Celebrity Stylist Tara Swennen and Glamhive Founder Stephanie Sprangers Teamup for Groundbreaking Digital Event

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Celebrity stylist Tara Swennen and Glamhive founder Stephanie Sprangers will once again bring together some of the biggest names from around the world in style, fashion, beauty and women’s empowerment for the Glamhive Digital Summer Bazaar—a groundbreaking digital event taking place this Saturday, July 11 th kicking off at 10:00 a.m. PDT.

“I am humbled to be included with so many smart and inspiring women that are leaders in our industry.”

During Glamhive’s first digital event, Glamhive LIVE Style Summit, audience members were asked to engage with panels through live, real-time question and answer sessions. The conversations ranged from intimate questions about how to break down gender barriers when starting a business to how to find ways to break in into business through marketing. Due to that event’s overwhelming success, Swennen and Sprangers decided to raise the bar for their next global event.

[ICYMI] EXCLUSIVE: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ star Derrick Barry on ‘Drag Race’, Britney and the man in the White House.

by MK Scott

In 2003, the LEO Party was formed by community member Joe Torres, using his birthday as an opportunity to give back to the community he loves. Sixteen years later, this drag show celebration and fundraiser is back again to support Seattle Counseling Service, Entre Hermanos, and SOMOS Seattle.

The Leo Party XVI was held on Sunday, August 11, starting at 6pm at Neighbours Nightclub & Lounge (1509 Broadway) and continuing to 10pm followed by Neighbours’ Gay Latin Night from 10pm to 2am.

I had a chance to chat with Berry via email about ‘Drag Race’, Britney and the man in the White House.

EXCLUSIVE: Victory Funds’ President, Annise Parker

Photo by Nate Gowdy

by MK Scott

Whenever the opportunity arises of interviewing an Icon in person, I always jump at the chance. When, upon hearing, the former Houston Mayor and current Victory Fund President, Annise Parker, was going to be in town for a reception last Thursday [July 18], I couldn’t pass it up. I arrived about fifteen minutes early, and met Ms. Parker when she arrived, we took at seat and it was awkward at first, but towards the middle, I noticed the passion coming from Parker.

THE BEST MEMORABLE QUOTES OF 2018

by MK Scott

It has been quite a year as I brought about 2-dozen interviews (mostly exclusives) to Unite Seattle and the Seattle Gay News. What tied many of these interviews together – from Broadway stars to Drag Stars to Gay Icons – were my questions related to the current political climate – from Trump to #MeToo to Youth to Loss – and those questions got each interview subject talking with such passion. Here are highlights from 19 of my interviews based on subject.

Rupaul All-Star Aja previews this year’s ‘A Drag Queen Christmas,’ new music and the short film Femme

by MK Scott

Murray & Peter Present and STG Presents present ‘A Drag Queen Christmas’ at The Moore Theatre on Wednesday, December 12.

Several Queens from ‘Rupaul’s Drag Race’ are scheduled to appear including host Miz Cracker, Aja, Vanjie Mateo, Farrah Moan, Monet X Change, Naomi Small, as well as Seattle faves Latrice Royale and Raja. After seeing her in the short film, Femme, that was part of this year’s Boys Shorts program at the Seattle Queer Film Festival, I had to talk to Aja about that, plus a new single and an album. We chatted via email this past week.

(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) 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) 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 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) RE-view: With Sound Theater's 'Judas', Everyone Sees the Light!

Satan Stuns Cunningham!              (Holmes)

by MK Scott

A few years back, I reviewed 2 plays back to back about famous people in the after life, and I would assume,  the Mountaintop (staged by Artswest) and Sleep, Marilyn and Dream (staged by SPT) were most likely inspired by Stephen Adly Guirgis' 2005 Play, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, currently staged by Sound Theater.

Judas (played by the incredible, Jose Abaoag, recently from WET's 99 Ways) is catatonic in Hell, while top Attorney, Cunningham (Played by the always FAB, Caitlyn Francis) is in a pugatory courtroom pleading ex-confederate soldier and judge (Keith Dahlgren) to plead Judas' right for an appeal of betraying Jesus. On the prosecution side, we have the very flamboyant Egyptian, Yusef (the super entertaining, Yusef Mahmoud, recently seen in Artswest's American Idiot) and finally as the trial begins, so do the incredible performances of several of the actors.

(OUTview NW) INTER-view: MK gets the Dirt from Peaches Christ on "Whatever Happened to Bianca Del Rio?"

by MK Scott

She's  BACK! After taking 'Return to Grey Gardens' on the road in the last few years, Peaches Christ is back at Seattle's Egytian Theater this Thursday, June 23rd for 2 shows only!

