2010 Holiday Gift Guide

Seattle Gay News
Issue 48, Volume 38, November 26, 2010
2010 Holiday Gift Guide
Dina Martina
Comedian delights,
disturbs this season
by Shaun Knittel
SGN Associate Editor
She’s baaaaaack! Everyone’s favorite
Christmas turkey, Dina Martina, returns to
Re-bar, and I couldn’t be happier! Year after laugh-out-loud year, Dina Martina raises
the bar even higher with each holiday extravaganza and 2010 promises to be her best
Christmas show yet!
I got the rare opportunity to interview Dina
just days before her November 26 opening
night at her home away from home – “Rebar’s place,” as she calls it. And if the hilarious and outlandish way she answered even
the most serious of questions is any barometer of just how ridiculously delicious The
Dina Martina Christmas Show is going to
be, then my advice is for you to hold on to
your seats, ladies and gentlemen, because
Dina is going to send us all on a rip-roaring
sleigh ride to happy land!
Dina, who just recently returned to Seattle,
the city she describes as “a real melting pot
of white people,” told me she is ready to pass
out jokes like ribbon candy.
“I’m a woman of the ‘90s with a ballpark
figure who loves to sing, dance, and act,”
Dina told Seattle Gay News. “You know
what they call that in show business? They
see martina page 11
courtesy dina martina
Dina Martina
Annie
Lennox
speaks out
Gay icon releases new
Christmas album and opens up about
AIDS pandemic, Perez Hilton’s
“vicious diatribes,” and her own
sweet dreams for the world
by Chris Azzopardi
SGN Contributing Writer
courtesy q syndiacte
And so it is, as Lennox gets heated over
issues dear to her heart: her opinion on the
current state of HIV/AIDS, feelings about
Legendary status – earned through the bullying-prompted suicides, and why
over three decades in the music busi- sexuality labels shouldn’t exist.
ness – hasn’t changed Annie Lennox.
Chris Azzopardi: Why release a
Despite being a global superstar, Christmas album now, after all this time
first making an impression as part of in the business?
the Eurythmics in the ’80s before goAnnie Lennox: It was just the optimum
ing solo, she’s genuinely concerned moment. It’s something I’ve been longing
about the human condition, as her tire- to do for many years, and when you do
less work toward promoting HIV/AIDS anything in music it takes time. So every
awareness – with her SING campaign, album that I’ve ever made has taken up
established in 2007 – demonstrates. She’s most of the year that I’ve made it in. Then,
inspired the world finally, it came to the point where I was
through dialogue and out of contract and I was like, “What’s
travel and music, a my next step?” And then it just occurred
platform Lennox uses to me very obviously, “Ah, this is when
to fervently convey I do what I’ve wanted to do for years.”
her feelings on soci- [Laughs.] So it’s just perfect. It’s a labor
ety with her sterling of love, this whole thing.
voice.
Azzopardi: It sounds like it, too, and
“ U n i v e r s a l it has some extra significance: Your 56th
Child,”
which birthday is on Christmas Day.
Lennox originally
Lennox: That is correct.
performed on Idol
Azzopardi: Did you ever get gypped
Gives Back earlier on gifts?
this year wearing
Lennox: When I was a kid, it was fine
a shirt that said – I used to get double, and I felt very good
“HIV-Positive” about that. But I’m at a point where re(even though she ceiving presents is not really the most imisn’t), is yet an- portant thing to me. [Laughs.]
other passionate
Azzopardi: Well, of course: You’re
plea – this time, more about giving, right?
to help heal the
Lennox: I prefer to. It’s very nice to get
world. It takes a present, but I like to give. I do.
on new life as
Azzopardi: I’m not surprised. How
it rounds out does “Universal Child” fit on A Christmas
Lennox’s new, Cornucopia?
first-ever holiday album,
Lennox: You know, it was a very interA Christmas Cornucopia, which also esting thing. Basically, Island Records, or
includes traditional songs and uncon- Universal, who I’m signed to, just loved
ventional carols. Its heart, however, is the song so much; they just kind of said,
still intact.
“You have got to put it on the album. We
On the phone, as Lennox speaks to really, really want you to put it on the
us from her Scotland home about the album.” So it was almost like their inlong-gestating collection, she’s com- sistence, because I wasn’t sure; I’d been
pletely grounded, initiating the conver- doing traditional Christmas carols [and
sation by mocking how much time her thought], “I wonder if this fits in.” But
people have given us: “This is your 15
minutes with Annie Lennox,” she opens
with a laugh.
see lennox page 17
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Seattle Gay News
November 26, 2010
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
November 26, 2010
Seattle Gay News
3
15% discount on
gift certificates
purchased during
the month of
December!
the perfect waste free gift!
4
Seattle Gay News
November 26, 2010
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
Holiday albums hit the
shelves alongside
Elton and Liza
anced number; “Gone to Shiloh,” a moving
Civil War narrative, with Neil Young bringing an added ache; and quiet gospel closer
“In the Hands of Angels,” a song that Elton
lets his idol have at alone. It’s a testimony to
the brotherhood felt throughout, where both
artists extract each other’s individual best
and together, as
by Chris Azzopardi
SGN Contributing Writer
for, you know, singing,
but it’s the only real
coal in this collection
Mariah Carey
– one sure to make the
Merry Christmas II You
yuletide Gayer.
Sequels usually suck, but Mariah Carey’s
Grade: B
not going down with that sleigh on her cleverly titled offshoot to her Merry Christmas
Elton John
behemoth. That 16-year-old album spawned
and Leon Rus“All I Want for Christmas is You,” a mod- sell
ern-day classic, whose new “Extra Festive”
The Union
version is, well, extra-noisy or something.
In his illustrious
More obviously, the diva’s “Auld Lang four-decade career,
Syne” sounds ready to ring in the New Elton John’s done
Year on a Gay disco ball, as its slow pref- it all: cut classics,
ace surges into an arms-up thumper. Beats inspired generapercolate on first single “Oh Santa!” too, tions of performers
with its old-school bounce and school-yard and been one of the
chant, but this wouldn’t be a Mariah album
without big, goopy ballads – and
Merry Christmas II You is padded
with them: “One Child,” one of two
new tracks produced by Hairspray
composer Marc Shaiman, builds to
a belting climax; there’s also operasinger mom, Patricia Carey, on “O
Come All Ye Faithful” and a live,
chill-propelling “O Holy Night.”
But part two is no classic, especially
with the awkward Michael Jacksonborrowed “Here Comes Santa Claus
(Right Down Santa Claus Lane).” The
spirit’s there, though – and that goes a
long way.
Grade: BIndigo Girls
Holly Happy Days
That the Indigo Girls recorded
their first holiday album in Nashville is only appropriate – they’ve
never sounded this downright
country. “I Feel the Christmas
Spirit,” a bluegrass sing-along,
is a toe-tappin’ good time. What
follows is similar in style but
stripped to their much-adored
acoustic sound: “It Really Is (A
Wonderful Life),” written by
Chely Wright, adds a jazz twist,
while “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is simple and understated,
intertwining Emily Saliers and
Amy Ray’s voices like holiday magic (Janis Ian, Brandi
Carlile and Mary Gauthier
add harmonies to the album,
too). But what’s really special about the refreshing Holly Happy Days (besides the
cool packaging with lyrics of
the three new tunes written
on ornament cut-outs) has
more to do with the duo’s
rarely recorded song selection. One of those, Beth
Nielsen Chapman’s “There’s Still My Joy,”
is stunningly bittersweet – just how we like
our Girls.
Grade: B+
Glee: The Music
The Christmas Album
Before Glee conquers the world (because
it will), it’s conquering Christmas – the Gay
way, with a dude duo doing “Baby, It’s Cold
Outside” together (aw, cute!). On the holiday-themed release from the cast of TV’s
biggest, Queerest drug, Kurt (Chris Colfer)
and possible-new-loverboy Blaine (Darren
Criss) charm in a refreshingly Gay take on
the classic. Otherwise, Glee plugs carols
into the show’s formula for frothy bouncers and over-the-top ballads: a jazzy, dancemade “Jingle Bells”; pop fave “Last Christmas” and a soaring “O Holy Night,” sung
by pipe queen Lea Michele (duh). Even the
show’s knack for mash-ups gets play on
this disc with “Deck the Rooftop,” a groovy
romp. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is
an odd fit, especially since Glee is known
greatest Gay icons ever. For so
long, though, the legend’s
admiration for Leon Russell, a roots-country crooner,
went untouched – until now,
as the two marry their musical geniuses into a masterfully
written, produced (cut live by
tunesmith T Bone Burnett, no
less) and performed duets LP.
Trademark Elton sneaks in on
the boisterous kiss-off “Monkey
Suit,” heartfelt ballad “The Best
Part of the Day” and snarling, piano-licked “Hey Ahab,” perhaps
due in part to longtime co-writer
Bernie Taupin’s contributions. But
the Rocket Man is still far removed
from his signature classic-rock d a y s ,
falling closer in line with Russell’s ’70s
Americana records. On The Union, craft
ranks over mainstream consumption, and it
pays off remarkably with the sarcastic lead
single “If It Wasn’t for Bad,” a jaunty, nu-
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
her personality, but even with better-known
favorites like Frank Sinatra’s “All the Way”
and Etta James’ “At Last,” she holds her
own, reaching more for the song’s soul and
less for its vocal cartwheels. The soft-sounding ease of it all could use more oomph, even
with the zing of “You Fascinate Me So,” and
is sometimes tediously muddied, but Confessions is still a mature and dignified way
to keep Liza’s 60-year career rolling. Hell,
we’d put a ring on it.
Grade: B
ALSO OUT
The Superions,
Destination... Christmas!
