(OUTview NW) EXCLUSIVE: Broadway and TV star Jeremy Jordan to appear in Seattle Symphony's 'Broadway Today' Seattle Pops concert January 12-14!

by MK Scott


Hard to believe it was a year ago when I had the opportunity to meet Megan Hilty backstage at Benaroya Hall after her 'Luck Be a Lady' concert with the Seattle Symphony as part of their Seattle Pops concert series.

Next week (1/12-14) Seattle Symphony presents another Seattle Pops concert as Steven Reineke leads the Seattle Symphony and Broadway stars Betsy Wolfe and Jeremy Jordan in a concert of today's greatest Broadway hits.

Hits will include selections from The Phantom of the Opera and Cats as well as showtune modern classics 'Falling Slowly' from Once, 'You and Me (But Mostly Me)' from Book of Mormon and 'Suddenly Seymour' from Little Shop of Horrors.

I have been following Jeremy Jordan's career since 2011 when he was cast in the lead role of Jack Kelly for the Broadway production of Disney's Newsies. He then hit TV in the second season of NBC's Smash and is now appearing as office geek turned government techie, Winn, in The CW's hit series 'Supergirl.'


I had to chance to chat with Jordan by phone last month and following is our conversation.

(OUTview NW) A holiday toast and exciting changes at this year's GSBA Holiday Luncheon and Annual Meeting!

by MK Scott 

It was an exciting afternoon this past Wednesday (12/13) when major players from the Seattle LGBTQA business community came together at McCaw Hall for the GSBA Holiday Luncheon and Annual Meeting.

As you entered the main hall and lobby there were booths lined up featuring all the GSBA corporate sponsors including Wells Fargo, Pacific Medical, Starbucks, 1st Security Bank, and more with goodie bags filled with water bottles, stuffed toys, etc.

On the McCaw Hall mezzanine level round tables were set up with salad-filled plates and dinner rolls for the luncheon. While the place was packed with familiar faces and some not so familiar, it was quite a contrast to the first GSBA Holiday Luncheon I attended back in 2000, which was a third of the size.

After a great musical performance by GSBA Scholar, Christina Brewer, GSBA President and CEO Louise Chernin spoke of progress, and Board Co-Chair Drew Ness (1st Security Bank) paid homage to outgoing board members Allan Aquila (Aquila and Associates), Marci Flanery (CPA), Jeff Kinney (Concentric Impact), Beth Hester (Comcast/NBCUniversal), John Rubino (GreenRubino) and Kurt Sarchet (Precision Door Service), Ness also welcomed new board members Roz Edison (Marination), Susan Fuller (Attorney), James Hing (Starbucks), Carolyn Hojaboom (ARC of King County), Adrian Matanza (Seattle City Light) and Kyle Mullinix (Google).

Chernin returned to the podium and as everyone picked up their glasses of champagne toasted to the closing of an intense year and to what hopes to be a great start for 2018.

Current Chief of Staff at Seattle City Light Calvin Goings introduced and moderated a panel on the 2018 Legislative forecast with 43rd District State Senator Jamie Pedersen, State Representative Nicole Macri and WA Speaker of the House Frank Chopp. With the Dems now taking over the State Senate, look for immediate changes to happen in Olympia.

For member info for the Greater Seattle Business Association, check out www.thegsba.org.

(OUTview NW) RE-view: Book-It's new musical adaptation of Howl's Moving Castle is timely and stays true to the original classic book!

by Brian Matt

Book-it Repertory Theatre's production of Howl's Moving Castle is a multilayered tapestry of exploration and discovery. Based on Myra Platt's adaptation of the book by Diana Wynn Jones, it delves into the lives of Sophie Hatter (Sara Porkalob) and her family and friends as they find their true selves.

