Best Albums of 2018
10. Jussie Smollett, "Sum of My Music" No way "Empire" star Jussie Smollett was about to let a label – in his case, not just any label but Sony – stifle his musical ambitions. So he [...]
LezRead Book Club Fosters Friendship through Queer Literature
The Jim Toy Community Center’s Lesbian Book Club LezRead provides more than just an opportunity to read and discuss queer literature. Over the past 16 years, the club has offered queer women of all life [...]
Review: David, Amy Sedaris say Monster Box Theatre’s ‘Book of Liz’ is Gospel
BY PATRICE NOLAN WATERFORD — Before the musical "The Book of Mormon" debuted there was "The Book of Liz," a play by humorist and author David Sedaris and his sister Amy, who is an actress, [...]
‘The Elves and the Schumachers’ at Theatre NOVA through Dec. 30.
ANN ARBOR, – Theatre NOVA’s holiday tradition continues in 2018 with 'The Elves and the Schumachers,' a brand-new play from the team that brought fans “The Year Without a Panto Claus” and “Sugar Plum Panto.” [...]
The Frivolist: 5 Ways to Help a Friend Financially Without Giving Them Money
When a friend or family member comes knocking for cash, pause before opening your wallet – because rarely does this situation go off without a hitch. That’s not to say you can’t lend a [...]
Saoirse Ronan Rules: ‘Mary Queen of Scots’ Star on LGBTQ Allyship & Why It’s ‘Exciting’ Her New Film Has Naked Men
Name a 24-year-old Oscar nominee more qualified to take the throne as a crown-donning, queer-friendly queen than Saoirse Ronan. The "Mary Queen of Scots" star’s own life is rich in queer-adjacent roles and gay besties, [...]
Many Happy (Election) Returns
Across 1 They get checked at bathhouses 4 Abbreviated Broadway musical? 8 First out governor Kate, who was reelected 13 Prefix with classical 14 Antigay prejudice, e.g. 15 Milk, in Madrid 16 Mineo, who [...]
‘Prevalent’ Exhibit Explores Deep Issues in America
Racism, gun violence and human rights violations; unless those are issues faced in their daily life, it's unlikely that the average American chooses to face them head-on. Detroit-born artist Charzette Torrence decided to change that. [...]
SingOut Detroit Performs A Claus for Celebration Dec. 9
Set to perform at Ferndale High School at 3 p.m. on Dec. 9, The SingOutDetroit Chorus is getting ready for its holiday concert. "Join us in celebrating the jolly nature of the season. With songs [...]
Deep Inside Hollywood
By Romeo San Vicente 'Moulin Rouge!' now and forever The stage production of Baz Luhrmann’s "Moulin Rouge!" that opened this summer in Boston is going to Broadway in 2019. Producer Carmen Pavlovic broke the news [...]
Ellen Page Talks Queering ‘Casablanca,’ Starring in ‘Tales of the City’ & Why She Wants a ‘Whip It’ Sequel
Actress and social activist Ellen Page recently witnessed history repeating itself while revisiting acclaimed classic "Casablanca." Page noted the 1942 film’s eerie modern-day relevance, “the Nazi presence, but the sort of neutrality of people,” while [...]
The Ringwald Serves a Slice of Life and Politics with ‘The Cake’
Bittersweet Dramedy Explores Bakers, Cakes and Family Dilemmas
MOCAD’s Annual Monster Drawing Rally Dec. 14
In an "open call" to artists interested, MOCAD sent out a press release advertising their Monster Drawing Rally. This is an annual public event that features 100 artists in two one-hour shifts. They will draw in front of a live audience and make their usually private studio processes part of a public performance.
JASON STUART 10th Year Anniversary Stand-Up Special from Here Media set to Stream on Dec. 7
Proudly openly gay for the length of his career, comedian Jason Stuart was the first openly gay male comedian to have his own hour comedy special: "Making it to the Middle." It was taped in the middle of his career, the middle of the country and the middle of his life, and will air again from Here Media for its 10th year anniversary on Dec. 7, on Here TV on cable and streaming services.
DIA Partners with Social Service Agencies for 10th Community Group Art Exhibition
DETROIT — The Detroit Institute of Arts presents its 10th annual Community Group Art Exhibition from Dec. 6, 2018, to Jan. 6, 2019, in the special exhibition galleries located next to Rivera Court, with a connected display in the Walter Gibbs Learning Center. The artworks were created by participants in the DIA’s Community Group Program, a partnership between the museum and human service agencies in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
Scarab Club 105th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition
The Scarab Club is currently preparing its Gold Medal Exhibition, an annual unthemed, all-media exhibition, open to all members in good standing. The Annual chronicles year-to-year events and exhibitions at the Scarab Club and includes [...]
