father’s Day over it. He has no voice as well, so when we were trying to discuss Chicago, he could only use gestures and tears! Getting on a plane would be the worst thing for him, and, selfish on my part. I am now going to get someone to video my races so that I can bring that back to him. My mom is still able to go, so I’ll have her at my side. These games are not really about me, but what I’m trying to do for my parents who have given me so much when I was growing up. They always found the money to send me to track meets, so it was my turn to do that for them!
Gonzalez is also a gymnast. He'll tumble for ya!
What are you most looking forward to about going to Chicago for the Gay Games?
I’m looking forward to having my family and friends going. Four years ago, it was three of my friends’ first Gay Games. It was an incredible experience in Sydney. This year, my boyfriend (Mike) and a softball team he’s organized, will be going to their first games. I can’t wait to see them experience it all!
What other sports/events are you into watching? And which sport is the sexiest? And who's the hottest athlete?
I’m planning on watching some of the softball games (Mike will kill me if I don’t!), a friend’s volleyball team, swimming of course, and some others. I think if gymnastics were a sport in the games, that would be my clincher, but since it’s not, I’d have to go with swimming/diving as the sexiest sport to watch. I like the uniforms! And, for the hottest athlete? Any number of guys or gals on the West Hollywood Aquatics (WH2O) team qualify for that! Honestly… Come watch some of them swim!!!
What do you think is the biggest value of an event like the Gay Games?
It gives us athletes (that happen to be gay) a venue to all compete openly. It’s a big thing when you are in college and at your prime competing in your sport and have to be secretive about yourself. That was the case for me… I knew no one on my track team who was gay and going through my last years of competing and coming to terms with my sexuality was incredibly difficult.
Who's your sports idol?
Anyone pushing them self to do the best that they can…Tthat’s an idol in my eyes! It can be anyone from Amanda Beard whose longevity in her sport is amazing, to a person dressed in heavy sweats running on the track on a Saturday morning, running as hard as they can. That motivates me to push myself.
 
Amanda Beard--in the pool scoring medals, and just looking glam.
Finally… Say you win a gold medal at the Gay Games. What are you going to do next?
Athletic wise, I’ll get back into some serious training with WH2O and shoot for the 2007 IGLA Championships, being held in Paris, France! But really… If I win a Gold Medal, it’s going around my dad’s neck!
Gonzalez, ready to run into the sunset.
For more Gay Games info, check their website. Or just high-tail it to Chicago already!
SEX AND THE CELLPHONE
Remember these women? They’re coming to your cell phone. That is, HBO is going to make full-on 30-minute episodes of Sex and the City (and Curb Your Enthusiasm) to be available on Cingular Wirless cellphones soon. And they're already making special a Entourage-related mini-series that you can get on your phone. Madness!
Meanwhile, some of the men from Sex and the City (like Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Willie Garson, Evan Handler, and Blair Underwood) are going to be interviewed for interstitials that will run on TBS during airings of the show starting Tuesday, July 18th. The guys will be gabbing about the show, the women, their roles, and anything else they feel like sassing off about. Go boys!
BLOODY BALL
And back on at HBO, Alan Ball (Six Feet Under!) is in the works to create a vampire drama for the cable powerhouse. Yes, vampires! It’s to be called True Blood and it's based on the Southern Vampire series of books by Charlaine Harris. Also coming to HBO, a series about surfer dudes in Hawaii (could be hot?) to be called John from Cincinnati. Both are expected in fall of 2007.
DEJA VIEW
I watched Beyonce’s new video for her latest single, “Déjà Vu” debut on MTV last night (after watching the Project Runway premiere; more on that in a minute). I’ve not been wowed by the song much yet, but the video was another story. Beyonce’s dancing totally makes it. That, and her crazy method-acting drama (which arrives at the very beginning when she’s clutching her hands in front of her face all bonkers-like) and just keeps cranking. Her hair is crazy throughout the clip, though I’m partial to the bits where she’s got it slicked back in a deadly ponytail as she dances around Jay-Z against the red wall. It’s like a fashion show, as she’s running through weeds, around a plantation and jumping on a beach. Why not? But the video’s best moments occurs about ¾ of the way in when she’s barefoot in a island/jungle-themed bangly bikini top and little green poofy tutu-skirt thing. She just gets very tribal in her dancing, loses her sh*t and just basically goes off. Fantastic! The video is available to watch now on MTV Overdrive, and this coming Sunday night (at midnight) it’ll be showcased on NewNowNext Music on Logo.