Sophie, the eldest daughter of Fanny Hatter (Opal Peachey), begins by describing life in the town of Market Chipping in the land of Ingary. She also points out that her being the oldest has predisposed her to failure as she pursues her dreams. Her younger sister Lettie (Sarah Russell) and youngest sister Martha (Rachel Guyer-Mafune) join her singing about life. Fanny then appears and informs them they're going to need to leave school because she can't afford to pay for it any longer.

Lettie is to go to Cesari's bakery to become an apprentice - and she'll also be able to find a good husband there. Clearly un-enthused about baking, Lettie thanks her mother. Martha is being sent to Mrs. Fairfax (Kate Jaeger) to learn about magic. Also clearly disappointed, she thanks her mother as well. This leaves Sophie, who is assigned to the hat shop. Of all the sisters, she is the only one who is clearly resigned to her fate - being the oldest and feeling doomed to failure.

Fanny finds that Sophie is very skilled with making hats, so she puts Sophie in a corner making the hats while she herself sells them. Sophie begins to talk to the hats since she's so busy she doesn't have time to talk to anyone else. Surprisingly, they start to sell well. Fanny promises Sophie that she can have a day off on May Day, since she needs her to make hats as fast as possible.

(OUTview NW) The 14th Annual Stronger Together World AIDS Day Breakfast was better than ever!

by MK Scott

On Friday morning, December 1, the LGBTQ and allied community came together for the 14th Annual Stronger Together World AIDS Day Breakfast at the Seattle Sheraton Hote for the second year in a row.

After welcoming remarks from KOMO 4 News anchor Molly Shen and messages from Gay City's Fred Swanson and Seattle Counseling Service Executive Director, Ann McGettigan, the breakfast began.

The crowd applauded when they announced that Washington state is the first U.S. state to achieve the 90-90-90 UnAIDS Campaign goal. 90-90-90 is an ambitious treatment target promoted by the United Nations to help end the AIDS epidemic. It's goals are that by 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status. By 2020, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy. By 2020, 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

This year's honorees were HIV/AIDS community activist Kenny Joe McMullen from Project Handle and Kevin Patz from CareTeams.

More information about Project Handle can be found at: http://www.nhwa.org/lookinside/program.php?program=Community+Health

More information about CareTeams can be found at: http://www.samaritanps.org/node/390

This year's keynote speaker was Dr. Marjorie Hill from the Adabbo Health Center in Queens, NY. In her remarks she recalled her first experience with HIV/AIDS when she learned of her best friend's AIDS diagnosis in the early-1980's when AIDS was largely untreatable and compared that to where we are at now where it can be treated with antiretroviral medication.

According to Seattle Counseling Service close to $120,000 was raised at the breakfast.

Beneficiaries of the breakfast were Gay City Health Project, Seattle Counseling Service, and CareTeams, a program of Samaritan Center of Puget Sound.

(OUTview NW) Plans for the Seattle AIDS Legacy Memorial Resolution 31783 approved!

Photo courtesy of Sabrina Bolieu

by MK Scott
 
On Monday, November 27, the Seattle City Council passed Resolution 31783 allowing the Seattle Parks Department to construct the Seattle AIDS Legacy Memorial at Cal Anderson Park.

The resolution was drafted by Councilmember Debora Juarez with Councilmembers Lisa Herbold and Mike O'Brien providing feedback.

While speaking, Juarez made a point to thank former City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen for organizing the Community Advisory Group, which includes Seattle Gay News publisher, George Bakan.

This project has received $275,000 from the City of Seattle with construction to be completed by 2019 as part of the housing development to be built at the Capitol Hill Light Rail station.

This memorial will honor members of the LGBTQ and all communities who were affected by the AIDS pandemic.

Mike O'Brien commented: 'The HIV/AIDS Pandemic: a Health Crisis, a Political Crisis and a Social Crisis, and the historical and current effects on the LGBTQ Community have been devastating.'

Council President Bruce Harrell called this legislation, 'Powerful.'