The Frivolist: 11 Items In Your Attic That Might Be Worth Big Bucks
Attic treasures are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Many of us are living more efficiently with less clutter lying around the house and barely any room for additional storage anyway. I’ve never [...]
Q&A: Margot Robbie Talks Queen Elizabeth Drag, That Gay Orgy & Harley Quinn’s Queerness in ‘Birds of Prey’
After a fierce, Oscar-nominated turn as scandalous skater Tonya Harding in 2017’s "I, Tonya," Margot Robbie is off the ice and holding royal court as Queen Elizabeth I in "Mary Queen of Scots." Exercising a [...]
The Ringwald Serves a Slice of Life and Politics with ‘The Cake’
Bittersweet Dramedy Explores Bakers, Cakes and Family Dilemmas In July 2012, Colorado residents Charlie Craig and David Mullins approached Masterpiece Cakeshop owner Jack Phillips with a request to create a cake to celebrate their upcoming [...]
Angel Vivaldi Wants to Re-Introduce you to Instrumental Guitar
Whether escorting fans on a seasonal tour of the universe, providing a musical accompaniment to some of the brain's most key neurotransmitters or removing song titles from an EP altogether, Angel Vivaldi's artistic vision has [...]
Just Desserts
Across 1 Get off the breast 5 Ejaculation of concern 9 Travels with one's first mate 14 "At Wit's End" author Bombeck 15 Farm erection 16 High marks 17 Tempt with desserts? 19 Bryant, who [...]
Affirmations Hosts SHop and Sip at Dolce MODA
On Thursday, Dec. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m., shoppers at dolce MODA in Birmingham have the opportunity to support the LGBTQ community center through their purchases. Wine and cocktails will be served during the [...]
Meadow Brook Theatre Presents ‘A Christmas Carol’ Through Dec. 23
The Charles Dickens holiday classic "A Christmas Carol" has come back to Rochester's Meadow Brook Theatre for the 37th consecutive year. Tickets are now available for performances through Dec. 23. Following the story of Ebenezer [...]
Deep Inside Hollywood
Get ready for a Roy Cohn-ucopia Did you miss the Roy Cohn lesson in queer history class? Do you still not know about the closeted, Trump-mentoring, McCarthyite lawyer who hated the LGBT community and [...]
Q&A: Michael Bublé Talks LGBTQ Youth Outreach, Teaching His Kids Self-Love & ‘Sexist’ Christmas Cover
"You’re my first. Be gentle with me. Can we start with, like, a foreplay thing where you can just take it easy on me? Some gentle licking perhaps, and then we’ll get into the heavy [...]
What Bob Said to Bob
Across 1 Reproduced nonheterosexually? 5 Nut from Oak Lawn 10 Nuts and bolts 14 Facetious "I see" 15 Lindsay of "Liz & Dick" 16 Farmer's tool 17 Chocolate factory vessels 18 Photographer Leibovitz 19 Cocksure [...]
‘OutCasting’ LGBTQ Youth Radio Program Founder Receives AARP Purpose Prize
AARP's Purpose Prize is designed to honor extraordinary individuals who use their life experience to make a better future, each year selecting winners who have gone above and beyond to achieve that goal. In the case of one of this year's winners, Marc Sophos, his focus has been on LGBTQ youth. The New York-based journalist is the founder and executive director of Media for the Public Good — a nonprofit that focuses on creating media from underrepresented points of view. Putting his nearly two decades of radio experience to use, Sophos created "OutCasting" a youth LGBTQ public radio program, and the accompanying podcast "OutCasting Overtime." Each episode is created by LGBTQ teens.
Transgender Day of Remembrance 2018 Events
The Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance on Nov. 20 that honors the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. TDOR was started by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998.
Detroit Opera House’s ‘Too Hot to Handel’ Performance Dec. 1
The Detroit rendition of Handel's "Messiah" is a unique jazz-infused version of the holiday classic that this year will return to the Detroit Opera House on Dec. 1 at 7;30 p.m. "This soul stirring, toe-tapping [...]
The Frivolist: 5 Steps to Coming to Terms With Your Balding Head
Male pattern baldness for a young gay man can be tough to come to terms with, but rest assured that your hair is only one aspect of your overall appearance and personal style. Instead of [...]
Detroit Fringe Festival Marks Fifth Year of Experimental Performances Over Weekend
DETROIT — Aerialists and police radios, a theatrical podcast airing and the first multi-generational performance by an internationally renowned spoken word poet. These are just a few of this year’s performance highlights at the 2018 Detroit Fringe Festival.
Viola Davis Talks Journey to LGBTQ Acceptance, Finding Her Power & Why Her Favorite Role Was As a Man
Viola Davis taps my hand when she really means what she says. Each time the actress reaches over to make contact, the big bar in the big skyscraper in big Chicago where we are sitting [...]
