They’re Back
Across 1 Martin Crane's support 5 "The African Queen" author 9 Way out of the closet 13 Asian inland sea 14 Like a muscle Mary's waist 15 Thomas ___ Edison 16 Drag queen's stocking [...]
Deep Inside Hollywood
BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE Your Olympics Crush is 'Dancing With The Stars' No, we didn’t say which Olympics crush. That’s because the upcoming all-athletes season of "Dancing With the Stars" features several recent popular Olympic [...]
Educating Betsy
Across 1 Scott of "American Beauty" 7 Subtle difference 13 Wonder Woman's people 15 Drag queen's application for lids 16 End of an SNL quip: "I may not be very good on camera, but ___" [...]
Artists Celebrate Queer and Trans Love Through Poetry, Photography
Through their poetry, photography and writing, the self-identified “alien femme” duo Alex Jenny and Effee Nelly showcase a fully-realized depiction of queer and transgender love in a decidedly unique way. The couple’s blog, appropriately titled [...]
The Frivolist: 6 Household Chores It’s Time to Farm Out
In my other life as a gay personal finance expert, I write a lot about saving money, but what about time? That’s worth something too, especially if you can save more of it by eliminating [...]
Indigo Girls’ Emily Saliers Talks Empathy, Creativity and New Projects
Few artist are willing to take on topics as complex as the prison industrial complex, painkiller addiction and faith — let alone on one album — but the Indigo Girls certainly don't shy away from [...]
LGBTQ Artist Rachael Cantu Debuts ‘Love Rush’ EP
Falling in love, as thrilling as it is, requires a huge level of vulnerability. That immensely happy and slightly uncomfortable feeling is encapsulated in Rachael Cantu’s most recent music video “You’re the Most.” Its dreamy [...]
Q&A: Jessie Ware on Gaining Confidence from the Queer Community, Wig Snatching & Upcoming Dance Album
Jessie Ware only recently learned what “wig-snatching” means, and fresh off the European leg of her current tour, I’ve taught her “guncle.” The 33-year-old British songstress takes full advantage of this latest lesson in queer-speak, [...]
Deep Inside Hollywood
'A League of Their Own' gets a show of its own Remember that part in "A League of Their Own" where Rosie O’Donnell talks about feeling different from the other women, and how that [...]
Words from Dear Simon
Across 1 "___ because you think I look like a guy?" (with 7-Across) 7 See 1-Across 13 Establishes sexual preference? 15 Classical guitar great 16 Put it to your mouth at a gay rodeo 17 [...]
The Frivolist: 5 Very Good Reasons Why Staying Friends With Your Ex(es) Is Beneficial
I have had some relationships, y’all. None of them went super great. Hence why we’re not still together. But I’ve managed to make friends out of all but one of those boys – four [...]
Our Lady Liberty: Hayley Kiyoko Talks Life, Lesbians and the Pursuit of Unabashed Queer Pop
Even lesbian Jesuses get swept up by the grandeur of the Statue of Liberty. “I’ve never seen it before! It’s huge! Oh my god, it’s huge!” enthuses a giddy-as-ever Hayley Kiyoko, proclaimed “the lesbian Jesus” [...]
Aepex Contemporary Performance and Kerrytown Concert House Push Boundaries with Transgender Opera ‘As One’
Thinking of opera, one might imagine a knight in shining armor, a damsel in distress or Brunnhilde — a woman with a viking helmet and blonde braids belting out some massive vocal power. And, in many ways, opera is still representative of those traditional characters, but it's also an ever-changing medium that is growing with the times.
The Frivolist: 6 Things I’d Like to See on the ‘Roseanne’ Revival
Roseanne Barr knows how to keep tongues wagging. From her infamous bungling of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and my-way-or-the-highway tyranny on the set of her groundbreaking sitcom to her failed presidential bid and accusation that Ireland (yes, the whole darn country) is anti-Semitic, the self-proclaimed domestic goddess has been a controversial pop-culture mainstay for more than 30 years.
Deep Inside Hollywood
By Romeo San Vicente 'Love, Simon,' meet 'Love, Cecil' Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber have acquired the latest documentary from Lisa Immordino Vreeland ("Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel"). The film, "Love, Cecil," is [...]
Missing David
Across 1 With 9-Across and 27-Across, "In the first place, ___" 6 Title for Alec Guinness 9 See 1-Across 14 Isle of the birth state of Bette Midler 15 Aladdin's monkey 16 She had her [...]
From Film to the Stage: Melissa McKamie Refreshes ‘The Sound of Music’s’ Baronness Elsa Schraeder
Although the audience never sees it, a scene change in a musical performance is the product of a well-engineered and well-oiled machine. Many crew members must seamlessly perform dozens of specific actions to set scenery [...]