Also published in the Seattle Gay News

(OUTview NW) EXCLUSIVE: Storm Large brings her new band Le Bonheur to Federal Way on Friday, Dec. 1

by MK Scott

Pacific Northwest favorite Storm Large will take the stage on Friday, Dec. 1, at 8pm at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center (31510 Pete von Reichbauer Way S.)

Known as a vocalist for Pink Martini, Large and her new band, Le Bonheur, will deliver a concert rolling with their interpretations of the American Songbook.

Large cartwheeled out of her checkered past across a thousand punk rock stages and into her infamous stint on the CBS rock 'n' roll reality series 'Rock Star: Supernova.' From there, she went on to tour the world, singing in 17 different languages, as vocalist for the joyful little pop orchestra Pink Martini.

Large has performed nationally from Carnegie Hall in New York to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Large is also an actor, playwright and author. Her award-winning one-woman show, 'Crazy Enough,' broke every box office record at Portland Center Stage in 2010. In 2012, she detailed her wild life in a memoir of the same title published by Simon and Schuster.

NPR's Ari Shapiro, co-host of 'All Things Considered' on occasion, also performs with Large and Pink Martini on occasion and I had a chance to chat with her in-person following Shapiro's one-man show, 'Homeward,' this past weekend in Portland, Oregon.

(OUTview NW) Transgender Day of Remembrance at Seattle City Hall!

by MK Scott -

Seattle's annual Transgender Day of Remembrance took place on Monday, November 20, at the Bertha Knight Landes Room at Seattle City Hall. Seattle City Councilmember Lorena Gonzalez was on hand to greet everyone in attendance. Seattle Trans activist Mac McGregor hosted the somber event that also welcomed Jaime Deer, a Transgender officer at the King County Sheriff's Department. Aleksa Manila was on hand to help read the names and tell stories of people who were murdered in 2017 because they were Transgender. At the end of the evening Diverse Harmony sang Sting's 'Fields of Gold' as the pictures and names were once again featured on the screen:

(OUTview NW) COME TOGETHER, a benefit for Country Doctor, featuring keynote speaker Gay icon, Cleve Jones, raised $189,020 for new clinic

MKS

by MK Scott

On Saturday. October 14, Country Doctor Community Health Centers hosted a fundraiser at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) that drew several hundreds of attendees to celebrate and support expansion of services and a new building for their Capitol Hill clinic. They're full steam ahead to 'Bring a Smile to Our Community.' Soon CDCHC will offer dental care, a critical need!

The evening gave a stirring tribute to retiring CDCHC founding executive director, Linda McVeigh, and introduced new CDCHC executive director, Raleigh Watts, to the crowd.

Famed activist and NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt founder, Cleve Jones, gave a remarkable keynote address recounting his life story and history of becoming an activist - his move to San Francisco as a young man, his work and friendship with Harvey Milk, his AIDS activism as co-founder of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, his founding of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, and his current work as a labor activist - all the while emphasizing the importance of coming together to lift our family, friends and neighbors, our community, up as Country Doctor Community Health Centers continues to do through the Carolyn Downs Family Medical Center, the Country Doctor Community Clinic, and their After-Hours Clinic at Swedish-Cherry Hill.

It was a fun, moving and memorable evening.

Sponsors of the event included - Swedish, Gilead, MarPac, LabCorp, Amerigroup, Coordinated Care, Community Health Plan of Washington, Kaiser Permanente, Environmental Works, Seattle Children's, Henry Schein, USI, Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson, and AHF.

To support the ongoing work of CDCHC, please visit their website at https://countrydoctor.org/

(OUTview NW) Mr. Nude Seattle Contest returns after 7-year hiatus!

 by MK Scott

It is hard to believe that 2009 was the last time Seattle held a Mr. Nude Seattle Contest. Started in the late- 90s, Mr. Nude Seattle was an annual contest held mostly at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute at 17th & E Yesler Way in the Central District.