Project Runway's Vincent. Oh my....
ON PINS AND NEEDLES
And about last night’s Project Runway premiere… Fun! The best part was being fascinated by Heidi’s freaky intense pulled-back hair thing going on during the rooftop scenes when she greeted the new contestants. And that cute blonde Alison is completely adorable. And I’m currently worshipping the tall, largely lanky redheaded mother-of-five Laura Bennett. She’s kind of amazing to look at, and to hear (that deep voice!). Her style is severe and major. And yes, the dippy basket/hat thing that Vincent put on that bemused model’s head. What? Anyway, this looks fun. And I’m already looking forward to FourFour’s weekly recaps. Auf!!!
She went crazy. And then she came back. Yes!
MARINA'S COMING BACK!
OMG! Karina Lombard returns to The L Word this coming season. Oh, the intrigue!
MADONNA + LINDSAY + JESSICA ???
Rumors were buzzing yesterday that as a follow-up to Madonna’s famous smooch with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2003, the 47-year-old superstar is planning another ménage a trois for this year’s VMA’s. This time, the buzz insists that Madge is gonna get frisky with Lindsay Lohan and Jessica Simpson. The reports, from a source say, “She’s planning something even more sexy than a lesbian kiss. The whispers are all about a bondage-inspired show. Madonna will keep the details hushed up until the night."
KYLIE STILL KICKIN'
Kylie Minogue is getting fit for her post-cancer comeback. And like a nun in The Sound of Music, she’s got “a mountain to climb.”
GAY LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS???
The London Zoo is gonna have its own sort of Gay Pride party. They’re prepping for a celebration of homosexuality in the animal kingdom. There will be drag queens, cocktails—and yes, gay flamingos. For real!
ARE YOU THE NEXT TAYLOR HICKS?
Casting Call: American Idol returns to FOX in January 2007, so get ready! Auditions for that season begin August 8th in Los Angeles. For more info, and all the fussy restrictions go to AmericanIdol.com. And find out where else (as in other cities) you can show up and screech for your shot at fame.
PTOWN COMES TO YOU!
Haven’t quite made it up to Provincetown this summer? Don’t worry, Andy from Towleroad has. Check his first travelogue from the Cape. And yes, he saw Reichen and Lance Bass at the A-House, too.
 
Johnny Weir will be wearing Heatherette (by Traver & Richie, right) this fall!
Fashion fans and devotees of openly "flamboyant" ice skating champ Johnny Weir take note: The Olympic star will be hitting the runway this fall when the Heatherette Spring 2007 show takes to the tents in Bryant Park in September. (Which makes sense, since Heatherette's own Richie Rich used to skate in the Ice Capades, back in the day.) Via Cyd at OutSports, the Dallas Morning News also reports that Weir (who describes his own look as "very androgynous") will also be featured in an "avant-garde" fashion spread in an upcoming issue of Black Book, as well, which will showcase him in a Chanel dress and heels! Yay, Johnny!
Outsports also reports from Weir's own website in which he professes his eagerness to see The Devil Wears Prada and for Christina Aguilera's forthcoming album, and his love for all the current summer sales.
Just thought you'd like to know...
 
Radiohead maestro Thom Yorke’s solo album, The Eraser, hits record-sellers today. Fans are gonna really dig it. And you’re also gonna like to know that Henry Rollins features Thom on his IFC show, aptly titled The Henry Rollins Show, this Saturday, July 15th, at 10pm. On the show (thanks for the tip Stereogum), Yorke performs an acoustic version of the tune, “The Clock.” And he also does “Cymbal Rush,” and even arm wrestles Henry. (Hey, I’m sure Thom's got some wiry spirit, but my arm-muscle money is on Mr. Rollins.) You can watch some of Thom's performance here!