Sister, sister, oh so big, why is their blood all over your wig...? Peaches Christ invites you to attend the Seattle Premiere of her hag-a-rific theatrical showcase "Whatever Happened to Bianca Del Rio?" starring the unmatched talents of...PEACHES and the Super crazy, BIANCA DEL RIO.


Don't miss the SEATTLE PREMIERE of the Peaches Christ production, "Whatever Happened To Bianca Del Rio?" Find out what happens when two aging drag sisters live out their later years together in a hag-arrific house of horrors.

Former child-star and RuPaul's Drag Race winner Bianca Del Rio wants to re-mount the show she did as a little girl when her hit song "I've Written A Letter To Draggy" dominated the vaudeville circuit but her drag-sister Peaches Christ proves to be a burden on wheels. Don't miss this psycho biddy stage-show celebration of insanity. Bianca dolls and rat sandwiches included!

We were lucky to catch up with Peaches at last monthes, Sinema at Crypticon, and got a preview of the new show. 

(OUTview NW) MK's Exclusive Chat with Well-Strung's Edmund Bagnell on their Return to Seattle Next Week!

"Thrilled to be Back in Seattle!" (MvR Photography)

by MK Scott

Take this, a String Quartet plus vocal group of Young Gay men, called Well-Strung. Are they a Boy band? Are they a Chamber Group or a Singing String quartet? All the above, with a little Il Divo added! What a Revelation!

Had the pleasure of catching this group the last time they hit Seattle's Neptune Theater in November 2014. 


If they hadn’t come up with a surefire concept, who knows where Edmund Bagnell (first violin) along with Christopher Marchant (second violin), Daniel Shevlin (cello) and Seattle Native, Trevor Wadleigh (viola) would be? All have classical music training and, with the exception of Marchant, who was performing 'Naked Boys Singing' in PTown.

I had a chance to catch up with Bagnell who gives us a preview of Well-Strung's return to the Emerald City's Neptune Theater next week:

(OUTview NW) THEATER RE-view: Artswest's All-Star Cast, 'Really Really' is Really Really Good!

What is Cooper's Agenda?            (Brunk)

by MK Scott

It is hard to imagine that there are cruel people in this life with secret agendas, but there is and most of those are screwed up by abuse of some kind and they crave the drama they can create. I have lived this and friends have lived it when college life brings all those dysfunctions to the surface.

This  past weekend at West Seattle's Artswest Playhouse, they went there and took the daring move to tell the story that is so politically incorrect that most theaters would steer away from this story of  Paul Downs Colaizzo’s Really Really directed by Makaela Pollock.

The set (by Julia Whelch) is 2 Apartments the top one is nicely decorated that features Leigh (Jessi Little) and Grace (Annelih Hamilton) coming home drunk from a party and bragging about Leigh having sex with a guy she always wanted. Leigh is upset that the guy never called her after their encounter.

(OUTview NW) Cabaret RE-view: Artswest's AFTER HOURS Cabaret Series is Back and Better than Ever!

Jaeger (as Ethel) Returned to Artswest

by MK Scott

ArtsWest's After Hours Cabaret series was such a huge hit this past August, the West Seattle Playhouse decided to bring it back as a Special Holiday edition.

Last time AWP's Artistic director (and Gorgeous), Mathew Wright introduced some of the top ladies of the Seattle Musical Theater who he chatted with in a talk show format with occasional performance rolled in. Last summer, we attended the one with Seattle darling, Jessica Skerritt (Tom's Niece) who dazzled the audience and we got to see the person behind the actress.

So, this past Monday was the debut of the new series with nearly 2 acts devoted to its guest with Wright as more of an Emcee than Host.

The guest this week was the hilarious, Kate Jaeger, who was nominated for a Gregory for her  portrayal of Ethel Merman in Judy's Scary Christmas. Speaking of Jaeger, she even co-hosted the Gregorys this past month and showed her range as a singer and actress.

(Time Warp) THREE YEARS LATER: Same-sex couples now account for 1 in 6 Washington weddings!

Jane  and her partner of 37 years, Pete-e , hold the very first same-sex marriage
 license  issued in King County on December 6, 2012. (Photo: THE SEATTLE TIMES)

This week was the Three-year anniversary of Washington’s same-sex marriage law. To mark the occasion, the state Department of Health has released marriage statistics gathered from the date the law took effect — Dec. 6, 2012 — through the end of September, date of most recent available numbers.

In that time, 7,071 gay couples tied the knot. That’s 17 percent of the total 42,408 new marriages, or one out of six.

(OUTview NW) Theater RE-view: Seattle Finally has GEEK Theater and the Campy "Shoggoths on the Veldt" fits the Bill!