At long last, under the direction of Martin, Creator and Producer of the Mr. Nude Seattle Contest, Mr. Nude Seattle was back this Wednesday, October 25th, with Latrina Bidet and Mark Mom Finley back as the Co-Hosts and a special burlesque performance by Angel Snowbunny.

With only three contestants, the evening went by quickly beginning with the First Look (clothed), continuing with the Striptease, followed by the Q&A in the nude, and the Final Look (nude).

In the end it was George winning the title and the $500 cash prize with 1st and 2nd runner-ups, Hartley and Shane.

The event was sponsored by Active Delivery Service, Astroglide, Castle Megastore, Changes, Club Z, Diesel, Haircomb, The Olympians, Seattle Gay News and True Love Tattoo and Art Gallery.

Not bad after being away for 7 years. Look for the next contest in February 2019.

(OUTview AMERICA) EXCLUSIVE: Catching up with Del Shores and Emerson Collins on A Very Sordid Wedding at TWIST 2017

Photo by Matt

by MK Scott

It was 1999 when Sordid Lives was a surprise hit for filmgoers with an all-star cast that included Bonnie Bedelia, Beth Grant, Ann Walker, Kirk Geiger, Leslie Jordan and Olivia Newton-John. In 2007, it spawned a prequel TV series on LOGO that added Caroline Rhea and Rue McClanahan to the cast. In the much-anticipated sequel to the film, A Very Sordid Wedding, promises a wedding in the tiny Texas town that Sordid Lives was set in. TWIST: Seattle Queer Film Festival screened the film on October 14 with creator and director, Del Shores, along with producer and actor, Emerson Collins in attendance. As I did with their other film, Southern Baptist Sissies, I had a chance to chat with them after the screening.

(TWIST 2017) EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Trudie Styler makes directorial debut in Freak Show!

by MK Scott 

When you think of Trudie Styler, you might know that she is the wife of rock legend, Sting and you might also know her from her environmental causes and even as an actress and producer. When I heard that Styler was making her directorial debut in a queer film and that said film was the closing night film at TWIST: Seattle Queer Film Festival, I jumped at the chance to talk with her about seeing her new film. Freak Show, a coming of age story with an all-star cast including Bette Midler, Laverne Cox and rising star, Alex Lawther (The Imitation Game). If you like such classics as The Curiosity of Chance and GBF, you will love this film. I had a chance to chat with Styler by phone last Thursday (October 12th.)

(OUTview NW) Former Second Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, was keynote speaker at Hopelink's Annual Luncheon which raised $1.19 million for social services

by MK Scott

On Monday, October 16, Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of former Vice President Joe Biden, was the keynote speaker at the 22nd annual Hopelink Reaching Out Luncheon at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue.

Hopelink is the largest social services agency in east and north King County, serving 64,000 people every year.

The luncheon, which was free to attend, was full to capacity with 1800 attendees, all present to make generous donations to Hopelink.

Dr. Biden talked about the challenge of tough times, and the role each of us can play in helping each other, and in building a stronger community. 'None of us needs to fix the whole world,' she said, 'but we can make a difference - one good turn after another.'

During Dr. Biden's speech she talked about balancing her life as a wife, mother, being Second Lady and still keeping her professorship at Northern Virginia Community College; adding to that, was her son, Beau's losing battle with cancer in 2015.

Biden said, 'Sometimes our strength comes from within us. Sometimes it can't. That's where community and groups like Hopelink come in.'

The luncheon raised a record $1.19 million to support Hopelink services.

Today, Hopelink provides a full array of critical social services through a number of different programs, including housing, transportation, case management, financial assistance, employment programs, energy assistance, adult education and literacy training, a vast referral network and six food banks. Hopelink Centers are located in Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Shoreline and Sno-Valley/Carnation.

To make a donation and for more information about Hopelink, visit their website, hopelink.org.