If you’ve not checked out The Henry Rollins Show, do so. It’s a great, rather lefty, music-packed series. Recent guests have included Peaches, Ben Folds, Death Cab for Cutie, Aimee Mann, Dashboard Confessional, Jurassic 5—and many more. Online there are cool videos to watch, and there are always entertaining “in the field” segments, and Henry riffing on topics like fast food, summer camp, and reality TV.
And yes, Henry’s still fantastically opinionated, rigid, bracingly intelligent… And kinda hot.
JT wants to sex up your back. Or something like that...
Justin Timberlake's bringing sexy back. That's what he's promising anyway with his new single, titled (what else?) "Sexy Back." And Arjan’s having a Justin Timberlake fest over on Arjanwrites. He’s got pics and video clips and links and a concert review for the sassy showcase of his new music that JT did in Amsterdam this past weekend.
You can hear the new single, "Sexy Back," via Justin's own site. I think it’s very Mylo meets Gorillaz vs. The Neptunes, with a bit more of an electro-soul vibe. The new album, due September 12, is called FutureSex/LoveSounds and boasts producing talents of Timbaland, JAWBreakers, Rick Rubin and JT himself.
As Justin told the crowd in Amsterdam, “"Enjoy you summer, because I'm gonna take over fall!" There ya go… We'll have to wait and see.
Almodovar on the set of Law of Desire, circa 1987.
The Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar is having a banner year. His next film, Volver, generated tons of buzz at its Cannes debut in May, and it hits American cinemas this November. And he began the year following being named one of 2005’s “European Heroes” by Time Magazine. In that article, which lauded Almodovar’s decades long commitment to telling gay (or gay-relevant) stories in film, the director said of his work and its relationship to the progressive attitude toward gays in Spain in recent years: “My films haven’t changed society, merely supported the progress it was making.” While open about his sexuality, Almodovar himself bristles at the notion of being known as a “gay director”: “No one talks about the heterosexual President of the United States. So why should they call me a gay director?”
Heard that! So, it’s fitting that its Almodovar’s work that is getting celebrated next month when Sony Pictures Classics presents the Viva Pedro! Film series, which will see brand new and restored prints of eight of Almodovar’s classic films getting re-released across the country. The films hitting theaters will be Law of Desire (with a young Antonio Banderas playing gay), Matador, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, The Flower of My Secret, Live Flesh, All About My Mother (my favorite!), Talk to Her and Bad Education. (What? No "Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down!"??) The Pedro-fest will begin in NYC and then will expand across America through the fall. Some of these flicks aren’t even out on DVD, and some haven’t been seen in theaters since their initial release. So get ready for a high-strung, vampy, often hilarious, usually very sexy, often powerful and emotionally visceral, madcap trip down memory lane revisiting this landmark films (or discovering them for the first time).
And I’ll bring you more about Volver super-soon (it stars Penelope Cruz and Carmen Maura; in it a dead woman revisits her family to right some wrongs she left unfinished while she was alive). Til then, here’s a photo-fest of Almodovar and his movie men and matrons through the years.
Almodovar's classic madcap muse, Rossy DiPalma (in Law of Desire).
A young Antonio Banderas looking good in black-and-white in Law of Desire.
Eva Cobo, armed and dangerous, in Matador.
Banderas in Matador.
Julieta Serrano's pink and packin' in Woman on the Verge...
Almodovar coaches the fabulous Marisa Paredes on the set of Flower of My Secret.
Javier Bardem in Live Flesh.
Cecilia Roth waits for diva Marisa Paredes (on the wall) in All About My Mother.
Cecilia Roth and her son, played Eloy Azorin, in the amazing All About My Mother.
Almodovar and his female bullfighter, Rosario Flores, in Talk to Her.
The kinda creepy nurse, Javier Camara, in Talk to Her.
Action! On the set of Bad Education.
