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Palm
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ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Matt Mills
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Drew Rowsome & Matt Thomas
COPY EDITOR
Lesley Fraser
CONTRIBUTORS
Paul Bellini, Drasko Bogdanovic, Rolyn Chambers,
Michael Lyons, Heroine Marks, Max MacDonald,
Jonathan Valelly & Phil Villeneuve
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Drasko Bogdanovic, Tony Fong, Lindsay Lozon,
Heroine Marks & Drew Rowsome
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Ryan Carter, John Crouch, Ryan English,
Michael Lyons, Eduardo Sabate & Jonathan Valelly
12
ADVERTISING & SALES DIRECTOR
Ken Hickling
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Jeffrey Hoffman DREW ROWSOME EXPERIENCES
ACCOUNT MANAGER THE HEAT OF PALM SPRINGS:
Brian Garrison THE GAY OASIS
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CUSTOMER SERVICE
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Cassidy Phillips
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Lucinda Wallace
PRODUCTION MANAGER & SENIOR DESIGNER
Leslie Miller
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Darryl Mabey, Andrew Tran & Bryce Stuart
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Joel Cembal
DISTRIBUTION & COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR
18
Craig Palmer
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Ted Hawkins
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VALELLY HUNTS
fab DOWN SOME
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Tel: 416-925-6665 Fax: 416-925-6674 GAYCATIONS
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The appearance of anyone in this magazine is no guarantee that they are gay (just fab).
Distributed free in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton and London and sold for $4.50 on selected
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Printed and Published in Canada. ©2011 Pink Triangle Press
8 FULL FRONTAL 29 fab CITY
fab is published every two weeks by Pink Triangle Press
ISSN:1704-3166 10 CONVERSATION 30 BUSINESS DIRECTORY
PINK TRIANGLE PRESS founded 1971 20 DEEP DISH 32 CLASSIFIEDS
Directors: Jim Bartley, Gerald Hannon, Peter Kingstone, Jennifer O’Connor,
Maureen Phillips, Ken Popert, Gillian Rodgerson & Tori Smith 22 STYLE 33 TOGETHER
Honorary Director: Colin Brownlee 23 TUNES 34 fab GUY
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Pink Triangle Press is a not-for-profit corporation, with offices in Toronto and
Cover Credits
Vancouver publishing fab and Xtra and operating guidemag.com & squirt.org. Photography: Lindsay Lozon, lindsaylozon.com
No unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, without the
written consent of the publisher.
Models: Jay @ Velocci Models, velocci.ca Swimwear: Priape, 501 Church St, priape.com
Towel: Ralph Lauren @ The Bay Hair, makeup and styling: Paul Langill, paullangill.com
fab March 30, 2011 5
LETTERS @fabmagazine.com
Masculine squealing to have sex with” portion of the fab gay sex survey 2011. Our question
My inner eight-year-old girl squealed with delight when I read your (we couldn’t find any conclusive evidence online) regarded the
manly report on Masculathon [“Man Versus the Man,” fab #420, hairiness of the mayor’s chest — information the illustrator urgently
March 16]. Working with the hilarious Paul Bellini and all of the needs.]
talented Masculettes has been a total blast, and we can’t wait to As I promised during the mayoralty election, I am dedicated to
share more macho fun with all of you as the story unfolds. delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and
The Man is the living embodiment of Manhood and the Overlord accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government
of Masculathon. Also, he’s an Aries and enjoys the music of Anne and building a transportation city.
Murray. And let there be no doubt: Paul Bellini is THE MAN. I will continue to work on behalf of the taxpayers to make sure
Thanks for your support, fab, and don’t forget to check out new you get the respect you deserve.
episodes every Thursday at masculathon.com. This note is to confirm that we have received your email and
— Josh Levy that we are looking into your matter.
Please feel free to follow up to check the status of your email.
Missing bears Thanks again and have a great day.
Very interesting magazine you have. I see you have many articles Yours truly,
about bears (though oddly, I can’t find a single photo of the majestic — Mayor Rob Ford
beasts in your pages). We have much in common: I like bears, too. We’re all in this together.
Particularly bear jerky.
— The Man Oops: Our apologies to cover models Scott Major and Ben LaPierre:
PS: Please feed my carrier pigeon, Lucy, before you send her back; we neglected to identify them in the cover credits of the last issue.
she likes pine cones and JD. Further apologies to Major and to InkedKenny for an unfortunate
photo crop that appeared to remove Major’s shoulder and upper arm
His Honour is hot — a body modification not discussed in the article.
Thank you for your email. [Mayor Ford’s office responds to a con-
gratulatory email from fab — phone messages were not returned — on YOUR OPINIONS MATTER TO US!