Dog Act at Lansing’s Wharton Center
"Dog Act" is a capstone thesis production by Liz Duffy Adams which features the 2018 Masters of Fine Arts acting candidates. The production, which will be presented on March 16 and 17, follows the traveling [...]
Luci the Sexting Robot
Across 1 Femme character in "Mango Kiss," or lip 5 Slap on the bottom 9 Opera selections 14 Loads 15 "The English Patient" nurse 16 "With parsley," for Traci Des Jardins 17 Start of a [...]
‘OK, Pumpkin?’: Toni Braxton Isn’t Kidding About These Untold Stories – and the Janet and Mariah Duets That Could’ve Been
When you have seven Grammys and an iconic voice that can drop to ocean depths, it’s your God-given right to also have a no-wings-in-my-dressing-room policy. This is Toni Braxton in 2018, still decrying the existence of [...]
Trey Pearson Finds Community Through Queer-Affirming Music
Trey Pearson is living the out gay life he never thought he could. After 20 years as the frontman of the Christian rock band Everyday Sunday, Pearson — a father of two who was married [...]
Deep Inside Hollywood
By Romeo San Vicente Ryan Murphy’s 'Pose' places trans actors front and center If we can all survive as a nation until summer, "Pose" will be here to see us through. The latest TV series [...]
Birmingham Native, Actress Nominee Alexandra Silber Comes Home for Intimate Performance
DETROIT, Mich. – Lauded by the Huffington Post as “Broadway’s fastest-rising soprano," Birmingham-native Alexandra Silber returns to her hometown in a performance called "Coming Home: Alexandra Silber in Concert." She will make her return to [...]
Michigan Five to perform at Berman Stage
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. – The Michigan Five, featuring some of the most outstanding and creative dance talent from colleges and universities throughout the state, will take center stage at The Berman Center for the Performing [...]
The Bottom Line
Across 1 Queer-looking E 6 Opening noted at the office 10 Hieroglyphic serpent 13 Hometown of Brando 14 C&W singer McCoy 15 Homophone of a Broadway bio 16 Target of deep thrust? 17 Lynch of [...]
Jennifer Garner Talks Emotional Reaction to ‘Love, Simon,’ Her Drag Queen Hairstylist and the Lesbian Role She Almost Had
Mothers of gay sons, Jennifer Garner is here to be your guide. As Emily Spier, whose 17-year-old, Simon (Nick Robinson), has recently come out to her and her husband (Josh Duhamel), the actress is a [...]
Q&A: Sandra Bernhard on Why She Supports Political Blasting of Trump-Themed ‘Roseanne’ and Kathy Griffin’s ‘Biggest Crime’
Before unloading her frank thoughts on TV co-star Roseanne Barr’s alt-right politics and fellow comic Kathy Griffin’s viral Trump-beheading pic (“It just wasn’t funny”), Sandra Bernhard proclaims herself quite aptly as “no-nonsense.” That has been, [...]
‘Simon’ – and Out Director Greg Berlanti – Says It’s Time for Queer Cinema’s Next Big Thing
Historically speaking, the most culturally influential LGBTQ-focused films have been independent, slow-rollout, arthouse-screened touchstones, from Best Picture Oscar contender "Brokeback Mountain" in 2005 to Best Picture Oscar winner "Moonlight," released in 2016. Within and since [...]
The Ringwald Theatre Performs ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ Through Mid-March
In 1981 George Furth and Stephen Sondheim collaborated to refresh a classic 1934 play "Merrily We Roll Along" by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The '80s reboot has themes of "friendship, compromise and the high price of success," according to its press release, and will be playing at Ferndale's Ringwald Theatre now through March 19.
From Broadway to Birmingham – ‘Act One’ makes its Michigan Premiere
Birmingham, Mich. - The Village Players of Birmingham opens its fourth production of its 95th season with James Lapine’s tribute to a life in the theater: “Act One.” The play is based on playwright Moss Hart’s autobiography of the same title.
The Frivolist: 7 Acts of Self-Care You Should Already Be Doing
Life comes at us fast, and it’s getting easier and easier to get lost not only in our circumstances but also in the world around us. Work, friends, family, politics, relationships, past relationships – they [...]
Hear Me Out: 7 Albums (Britney! Robyn!) That Will Make This Year Suck Less
That Britney album better come quick – preferably before the world combusts from nuclear warfare. On the horizon for the rest of what’s shaping up to be a very gay 2018 outside of Brandi Carlile’s recently released must-hear masterwork? New Robyn, new Kylie, new Troye. If only our current political era was as promising as this year’s albums-release slate.