Q&A: Actress Claire Foy Talks Objecting to Lesbian Sex Scene in Her New Film, All Those Dildos and Being Bi in ‘Unsane’
A pansexual man-avenger returns – this time, with English actress Claire Foy sporting the Swedish computer-hacker Lisbeth Salander’s leather gear and trademark dragon tattoo. Based on the novel from David Lagercrantz, written after original author [...]
‘Evidence of Things Unseen’ Midwest Premiere Opened Detroit Rep’s 62nd Season
DETROIT — "Evidence of Things Unseen" is about two sisters, Abigail — an investigative journalist and atheist — and Jane, a stay-at-home mom and born-again Christian. The play follows the duo's differing responses to grief, revenge, sorrow and faith. Written by Katie Forgette, it opened Detroit Repertory Theatre’s 62nd season last week, and will and run through Dec. 23.
No Tiptoeing at Matrix Theatre with ‘Well-Intentioned White People’
BY JENN McKEE Regulars at the Matrix Theatre might not be surprised to learn that Rachel Lynett’s darkly comic play, “Well-Intentioned White People,” initially caught the attention of Matrix Theatre’s artistic director, Megan Buckley-Ball, by [...]
Deep INside Hollywood
Foster’s spinoff delivers a dose of 'Good Trouble' We told you a while back that "Good Trouble" was coming. It’s the spinoff from "The Fosters" that follows Callie (Maia Mitchell) and Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) [...]
Brennan Villines ‘Make(s) It Work’ with Brand-New EP
After overcoming a battle with drug addiction and an HIV-positive diagnoses, musician Brennan Villines jumped into the national spotlight with a showstopping performance on Fox's "The Four." Villines imprinted upon viewers not only his musical [...]
Going Either Way
Across 1 Lickety-split 5 Places where the salami isn't hidden 10 Fruit of the ___ 14 Magazine magnate Henry 15 Like Emma Donoghue 16 Dave Pallone and others 17 Up to snuff 18 With 61-Across, [...]
Vox of an Angel
Whether belting out a classic like "House of the Rising Sun," putting her own spin on Radiohead's "Creep" or performing a standing ovation-worthy "Wicked" duet with stars like Lea Michele, Ada Vox is bringing it. [...]
The Frivolist: 7 Pieces of Luxury Fitness Equipment to Satisfying Your Inner Bougie While Working Out
Summer-bod goals crash and burn by the middle of June? Join the club. But perhaps the best thing about fall (besides guys in grey sweatpants!) is that there’s ample time to concentrate more on exercise [...]
Deep Inside Hollywood
By Romeo San Vicente Will Rosie rivet audiences on 'The Talk'? Well, Julie Chen is, of course, out at "The Talk" thanks to horrible husband troubles. But who’ll take over for her? It seems [...]
Queer-Friendly Halloween Celebrations
There’s no Halloween like a Halloween with drag queens, burlesque shows and friendly LGBTQ company. With the season kicking into high gear this weekend, our team at BTL has organized a list of queer-friendly Halloween [...]
Dance Company Performs Piece on Struggle, Addiction at Detroit Opera House
DETROIT, Mich. –— Michigan Opera Theatre, in partnership with the University Musical Society, will open its 2018-19 dance series with the Detroit Opera House debut of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company Oct. 27. The multidisciplinary company [...]
Q&A: Melissa McCarthy on How She Got Her Drag Name, First Time in a Gay Bar & Emulating Lesbians
Melissa McCarthy knows her way around a woman who doesn’t care what other people think. This is the foundation on which her bawdy and vanity-free slapstick characters are created. Anti-feminine hornball Megan in "Bridesmaids" dialed [...]
A Star Is Reborn: Kathy Griffin Talks Trump (Obviously) – But Also, Gaga, Aretha and Cher
Kathy Griffin’s priorities shifted after, well, you know. The head. More precisely: a gory replica of President Trump’s own head made from a ketchup-dosed Halloween mask that Griffin holds in the infamous pic that spread [...]
Ms. Borden
Across 1 Loads 5 Like a fairy tale brother? 9 Revealing a small opening 13 Iago, notably 14 Pink shade 15 Dis and dat, in Queens 16 Really a fan of 17 Web surfer [...]
The Frivolist: 6 Get-Up-and-Go Ways to Experience Fall’s Magnificent Foliage
Experience Mother Nature’s majesty with these make-a-weekend-out-of-it ways to view stunning displays of fall foliage like never before.
Comedian Fortune Feimster to Perform in Royal Oak Oct. 18-20
Even if it's the first time you're listening to Fortune Feimster's comedy, chances are it's going to feel like a chance meeting with a great friend; immediately comfortable. The kind of natural slide into a [...]
Dancing Around the Truth
Across 1 Like Barber's "Adagio for Strings" 5 Beachwear for a hunk 10 Fruity drinks 14 Auto dash dial 15 Greek poet who didn't look at porn 16 "___ l'amour!" 17 Start to climax 18 [...]