OUTscene: (RE-view) The 5th Avenue's Mostly-Local cast of Guys and Dolls is a Smash!

by MK Scott
OUTscene Editor

The 5th Avenue Theater’s production, starring a mostly local cast and running through June 5, is SMASHING and proves that Local Theater can still be Broadway Caliber.

Set in the Damon Runyon-inspired version of New York City that's filled with gamblers, showgirls, cops, and missionaries, Guys and Dolls tells the story of Nathan Detroit (Daniel C. Levine), a gambler who just wants to find a location for his craps game and keep the cops and his longtime fiancee Adelaide (Billie Wildrick) from finding out. Trouble is, he needs some capital to secure a place, so he bets high roller Sky Masterson (Brandon O’Neill) that he can’t get a date with Sarah Brown (Katherine Strohmaier), the leader of the local mission. Nathan thinks it’s a bet he can’t lose, but he’s going to learn just what some guys will do for a doll.

OUTscene: (SIFF) Opening of the 37th Seattle International Film Festival was a Glamorous affair!

The 37th Annual Seattle International Film Festival has begun and our very own, Stewart Nelsen was on had to interview Mayor Mike McGinn,  Director Justin Chadwick, and more. This is by far the most glamorous night of the year!

OUTscene: (PRE-view) Fashion, at 240 mph. Brace Yourself for This Saturday!

The 4th Annual Forbidden Fashion Show kicks off this year with a James Bond themed event titled “Live Another Night” on Saturday, May 21st at the Seattle Art Museum. From sexy lingerie via France, UK and Italy to bikinis from local swimwear designers, this show goes undercover exposing designs not normally featured on a runway. The show will also feature men’s underwear and swimwear from well known designers such as Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Diesel as well as international favorites Australian AussieBum and French Les Garcons.


Producer and director Eduardo Khawam has planned many surprise elements to this year’s must see event. “We like to give our audiences a little peek at what is fashionable underneath for both men and women”, said Khawam. “It’s sexy, beautiful and a little bit titillating – that’s why I call it forbidden fashion.”

OUTscene: (INTER-view) Jodie Foster Gets Spiritual with The Beaver!

By Sara Michelle Fetters
Moviefreak.com

The first thing you notice about Jodie Foster when you are introduced to her is just how petite, maybe even downright tiny, the Academy Award-winning actress and acclaimed director is. The second thing you notice is just how polite, quick-witted and intelligent she is, the way she looks you straight in the eye when she answers a question making you feel like you’re the only person in the room that matters.

I was sitting in a suite at the downtown Seattle Fairmont Olympic for a small roundtable discussion with Foster to talk about her third directorial effort The Beaver staring Mel Gibson, Anton Yelchin and Winter’s Bone Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence. Although our time was brief, the conversation was a lively one, moving quickly from topic to topic with nary a moment between question and answer. Here are some of the highlights:

OUTscene: (PRE-view) DIFFA and Dot429 to Join Forces with Queer Eye's Thom Filicia for an Event to remember!

dot429 and W Seattle invite you and guests to join us for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Hosted by special guest Thom Filicia and benefiting DIFFA, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS.

Mandatory RSVP: https://dot429.com/events/seattle-diffa-event/

$30 admission includes donation to DIFFA

OUTscene (INTER-view) Joan as Police Woman, Your Favorite Musician (Whom You’ve Probably Never Heard of Yet) Talks Love, Space, and Jeff Buckley!

by Adrian Ryan
OUTscene Special

Joan Wasser—lead singer and songwriter for Joan as Police Woman --is one of your favorite musicians, even if you don’t realize it yet.


Joan a prolific artist, to say the least. You've heard her--most likely many, many times. She’s been an integral part of the Scissor Sisters and Antony and the Johnsons (squeal!) since the beginning. She was dating and collaborating with Jeff Buckley when he tragically drowned in 1997, and she produced an album with his band mates after the fact. (It was sad, deep, and never released.) She’s played with Rufus Wainright, Elton John, Lou Reid, and more…her talents have lead to famous collaborations which have lead to devastating cred in the indie music universe. Her new album, “The Deep Field”, was released this month.