His Honour’s high ranking in the “celebrity you would most/least like Send your raves, rants and comments to: letters@fabmagazine.com
1208 Broadview
staging
consultation
with all
listings
D
Have gays,
will travel
Christopher
Kowal Sales Representative
chriskowal@rogers.com
URBAN REALTY
BROKERAGE, INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED (office) 416-461-9900 • (direct) 416-666-4410
A
friend coined a new word that could serve as an invaluable
part of our modern lexicon. As flock is to seagull and pride is
to lion, “scorch” is the word he uses for any number of gay Canadian immigration Lawyers
men who travel in a group. It is his tongue-in-cheek reference to the
effect flaming fires have on anything they touch. Whether a scorch w w w. a p p l y 2 c a n a d a . c o m
is large or small, the advantage of going places as part of one is that
any destination can become the source of a gay old time. roBert i. BLansHay,
When travelling somewhere that’s not explicitly gay, a scorch immigration Lawyer
can subtly turn a gathering into a crazy bent party by setting the Certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a
right mood. An experienced scorch has the social ability to draw Specialist in Immigration / Refugee Law
out other gays in the most unlikely of places because, after all, we
are everywhere. But something truly special happens when
Ask us about a FREE 30-minute consultation!
multiple scorches pick a destination and go there habitually en
ONE OF THE HIGHEST SUCCESS RATES!
masse. This is how we end up with gay destinations like Puerto
Vallarta, Provincetown and Palm Springs. 228 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5A 2E8
With Palm Springs, the early film studios’ stipulation that stars
T: 416-413-4955 F: 416-413-1649 E: robert@apply2canada.com
under contract stay close to Hollywood led to the development of a
secluded desert oasis for closeted stars. As the years rolled on,
more scorches flocked to the city until it became a gay destination
rife with steamy resort spots. Puerto Vallarta developed into a gay
mecca after a string of gay businesses and clubs opened, earning
the city a reputation as an inclusive getaway. Provincetown’s gay
scene grew out of an early-1900s artist colony and the arrival of the
beatniks in the 1920s. Scorch after scorch followed until it grew
into the most popular gay resort on the East Coast.
Each gay locale has its own quirky beginnings, but the common General and Cosmetic Dentistry
impetus was the fact that there is safety in numbers. When people
complain that these places have become too expensive or touristy,
they often suggest the creation of new hot spots, but with shifting
attitudes and laws, the need for these protected spaces is not pressing
Dr.Martin Sterling
enough for the same phenomenon to play out. But there is still plenty Dr.Stephen Forgacs
of new territory to explore.
In this issue Jonathan Valelly suggests some inexpensive and Associates
vacation destinations that may not immediately come to mind
when you think of gay tourism. While places like Halifax, Hamilton
and Philadelphia may not offer the sheer volume of gays that other
cities or resort towns do, there are lots of great gay adventures to be
had. Many small towns have at least one gay bar that plays host to
a cast of unique and interesting characters guaranteed to entertain
any scorch open to partying with new people. The best thing about
travelling to smaller destinations is that the people you meet are
more likely to notice your presence. The new-car smell your scorch
gives off will bring the boys to your yard. A good vacation isn’t just
the result of what you see or do; it’s also about who you meet —
Early Morning and Evening Appointments
and good people are everywhere. 2 Bloor Street West, Suite 1904 416.923.8042
Matt Thomas
editor@fabmagazine.com
AND
t
Ge
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HUNG MEN T E N G A E G G M A S T U R B AT I O N S L E E V E
$ 1 0 E A C H O R $ 4 0 6 - PA C K
HANGING
V
isitors to the Hang Man Gallery will be greeted
by blacked-out windows concealing the show
within, Naked Man Staring at You. Because many
of the photos feature full-frontal male nudity and
even erections, visitors are advised to be prepared.
Drasko Bogdanovic, fab guy photographer, is, as usual,
pushing the boundaries of erotic imagery.
“With black-and-white images, the graphic element of pornog-
raphy is reduced,” says Bogdanovic. “But the gaze of a naked man
is still there, teasing the viewer into submission, creating a game of
arousal and tension, not shy on filth. The portrait style of these
photographs creates an intimate relationship between the subject,
a man comfortable with his body and sexuality, and the viewer.
Viewing itself is a source of pleasure, just as there is pleasure
shop online!
in being viewed. There is an implicit agreement between the W W W. C O M E A S Y O U A R E . C O M
watcher and the watched — the promise of sex. There are no Naked Man Staring at You runs Tues, April 1–Sun, April 24 at
7 0 1 Q U E E N S T. W E S T (just west of bathurst) | 416.504.7934
rules, sexuality has no bounds, and all is right with the the Hang Man Gallery, 756 Queen St E. The opening reception
W O R K E R O W N E D & O P E R AT E D ! | W H E E L C H A I R A C C E S S I B L E
perverse.” — Drew Rowsome is Sat, April 9 at 7pm. draskobogdanovic.ca
Drew Rowsome
experiences the heat
and pleasures of
Palm Springs, California
12 March 30, 2011 fab
he polite invi-
tation to join the
six-man gangbang bubbling in the
hot tub comes from a naked man
who looks — face, pecs and erect
SOME
penis — suspiciously like Roman
DREW ROW
Ragazzi. And why not? Pornstars
must take vacations and where
better than Palm Springs’
All Worlds Resort, where
hundreds of gay porn
films have been shot?