Something weird’s to be expected from B52s’ Fred Schneider, whose side project with
two other musicians – known collectively
as the Superions – is one strange, creepy,
horny, electro-fused spin. The perverted
“Santa Je T’aime” answers the question,
“Why did ol’ Saint Nick favor Rudolph?”
And other novelty songs are just as wacky.
If Christmas got punk’d, this would be it.
Elton smoothes out
the ruggedness of Russell’s
drawl, sound like each other’s
yin and yang. Their Union
isn’t simply a great story of
enduring friendship, but one
of the best albums of the
year.
Grade: ALiza Minnelli
Confessions
Even Liza Minnelli knew
her decision to embarrass
herself, and her legendary career, with a “Single
Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
remake earlier this year
was a bad move – she
sounded grossly awful,
like she was hobbling to the
finish line. Instead of pushing the idea of older-divadoes-younger-diva through
to this studio album, her
first since 1996’s Gently, she
embraces every day of her
64 years of age with a classy
covers collection that plays to
her strengths and avoids emphasizing her weaknesses. Her
voice – more jeans than spandex these days – doesn’t go for
flash, but is understated and
expertly suited for the quiet intimacy that producer and longtime collab-
Katharine McPhee
Christmas Is the Time
… (To Say I Love You)
Back to basics, and out from the trendy
trench, is where the American Idol loser
lands on her simple 10-tracker. The songs
on her third album, mostly made of classic
carols, are structured to conjure pre-fadfollowing McPhee, who sings her little heart
out and, with sole original “It’s Not Christmas Without You,” pulls at ours.
The Puppini Sisters
Christmas with
the Puppini Sisters
What did Christmas sound like in the ’40s?
Like the Puppini Sisters third disc, with 10
tracks as fresh as new snow. The British trio
(who aren’t really sisters) rework them with
a retro twist, jazzing up “Let It Snow! Let It
Snow! Let It Snow!” and putting the breaks
on 1980s Wham! hit “Last Christmas.” Even
Mariah’s “All I Want for Christmas is You”
is revived – in boogie-woogie style.
Wilson Phillips
Christmas in Harmony
If you held on for one more day, then payoff’s finally here: Wilson Phillips, the allgirl group who ruled the early ’90s, are getting into the spirit with their first holiday LP.
The title couldn’t be truer – harmonies are
their thing, especially on songs like opener
“I Wish It Could be Christmas Every Day” –
but the album’s as safe as giving a gift card.
Lizz Wright
Fellowship
Lizz Wright’s got some voice – a supple,
rich contralto that, on her new “secular gospel” offering, could trigger chills through
non-believers. After submerging it into
jazz and blues, Wright honors her Georgia roots with emotionally stirring results
– impressing with the glorious “God
Specializes,” Eric Clapton’s “Presence
of the Lord” and “Amazing Grace,”
made into a minimalistic mover. With
help from Sweet Honey in the Rock’s
Bernice Reagon, and daughter Toshi,
Wright’s fourth album is a transcendent journey of life, spirituality and
deeply felt feeling.
Shontelle
No Gravity
Whoever Shontelle is seems irrelevant on much of her sophomore
set, where she’s a pop singer left to
imitate rather than initiate. Rihanna
comparisons – especially on the
dancefloor punch of “Take Ova”
– are inevitable, but the Barbadian
23-year-old’s also doing her best
Estelle impression on “DJ Made
Me Do It.” Even then, and even
with a talented production team,
she can’t find a way to make it her own.
Shontelle sounds mostly outdated, cheap
and lyrically shallow, but the lead single,
“Impossible,” shows she may still have a
shot at defying Gravity.
orator
Bruce Roberts is fetching. The
14 standards are scaled back, never giving
Liza’s now-husky alto more than it can handle – no orchestras, no showstoppers – with
its jazzy, dinner party arrangements. “ConReach Chris Azzopardi at chris@pridesfession,” originally from The Band Wagon
and opening the set, perfectly complements ource.com.
November 26, 2010
Seattle Gay News
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6
Seattle Gay News
November 26, 2010
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
Seattle favorite Anne Allgood
sings with holiday cheer in
by Eric Andrews-Katz
SGN Contributing Writer
A Christmas Story:
The Musical!
5th Avenue Theatre
November 26 – December 30
Anne Allgood is a familiar face to the
Seattle theater scene. Even before moving
to the Pacific Northwest, Ms. Allgood had
graced the Seattle stage in national touring companies. Last seen at the 5th Avenue
Theatre’s highly acclaimed production of
Candide, Ms. Allgood stole every scene she
was in as The Old Woman, the lady with one
buttock. The Seattle Gay News interviewed
this talented and versatile actress, currently
appearing as Mother in the premier production of A Christmas Story: The Musical!
Curt Doughty
dide?
Allgood: She was
fun! I had done a production of Candide before,
and was in the chorus.
The thing I figured out was
that nothing ever surprised
her. She’d seen it all, and so if
Eric Andrews-Katz: What was it that got something shocking happened, she’d be like, edies of life, and the rich banquet it offers.
Andrews-Katz: You’ve performed in a
“Oh, great.” I wanted to use an accent that
you interested in musical theater?
Anne Allgood: I come from a musical was Slavic and give an Old World European wide range of musicals from Candide and
the Park with George
family. My grandmother was the church or- feel. David Armstrong suggested a Yiddish Sunday in
to Urinetown. Do you
ganist in her town and taught piano, so pia- a c c e n t
prefer the classical
no lessons were a given
musicals or the more
in my family. I first sang
modern?
in church when I was 4.
Allgood: I don’t
I did a play in the 7th
want to paint with a
grade (not a musical),
broad brush, but just
but I was always a showbecause of where I
off kind of kid and made
am with my trainmy neighbors friends
ing, I tend to prefer
dress up and perform.
the classical musiAndrews-Katz: After
cal in general (and
performing several times
this is a sweeping
on Broadway, how did
generalization).
you end up in Seattle?
Composers before
Allgood: Usually I
the era of elecneed a couple of hours
tronic music tendand a bottle of wine for
ed to write more
that story! I wanted a betfor singers that
ter quality of life. I wanted
don’t need mipersonal balance. I was
crophones. I like
getting known as a really
using my body
good understudy in New
as an instrument,
York, and never got to audibut the more
tion for non-musical roles.
modern shows
That was frustrating. I was
are written for
really attracted to the Semics. Some of
attle theater vibe. I had been
the modern muon tour with a show at the
sicals are really
Civic Opera and I thought, “I
funny, though.
could live here.”
I loved doing
Andrews-Katz: What was
Urinetown.
your first production with the
Andrews5th Avenue Theatre?
Katz: When
Allgood: The first thing I
was the first
did was Beauty and the Beast
time you saw
on tour. I was living in New
the movie A
York and it was during the big
Christmas
musicians’ strike. Since we
e Hallum,
Story?
ne Allgood, Clark
An
n,
lto
didn’t do shows for a week or
Bo
hn
Jo
t)
The Musical!
y:
kwise from top lef
or
loc
St
(C
as
Allgood: I
tm
ris
two, we just hung out. I ended
s in A Ch
and Matthew Lewi
didn’t see it until I
up spending three months here
because of her Old was an adult. I was on tour with Beauty and
and I got to know the city betWorld sense. It basically became a Polish/ the Beast [in 1996] and I met my family for
ter.
Andrews-Katz: How did you develop Jewish accent with a touch of Norwegian. a skiing trip. We got snowed in and were
your character, The Old Woman, from Can- She embraces the absurdity, joys, and trag- stuck in a hotel in Reno. They were playing
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
November 26, 2010
A Christmas Story marathon, so
we got to watch it.
Andrews-Katz: When you heard the film
was being made into a musical, what was
your reaction?
Allgood: I thought, ‘What a fantastic
idea! Why haven’t they done it before!’
Then I heard the music and thought, “Oh my
gosh! This is fantastic!” It was a great match
– the music and songs are really a wonderful
pastiche of the ‘40s, and yet they have this
modern synchronization, a jazzy, splashy
part that gives it a contemporary sound.
Andrews-Katz: What is your favorite
part about playing Mother in A Christmas
Story?
Allgood: That’s a hard one, too. I love the
family. I love the fact that John Bolton is my
husband (I have a showbiz crush). I love that
the mother just never stops trying to have
some calm in her home and her life. On one
hand she is the calm heart of the home, and
on the other hand she’s as wacky as the rest.
They holler and don’t listen well, but they
love each other.
Andrews-Katz: What is it about A Christmas Story that you think the audience will
connect with the most?
Allgood: The appeal of the story is not
that it’s from the past, but that we are reliving and watching it now. All the characters
in the play are freaking out that it’s going to
be Christmastime. They are counting down
the minutes and everyone is thinking, “How
am I going to get everything done?” and being panicky. But they love Christmastime
with all the wrapping, and cookies, and all
the aspects. I think the audience will have
a blast with seeing something that most of
them have seen, but in a different form. It’s
not like the movie; it’s something different.
Before settling in Seattle, Ms. Allgood
lived and performed in New York. Her
Broadway career includes The Most Happy
Fella (1992) and Carousel (1994). She’s
performed with Audra McDonald and Michael Berresse, among other Tony Awardwinners. Her performances in Seattle include The Women, Das Barbecü, and Candide, among many other fine performances.
Seattle Gay News
7
Holiday EVENTS
CALENDAR
Compiled by Nick Ardizzone
SGN Staff Writer
“South Park Arts Sixth
Annual Art Under $100 Sale”
12/4, 4-10pm. South Park’s
Old Fire Station, 8201 10th Ave.