Only One is the hero!    (Loomis) 

by MK Scott

Geek Theater has come to Seattle and it was only a matter of time, The Rogues Gallery made its debut this past weekend with a super funny but convoluted comedy, called Shoggoths on the Veldt, a original CTHULHU adventure by Cameron McMary (Of Dice and Men).

The concept is like a female Indiana Jones meets Johnny Guitar (Remember the Joan Crawford campy and dykish western) looking for the Veldt, a small statuette familiar to fans of H.P. Lovecraft, that cannot be destroyed, and so spawns a quest to deepest darkest Africa with other homages to Lovecraft including the swashbuckling heroine of  Lady Euphonia (Jennifer Crooks), and the super cute and dingbat explorer, Welton (the Fab, Curtis Eastwood) and the ghost of Phillipa's fiance, Lord Melford (Cody Smith) with Male Servant, Crompit (Cole Hornady).

(OUTview NW) RE-view: Artswest's "My Mañana Comes” proves 'Straight' Contemporary Drama Still Exists!

(Brunk)

by MK Scott

And now something completely different! After a month of seeing Rock Musicals, Classics and Homoerotic Productions, I then was asked to review Elizabeth Irwin’s working-stiff drama “My Mañana Comes” currently at Seattle's Artswest Playhouse, and the best I can sum up is a play similar to The FLICK, the NCTC's (and Gregory Award Nominated)  production of 3 workers at an old movie house that we reviewed this past March. The difference in My Mañana  is that this time it depicts 4 men working as bus boys at an upper class Italian restaurant in Manhattan dealing with class, but also dealing with the American Dream.

Fortunately, this play is a 90 min. ONE Act and as with FLICK, the months go by as does the repetitiveness of the duties of the working class.

(OUTview NW) RE-view: Seattle Rep's 'Buyer and Cellar' is a One-Man View to All Things Barbra!

(Bennion)

by MK Scott

It has been nearly 20 years since an 'ALL Barbra' film has been released, remember the classic,"The Mirror has two Faces"? So what has she done in 20 years? Music, and a few films (Fockers, Guilt Trip) and her marriage to James Brolin, etc.  Also noteworthy was her 2010 coffee table book called, “My Passion for Design,” and many eyewitnesses confirm that Barbra Streisand has her own “vintage” mall in the vast basement of a decorative barn.

Jonathan Tolins, author of the very entertaining one-man show,  “Buyer & Cellar”, and apparently has never been there but he obviously written this as a fantasy and labor of love.  Everything about Barbra is about Perfect detail. I remember hearing about this Play in 2013 with Michael Urie starring in this One-Man show. So when I heard the Seattle Rep was going to stage this in the Leo K Theater this fall, I was so looking forward it. Also looking forward to it was the mostly gay audience on opening night.

(SLGFF 2015) Jury and Audience Award Winners Announced!

Our Pal, Camina won for Best Doc!

[Photo credit: Urban Focus Photography]

[Photo credit: Urban Focus Photography]

The winners of the juried prizes at the 20th annual Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival are as follows:

BEST FEATURE FILM: NAZ & MAALIK by Jay Dockendorf

A rarity in queer cinema, this film is an intimate portrait of two young Muslim men that places gay relationships within a political, even geopolitical, context.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM: UPSTAIRS INFERNO by Robert Camina [pictured above]

Utilizing brutally honest interviews and visceral footage, Upstairs Inferno is an important record of the largely unknown yet deadliest attack in LGBT history.

DOCUMENTARY FILM HONORABLE MENTION: PETER DE ROME: GRANDFATHER OF GAY PORN by Ethan Reid
Important and entertaining biography of a filmmaker and artist whose honest, beautiful and explicit work unabashedly celebrated gay sex and social justice in pre-AIDS era NY and London.

BEST SHORT FILM: TRÉMULO by Roberto Fiesco

Distinguished by gorgeous cinematography and a rich, compelling visual narrative, TRÉMULO tells the story of an unlikely romance between a soldier and a young man, with tension, beauty, and tenderness.

SHORT FILM HONORABLE MENTION: HOLE by Martin Edralin

MOST INNOVATIVE SHORT FILM: POP-UP PORNO: M4M by Stephen Dunn

Pop-up porno takes a story we've never heard and tells it in a wholly original and innovative way

(OUTview NW) RE-view: You Take The GOOD Acting in SPT's 'BAD Jews'!

It's WAR!                               (Paul Bestock)

by MK Scott

Yes, I have been to New York many times in the past 25 years and you never want to be on the BAD side of a New York Jew, and previously I had went to High School with several Secular Jews so I know culture and pride is a big deal. With a New York Jew you get more than you bargain for with both the Pride and the toughness, so I could relate to Josh Harmon's Play, Bad Jews, currently at the Seattle Public Theater.