By Gregg Shapiro Photo By Dirty Sugar Photography Not to brag, but we gays do many things incredibly well, including music and comedy. Few gays do both as fabulously as Randy Rainbow. Since the 2016 presidential campaign, and subsequent years, Rainbow amassed a tremendous following via his YouTube videos, with views in the millions, many of which addressed the political situation in the U.S. Not one to rest on his laurels, Rainbow has continued to create content that provides

By Gregg Shapiro Rachael Yamagata and Keren Ann (Zeidel) have more in common than just being singer/songwriters at the back end of the alphabet. They are both gifted artists who put in time on major labels in the early 2000s and have continued to put out music independently. If you lived in Chicago (and possibly elsewhere) during the late 1990s, you probably came across the psychedelic funk of Bumpus, a band that featured Rachael Yamagata as a member and cosongwriter. Her d

By Shane Gallagher Photo By Bob of Finland Justin Jedlica, widely recognized as the “Human Ken Doll” for his pioneering work in body modification, is one of the bold personalities featured in Reflections, filmmaker Michael Hyman’s daring new video series that turns the camera—and the mirror—on identity, beauty, and self-worth. Shot on 16mm film and inspired by Andy Warhol’s iconic 1960s Screen Tests, the sixteen shorts challenge participants representing a diverse cross-secti

By Gregg Shapiro “Plainclothes” (Magnolia), the directorial debut by queer filmmaker and screenwriter Carmen Emmi, is not as simple as the title might suggest. There is also a double-meaning at play as neither of the main characters –Lucas ( Tom Blyth ) and Andrew (out actor Russell Tovey ) – is dressed in their respective “uniforms” when they first meet. Already “certified fresh” on rottentomatoes.com, “Plainclothes” features such stellar performances by Tovey and Blyth, tha

Photo By Eric Magnussen Is it possible for a building to have a soul? For a theater to be a muse? What if every precious brick, every carved cornice, and every hand painted decoration held the echoes of the craftsmen who lovingly held them? What if the building itself soaked in the laughter and joy of crowds, shouldering the weight of epic talents, spanning a myriad of musical genres, to become a grand golden inspirational spirit of music itself? Of course we’re talking about

By Bill Malcolm I visited Boston not once but twice on back to back trips for work recently. Boston is a walker's paradise full of stories about the founding of our country. It’s a vibrant city with many universities, topnotch transit, interesting unique neighborhoods, and part of the entire New England charm. I stayed in the Seaport District which is close to South Boston and filled with new walking trails, beaches, parks, restaurants, and hotels. It reminded me of my former

By Gregg Shapiro It’s likely a testament to the commitment of the members of th B-52s that each of its remaining long-term members; Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, and Cindy Wilson, has only released two albums apiece under their own names over the course of the band’s 45-year recording career. Pierson’s latest album, “Radio & Rainbows” (Long Meadow Music/Crush Music/SongVest Records), arrives 9½ years after 2015’s “Guitars and Microphones” (anyone else see a pattern here?). De

By Gregg Shapiro Photo By Sean Black Even though it’s been 10 years between Andy Bell solo albums (if you don’t count Bell’s “Torsten” side projects), the gay music icon hasn’t exactly been sitting idly by. As one half of Erasure, Bell (and Vince Clarke) released about a half dozen studio albums. But now Bell is back with the fabulous “Ten Crowns” (Crown Recordings Limited). Glittering with Bell’s trademark vocals and enough dance beats to take you on the “galactic journey” h

My Grandma Judy and Grandpa Dave lived in a big brick house on top of Cherry Hill Lane. I always loved the name of their street. Cherry...

