“This is gay San Francisco. An inside look at the life of San Francisco’s homosexuals. They number 90,000— at least according to police department figures. They work to hide their sexual orientation by day, and only at night do they show their true colors.
The city’s downtown Tenderloin District is the home ground of the always visible segment of the city’s homosexuals and transvestites. The drag queens are here at Turk and Taylor.
So frequent were the fights between screaming queens in the 2 to 3 a.m. period that police — even in permissive San Francisco — had had enough, and asked an all night cafeteria to close by midnight.”
So began the 2005 documentary “Screaming Queens; The Riot at the Compton&rs…
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Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Love Is the Drug: It may get off to a slow start, but most will likely find Elixir worth the wait
Opera:
Although people often call Donizetti's rom-com The Elixir of Love a good opera for the uninitiated, director Stephen Lawless's production requires a caveat: Remember that old-fashioned thing called patience? Bring some.
For although it all eventually begins to fizz and crackle at an entertaining clip, the first few scenes vacillate between forced and tentative, like a fuse that can't quite decide whether to stay lit. Whether it's the dull whiffs of musical theater in the bustling villagers, the slightly confusing introduction of the young women Adina and her maid Giannetta who both look like potential love-interests for the swoony hero Nemorino, or the slow arrival of the visual wit, it's a flattish start. With this kind of entree, it's safe to say that those not used to waiting for their gratifications (i.e. anyone who doesn't need glasses to read their iPhone) may break a sweat.
''The Elixir of Love''
(Photo by Scott Suchman)
But briefed beforehand, not just on patience but also on the challenges and quirks of mounting comic confections written for antiquarian audiences, there is much to surprise and delight a first-timer. And not least because, once things get going, Lawless and his cast work hard and successfully to give this quaint frolic a sense of contemporary humor.
Set in a barn big enough to store hay as well as serve as the village social center, this is not a ''wow'' of a set, but it's certainly gentle on the eye. And, although slightly bland, it does frame the action tightly; which is no bad thing for an opera that is small on plot but big on charm and cheer. Contrasting nicely is lighting designer Joan Sullivan-Genthe's open sky in the big beyond, which, like much in this production, becomes more and more interesting as the day (and our evening) goes on.
Within this little universe, the plot is accessibly simple with the ''rom'' being country bumpkin Nemorino's passion for the socially superior Adina, who serves as a fine example of the flirt who doesn't know what she's got till it's gone. The ''com'' comes in the form of snake-oil salesman progenitor Doctor Dulcamara who convinces Nemorino that a few swigs of the Doctor's love potion will win him the heart of Adina forever. Add the bumptious Sergeant Belcore who is determined to get a ring on Adina's finger first, and in typical comic-opera style things go all wrong until they go all right.
A big plus for newbies here is Ailyn Perez's souped-up Adina who offers just enough modern-girl charisma to overcome – and at times, make the most of – a significant bustle and a ubiquitous hankie. Though Adina teeters on the edge of full-blown brat, Perez saves her with some nicely played nuance: She's young and foolhardy, not nasty. With a soprano that is richly sweet, technically accomplished, and capable of the kind of rafter-splitting notes that will thrill, she delivers some serious start power.
''The Elixir of Love''
(Photo by Scott Suchman)
Convincingly arduous as Nemorino, (Perez's real-life husband) Stephen Costello brings some nicely defined layers to a character easily made stock. A good physical comic, Costello captures plenty of what's amusing about the smitten Nemorino, but he also brings out just enough inner dignity, resolve and all-around quirkiness to make him more of a match for Adina, despite his hayseed ways. An expressive tenor, Costello brings pathos to his young man, even if he can sometimes ring a little hard on the ears. His rendering of the beautifully somber aria ''Una Furtiva Lagrima'' is appealingly intimate, even if the climatic pauses feel a beat too long. Having recently appeared in a much smaller role in this season's Moby Dick, it's gratifying to see him here, flexing his vocal and acting wings in an entirely different direction.
Bookending the plot with buffo roles, Simon Alberghini as Belcore and Nicola Ulivieri as Dulcamara, both deliver on colorful charisma and make the most of the comedic traditions as well as the more contemporary-feeling visual comedy director Lawless slips in. As the clownish womanizer Belcore, Alberghini has the right attitude despite some singing that is a tad uneven. An unusually good-looking Dulcamara, bass Ulivieri offers a nice gravitas to the rueful humor of the role and sings with a rich and dexterous flair that steals a few scenes. Though her role is small and largely mimed, mention must be made of soprano Shantelle Przybylo, whose Giannetta creates a bright presence and delights with an unexpectedly strong and pretty voice.