(OUTview NW) San Francisco author and Seattle fave Armistead Maupin returned to Seattle to promote new memoir !

by MK Scott

To celebrate the October publication of his new memoir, Logical Family, the iconic queer writer, Armistead Maupin, author of Tales of the City and its sequels, sat down with Seattle Review of Books founder Paul Constant on Monday, October 16 for an insightful and entertaining conversation at the intimate Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall.

With a heartfelt introduction from longtime friend Dennis Coleman (formerly longtime artistic director for the Seattle Men's Chorus and Seattle Women's Chorus), the audience got a first-hand glimpse into the groundbreaking life and work of this legendary writer and activist.

One of the best moments was when Maupin answered a question regarding his writing process, saying: 'Leave them laughing, leave them crying, and leave them wanting more.'

It was an evening to remember.

(OUTview NW) Chris Botti jazzes up Seattle Symphony's Seattle Pops concert!

by MK Scott

After years of missing famed trumpeter, Chris Botti, perform live in Seattle at such local venues as Jazz Alley, I finally got my opportunity, but this time he was part of the Seattle Symphony's Seattle Pops concert - one of my favorite series - at Benaroya Hall this past weekend.

Botti performed with one of the top jazz pianists around, Geoffery Keezer, along with drummer, Lee Pearson and Michael Olatuja on bass.

The program included some incredible solo work by violinist, Caroline Campbell, guitarist, Leonardo Amuedo, and vocals by Sy Smith and Rafael Moras.

Accompanied by the Seattle Symphony conducted by Lawrence Loh, this concert was a mixture of familiar ballads, jazz, rock and American songbook standards.

(OUTview NW) Fashion Week at The Bellevue Collection: With eye-catching fashions, The Bellevue Collection runway shows raise over $93,000 for Special Olympics and Lifespring!

by MK Scott 

The 12th annual Bellevue Fashion Week was held this past weekend with three nights of runway shows and parties at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue. This year, they raised over $93,000 for Special Olympics Washington and Bellevue Lifespring.

On Saturday (9/23) the big event was The Bellevue Collective runway show featuring fashions from Nordstrom, Kate Spade, Eileen Fisher, Michael Kors and more.

Representing Special Olympics Washington was Kirby Winfield, incoming board chairman. He took the stage with his daughter, Kate, who has Downs Syndrome and Autism, to share her story and to thank the audience for purchasing tickets to the event. He then announced that the money raised will go to help 200 athletes compete in the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games, which will be held in Seattle next July - https://www.specialolympicsusagames.org/?.

Introducing the show was Season 4 winner of 'Project Runway,' Christian Siriano, who has designed iconic red carpet looks for the likes of J-Lo, Rhianna, Leslie Jones and more.

Some of the best in eye-candy wore inspired fashions mostly from Ted Baker London, Tommy Bahama and the Armani Exchange.

For more information and post-event news, visit http://fashionweekbellevue.com/

PHOTOS by MK Scott

(OUTview NW) SHE'S BACK: Peaches Christ presents 'Hocum Pokem' (w/ Jinkx Monsoon and Bob the Drag Queen) Sept. 28!

by MK Scott

Kick off the season of the witch with a bona-fide star-studded drag coven. On September 28, Peaches Christ, Bob the Drag Queen and Jinkx Monsoon promise to put a spell on you!

Don't miss the Pacific Northwest premiere of Peaches Christ's SHE-LARIOUS drag stage show parody 'HOCUM POKEM' starring 'RuPaul's Drag Race' alumni Bob the Drag Queen and Season Five winner Jinkx Monsoon. Presented by Qurb Media Group and Peaches Christ Productions.

The star-studded drag coven includes some familiar faces returning from previous Seattle and Portland Peaches Christ productions including: Abbey Roads, Sylvia O'Stayformore, Mackenzie Miller, Isabella Extynn, Tipsy Rose Lee, Visage 'Legs' LaRue, and Strawberry Shartcake.