S. South Park artists will knock
your socks off with original, edgy
works not seen at a typical holiday
sale. What’s more, everything is
affordable, with nothing priced
over $100. The event will showcase a diverse array of art including painting, sculpture, neon, jewelry, clothing, photography, glass,
letterpress, and more. FREE entry;
art raffle every 30 minutes - raffle
tickets at $2 each or 3 for $5; enjoy an ever-changing atmospheric
sound-scape throughout the event;
sip wine, feast on appetizers, enjoy
holiday shopping. All proceeds
benefit South Park Art. www.
southparkarts.org.
8
Seattle Gay News
attle. Admission is $2 for PNA
members, $4 for nonmembers, plus
a can of food for local food banks.
Children 12 & under free. See website for list of artists & entertainment
schedule. 206-783-2244; www.
phinneycenter.org
GINGERBREAD VILLAGE
“Gingerbread Homes
for the Holidays”
Sheraton Seattle Hotel, 6th Ave
& Pike St, presents their 18th Annual Gingerbread Village, a benefit for the Northwest Chapter of
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Seattle’s top architectural
firms will team up with Sheraton
Seattle’s culinary staff to design,
bake and build elaborate gingerbread displays and holiday
creations reflecting this year’s
theme. The display is free and
open to the public. Donations
will be accepted. These gingerbread houses are a delight
to look at! On display through
1/2.
FREMONT LENIN LIGHTING
“Fremont Lenin Lighting
and Fremont Art Walk”
12/3, 5pm-9pm. Celebrate the lighting of
Fremont’s Lenin statue at Red Triangle, Evanston Ave N & N 36th St. Santa arrives in
Fremont, free Peet’s coffee and tea, MightyO Donuts, and live bluegrass music by Rabbit Stew String Band. Grab your friends,
family, and neighbors and check out our festive annual event! Fremont First Friday Art
Walk runs from 6-9pm.
GREEN LAKE
PATHWAY OF LIGHT
Market
“Green Lake Pathway of Lights”
12/11, 4:30-7:30pm. Join thousands of
families, friends, and neighbors in this beloved Seattle tradition and travel the 2.8
mile path around the lake, taking in the
warm glow of the luminaria. People are encouraged to bring their own lights and candles to add to the ambiance. Local musicians
will perform at four sites around the lake:
the Green Lake Community Center on the
east side, the Green Lake Small Craft Center (the Aqua Theater) on the south
side, the Bathhouse
Theater (Seattle
Public Theatre) on
the north side, and
The Arch on the
east of side of the
community center/
pool. Warm drinks
and treats will be
available at those locations, as will donation bins for non-perishable food items for
Northwest Harvest.
Admission is free.
http://parkways.seattle.gov/2010/10/29/
green-lake-pathwayof-lights-is-december-11/
le times
“Pratt Holiday Art Sale
& Opening Night Parties”
Don’t miss this chance to find
unique holiday gifts for all of your
friends and family. Featuring the
works of local artists in glass, jewelry, painting and sculpture, you
are sure to find something for everyone on your list! 12/1 Opening
Night Party, 6-9pm - $50; 12/212/11 Holiday Sale, 10am-7pm
- free admission. 155 S Main St.
www.pratt.org
Seattle Public
bers from the 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of The Christmas Story: The Musical!
6-7:15pm, caroling competition – vote for
your favorite team. 7:15-7:30pm, Seahawks
Blue Thunder Drumline. 7:30-8:30pm,
mainstage show & awards presentation. All
donations benefit the Pike Market Senior
Center and Downtown Food Bank. www.
figgypuddingpmsc.org.
rod mar/sea
tt
“Bastyr Holiday Bazaar”
Looking to get all of your
holiday shopping done in
one place? Come to Bastyr
University’s annual Holiday
Bazaar craft fair from 11 a.m.
to 4 p.m. on 12/1 at the Bastyr
University Campus (14500
Juanita Drive N.E., Kenmore).
Participating vendors will sell
such items as paper-bead jewelry handcrafted in Uganda,
locally crafted bead and silver
jewelry, embroidered towels, locally produced honey, quilted
jackets, flower essences, shawls
and wraps, organic skincare, photographic art, magic tricks, and
much more. Bastyr’s whole foods
cafeteria will be open during this
time as well. A portion of the proceeds from this event go toward
funding scholarships for Bastyr
University students. Vendors interested in hosting a table at this
event, contact crafts@bastyr.
edu. http://www.bastyr.edu/news/
news.asp?NewsID=2150.
“Magic in the Market”
11/27, 1-5pm. Pike Place Market, 1st Ave
& Pike St, becomes a winter wonderland
when the Market’s 20-foot holiday tree and
thousands of lights on the Market’s buildings
are turned on at 5pm. Starting at 1pm, Santa
poses by the Market’s vintage farmtruck under the Market clock. Bring your camera and
take a family photo! The Dickens Carolers
roam the market, singing traditional holiday
erg
david fosb
“Winter Festival”
12/4 & 12/5, 10am-5pm. This is the neighborhood’s biggest holiday event! The Winter
Festival features two buildings filled with
ARTS & CRAFTS
120 high quality, juried crafts booths, live
entertainment on two stages, a quilt raffle,
“Arboretum Foundation’s
a huge bake sale and lunch items. Phinney
Gifts & Greens Galore Sale”
12/11 and 12/12 10am-2pm. Neighborhood Association, 6532 Phinney
Along with a great selection of Ave N, Sefresh-cut greens, wreaths
and swags, the Arboretum Gift Shop will be
offering an expanded
selection of gifts, plus
gift wrapping, seasonal
refreshments, live music
and more! Washington
Park Arboretum’s Graham
Visitors Center, 2300 Arboretum Drive E, Seattle.
206-325-4510; www.arboretumfoundation.org. To
donate fresh cut greens for
the sale, visit the Arboretum
Foundation website for details.
PIKE PLACE MARKET
SEATTLE
CENTER
WINTERFEST
“Seattle Center
Winterfest”
11/26-12/31. Connect
to the sights, sounds and
spirit of the season at Seattle Center Winterfest
presented by KOMO 4
TV: five weeks of FREE
The Great Figg
and affordable fun-filled
MACY’S HOLIDAY
y Pudding Stre
et Corner Caro
activities
and entertainPARADE &
ling Contest
ment. Visit Center House
STAR LIGHTING WITH
– displaying its winter fintunes dressed
WESTLAKE TREE
– or explore the enchanting
in beautiful Victorian attire. From 4-5pm, e s t
LIGHTING
enjoy a holiday concert of classical music Winter Train and Village. The Ice Rink reCEREMONY
from the Seattle Chamber Brass Quintet on turns, along with music and comedy, jazz
and dance, cultural celebrations, ice sculptthe stage set up near the Market clock.
Macy’s Holiday Parade &
ing, fireside singing, student showcases and
Star Lighting”
more. Seattle Center Winterfest is part of
GREAT FIGGY PUDDING
11/26, 8:45am parade, 5pm star lighting
Holidays in the City, and is sponsored by the
STREET CORNER
and fireworks program, weather permitting,
City of Seattle, Seattle Center Foundation,
CAROLING CONTEST XXIII
with tree lighting ceremony at Downtown
Seattle Weekly and KOMO 4 TV. With exMacy’s and Westlake Center, 4th Ave & Pine
tended dates for the Winterfest Ice Rink and
“The Great Figgy Pudding
St. Considered Seattle’s official kick-off for
Classic Carousel from through 1/2. Visit
Caroling Competition”
the holiday season, The Macy’s Holiday
12/3, 5-8:30pm. It’s Seattle’s most heart- www.seattlecenter.com/winterfest for comParade will feature some 20 balloon floats
and inflatables, local high school marching warming holiday tradition, attracting nearly plete details and schedule.
bands, 500 costumed characters, and com- 10,000 people every year. Immerse yourself
MUSIC
munity drill teams. It concludes with San- in the holiday spirit as 40+ caroling teams
ta’s arrival at Macy’s on a balloon float un- sing their hearts out on downtown Seattle
November 27
der a festive confetti snowstorm. Later that street corners in and around Westlake Cenday, the star lighting and fireworks program ter, 4th Ave & Pine St, on the sidewalks
“Bach and Friends”
presented in concert with the Westlake Tree along Pine St between 3rd Ave & 7th Ave,
Four members of the Seattle Baroque OrLighting Ceremony will cap a day of holi- and along 5th Ave near Pine St. 5-6pm,
day festivities and Black Friday shopping pre-Figgy entertainment at the Figgy Main chestra will present an intimate program that
Stage by Captain Babypants and cast memevents.
November 26, 2010
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
celebrates the musical camaraderie between
December 4
J. S. Bach and his favorite contemporaries.
Ingrid Matthews (violin), Byron Schen“A Cathedral Christmas:
kman (harpsichord), Nathan Whittaker
Through a Child’s Eyes”
(cello), Jason Fisher (viola). 11/27, 8pm, at
The Seattle Choral Company’s 29th seaTown Hall, 1119 8th Ave. Tickets $40, $35 son begins with the third annual “A Catheseniors, $25 side sections, $15 under 25. dral Christmas.” The concert theme this
www.earlymusicguild.org.
year is “Through a Child’s Eyes,” and is
geared toward the young and the young at
“Christmas in England:
heart. The renowned Seattle Girls Choir will
A Ceremony of Carols”
appear with us in John Rutter’s “Mass of the
Back by popular demand, the Renaissance Children” along
Singers will kick off the Christmas
season with their annual
Christmas program in the
intimate acoustical setting of Trinity Episcopal
Church (609 8th Ave.) on
11/27 at 7:30pm and 11/28
at 3pm. The program will
feature various types of
English Christmas carols
and motets, including music
by John Rutter and selections from Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols.
Suggested donation $17, students and seniors $12. www.
therenaissancesingers.com.