By Gregg Shapiro Sunny War Beginning with her first full-length album in 2018, Sunny War (born Sydney Lyndella Ward) has established herself as an artist of merit. Fans of Brittany Howard and Rhiannon Giddens will likely appreciate War’s new album “Armageddon in a Summer Dress” (New West). Beginning with the rocking locomotion of “One Way Train” to the modern spiritual “Bad Times” (with its “Bad times stay away” mantra), to the haunting “Ghosts” and the modern blues of “Cry B

By Rick Karlin New York City There are meetings for AA, NA, GA, and even OA. There should be one for BA. Not to minimize the struggles of those who struggle with addiction, but I have one, too. I am addicted to Broadway. I can listen to the Sirius Broadway channel, go to showtune Friday, Sunday, and Monday at Sidetrack, even see the shows at Broadway in Chicago, as well as local productions, but they just put off the inevitable fix I need; a trip to NYC for the original. If I

By Gregg Shapiro With only four albums to its name, the San Antonio-based, all-female, two-thirds queer, Girl in a Com still managed to make an enduring impression on listeners. Signed to Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records label in the mid-2000s, the threesome – out members Jenn Alva and Phanie Diaz, and Phanie’s straight sister Nina – rocked original songs and cover tunes, performing live at SXSWnand on Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Tour, among others. But by 2018, it was all over.

By Shane Gallagher Move over Queer Eye - there's a new fab five coming to town and they’re furry! Bear World TV launched August 7! The channel will feature five bear hosts - Marquis The Honey Bear, Joe Martone, Alexander Rodriguez, Ravi Roth, and Hunter Harden - each presenting weekly two-minute segments that spotlight diverse and entertaining facets of bear life, including nightlife, travel, pop culture, humor, and community events Bear World TV is the place to go for weekly

Chapter Seven: I decided that small-town life was no longer for me. I had failed in my mind in every way. I quit college. I moved home....

By Gregg Shapiro (L)Doug Spearman. Photo Courtesy of Paramount+ There’s no question that when Patrik-Ian Polk’s series “Noah’s Arc” premiered on Logo 20 years ago, it was a groundbreaking creation. The story of a group of black gay men and their wonderful friendship. The titular arc was that of the cute main character, Noah (Darryl Stephens), and his close-knit circle of friends, including Chance played by gay actor Doug Spearman. This compelling and loving fraternity may, i

By Bill Malcom The Art Coast of Michigan (Saugatuck-Douglas-Fennville in Southwest Michigan) has long been the Midwest’s answer to Provincetown. Miles of sandy beaches along Lake Michigan, two great LGBTQ resorts, and lots of shops and restaurants make it a great vacation destination. WHAT TO DO Pick blueberries or peaches or pick some up at the farm stands or farmers markets. Hit the beach: Wau Ke Nah Nature Preserve has a great secluded beach (via a quarter-mile walk throug

By Gregg Shapiro Photo-Credit-Shaun-Vadella Whether or not you are a fan of “American Idol,” and a follower of those who have been on the show, sometimes there is a story about one of the competitors that can catch your attention. For many, especially LGBTQ people, David Archuleta is a perfect example. Only a teenager, and still in high school, when made the cut for season seven of the show, Archuleta finished in second place (to David Cook) in 2008. But his story was far fro

In the world of advertising, where every dollar spent needs to deliver measurable results, choosing the right platform is critical. For...

By Gregg Shapiro A recent article in Rolling Stone about the new, expanded reissue of Lotti Golden’s 1969 soul/garage/ psych breakthrough “Motor-Cycle” (Atlantic/High Moon) is finally giving the remarkable album some long overdue attention. Golden, who was a teenager at the time of the album’s release, was taken under the wing of gay songwriter, producer, and all-around music legend Bob Crewe for the production and arrangements of the album. Her queer influences and inspirati

By Bill Malcolm Rock Creek Bridge Summer is a wonderful time to visit D.C. The museums are free, the crowds are gone, and the hotel rates are more reasonable. The nightlife is incredible with eight new bars, including one that is alcohol-free. Yes, it can be hot and humid so plan accordingly. WHAT TO DO Check out the WorldPride LGBTQ outdoor exhibit across from the J.W. Marriott on Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th and 14th. Dubbed the Rainbow History Project: Pickets, Protest