Pryor Restraint
Across 1 Sistine Chapel figure by Michelangelo 7 Torah at Beth Chayim Chadashim 13 It may include Log Cabin candidates 14 Gaily colored flower 15 Start of a quote from Richard Pryor 17 Where students [...]
Punchy, Fiery and Honest Hilarity
ComedyFest Brings Dynamic Lineup to Detroit Ask a comedian what inspires their comedy, and the answers will range from daily life to aging to their social media accounts. Between The Lines did just that with [...]
Wellspring Presents the 9th Annual Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - After nearly a decade of bringing dancers together from across the world, the Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers presents the ninth annual Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival or RAD Fest. The Festival will be held at the Epic Center and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts on March 9 through 11.
The Colorful World of Simon Black
Take a look at his picture, and there’s no getting around it: Detroit native and dance music sensation Simon Black is a little unusual. “I’ve always danced to the beat of my own drum,” Black said. “I used to think that was something bad. But now I don’t.” Black traces his love of music to his formative years in the 1980s. “I was an ‘80s baby and MTV was new,” he said. “The artists that were hot at the time are the ones who inspired me to be who you see today: Madonna, Prince and Michael Jackson.” Madonna, especially, spoke to young Mr. Black.
Theatre NOVA Presents Michigan Premiere of ‘The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith’
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Theatre NOVA is Ann Arbor’s professional theatre with an exclusive focus on new plays and playwrights. Now, coming to its stage is “The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith” by Angelo Parra and Miche Braden.
Deep Inside Hollywood
By Romeo San Vicente LOS ANGELES - MAY 23: Anne Hathaway arrives to the "Alice Through The Looking Glass" American Premiere on May 23, 2016 in Hollywood, CA. Anne Hathaway 'Wanted' by Dee [...]
Me, The Other, a documentary featuring Washtenaw County college students, returns to Ann Arbor March 7th
Me, The Other, a locally produced documentary that tells the story of 12 students attending college in Washtenaw County, is returning to the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor on March 7. The diverse group featured in the film ranges from an African-American acting student from Flint who tells a personal heartbreaking story of the current water crisis in her community; a student from Mexico on the DACA program living in fear of deportation; a student from the storm-devastated island of Puerto Rico; a #metoo story of an orphaned immigrant from Cameroon; and a 65-year-old transgendered student who was homeless and alcohol and drug dependent but chose education over suicide.
Advice from Frasier’s Dad
Across 1 Alfred Douglas' title 5 Spit out 10 Ending for Copland 14 Islamic ruler 15 "Caberet" line about screwing Maximilian 16 Out partner 17 The lowdown 18 Climax at the end of an action [...]
Book Review: Small Towns, Dogs and the Demonic
Driving down a small, Midwestern two-lane highway you'll see dozens of exits for them; tiny, quiet and sleepy towns. And, unless your car's gas light blinks on or your engine starts to vomit smoke, you're [...]
Robyn Is Coming. Plus, 6 Other Albums That Will Make This Year Suck Less.
That Britney album better come quick – preferably before the world combusts from nuclear warfare. On the horizon for the rest of what’s shaping up to be a very gay 2018 outside of Brandi Carlile’s [...]
Q&A: Jake Shears Is ‘Happy to Call the Shots,’ Talks Scissor Sisters Hiatus, Aging and the Day David Bowie Died
“Oh, did I print that?” Jake Shears is in a state of surprised perplexity, wondering if a version of his new (and very moving) memoir, "Boys Keep Swinging," landed in the hands of journalists, such [...]
Tommy Igoe Joins The Birdland All-Stars at The Wharton Center
EAST LANSING, Mich. — A night of jazz comes full circle onto the Pasant Theatre stage when the renowned Birdland All-Stars featuring Tommy Igoe come to the Wharton Center on Saturday, Feb. 24.
Don’t Cuss, Call Gus
Across 1 "The Death of Friends" author Michael 5 The A in GLARP (abbr.) 9 Fairy story figure 14 How far up it goes (abbr.) 15 Syngman of Korea 16 Dykes on Bikes member, e.g. [...]
Q&A With ’27’ Soprano Monica Dewey
A night out in Paris is never a mistake. And in the early 1900s, a trip down its cobble-stoned streets to the salon at 27 rue de Fleurus was an excellent decision. On an ideal [...]
Q&A: Calum Scott Talks Being ‘Terrified’ to Come Out Publicly, Musically Inspiring Queer People & Thoughts on Releasing a Gay Love Song with Sam Smith
"Britain’s Got Talent" finalist Calum Scott, who incited massive swooning on music mogul Simon Cowell’s reality show in 2015, once thought he’d be a counselor. He wanted to ease people’s troubled minds. Give them hope. [...]