“Holiday Glee”
Seattle Men’s Chorus
Holiday Concert - 11/27 at
8pm with special guest Kelli
O’Hara at the 11/27 & 11/28
concerts only. Gleeks and nonGleeks alike will flock to Benaroya Hall for SMC’s homage
to Glee. The show’s unofficial
anthem, “Don’t Stop Believin’,”
has been re-worked as a parody,
with holiday-themed lyrics. In- dividual
Chorus members will represent several of
the main characters. Benaroya Hall, 3rd
Ave & University St. Tickets: $25-$65.
206-388-1400; www.flyinghouse.org.
from 1930 features the Chorus with a chamber ensemble of woodwinds, soloists, and
four-hand piano. Three outstanding soloists
join: soprano Christina Kowalski, mezzosoprano Kathryn Weld, and tenor Stephen
Rumph. Other pieces on the program retell
the story in the voice of composers from
many ages. Music of Michael Praetorius,
Gustav Holst, Benjamin Britten, and Moses
Hogan are included, as well as another audience favorite – the carol singalong. 12/4 7:30pm at Phinney
Ridge Lutheran Church (7500
Greenwood Ave. N.) and 12/5
3pm at Plymouth Congregational Church (1218 6th Avenue). www.northwestchamberchorus.org.
December 5
“Holiday Glee”
Seattle Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert. 12/5 at 7:30pm.
(See 11/27 listing for details.)
Benaroya Hall, 3rd Ave &
University St. Tickets: $25$65. 206-388-1400; www.
flyinghouse.org.
“Handel’s Messiah”
Presented by Orchestra
Seattle & Seattle Chamber
Singers. 12/5 at 3pm. First
Free Methodist Church,
3200 3rd Ave. W. Tickets:
$20 general; $18 senior;
$10-student; FREE-youth
(7-17 with accompanying
adult). 1-800-838-3006; www.osscs.org; www.
November 28
“Christmas in England:
A Ceremony of Carols”
(See 11/27 listing for details.) 11/28 at
3pm. Trinity Episcopal Church (609 8th
Ave.). Suggested donation $17, students
and seniors $12. www.therenaissancesingers.com.
“Holiday Glee”
Seattle Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert - 11/28 at 2pm, with special guest
Kelli O’Hara at the 11/27 & 11/28
concerts only. (See 11/27 listing for details.)
Benaroya Hall, 3rd Ave & University St. with soloists JenTickets: $25-$65. 206-388-1400; www.fly- nifer Ceresa and Jason Brittsan. Eric
inghouse.org.
Whitacre’s evocative snowscape, “Winter,”
will be performed for the first time in Seattle
December 3
with guest sitar soloist, Josh Feinberg. Presented this year at Bastyr University Chapel
“Claudio Monteverdi:
(14500 Juanita Drive, Kenmore) on 12/4 at
1610 Vespers”
2pm, and at Saint Mark’s Cathedral (1245
In celebration of the 400th anniversary 10th Ave. E.) on 12/10 and 12/11 at 8pm,
of Monteverdi’s immortal masterpiece, and on 12/11 at 2pm. The 12/11 matinee is a
Early Music Guild and Seattle Baroque Family Concert especially for families with
Orchestra will present Seattle’s first period children. At the 12/11 matinee performance,
performance of the “1610 Vespers” in over each ticket for a child 5 to 12 will be free
30 years. Presented in partnership with St. when purchased with a general admission
James Cathedral, Stephen Stubbs directs ticket. These tickets must be purchased in
Pacific Musicworks, an all-star ensemble advance. Tickets $27, $22 seniors, $12 unof vocal soloists and instrumentalists, with der 25, $2 off all tickets purchased in adspecial guests, Europe’s premiere cornett vance. www.seattlechoralcompany.org
and sackbut ensemble, Concerto Palatino.
The vocal soloists for this performance
“Claudio Monteverdi: 1610 Vespers” include sopranos Terri Richter and Yulia 12/4 at 8pm. (See 12/3 listing for details.)
Van Doren and tenors Ross Hauck and Ja- Saint James Cathedral (804 9th Ave.). Tickson McStoots. 12/3 and 12/4 at 8pm. Saint ets $40, $35 seniors, $25 side sections, $15
James Cathedral (804 9th Ave.). Tickets youth under 25. www.earlymusicguild.org.
$40, $35 seniors, $25 side sections, $15
youth under 25. www.earlymusicguild.org.
“Holiday Glee”
Seattle Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert “Holiday Glee”
in Everett. 12/4 at 8pm. (See 11/27 listing
Seattle Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert - for details.) Everett Civic Auditorium, 2415
in Tacoma. 12/3 at 8pm. (See 11/27 listing Colby, Everett. Tickets: $18-$38. 206-388for details.) Pantages Theatre, 901 Broad- 1400; www.flyinghouse.org
way, Tacoma. Tickets: $39 & $52. 253-5915894; 800-291-7593; www.broadwaycen“Northwest Chamber Chorus:
ter.org.
Laud to the Nativity”
This Christmas season, Northwest Chamber Chorus presents the radiant “Laud to the
Nativity” by Ottorino Respighi. This cantata
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
“Medieval Women’s Choir’s
Noel, Noel”
Medieval music that enriched
Christmas celebrations at the
magnificent cathedral of Notre
Dame in Paris can now be heard
in Seattle’s beloved Saint James
Cathedral (804 9th Ave.) 12/11 at
8pm. Notre Dame is known as the
birthplace of Western Polyphony,
a sumptuous new sound introduced by French composers Leonin and Perotin. The cathedral
square would also have been alive
with dancers and carolers singing popular songs of the season,
such as the foot-tapping “Noel
nouvelet.” Baritone David Stutz
performs some of Perotin’s most
beautiful solo songs, as well as a
Cantiga set in Clairvaux, the Burgundian monastery made famous
by its brilliant founder, Bernard
of Clairvaux. Tickets $22, $17
seniors, $13 for those under 25.
www.medievalwomenschoir.org
“Seattle Mandolin
Orchestra’s
Annual Holiday Concert”
12/11, 2-3pm. Ballard Branch,
Seattle Public Library (5614 22nd
Ave. NW), Seattle. Greetings! It’s
time for the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra’s annual FREE holiday
concert at the Ballard branch of
the Seattle Public Library. The
library’s performance space is
one of our favorite places to play.
We’ll present Christmas and Hanukkah favorites from here at
home and around the world. We
may even invite the audience to sing along on a
few selections. Bring the
kids! We look forward to
seeing you there. www.seattlemandolin.org.
December 12
“Holiday Glee”
Seattle Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert. 12/12 at 7:30
pm. (See 11/27 listing for
details.) Benaroya Hall, 3rd
Ave & University St. Tickets:
$25-$65. 206-388-1400; www.
flyinghouse.org.
brownpapertickets.com.
“Northwest Chamber
Chorus: Laud to the Nativity” 12/5 at 3pm. (See 12/4 listing for full details.) Plymouth Congregational Church
(1218 6th Avenue). www.northwestchamberchorus.org.
December 10
“A Cathedral Christmas:
Through a Child’s Eyes”
12/10 at 8pm. (See 12/4 listing for details.)
Saint Mark’s Cathedral (1245 10th Ave. E.).
Tickets $27, $22 seniors, $12 under 25, $2
off all tickets purchased in advance. www.
seattlechoralcompany.org
December 11
“A Cathedral Christmas:
Through a Child’s Eyes”
12/11 at 2pm and 8pm. (See 12/4 listing
for details.) Saint Mark’s Cathedral (1245
10th Ave. E.). The 12/11 matinee is a Family Concert especially for families with children. At the 12/11 matinee performance,
each ticket for a child 5 to 12 will be free
when purchased with a general admission
ticket. These tickets must be purchased in
advance. Tickets $27, $22 seniors, $12 under 25, $2 off all tickets purchased in advance. www.seattlechoralcompany.org
November 26, 2010
“Joy!”
Join the Rainbow City Band for
a holiday celebration the whole
family will enjoy, as they lift spirits and make merry with the classics from your childhood and new
music sure to delight at 12/12 at
3pm at the Edmonds Center for
the Arts (410 4th Ave. N., Edmonds). There’ll be something
for everyone as they fill ECA with
such timeless works as Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival,”
and energize the hall with the
contemporary sounds of Mannheim Steamroller. At the heart
of the holiday concert will be a
brand-new piece for the band sure
to make your heart sing, “Today’s
the Gift,” a celebration of the life
and work of Rosa Parks. Tickets
$10-$25. www.ec4arts.org.
December 18
“Christmas With
Seattle Pro Musica”
Enjoy traditional carols, holiday favorites, and an audience
sing-along for children and families in this one-hour performance.
Bring the whole family! 12/18
at 3pm. Phinney Ridge Lutheran
Church (7500 Greenwood Ave.
N.). http://www.seattlepromusica.org/concerts-and-tickets/
see holiday calEndAr
page 14
Seattle Gay News
9
Music makes a
hip holiday gift
by Albert Rodriguez
SGN A&E Writer
blues-tinged ballad “I Should Have Sent
Roses.”
Let them buy their own sweaters. Instead,
Sigh No More
fill their stockings and entertainment shelves
Mumford & Sons
with new CDs, DVDs, and books this holiIf there is such a thing, UK hillbilly muday season. Here are 15 music-related sug- sic is doing just fine thanks to English folk
gestions, including a jewelry item currently quartet Mumford & Sons. Appearing out
being sported by a famous pop star, to shop of nowhere, the Londonfor or to add to your personal wish list.
Most of these are already released,
but a few will appear on store shelves
in the coming days.