Gael Garcia Bernal in Bad Education.
Almodovar and his stalwart star, Penelope Cruz, in Volver.
Amelie Mauresmo shows off her new china at the Wimbledon Champions Dinner.
Amelie Mauresmo wins Wimbledon! The French lesbian bested Justine Henin-Hardenne to take the title on Saturday. Yay! And AfterEllen has a good analysis of what it all means gay-wise.
Gay Marriage hits the courts today in California, as several gay couples see their lawsuits for the right to marry come before the California State Court of Appeal. Let’s hope this fares better than New York’s gay marriage hearings last week.
Also in Cali, Schwarzenegger’s rival says he would legalize gay marriage. This could get interesting…
Gay teens in London are picking out corsages for the U.K.’s first ever Gay Prom.
Are you a young, eager magazine type to be? Did you love The Devil Wears Prada? Want a big gay mentor? It just so happens that openly gay Star Magazine Editor-in-Chief Joe Dolce is looking for an assistant. Send in those resumes, now! "We're sure a million young gays would kill for that job..."
Is Paris headed for gay icon-dom, a la Marilyn... The verdict's out on that one.
Today in the U.K.’s Sun newspaper Paris Hilton explains that when you see pics of her out and about, it’s because she’s working. The hotel heiress explains that these days, she only goes out when she’s paid to do so… As the paper’s headlines opines, “Nice work if you can get it.”
Meanwhile, you can view some other fruits of Paris’ labor on Logo. For real! That’s because the video for Paris’ summer single, “Stars Are Blind” is going to hit Logo’s airwaves this weekend as part of Sunday night’s NewNowNext Music video show. And, the gay network is actually presenting the U.S. telelvision premiere of the clip. Sure, it’s been streamed several hundreds of thousands of times all over the web. But this Sunday night (at midnight) will mark the video’s official full-on TV debut.
The "Stars Are Blind" video looks like this...
And this...
And this, too...
And why, you ask? Hilton’s rep as a gay icon is an uncertain one. Last year, she served as Grand Marshal of L.A.’s Pride Parade, and last month she graced the cover of Out Magazine for their annual June “Hot Issue.” (And boy did they get some letters…). And she’s turned up and supported quite a few gay events and benefits in her endless romps from party to party. Plus, I know lots of gay folks who love to watch The Simple Life and seem interminably obsessed with the nightlife antics of today’s nubile young female celebutantes. That said, I know just as many who groan over yet another mention of Ms. Hilton in the media. Either way, she is ubiquitous and pretty much inescapable.
As far as the song? It’s a pleasantly bouncy, reggae-infused summery tune. The video? A beachy skin-fest.
Aw, heck just decide for yourself when you see it. And then let me know what ya think…
See you on Logo, bee-yotches!!!
So the New York's highest court decreed that gay folks don't have the right to marry yesterday. What the...? Appropriately, protestors took to the streets. And The New York Times cites the decision as "a key setback." And what's NYC's Mayor Bloomberg--who's apparently supportive of gay marriage--gonna do about it? We'll see...
There's a great quote from a Gay City News wrap-up about last evening's protests in NYC (via Gothamist):
"John Wessell, one of the plaintiffs with his partner Billy O’Connor, told the crowd that he was thinking of the 'I love NY' state slogan after reading the decision. 'I still love it,' he said, 'but it is with a question mark. I’m not leaving for Massachusetts or Spain or Canada. I am going to work to change this state.'”
"WE'RE BAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!"
It's been buzzing around town for a bit now, but it looks official. Kiki & Herb are going to have a run on Broadway--beginning as soon as next month! Yep, it looks like the delirious duo (comprised of, respectfully, Justin Bond and Kenny Mellman) will hit the stage of the Helen Hayes theater when Sarah Jones' Bridge & Tunnel ends its run on August 6th. The boozed up cabaret-meets-Squeezebox vibe of Kiki & Herb will have a limited run from August 15th through September 10th (previews begin on August 11th).