Thus, it's an all-around strong ensemble and ultimately it all works and will work for a novice despite the slow start. But, if you're mentoring, plan for a briefing on patience over the pre-performance cocktail or, better yet, tie their wrists to the chair for the first 15 minutes. It's worth it.
Washington National Opera's The Elixir of Love () runs to March 29 at Kennedy Center Opera House. Tickets are $25 to $300. Call 202-295-2400 or visit dc-opera.org. ...more
Although people often call Donizetti's rom-com The Elixir of Love a good opera for the uninitiated, director Stephen Lawless's production requires a caveat: Remember that old-fashioned thing called patience? Bring some.
For although it all eventually begins to fizz and crackle at an entertaining clip, the first few scenes vacillate between forced and tentative, like a fuse that can't quite decide whether to stay lit. Whether it's the dull whiffs of musical theater in the bustling villagers, the slightly confusing introduction of the young women Adina and her maid Giannetta who both look like potential love-interests for the swoony hero Nemorino, or the slow arrival of the visual wit, it's a flattish start. With this kind of entree, it's safe to say that those not used to waiting for their gratifications (i.e. anyone who doesn't need glasses to read their iPhone) may break a sweat.
''The Elixir of Love''
(Photo by Scott Suchman)
But briefed beforehand, not just on patience but also on the challenges and quirks of mounting comic confections written for antiquarian audiences, there is much to surprise and delight a first-timer. And not least because, once things get going, Lawless and his cast work hard and successfully to give this quaint frolic a sense of contemporary humor.
Set in a barn big enough to store hay as well as serve as the village social center, this is not a ''wow'' of a set, but it's certainly gentle on the eye. And, although slightly bland, it does frame the action tightly; which is no bad thing for an opera that is small on plot but big on charm and cheer. Contrasting nicely is lighting designer Joan Sullivan-Genthe's open sky in the big beyond, which, like much in this production, becomes more and more interesting as the day (and our evening) goes on.
Within this little universe, the plot is accessibly simple with the ''rom'' being country bumpkin Nemorino's passion for the socially superior Adina, who serves as a fine example of the flirt who doesn't know what she's got till it's gone. The ''com'' comes in the form of snake-oil salesman progenitor Doctor Dulcamara who convinces Nemorino that a few swigs of the Doctor's love potion will win him the heart of Adina forever. Add the bumptious Sergeant Belcore who is determined to get a ring on Adina's finger first, and in typical comic-opera style things go all wrong until they go all right.
A big plus for newbies here is Ailyn Perez's souped-up Adina who offers just enough modern-girl charisma to overcome – and at times, make the most of – a significant bustle and a ubiquitous hankie. Though Adina teeters on the edge of full-blown brat, Perez saves her with some nicely played nuance: She's young and foolhardy, not nasty. With a soprano that is richly sweet, technically accomplished, and capable of the kind of rafter-splitting notes that will thrill, she delivers some serious start power.
''The Elixir of Love''
(Photo by Scott Suchman)
Convincingly arduous as Nemorino, (Perez's real-life husband) Stephen Costello brings some nicely defined layers to a character easily made stock. A good physical comic, Costello captures plenty of what's amusing about the smitten Nemorino, but he also brings out just enough inner dignity, resolve and all-around quirkiness to make him more of a match for Adina, despite his hayseed ways. An expressive tenor, Costello brings pathos to his young man, even if he can sometimes ring a little hard on the ears. His rendering of the beautifully somber aria ''Una Furtiva Lagrima'' is appealingly intimate, even if the climatic pauses feel a beat too long. Having recently appeared in a much smaller role in this season's Moby Dick, it's gratifying to see him here, flexing his vocal and acting wings in an entirely different direction.
Bookending the plot with buffo roles, Simon Alberghini as Belcore and Nicola Ulivieri as Dulcamara, both deliver on colorful charisma and make the most of the comedic traditions as well as the more contemporary-feeling visual comedy director Lawless slips in. As the clownish womanizer Belcore, Alberghini has the right attitude despite some singing that is a tad uneven. An unusually good-looking Dulcamara, bass Ulivieri offers a nice gravitas to the rueful humor of the role and sings with a rich and dexterous flair that steals a few scenes. Though her role is small and largely mimed, mention must be made of soprano Shantelle Przybylo, whose Giannetta creates a bright presence and delights with an unexpectedly strong and pretty voice.