Glee: The Complete
First Season
(The Gleek Edition)
TV’s runaway hit of the 2009-10
season is captured in its entirety, including the “Power of Madonna”
episode that finds McKinley High’s
glee club covering “Like A Virgin,” “4
Minutes,” and “Vogue.” The Golden
Globe and Screen Actors Guild-winning series, helmed by Nip/Tuck creator
Ryan Murphy, is more than weekly ear/
eye candy; centering on issues like homophobia, teen pregnancy, discrimination and promiscuity, it’s an entertaining,
at times emotional glimpse into the lives
of young people with lots of great music
performed by the actors themselves. “The
Gleek Edition” includes all 22 episodes of
season one, plus two full hours of neverbefore-seen extras. Emmy-winner Jane
Lynch and Emmy-nominated Chris Colfer
are two publicly out actors who star on
Glee.
Burlesque (Original Motion
Picture Soundtrack)
Christina Aguilera
and Cher
We don’t yet know if Christina Aguilera
can act, but there’s no doubt she can sing –
actually, she belts it out quite wonderfully
on this soundtrack from her cinematic debut, Burlesque. The disc includes new material and approving remakes, like a sultry
version of Etta James’ “Something’s Got a
Hold On Me” and a strutting rendition of
Mae West’s “A Guy What Takes His
Time.” Meanwhile, Gay icon Cher offers her first released single in seven
years, “You Haven’t Seen the Last of
Me” written by movie theme queen
Diane Warren. Take a loved one to see
the movie, opening this weekend, and
then surprise them with a copy of the
soundtrack.
formed group burst onto European and
American charts with their proper debut,
Sigh No More. Songs like “The Cave” and
“Little Lion Man” have an organic ring, as
if they were plucked from an open meadow
in the Bible Belt – a fantastic mix of string
instruments and heartfelt vocals makes each
track sound timeless. With an almost Celtic
twist, this collection of smooth folk-rock
tunes
Fight for
Equality pendants
Be cool, be supportive. The most
important bling this holiday season is
Fight for Equality pendants (www.fightforequality.net), designed by jewelry artisan Carlos Antonio and worn religiously
by pop star Jason Mraz – he was spotted with them earlier this year at Staples
Center, the night he won two Grammy
Awards. Proceeds from the sterling silver, hand-polished pieces – available as
a necklace or lapel pin – will be given to
will
Cyndi Lauper’s “Give a Damn Campaign” surely delight the indie fan on your gift list.
and also to help raise the overall awareness
to have equal rights for same-sex couples.
Coal Miner’s Daughter:
Forget about Tiffany’s; this year, Fight for
A Tribute to Loretta Lynn
Equality!
Various Artists
Country music trailblazer Loretta Lynn is
The Union
feted fittingly by a group of today’s A-list
Elton John and Leon Russell musicians on a tribute album with some of
A friendship that began 40 years ago gave the most noted material from her catalog.
way to the teaming of two music greats, El- The White Stripes turn in a fantastic cover
ton John and Leon Russell. Long admirers of “Rated X,” not surprising since Jack
of each other’s work, the men finally shared White has always been a Lynn fan. Lee Ann
their talent – and piano benches – on an ex- Womack submits a sumptuous cover of “I’m
traordinary 14-track disc appropriately titled a Honky Tonk Girl,” Steve Earle and Alison
The Union. Produced by T Bone Burnett Moorer duet on “After the Fire is Gone,”
and featuring guest vocalists Neil Young while another pair of industry heavyweights
and Brian Wilson, the CD is full of savory – Alan Jackson and Martina McBride – join
pop-rock fare like “A Dream Come True,” forces on “Louisiana Woman,” “Mississippi
“If It Wasn’t For Bad,” and “When Love is Man.” Interesting is Paramore’s rendition
Dying,” though nothing comes close to the of “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My
10
Seattle Gay News
November 26, 2010
son. The Take That alum, a superstar in his
native England and several European countries, releases a greatest hits package spanning his 20-year career. In total, 39 tracks
are offered to fans on three discs, including a
brand new single titled “Shame” co-written
by another UK hotshot Gary Barlow, plus a
Greatest Hits...So Far!
grouping of B-sides and rarities, all bound
Pink
If anyone has the right to put out a great- in a 20-page book package.
est hits CD, it’s Pink. The pop singer has
Love Me Back
produced smash single after smash single
Jazmine Sullivan
in her 10-year run, including “There You
She’s back, and thank goodness! R&B
Go,” “Get the Party Started,” “Just Like a
Pill,” “So What,” “Trouble,” and “Glitter in sensation Jazmine Sullivan, a Best New
the Air,” all included on this disc. Although, Artist-Grammy nominee two years ago, rethere are some noticeable omissions, such as turns with her sophomore album Love Me
“Most Girls” from her first album Back. The collaborators on this CD are topand “Lady Marmalade,” a joint notch – Missy Elliott, Ne-Yo, Salaam Remi,
effort with Christina Aguilera, and Ryan Leslie. “10 Seconds” appears to
Mya, and Lil Kim that won Pink be the leadoff single, although the singerher lone Grammy. Still, you get songwriter’s website is currently allowing
15 solid hits on this baby, and fans to download another track, “Holding
there’s more where those came You Down.” Selected to receive Billboard’s
2010 Rising Star Award in early December
from.
is further evidence of Sullivan’s musical
The Sound of Music - climb, and that she’s here to stay.
45th Anniversary
Olympia
Edition
Bryan Ferry
(Collector’s Set)
20 years have gone by since Bryan Ferry
Julie Andrews
released his first solo hit “Kiss and Tell,”
and cast
The hills are very alive with off 1990’s respected Bete Noir album. The
the sound of this treasured Roxy Music ex-frontman is at it again with
musical film, celebrating its his newest CD Olympia, featuring the ini45th anniversary. The combo tial single “You Can Dance.” There are betset includes a Blu-Ray/DVD ter tracks, however, like the club-infused
copy of the classic presented “Shameless,” the mysteriously sounding
in HD quality, a gorgeous “Alphaville,” and the slow-paced “Me Oh
restoration even from its My,” where his shivering vocals purr against
previous makeover. Com- a dramatic background.
mentary by director Robert
Revolution
Wise, and also by co-stars
Miranda Lambert
Julie Andrews and
Aside from Lady Antebellum, no one had a better 2010
in country music than Miranda Lambert. The Texas native
won Album of the Year and
Top Female Vocalist/Artist
of the Year at both industry
awards that honor the genre’s
top brass, ACMs and CMAs.
Her third album, Revolution,
is her best yet – “White Liar”
is a spunky, vengeful number with a modern, strong
woman in mind, while “The
House That Built Me” is a
beautifully written song
that could become Lambert’s signature hit. Expect
this CD to notch several
Grammy nominations in
December – deservingly
so.
Man),” but it actually works, Carrie Underwood gets the coveted opportunity to sing
“You’re Lookin’ at Country,” and Lynn herself collaborates with Miranda Lambert and
Sheryl Crow on the title number.
Christopher
Plummer, and sing-along tracks
for those who want to release
their inner Maria, are just a few
of the special features included
in this limited-edition package.
But it’s the sweeping numbers,
like “My Favorite Things” and
“Do-Re-Mi” – set against an
Austrian countryside – that
ensure The Sound of Music
will outlive any modern musical (are you listening, Burlesque?)
Look at What
the Light Did Now
Indie darling Feist did the next logical
thing following the success of her debut
solo album; she made a documentary about
said debut solo album. The result is Look at
What the Light Did Now, a rare peek into the
Grammy-nominated artist’s thoughts during
the recording process and preparations for
her live performances. Much like her music,
Feist appears soft-spoken and unhurried in
this bio-doc, allowing the camera and her
songs to do the talking. Commentary is provided by video director Patrick Daughters,
collaborator Chilly Gonzalez, and several
other cohorts who contributed to her rise,
circa The Reminder. Look at What the Light
Did Now will soon be released on DVD, and
anyone familiar with Feist’s work – even
those who know her from Broken Social
Scene – will adore it.
Q on Producing
Quincy Jones
He’s a musical legend, largely responsible
for the biggest album of all-time, Michael
Jackson’s Thriller. He’s worked with countless musicians, from jazz to hip-hop, assembling many of them on his Grammy-winning
The Suburbs
project Back on the Block, not to mention
Arcade Fire
co-helming the ‘80s mega hit “We Are the
We expect great things from Arcade Fire,
World.” Seattle native Quincy Jones shares
his production skills and musical teachings and they always go way beyond the call of
in the book Q on Producing, a vital tool for duty. On this year’s gem, The Suburbs, the
Montreal ensemble uses its everything-butaspiring artists of every genre.
the-kitchen sink style on a marvelous set of
In and Out of Consciousness - tracks, highlighted by the punkish “Ready to
Start” and the danceable “Sprawl II (MounThe Greatest Hits 1990-2010
tains Beyond Mountains),” the latter featurRobbie Williams
Former boy band member Robbie Wil- ing the sassy vocals of Regine Chassagne.
liams has never caught the attention of U.S. If your list includes young colleagues for an
audiences, unless you count the warped ver- office gift exchange or nephews who listen
sion of “Angels” gargled by Jessica Simp- to KEXP, Arcade Fire is sure to please.
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
martina
continued from cover
call that a ‘threat!’”
When I first saw the advertisements for
her 2010 Christmas show, I must admit (as
with most Dina promotions) I was a bit confused, yet intrigued as to why she would
use the styling of the Rocky Horror Picture
Show – complete with Dina Martina lips –
as a poster for a holiday show. What is with
the Rocky Horror theme?
“There isn’t one. Isn’t that neat? I just
liked the way it looked on the posters and
flyers,” she said. “I try to avoid themes, because they encourage the audience to cultivate expectations. But isn’t it wonderful that
all the shows on TV are doing Rocky Horror
episodes? Glee and … wasn’t there another one? I think Hoarders is doing one. The
Rocky Hoarder Picture Show!”