The official press news on the show says: "Kiki & Herb: Alive on Broadway finds the widely acclaimed duo performing in New York for the first time since their wildly successful sold-out 2004 concert at Carnegie Hall." Of course, there was that show on the fire escape outside the art gallery in Chelsea last year, and those recent late-night shows at Joe's Pub, but hey, no bother. I'm stoked at any opportunity to catch this brilliant downtown pair. Nobody sings "Total Eclipse of the Heart" like Kiki. And nobody slams into a piano with more hellishly virtuoso abandon like Herb.
I just can't wait for the unsuspecting tourists who haplessly buy tickets at the TKTS booth in Times Square, unknowingly enlisting for a night with Kiki's barmy--sometimes belligerent--brilliance. As Kiki likes to say, "Don't get too comfortable out there!!!"
Tickets go on sale tomorrow. Watch out, Broadway!
Grizzly Men: From left, Chris Taylor, Ed Droste, Daniel Rossen and Christopher Bear.
Quick notes today on two cool bands (both with out frontmen) you should watch out for...
I caught Brooklyn-based Grizzly Bear’s (pictured above) show last Friday night at Bowery Ballroom here in NYC. Led by out frontman Ed Droste, the guys delivered a richly textured slate of buzzing, sweeping, ambiently evocative tunes for the assembled masses. Their trademark sound is made up of haunting melodies with a mix of lo-fi earthiness and accomplished orchestration. Not exactly tunes you’re gonna dance to (though a slow, dirge-like waltz might be appropriate), Grizzly Bear’s woozy tunes are better for chilling out, dreamy rumination, moody introspection, or just blasting full-throttle as you soak it all in. There are also swatches of piano, banjo, and autoharp and even a recorder that pepper throughout.
At Bowery, the crowd of NYC music-lovers and Brooklyn gays ate it up. And if you’re interested, the band’s debut on Warp Records, Yellow House, is coming out on September 4th. Just in time for the light to change from summer to autumn, temperatures to cool down, and for you to mellow out. Well timed, I’d say.
There are pics from the Bowery show, and more on the band's Flickr page.
And...
Now It's Overhead, with Andy LeMaster seated on the floor out front.
Another cool outfit led by an openly gay guy is Now It’s Overhead, whose new disc (their third), Dark Light Daybreak, comes out on September 12 on Saddle Creek. Based in Athens, Georgia and led by out songwriter/recording engineer Andy LeMaster (he’s the redhead in the foreground), this foursome produces a cool sound that’s reminiscent of R.E.M. (who the band has opened for) and Radiohead. LeMaster has also toured and supported Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes all over the place, so smartly delicate, yet impactful rock is rather his forte. Moody layers of sound and music, deliberate and driving guitar, and LeMaster’s “reedy” (that’s what the press release said, and it’s apt) vocals deliver some cool musical catharsis.
Andy and folks are touring right now all over the middle of the U.S. with Tilly and the Wall. Check them out and get a sampling of some grinding, articulate, buzzy tunes. And expect to hear more from them.
That's Madonna's brother Christopher Ciccone. Want to chat about his sis? Ummm... Maybe not the best idea.
Madonna’s brother is over it! Don’t ask Christopher Ciccone about his superstar sibling. Ciccone tells Attitude Magazine he’s sick of gay guys grilling him about Madge.
In other gay musical news, a concert by reggae performer Buju Banton was cancelled in Brighton, England, due to protests by the local gay community. Banton’s known for having homophobic lyrics in his songs. In one tune, he advocated shooting “batty boys”—gay men—in the head.
Israel’s Chief Rabbi Amar is reaching out to the Pope to denounce the upcoming Jerusalem World Pride parade. It’s scheduled for August.
China bans another hit gay film (it already quashed efforts to show Brokeback Mountain earlier this year…).
New York’s courts were set to issue a ruling on same sex marriage today… But that’s been postponed. Maybe tomorrow?
In Northern Ireland, gay couples are being allowed to adopt! Hurrah!
And in Cuba, a new LGBT-inclusive revolution is underway. And Castro’s niece is at the forefront of it!
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