OUTscene: (RE-view) Becoming Chaz: An Unfinished Story, from a Trans-Man and Audience perspective!

by Lincoln Rose
OUTscene Special

I went to the screen premier of Becoming Chaz this past weekend. It was the big draw of Seattle’s Translations Film Festival, and people were packed in to see it! I was both elated and apprehensive. There are not many positive mainstream transmasculine life stories being told, so I was excited by the movie’s potential. However, trans lives can still play badly out on screen, even when a director has the best intentions. I wondered what we would see when the lights dimmed.

Becoming Chaz turned out to be a slightly jumpy, intense, often fun romp through a small slice of Chaz Bono’s life. First, we were inundated with photos and footage from his childhood to remind us that yes, he had been raised female against his will. Look, there he is in a dress! There he is again! Get it fixed in your mind, so you fully understand how amazing this transformation is. It’s a common theme used in discussing trans lives. Cisgender people seem to need that buildup and contrast, but it went on for too long. The footage was re-used so much later that at times the story tripped over it.

OUTscene: (The Seattle Lesbian INTER-view): Vicci Martinez Shares Her 'Voice'

Tacoma, WA-native singing sensation Vicci Martinez is now appearing on NBC's The Voice. Her Adele number from last week, "Rolling in the Deep," touched hearts around the world and propelled the young star into a stratosphere all her own.


Sarah Toce had the rare opportunity to chat with Vicci yesterday and get the scoop here - just for you! The pair had lunch near the Space Needle following her KING 5 interview and radio show, along with Vicci's long-time girlfriend and fiance, (yes, the ladies will be married soon and have bought a home together!) Kate Monthly.

Check out here!

OUTscene: (PRE-view): MK to make appearance in Beaverton this weekend!

MK Scott heads to his hometown of Beaverton, OR this weekend to attend the opening of the Historical Quilt Exhibit "Historical Quilts of the Beaverton Community: 1850-1950," with a special speaker and giveaways on Saturday, May 7.

The free event will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center, 12412 S.W. Broadway. A total of 100 free 9-patch quilt kits will be given away to attendees.

Mary Bywater Cross, author of "Treasures in the Trunk: Quilts of the Oregon Trail," will be the featured speaker. Her presentation starts at 2 p.m.

The display will include quilts from the Washington County Museum, and will also feature a legacy quilt honoring the late Beaverton High School drama teacher James N. Erickson, Borrowed from MK Scott.

Brooks Ashmanskas
(Barnum, 1985)

As MK has mentioned before Erickson was mentor to such notables as Journalists (MK), Broadway stars (Brooks Ashmanskas, Shoshana Bean), Gay Icon (Jesse Archer), and recording artists (Stephanie Schneiderman, Michael Hermann of Buoy LaRue and Oracle).

MK is honored to be in the group of people who we owe so much to. If you are in the area come see some photos of these future stars.

The exhibit runs May 7-31. For more details call 503-895-3233 or log on at http://www.historicbeaverton.org./

OUTscene: (The Seattle Lesbian INTER-view) New York Cabaret Performer Anne Steele

Celebrated New York City cabaret performer Anne Steele has made her mark on the Big Apple and now she intends to do the same on hearts all across the rest of the country. The multi-faceted Don’t Tell Mama staple has an album out called Strings Attached and we have a feeling you’ll be singing her praises upon first listen.

Click HERE for the Interview!

OUTscene: Nikki Lee Taylor RE-views 'Beautiful Darling: the Life and Times of Candy Darling'

By Nikki Lee Taylor

OUTscene Special

The feature length documentary tells the compelling story of Candy Darling; Warhol Star and underground icon of the sixties. What could have been a stereotypical view of a queen who longs to be like the stars she worships is instead an objective and realistic portrait of who Candy Darling really was. Beginning from her early childhood as Jimmy Slattery, a boy from suburban Long Island who dreams of becoming a star to being accepted and inspired by Tennessee Williams, Lou Reed, Richard Avedon and of course Andy Warhol. She recreated scenes from the movies of Kim Novak and Marilyn Monroe until they became a part of Candy Darling’s personality; seeming to be an act but actually a very real expression of who she was.