Oh, come, all ye faithful! Dina says she
absolutely loves the fact that each holiday
season, her legions of loyal fans return to
Re-bar to see her show. When asked about
her fans, she quickly answered, “OK, now
you’re gonna make me cry – I love those
guys. There are two “F” words that are so
important to me, and one of them is ‘fans’ –
the other is ‘Funyuns.’”
Always one for nostalgia, Dina told me, “I
started doing Christmas shows in Las Vegas
in the early ‘70s – I think 1971. Then a number of years in rural Las Vegas, then a couple of years in outer rural Las Vegas, then
a short stint on Easter Island, then I started
here in Seattle at Re-bar’s place in ’97.”
Have you been to a Dina Martina show?
Confusion and laughter is the recipe of the
night. I’ve had the pleasure of watching
Dina on more than one occasion and found
myself wondering how she comes up with
this shit. Don’t lie – so have you!
“Well, I used to write a bunch of random
words on little pieces of paper and then pull
them out of a hat and then go from there,
but a friend showed me how to eliminate
the ‘hat’ stage, so now the process is a little
more streamlined,” joked Dina.
At a Dina show, the comedian sings,
dances, and shares stories with the audience
about anything and everything imaginable.
Joining Dina onstage is accompanist Chris
Jeffries. Re-bar has been home to Dina and
her fans for years.
“Re-bar’s place is like a big, welcoming
mud room,” she said. “It’s loaded with free
radicals, which coat your skin and save it
for a later date, and just walking in the door
is like getting your own personal beer batter facial. It’s also the only place I can think
of where you don’t feel too bad if you spill
your drink.”
So what is Dina Martina’s idea of a perfect Christmas? “Every year, my daughter
Phoebe and I prepare a gorgeous feast at
home – just the two of us,” she explained.
“Phoebe’s adopted, so we usually start with
Top Ramen, but I’m a foodie, so it gets pretty wild from there – graham crackers, cocktail onions, you name it. I try to eat a diet
rich in sodium to give my face that ‘bigger
than life’ look, and I think it’s working. I’ve
been tryin’ to eat more brie, too, but it’s hard
with my schedule. Then, to make room for
dessert we put on bigger clothes.”
The song content is always a treat because
you never know what holiday tune Dina is
going to butcher. “Asking me what my favorite Christmas song is is like asking me
which of my children is my favorite! It’s
hard to choose one over the others,” she explained. “Did you see Sophie’s Choice? It’s
like that. I’ll just say that two of my favorite
artists are Anna Maria Alberghetti and Vangelis.”
This year, Dina said she has some very
important news to share with Seattle Gay
News readers: “I’d like the ladies to know
that depilatory creams eradicate protein,
which is not only the main ingredient in hair
and skin, but also meat. So they should really store their Nair away from any lunchmeats they may have. And I’d like the men
to know that I’m single.”
Oh jeez. How I love Dina Martina!
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
November 26, 2010
Seattle Gay News
11
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12
Seattle Gay News
November 26, 2010
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
November 26, 2010
Seattle Gay News
13
Holiday
calEndAr
continued from page 9
fine dining establishment - great location,
excellent ambience, highly skilled staff, a
fancy French name. Only one thing seems
to be missing: the chef! How long can the
maitre d’ and wait staff keep the patrons
entertained in the absence of a delectable
meal? A Feast of the Senseless is a joyous
“A Child’s Christmas in Wales”
Stone Soup Theatre presents their adapta- celebration featuring acrobatics, tightwire,
tion of Dylan Thomas’ exquisite and magi- unicycle, aerial art, and juggling. 12/11 at
cal memoir of his childhood Christmas. 3 and 7pm and 12/12 at 3pm. School of
Acrobatics & New Circus Acts (674
Runs 12/3-12/24. Stone
S. Orcas St.). Tickets $19, $14 for 12
and under. www.brownpapertickets.
com/event/138053
in association with Theatre Off Jackson.
Funds raised will go directly to support our
mission to produce and develop new works
by women. Tickets $10, $7 in advance.
http://lgtheater.org/2010/11/space/
theatre
stone soup
“Illumni
Men’s Chorale”
The Illumni Men’s Chorale will
premier two new works by Edwin
Wendler and Neil Anderson-Himmelspach, as well as three new arrangements of old Christmas
standards by members of Illumni itself.
They will once again
be joined by regular
guest artists resident
soprano soloist Jennifer Ceresa and the
Region 13 Award-winning LiveWire Quartet. They will also be
joined by Cora Reuter
Foster on violin, Christopher Spencer on string
bass, and Tealah Hill on
harp. 12/18 at 7:30pm.
Emmanuel Episcopal
church, 4400 86th Ave
SE, Mercer Island. This
year, Illumni is working
on a very special project.
They are giving away 8%
of the tickets to both houses to injured U.S. veterans
and their families. When
you purchase your ticket,
you can choose to sponsor
a set of tickets for an injured U.S. soldier and his/
her family. Tickets at http://
www.illumnimenschorale.
com/tickets.html
baritone vocalist Everett Green of the Count
Basie Orchestra plus alto vocalist Nichol
Eskridge, tap-dancer Alex Dugdale, and the
Northwest Chamber Chorus presented by
Earshot Jazz Sunday This concert sold out
all 900 seats in 2009, so early ticket purchase is recommended! This special concert
honors Ellington and what he called “the
most important music he’d ever written.”
12/26-7:30pm. Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave.
Tickets: $15-$34. www.brownpapertickets.
com/event/121675; www.earshotjazz.
org.
es
istmas in Wal
A Child’s Chr
“An Improvised
Christmas Carol”
Unexpected Productions takes the Charles
Dickens classic and replays it based on suggestions given by the audience throughout the play.
A holiday favorite for over
20 years. Runs 11/2612/3. Market Theater, Pike
Place Market, 1428 Post
Alley. Tickets: $10. 206587-2414; www.unexpectedproductions.org
December 19
December 20
“Holiday Glee”
Seattle Men’s Chorus Holiday
Concert. 12/20 at 7:30pm. (See
11/27 listing for details.) Benaroya
Hall, 3rd Ave & University St.
Tickets: $25-$65. 206-388-1400;
www.flyinghouse.org.
December 26
“Sacred Music
by Duke Ellington”
Inspired by the civil-rights
movement of the 1960s, Ellington’s wonderful “Sacred Music” is
both serious and swinging, a reverent and hip body of jazz composition for jazz big band, vocal and
instrumental soloists, gospel choir,
and tap dancers. The 23rd annual
Duke Ellington Sacred Music concert, featuring the SRJO with guest
14
Seattle Gay News
Black Nativity
January 2
Soup
Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N. Tickets: $18
“Vivaldi Folia”
general; $16 per person for groups of four or
Violinists Ingrid Matthews and Tekla more people). 206-633-1883. www.stoneCunningham, cellist Nathan Whittaker, souptheatre.com.
lutenist John Lenti, and harpsichordist Byron Schenkman celebrate Vivaldi and his
“A Christmas Carol”
Venetian heritage with evocative works by
ACT Theatre’s annual presentation of
Salamone Rossi, Biagio Marini, Francesco Charles Dickens’ classic, adapted by GregoCavalli, and of course Vivaldi himself, in- ry A. Falls. Gather your loved ones and join
cluding the scorching “Folia” for two vio- us for the 35th Anniversary production of a
lins and continuo. Venice was the birthplace true Seattle holiday tradition: a ripping good
of virtuoso violin playing, and this is Vene- telling of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge,
tian virtuosity at its fiery best! 1/2 at 3pm at the miserly businessman who requires the
Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave. Tickets $40, $35 intervention of a few ghosts (and a bit of
seniors, $25 side sections, $15 under 25. time-travel) to understand the true meaning
www.earlymusicguild.org.
of Christmas. Well over a century after its
writing, Dickens’ classic tale of hope and
THEATRE
redemption continues to remind us what’s
& DANCE
really worth celebrating – at the holidays, or
any time. Starring Sean G. Griffin and Mark
“2010: A Space Holiday”
Chamberlin as Ebenezer Scrooge. Runs
Join Live Girls! Theater for their an- 11/26-12/26. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St.
nual holiday fundraiser cabaret on 12/6 at Tickets: $22 to $47. 206-292-7676; www.
7:30pm at the Theatre Off Jackson (409 acttheatre.org
7th Ave. S.). Come out for a night of music,
comedy and outta-this-world fun as we rock
“A Feast of the Senseless”
in the holidays, future style. Live auction
Presented by the School of Acrobatics &
includes dozens of irresistible items. Don’t New Circus Arts (SANCA). The tale begins
miss the chance to do your holiday shopping with the opening of a restaurant. L’assiette
all while supporting a great cause. Presented Vide has all the elements necessary for a
November 26, 2010
“Black Nativity”
Directed by Jacqueline
Moscou and choreographed
by Donald Byrd of Spectrum Dance Theater, “Black
Nativity” is a celebration of
faith, expressed through exuberant performances of song,
story and dance, reaching
audiences of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs. The first
act of “Black Nativity” retells the
Christmas story through the
words of the great American poet Langston
Hughes. This year’s production will feature
actors Earley Dean, Josephine Howell, Pastor Alphonso Meadows, and Pastor Patrinell
Wright in the leading roles. The production
features gospel performances by the Total
Experience Gospel Choir and the Black
Nativity Choir and modern and traditional
choreography performed by an ensemble of
dancers. Runs 12/9-12/26. Moore Theatre,
1932 2nd Ave. Tickets: $35-$55. 877-7844849; www.stgpresents.org
chris bennion
“Magical Strings
Celtic Yuletide”
The Celtic Yuletide concerts are an enduring favorite
among holiday events each
year. For the 2010 Celtic Yuletide concerts, Magical Strings
will be joined by the Raney
Irish Dancers and the Tara
Academy of Irish Dance, vocalists Mark Colleen Raney,
Irish fiddler extraordinaire
Dale Russ, percussionist Matt Jerrell, and more.