Thus, it's an all-around strong ensemble and ultimately it all works and will work for a novice despite the slow start. But, if you're mentoring, plan for a briefing on patience over the pre-performance cocktail or, better yet, tie their wrists to the chair for the first 15 minutes. It's worth it.
Washington National Opera's The Elixir of Love () runs to March 29 at Kennedy Center Opera House. Tickets are $25 to $300. Call 202-295-2400 or visit dc-opera.org. ...more
Urge the Senate to pass the Military Justice Improvement Act
http://action.now.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=9172Urge the Senate to pass S. 1752. Your email message and your call – yes, please also call your senators – could make the critical difference. Seven more senators are needed to meet the 60 vote threshold to overcome a filibuster challenge.
See Rochelle, She's MY Boo!
So you know that pic I posted this weekend of me meeting the AMAZING Whoopi Goldberg and me looking like someone just punched me in the face and stole my bike? THAT is EXACTLY how my face looks right now watching what I just found on youtube:LOL what?? ...and then also, what. PLEASE do yourself a favor and watch the entire 2 minutes and 4 seconds cause it will change your life.
Bonez N Booze with Franki
Bartender and Culinary Extraordinaire
Franki has been a staple in the San Diego lesbian, nightlife and art scene for a long time. She is someone that everyone has something good to say about. Franki was one of the first lesbians to throw San Diego art shows including The No Name Art Shows that drew in huge crowds eager to participate in something other than the status quo. Franki has the reputation of being one of San Diego’s hottest and most down to earth bartenders. A combination hard to find in any person let alone a bartender and she truly is one of a kind. Talented in the art of making drinks and customer service she commands her bar like a pro. She is equally as talented in the arts of all kinds. Everything from food to painting to the drums she does well and grabs attention while do…
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Franki has been a staple in the San Diego lesbian, nightlife and art scene for a long time. She is someone that everyone has something good to say about. Franki was one of the first lesbians to throw San Diego art shows including The No Name Art Shows that drew in huge crowds eager to participate in something other than the status quo. Franki has the reputation of being one of San Diego’s hottest and most down to earth bartenders. A combination hard to find in any person let alone a bartender and she truly is one of a kind. Talented in the art of making drinks and customer service she commands her bar like a pro. She is equally as talented in the arts of all kinds. Everything from food to painting to the drums she does well and grabs attention while do…
Read More
They have to find that plane?
There was an 80s movie whose protagonist went through turmoil through the whole movie. It’s killing me that I can’t remember what movie it was. During the film the character came across a National Inquirer article about a sickly alien baby that may or may not live. All hell broke loose in this guy’s life, […]
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Gossiping with Moe
Understanding the vision of Moe Girton: Manager and Bartender at Gossip Grill
Moe Girton is one of San Diego’s favorite bartenders and is now also manager at Gossip Grill. She and her staff have worked hard to create a place that lesbians and just about everyone else love to go. They have some of the fairest drinks prices in town along with a friendly staff of very diverse girls and guys. Moe and Gossip have given San Diego lesbians a place again, that was much needed. After the closing of other lesbian bars there was a dry spell in San Diego. For a lot of lesbians a gay bar holding a lesbian night could not replace a real seven days a week place that was lesbian oriented. Thankfully that has all changed and Gossip Grill along with Moe have paved the way for a place for lesbians and their friends to go have a drink, socialize, h…
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Moe Girton is one of San Diego’s favorite bartenders and is now also manager at Gossip Grill. She and her staff have worked hard to create a place that lesbians and just about everyone else love to go. They have some of the fairest drinks prices in town along with a friendly staff of very diverse girls and guys. Moe and Gossip have given San Diego lesbians a place again, that was much needed. After the closing of other lesbian bars there was a dry spell in San Diego. For a lot of lesbians a gay bar holding a lesbian night could not replace a real seven days a week place that was lesbian oriented. Thankfully that has all changed and Gossip Grill along with Moe have paved the way for a place for lesbians and their friends to go have a drink, socialize, h…
Read More
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