Through archival footage including rare behind-the-scenes looks at Andy Warhol and his factory, we see iconic figures that Candy attracted. Jane Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Tennessee Williams, Warhol and Janis Joplin are shown hanging out with Candy in New York’s now defunct eclectic club Max’s Kansas City.

The star of the movie is Candy Darling and there is no shortage of footage, of the enigmatic personality.

Produced by Jeremiah Newton, the person who knew her best, we get to know the person underneath the creation that was Candy Darling.

From her diary entries, drawings and her mothers words we see the beginnings of a young boy who strives for a seemingly impossible dream to the transformation to achieve it. Reinventing herself as a blonde ethereal personality not unlike Monroe, Candy’s dreams were beginning to be realized. She became a star of Warhol’s films, Lou Reed wrote “ Walk on the wild side “ about her and Tennessee Williams re-created his play “ Small Craft Warnings “ to give her a starring role. New interviews with John Waters, writer Fran Lebowitz, Jeremiah Newton, Warhol stars Holly Woodlawn and Taylor Mead lend insights as to who Candy was. We see the irony that was Candy Darling; a self invented personality created from her idols and yet someone who yearned to be loved for herself. Featuring the voice of Academy Award Nominee Chloe` Sevigny and music by David Bowie, Lou Reed, Bryan Ferry, Etta James and the Velvet Underground . The film explores the artificial personality who was Candy Darling and the genuine person underneath.

Beautiful Darling: The life and times of Candy Darling just opened in Limited Release.

Brought to you by:

OUTscene (Exclusive INTER-view): Nikki Lee Taylor chats with James Rasin about his New film, “Beautiful Darling, the life and times of Candy Darling.”

While working as a Special correspondent for OUTview’s OUTscene series at SIFF 2010, Nikki Lee Taylor had an opportunity to speak with the writer/director James Rasin of “Beautiful Darling: The Life and Times of Candy Darling, Andy Warhol Superstar”. This is the film (Now Playing in Limited release) to see an objective, true life view of not only a beautiful and talented star, but an actual role model and pioneer for transsexuals, at a time when putting on a pair of hose meant risking jail, literally.

OUTscene: (PRE-view) Stevie and Rod Play Key this Saturday!

(SEATTLE, WA) ROD STEWART and STEVIE NICKS are joing forces and coming to the Key arena in Seattle this Saturday, April 23th to their highly anticipated THE HEART & SOUL TOUR. The tour will unite two of music’s most legendary forces beginning March 20th in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a series of arena concerts which Billboard Magazine has just ranked #16 on their list of “2011’s Top 40 Best Bets.” THE HEART & SOUL TOUR will treat audiences to a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience featuring both artists performing rock & roll sets from their incomparable catalogs of hits and backed by an incredible band of musicians and stage production.

OUTscene The Seattle Lesbian Exclusive (INTER-view): Kelli Carpenter Finds Love on Both Land and Sea

Kelli with Business Partner, Gregg

Kelli Carpenter has found her niche. With four kids, a new relationship and an ever-expanding itinerary full of R Family Vacations, Carpenter is right where she is meant to be.

Sarah Toce spoke exclusively with the ex-Nickelodeon exec. about her children with Rosie O'Donnell, their new life, and her land and sea adventures with the company she has poured her heart and soul into for all the world to enjoy.

Click HERE for the FULL Interview!

OUTscene: Exclusive INTER-view with Seattle lesbian author Kate Christie!

Photo/K. Anderson

by Kate Morgan West
KateMorganWest.com

The Seattle area is home to many talented people, among them author Kate Christie. She has published two novels to date, Solstice and Leaving L.A., with a couple more in the works. Christie grew up in Southwest Michigan, “studied women in a major way” at Smith College and then ended up here in the Pacific Northwest where she attended grad school. She and her wife Kris decided to stay and make Washington their home and have added to their family recently with a beautiful baby girl. Recently, Christie was kind enough to sit down and answer some questions I had for her about her life and career.