12/18, 7:30pm at Town Hall
(1119 8th Ave.). http://www.
brownpapertickets.com/
event/132172
“Holiday Glee”
Seattle Men’s Chorus Holiday
Concert. 12/19 at 7:30pm. (See
11/27 listing for details.) Benaroya
Hall, 3rd Ave & University St.
Tickets: $25-$65. 206-388-1400;
www.flyinghouse.org.
“A Tuna Christmas”
Spend the holidays with your
favorite citizens of Tuna, Texas
and make some new friends while
you’re there. Two fabulous performers, along with some split-second costume changes, portray all
22 citizens of Texas’ third-smallest
town, where the Lion’s Club is too
liberal and Patsy Cline never dies.
It’s the day before Christmas and
all comic hell is breaking loose as
the delightfully eccentric characters attempt to cope with seasonal traumas such as a disaster
prone little theater production of
A Christmas Carol and a yard
decorating contest that is being sabotaged by a mysterious
Christmas phantom! Bring the
family and join in the holiday fun! Runs 12/1-12/24.
ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. SW. Tickets
$32. www.artswest.org
“The Dina Martina Christmas Show”
O Come, all ye faithful! It’s that time, once
again, to see if the ever-girthful Dina Martina can actually raise the bar even higher
than she has in past holiday extravaganzas.
A tall order to fill, no doubt, but when considering the fact that Miss Martina’s already
talent-stuffed presence will be once again
augmented by the otherworldly talents of
accompanist Chris Jeffries (first-ever winner of The Stranger’s Genius Award for Theater), you have quite the recipe. “Recipe for
what?” you ask? Just ask any of Miss Martina’s ardent fans, the likes of which include
John Waters, Matt Stone, Jennifer Coolidge,
and Margaret Cho, and you’ll find that it’s a
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
recipe for a hilarious and smart evening of
holiday entertainment you’ll never forget.
Runs 11/26-12/31. Doors open one hour
before show time. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St.
Tickets: $20. Must be 21 or over. 800-8383006; http://www.brownpapertickets.com/
event/130957
“Ham for the Holidays:
Wham Bam,
Thank You Ham”
Seattle favorites Lisa Koch and Peggy
Platt (aka Dos Fallopia) celebrate 20 years
of comic togetherness with “Ham for the
Holidays: Wham Bam, Thank You Ham.”
“Wham,” the 10th incarnation of the everpopular “Ham” series, is a
daffy concoction of
dysfunctional, screwball characters: country
superstars The Spudds
perform “Spuddacus”;
the game show “Deck
the Pauls” features Ru
Paul, Rand Paul, and
Paula Abdul, with host
Sir Paul McCartney;
choral music meets the
undead in “Night of the
Living Glee”; granola
duo Mud share their ecofriendly invitation; and the
tiny Sequim Gay Men’s
Chorus sing with Pride.
Runs 11/26-12/24 with
pay-what-you-can on 12/2.
Theatre Off-Jackson, 409
7th Ave S. Tickets: $15 to
$23. 800-838-3006; www.
brownpapertickets.com.
contemplates ending his life, he finally realizes what a difference he makes in the lives
of others. Runs 12/3-12/12 at 7:30pm. Kenyon Hall, 7904 35th Ave. SW. http://www.
twelfthnightproductions.org/
“The Judy Garland
Christmas Special”
Open Circle Theater is pleased to announce the return of the hilarious holiday
disaster The Judy Garland Christmas Special. It’s 1963 and the producers of Judy
Garland’s TV show have decided she needs
a nice Christmas special with the whole family; lovely Liza, cutie Lorna and little flamboyant Joey.
“Land of
the Sweets” The Burlesque
Nutcracker
A spectacle of ecdysiastic pageantry,
“Land of the Sweets” sets the Nutcracker to
a swing-era soundtrack and gives the ballet
a bawdy makeover. The perfect mix of singing, acrobatics, glamour and smutty jokes,
featuring an all-star cast from Seattle’s burlesque A-list. Runs 12/9-12/24. The Triple
Door, 216 Union St. Tickets: $25-$40. 206838-4333; www.tripledoor.com
“Nutcracker”
The Pacific Northwest
Ballet’s “Nutcracker” has
been dazzling the young
and the young-at-heart
each holiday season for
27 years. Treat your family and friends to the
memories and magic of
PNB’s inimitable “Nutcracker.” Created by
PNB Founding Artistic
Director Kent Stowell
and world-famous children’s author and illustrator Maurice Sendak
(Where the Wild Things
Are), “Nutcracker’s”
brilliant blend of costumes, sets and choreography creates a
magical storybook
world enjoyed by
children and adults
alike. PNB’s masterful holiday production is the highlight
of the holidays.
Runs 11/26-12/27.
Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, 321
Mercer St. Tickets: Call or check
“Irving Berlin’s
White Christmas”
Based on the beloved film, this heartwarming stage adaptation features seventeen Irving Berlin songs and a book by
David Ives and Paul Blake. Veterans Bob
Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II.
With romance in mind, the two follow a
duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to
their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge,
which just happens to be owned by Bob
and Phil’s former Army commander. The
dazzling score features well-known standards including Blue Skies, I Love A Piano,
How Deep Is the Ocean and the perennial
favorite, White Christmas. Runs 11/2612/19. Tacoma Musical Playhouse, (7116
6th Ave.). Tickets $27, $25 senior/student/
military, $20 children 12 and under. http://
tmp.org/mainstage.aspx#show2
“It’s a Wonderful Life –
A Live Radio Play”
Twelfth Night Productions presents the
classic 1946 Frank Capra film comes to
life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. The
ensemble of characters bring the town of
Bedford Falls to the stage, and George Bailey to the fateful Christmas Eve when, as he
pacific North
west ballet
“Homo for the Holidays”
An unforgettable all-star
cast brings you innovative
burlesque and cabaret performances to help you beat the
holiday blues. “Homo for the
Holidays” is a hearty holiday
fruitcake packed with dancing
reindeer, sexy sugar cookies,
ghostly visitations, a Hanukkah pageant for dummies, and
new ways to define coming home. It’s not
Christmas in July, it’s Pride in December!
Light your menorah, stuff your stockings,
and join your chosen family in celebrating our favorite wintry holiday. Featuring
local sensations: Ben DeLaCreme, Ms.
Honeysuckle Hype (via satellite), Fuchsia
FoXXX, ilvs strauss, Paris Original, and
Cherdonna & Lou, with special guests.
Runs 11/25-11/17, 12/2-12/4, and 12/24
at 8pm. Tickets: $15-advance; $20-at the
door. West Hall, Odd Fellows Building, 915
E Pine St, 2nd Floor. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/90561.
The Pacific Northwe
st Ballet’s Nutcrac
But where the hell is Judy? When
she finally shows up, can the producers keep
her on the set and off the booze? Based on
the actual, infamous 1963 TV special and
including a “special feature” after the main
show, Judy promises to put the fun in dysfunctional. Come make the yuletide Gay
with the most hysterical comedy this Christmas. Runs 11/26-12/18, Fri-Sat at 7:30pm,
Sun at 4pm. Tickets: $14, except opening
night, which is FREE. Open Circle Theater,
2222 Second Ave, 2nd Fl. 382-4250; www.
OCTheater.com; www.brownpapertickets.
com.
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
ker
website for ticket prices. 206-4412424; www.pnb.org.; in person at the PNB
Box Office, 301 Mercer St; 206-292-ARTS;
www.ticketmaster.com
“Plaid Tidings”
The Plaids are back! Forever Plaid: Plaid
Tidings is the best of Forever Plaid’ tied up
in a nifty package with a big Christmas bow
on top! Filled with Christmas standards that
have been “Plaid-erized,” our boys are back
to do their Christmas Special. A phone call
from the heavenly Rosemary Clooney lets
them know they’re needed to put a little harmony into a discordant world. Runs 12/312/18. Renton Civic Theater (507 S. 3rd St.,
Renton). Tickets: $25, $20 for students/seniors. 425-226-5529; www.rentoncivictheater.org.
November 26, 2010
“Red Ranger Came Calling”
Book-It’s musical holiday favorite, Red Ranger Came Calling,
by Berkeley Breathed, is based on
the true stoy of the author’s father
who, at age nine, insisted on being addressed as the “Red Ranger
of Mars.” Christmas 1939, the
Red Ranger was sent to Vashon
Island to spend the holiday with
Aunt Vy, where his encounter
with an ancient man named Saunder Ciös left an indelible mark on
the landscape still visible today.
Runs 11/23-12/23. Book-It Repertory Theatre (Eve Alvord Theatre at Seattle Children’s Theatre,
Seattle Center). Tickets: $20-$42.
206-216-0877; www.book-it.org.
“Scrooge reading
with Ishbel Dickens
and Todd Moore”
This event is the Displacement Coalition’s most important
fundraiser, and they depend on it
to make it through the year. The
reading will be held on 12/12 at
8pm, with a social hour beginning at 7pm, at the Madrona
home of Ishbel Dickens and Marcus Krueger (3306 E. John St.)
If you cannot attend, please consider a tax-deductible donation
of $25, $50, or $100. Check can
be mailed to the Seattle Displacement Coalition, 5031 University
Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105.
The Displacement Coalition is
dedicated to providing housing
opportunities to low-income and
homeless people.
http://zipcon.net/~jvf4119/
“Sherlock Holmes and
the Case of the
Christmas Carol”
The year: 1894. The date:
Christmas Eve. The location:
221B Baker Street. Can three unexpected callers save Holmes and
his world from a dire end? Runs
11/26-12/30. Taproot Theatre,
204 N. 85th St. Tickets: $20-$35.
781-9707; www.taproottheatre.
org.