(OUTview AMERICA) RE-view: Powerful performances and rough passion bring intensity to Afterglow, currently making a splash Off-Broadway

by MK Scott

 I don't get to New York often, but when I do I see as much theater as I can. I saw the musical, Bandstand (Sept. 5) during its final week but instead of another musical like Hello Dolly, Dear Evan Hansen, or even Hamilton, I had much anticipation for an Off-Broadway show (Sept. 6) that is now the talk of the country and which has now been extended for two more months.

As the synopsis on the Afterglow website states: 'Afterglow is a raw, one-act play exploring the emotional, intellectual, and physical connections between three men and the broader implications within their relationships.

'Josh and Alex, a married couple in an open relationship, invite Darius to share their bed one night. When a new intimate connection begins to form, all three men must come to terms with their individual definitions of love, loyalty, and trust as futures are questioned, relationships are shaken, and commitments are challenged.'

(OUTview NW) LEO Party brings out Drag Royalty with Chad Michaels: Raises over $20K for SCS!

On behalf of Joe Torres, Founder of LEO Foundation - THANK YOU!

Our amazing team of VOLUNTEERS and ENTERTAINERS - AMORA Dior Black, ATASHA Manila, CLAYTON Coleman, DESARAE Pendavis, EVAH Destruction, GAYSHA Starr, ISAAC Scott, JAXEN Brown, LADIE Chablis, LaSAVEONA Hunt, LONDYN Bradshaw, LUNA Palacios, the MARKOS Sisters, URSULA Major, TRULY Scrumptuous with The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence - with the generosity of OUR FRIENDS helped raise $20,000+ for Seattle Counseling Service and Imperial Sovereign Court Of Seattle.

We are grateful to our gracious sponsors and donors: Muckleshoot Casino Charities, Silver Dollar Casino - SeaTac, Neighbours Seattle!

Here are the official photos courtesy of John Beursken.

With pride,
Aleksa Manila
LEO Foundation

Also in the SGN 

(OUTview NW) Victor Janusz's 'Summer Crooners' concert at Egan's in Ballard made the summer swell!

by MK Scott

On Saturday, July 29th Seattle's amazing piano-man, Victor Janusz (VJ) along with his always smooth Medearis Dixson (MD), on sax, appeared in a return engagement at Egan's Ballard Jam House (1707 NW Market St.)

The show was titled 'VJ and his Summer Crooners' with special guests; Arwen Dewey, Marilyn Deering, Mama SUE and Arnaldo! (Out of Drag).

VJ started the show by performing his latest classic, 'Bones of Richard III,' from his current CD, Living in a Blue State, and then spoke with elation about seeing the legendary Burt Bacharach at Jazz Alley a few weeks ago, which lead into a Burt Bacharach medley of 'Are You There With Another Boy?,' 'Knowing When to Leave' and 'The Look of Love.' Later, VJ and MD performed 'Never Can Say Goodbye.'

VJ also announced an upcoming French-English standard album that he has been recording with singer Arwen Dewey who sang the following songs in French: 'Route Nationals 7', 'Sous L' Ciel de Paris' and 'Le Baiser.' One song, 'Via Con Mi' was sung in Italian.

(OUTview NW) EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: R&B sensation Mya to headline Tacoma Pride Party at Club Silverstone on July 8th!

by MK Scott

If you thought that the Cuff Pride Party with Berlin and Vicci Martinez was great, Club Silverstone in Tacoma has something special planned for their annual Pride Party on Saturday, July 8th. Hosted by The Lady Bunny, the headliner there will be R&B singer and actress, Mya. It was 15 years ago when she collaborated with Missy Elliot and was one of the foursome in the iconic Lady Marmalade remake for the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, which was followed by her cameo in the Oscar-winning Chicago as cellmate Mona. I had a chance to chat with by phone last week (June 22).