OUTscene: (RE-view) Kate Christie brings lesbian romance to Seattle!

by Kate Morgan West
KateMorganWest.com

Recently, I discovered a local gem. Her name is Kate Christie and she’s a Seattle lesbian fiction writer with two novels under her belt. A third is set to be released later this year. Originally from Michigan, Christie went to college at Smith and now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her partner and their child. According to Christie, Seattle is “where I learned to love winter rain, cloudless summers, and dirt soccer fields.”

OUTscene: (INTER-view) SUPER's James Gunn and Rainn Wilson!

Rainn and Gunn at 2011 SXSW

By Sara Michelle Fetters
Moviefreak.com

During Emerald City Comicon at the end of March, writer and director James Gunn (Slither) and Seattle’s own Rainn Wilson of “The Office” fame were in town to talk about their real life superhero satire Super. During the roundtable discussion the duo tackled every question thrown their way, showing an affable give and take rapport that was nearly as engaging as the violently entertaining movie itself.

OUTscene: (PHOTOS) Seattle dot429 Spring Networking Event was a HIT!

The LGBTA professional networking site dot429 hosted their third Seattle Networking event at Butch Blum (yes, Butch attended) this past Tuesday evening and we have the exclusive photos! In attendance were OUTscene's MK, Ryan Burr, Lincoln Rose, Sarah Toce (The Seattle Lesbian) and Special Guest Seattle City Council woman, Sally Clark (below with MK)!

Click HERE to check out the event album and share with your new networking friends and colleagues.
 
Photos by Stephanie Brusig of The Seattle Lesbian!

OUTscene: The Seattle Lesbian's Exclusive INTER-view: Hal Sparks Tackles Politics, Civil Rights, Radio, and...Disney?

Comedian and political talk radio co-host Hal Sparks, 41, won our hearts as the charming “Michael Novotny” on the groundbreaking Showtime hit series Queer As Folk from 2000-2005. In the series, Sparks starred opposite fan favorite Sharon Gless and alongside Gale Harold, Thea Gill, Michelle Clunie, Randy Harrison, Scott Lowell, Peter Paige, Robert Gant, Jack Wetherall, and other notable actors who have since gone on to do incredible work in the industry – many on behalf of the gay community.

For Hal, being thrust into the gay community but not being gay himself was not so much a challenge for the Cincinnati, Ohio native, but an opportunity. He entered the civil rights movement for his gay brothers and sisters with grace, dignity, respect, and compassion. Okay…and a lot of humor.

Since the show’s end in 2005, Sparks has continued to warm our hearts with roles on VH1's I Love the '80s series, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Spider-Man 2, and Dude, Where's My Car? He regularly travels the country touring with his comedy and music projects with his band Zero 1.

Hal can regularly be heard on the Stephanie Miller Show and, in this exclusive interview, he confirms a new project booked the same day we spoke…

Read Seattle Lesbian's Exclusive interview here!

OUTscene: A Seattlite in a Norwegian reality TV show? Ja, sure, you betcha!



Courtesy of TVNorge.no
Doug Miner (far right) and his fellow contestants on the Alt for Norge reality TV show.

 Doug Miner is one of many Norwegian-Americans living in Seattle but he knew very little about his heritage until he was cast in a reality TV program.


“I literally knew lefse, Oslo and uff-da before I went on this show,” Miner said. “It was a history lesson, sight-seeing tour, competition and meeting family all in one trip.”

Miner was one of 10 contestants on “Alt for Norge”, a Norwegian reality TV show which casted Norwegian-Americans from all over the U.S. to compete in various activities throughout Norway. The winner received $50,000 and a chance to visit with family.

“The show is similar to ‘The Amazing Race' in the fact that we traveled every week and did locally traditional challenges,” explained Miner. “We just never left Norway.”