“Short Stories Live:
Christmas Classics”
In a holiday celebration of literature and theater, professional actors from ACT Theatre will read
excerpts from Christmas classics.
An afternoon of delightfully unconventional Christmas stories,
poems, and musical cheer, including Grace Paley’s lovely “The
Loudest Voice” in which a Jewish girl’s vocal stamina makes her
the ideal narrator of the school
Christmas play; Ron Carlson’s hilarious and moving “The H Street
Sledding Record” - about a father who tosses horse manure on
the roof every Christmas Eve to
keep the spirit of Santa alive; and
Grace Paley’s delirious “The Seraph and the Zambesi” - in which
an argumentative angel visits
a misbegotten colonial Christmas pageant. Featuring actors
Frank Corrado, Julie Briskman,
and Jean Sherrard, with special
guests Paul Dorpat and steel guitar master John Owen. 12/19 at
4pm. Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave. at
Seneca St. Tickets: $13-advance
general/$10-Town Hall members, seniors & students; $15/$13
at the door. 800-838-3006; www.
brownpapertickets.com.
Seattle Gay News
15
16
Seattle Gay News
November 26, 2010
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
lennox
continued from page 2
actually now, on reflection, I think it really
does fit in.
It really belongs because the focus of all
of the songs goes to the nativity. It goes to
the birth of a child into the world – even
if you’re not Christian, which I am not a
Christian – in a way that I was able to identify with it in a metaphorical way, because I
was thinking, “Well, this is a symbol. This
is a child. It’s all of us. It’s about humanity.”
So there was a thread of connection that ran
through all the songs, you see.
Azzopardi: How did the song come
about?
Lennox: I hadn’t intended to write a song
for the album, but one day I had this idea
for “Universal Child” and I just started playing around with it while we were recording
something. And basically, I was like, “Ohhh,
wow, there’s a really interesting thing happening here.” So we stopped recording what
we were recording and we carried on with
“Universal Child” and finished it in the same
evening. Sometimes it’s so strange like that:
You write a song and it all comes at once. So
that was one of those.
Azzopardi: You merge a lot of your passion for activism into your music, particularly as it pertains to children and AIDS.
Why do you think music is such a good platform for these issues?
Lennox: Music is a great vehicle of communication; everybody loves music – I
never really met anybody who didn’t like
music. And music tells stories and communicates ideas, and people are interested in
music and musicians.
Sadly, in our culture we’re obsessed with
celebrity – celebrity is the thing – and we
spend so much money on magazines; we’re
so interested in other people’s lives, socalled celebrities, and it’s a bit disheartening because we’re a big world and there’s so
many things we could change and put right.
But we’re so consumed by our own consumerist culture that very often we don’t see it.
I had a bit of a turning point when I had an
opportunity to go to places that I wouldn’t
have had a chance to visit before, and it blew
my mind. I thought I knew what poverty was
about. I thought I knew, and actually I didn’t
know until I saw it for myself.
Azzopardi: Right – back in 2003 when
you participated in the launch of Nelson
Mandela’s HIV/AIDS foundation. How has
seeing the devastation caused by poverty
and AIDS affected you as a person?
Lennox: I don’t think anybody could
grasp the scale of the HIV/AIDS pandemic
as it is played out, especially in Sub-Saha-
ran Africa where you have 22 million who
are infected with the virus. Twenty-two million! And when you have so many deaths – I
think it’s 27 million – it’s a figure that you
cannot get your head around.
Recently, I was in Berlin and I went to
visit the Jewish Holocaust memorial right
in the center of former East Berlin, and it’s
very, very powerful – all kinds of people
who perished in this Holocaust. The figures
are staggering. And then you look at the HIV
issue and it’s even more.
We were all celebrating the Chilean miners, including myself, and I was so happy to
see these men emerge one by one – 33 men,
out of the earth – and yet I know the price of
human life in many places is worthless.
Azzopardi: What does being a Gay icon
mean to you?
Lennox: [Laughs.] It means lots of Gay
men and women like me! It’s a funny thing:
I don’t wake up in the morning and think,
“Oh my goodness, I’m a Gay icon!” Not
at all. But you see, I’m not part of the Gay
community myself, so it’s not part of my direct experience. But I’m certainly a liberalminded person, and I actually really almost
resent all these labels.
I was watching on YouTube the other day
a man – or a woman, I should say, now –
who was saying, “Please don’t label me as
Transgender. I don’t want to be labeled. I’m
sick of all these labels.” And I’m thinking,
“I’m with you.” I mean, OK, you’re sexually oriented one way, this way or that way or
another way, but I want to get rid of labels.
I think we want to get to the point of evolution, where it makes no difference if you’re
straight, Gay, Transgender, whatever – just
be inclusive. We need to see ourselves as absolutely human beings, first and foremost.
In the ’70s, when I was a teenager, it was
the first time I discovered that anybody was
Gay. I had never met a Gay person before I
came down from Scotland, and the changes
that have happened so far are huge. I think
there have just been huge steps. Gay people
have come out, and they’re powerful and
working in banks, in clinics, as doctors,
teachers, everywhere. It’s just a natural evolution, in a way.
It does worry me very much when I hear
about very extreme homophobia arising in
places. I think of my friends who, if they
went to certain countries, would be ostracized or – it’s unbelievable to think that
these extremes do exist, but this is the world
we live in. We’re living in a time where you
have fundamentalists who are so extreme –
either the Catholic Church or in the Muslim
areas – and I just think, “Where’s the tolerance?”
Azzopardi: How do you feel about the recent string of Gay youth suicides, then?
Lennox: In this day and age, how come a
young teenage boy or girl is feeling so con-
flicted about their sexual orientation that
they feel suicidal? This bullying on cyberspace, uncontrolled, and this horrible result
of nasty, vicious celebrity bullshit that you
get on the internet – an individual like Perez
Hilton coming out on The Ellen DeGeneres
Show and saying, “I’m sorry, I’ve seen the
light,” let’s make sure that he walks his talk
and now that he apparently has seen the
light, stop all this bullying – stop it!
It’s disgraceful. It always was disgraceful.
It should never be, and he of all people who
have benefited so much from his vicious
diatribes and his vicious putting down of so
many individuals, he now needs to take responsibility and go forward and say, “I will
now take responsibility and work for the
other side.”
Azzopardi: You’ve said that wanting
to resist being perceived as a girly-girl
prompted your androgynous phase in the
’80s. Why didn’t you want to be seen as
ultra-feminine?
Lennox: I wanted to be perceived as a
person with my own rights who is not going
to be simply understood through my gender, through a certain limitation. Nowadays,
women are so sexually explicit and they use
this as a tool to get popular, and I find it very
one-dimensional. When I see, like, with the
rap music, hip-hop girls just being overtly
sexual, it bores me. I just think, “Oh, the
same old gag.” Surely we could’ve evolved
further than that.
I’m all for sexuality being free and liberal, but I feel so sad that it’s like a one-trick
pony. That’s all I see are bum, ass, and tits
– and it’s sad. It’s a sad thing because people
fought so hard to liberate us and to give us
the vote and to give us more equal opportunities, and it looks sometimes to me like
we’re really going backward.
Azzopardi: So you’re still very much a
feminist.
Lennox: I am feminist. I’m utterly feminist, and I’m very disappointed when people
are afraid of the word and step away from
the word. I told you I don’t like labels, but
this is an important label. This is very important, and the fact that people are step-
ping away from it is a travesty. What we
need to do is to take ownership of the word
“feminist” and we need to reinvent it so that
people embrace it again. It’s a travesty that
feminism is looked on as something that
they should recoil from.
Azzopardi: If you had a genie in a bottle,
what would be your three wishes for the
world?
Lennox: Healing. The genie would have
to take all the extremists in the world that
leaped immediately to arms and to warfare and get the opposing forces to get
their mindset changed so that their priority
should be only about finding solutions, only
peaceful solutions. Unfortunately, we’re
stuck in places like the Middle East, into the
perpetual catch-22 of someone being killed,
someone killing someone else – and then it
goes on and on and on and the bloodletting
goes on and on and on, and there seems to
be no solution.
I don’t ever know if it’s going to be possible because we’re human beings and we’re
incredibly odd, but it would be wonderful
to see peace. All these divisions that occur
ironically between religious beliefs – Christians, Muslims, whomever – are the biggest
tragedy on the planet. And then, of course,
the sustainability of the planet – who knows
where we’re at; we talk about global warming, about pollution, and we do a lot of talking. But I’d like to see the government really taking more responsibility on a global
scale.
And then I’d like to see a real sort of development in preventable disease: Access
to medicine that can prevent the deaths of
millions of people, I’d like to see that. I’d
like to see healthcare systems fully staffed.
I’d like to see access to treatment. I’d like
to see healthcare systems that are on their
knees, in some way becoming effective. I’d
like to see the end of corrupt governments.
I’d like to see transparency of governments.
I’d like to see all of these corrupt systems
that are functioning, and all of these people
who have scooped up so much money, taking accountability. It’s things like this that I
think a lot about.
1015 Olive Way, at the base of Capitol Hill at Oliv
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Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
November 26, 2010
Seattle Gay News
17
18
Seattle Gay News
November 26, 2010
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
Happy Holidays from the Seattle Gay News!
November 26, 2010
Seattle Gay News
19
Tree of
Life
During the month of
December, many of your
favorite Capitol hill bars
and restaurants will join
together to help prevent
teen suicide.
Please take a moment
and join the Seattle
Gay News and this
establishment to
donate to the Youth
Suicide Prevention
Program of Washington
state in our efforts to
stop these tragic events.
Take action and
become part of
the “Tree of Life”
today.
Take Action
Tree of Life / Stop Teen Suicide Program is proudly sponsored by:
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Seattle Gay News