The operatic utter-
ances of the sextupled
bottom fade into the distance
away from the main pool area. Past
The hot tu
the steamroom into the maze of b and poo
l at IN Ndu
suites and smaller pools, doors are lge in the
early morn
casually ajar and men move through ing.
the shadows on casual quests for adventure.
After a day in the sun sleep beckons, but
there are too many temptations in a Palm
Springs night.
Palm trees, that eternal symbol of vaca-
tion paradise, are actually a giant form of
grass — “grass on steroids,” according to
Morgan Levine, a Desert Adventures guide.
They also require massive amounts of water.
Palm Springs sits on an enormous aquifer
from which hot spring water bubbles in
places. Surrounded by mountains, the desert
paradise is a giant oasis.
In the 1940s and ’50s, Hollywood — an
hour and half drive from Palm Springs —
was a different place for gay men. A revealing
photograph or insinuating story could derail
a career and turn a straight stud into a nelly
dud overnight. Stars of any consequence
were under contract and had to stay within
a 100-mile radius of the studios to be readily
available. Needing a place to party that was
safe from prying eyes, closeted stars like
Rock Hudson, Cary Grant and Liberace built
gated pleasure palaces in Palm Springs. The
View.
desert town became a gay oasis in a parched ograph) at The
th e po ol (su its on for the phot
straight world. Hanging by
Decades later Palm Springs is still a gay
destination, but there are no closets any-
where. It is estimated that 40 percent
of Palm Springs’ resident population
Getting there
is gay, and the mayor and three out
of seven city councillors are as well.
All buildings are garnished with rainbow
flags next to the obligatory Stars
and Stripes, and, as Bob the
housekeeper/office manager The Palm Springs Airport, with its open-air lobby
of the Camp Palm Springs — the Sonny Bono Causeway — is a short jaunt
resort explains, “We’re so gay from Palm Springs central. WestJet offers direct
here. If a business isn’t gay-owned, flights that make Palm Springs as convenient as
they’re gay-friendly. Otherwise they’d Florida or Vegas.
have no business.”
E
DREW ROWSOM
than you ever thought you needed to know, but
endlessly fascinating. The canyons are awe- Uptown Design District: Cheap rents turned an
inspiring, the reconstructed mining camp and abandoned area of main street into a string of
Indian settlement are a hoot and, especially in chic furniture stores and restaurants. Anyone who
light of recent events, standing with one foot on wants to add a dash of kitschy ’50s flavour to their
either side of the San Andreas Fault is a once-in-a- abode will find it in abundance. Also home to a
lifetime experience. red-jeep.com Shag store with prints, dolls, buttons, books and a
gallery of his hilariously evocative work.
Architectural tour: Palm Springs has a shag.com
sert.
concentration of mid-century modern architecture. at the Living De
This is fascinating enough to many that a A hungry giraffe Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Gliding
Modernism Week is held each year. Not only does 8,516 feet up the side of a mountain in a
guide Robert Imber knows his architecture: he has glass-encased revolving gondola is unnerving.
all the gossip on the stars who have inhabited the Travelling down is terrifying. The view, however,
Spa Resort and Casino: Enough slots to break
houses. psmoderntours@aol.com (email) is spectacular and the snow-covered hiking
the budget and lots of entertainment options
trails (Palm Springs has nearby skiing all months
in the heart of downtown. The spa features
Palm Springs Art Museum: Works by David Hockney, but July and August) are a pleasant reminder of
a blissful Taking the Waters package, which
Picasso, Warhol and other major modernists, and why one is there and not back in frigid Canada.
includes eucalyptus crystals that permeate right
a large Western and native American art gallery pstramway.com
to the soul and immersion in the mineral-rich
featuring the homoerotic bronze castings of actor
spring waters native Americans claim are a Desert Hills Premium Outlets: A shopping junkie’s
George Montgomery. The Muse Café, by the Barbara
conduit to the underworld. Lithium is part of the fix. Hugo Boss, Prada, Dior, Gucci, Ed Hardy, The
and Frank Sinatra Sculpture Garden, is decorated with
water’s chemical makeup, which might explain Gap and more than a hundred more have outlets
large-scale photos by Sid Avery of ’50s Hollywood
both the calming effect of the treatments and in a giant mall just off the highway to Los Angeles,
royalty frolicking in Palm Springs, including a shirtless
the relaxed attitude of Palm Springs in general. north of Casino Morongo. premiumoutlets.com
Rock Hudson washing his car. psmuseum.org
sparesortcasino.com
E
DREW ROWSOM
merely a matter of taste. Escape is a
1950s resort that has been modernized
without losing any of its retro flair. Triangle
Inn, with an attached private compound that’s
perfect for groups, is a prime example of Palm
Springs’ famed modernist architecture and is
planted with lush gardens. Casa Octillo has
only five rooms and functions more as a bed
and breakfast, but its Brokeback Room is
designed for cowpoke action. As Ken, one
of the co-owners of the Mediterranean-
themed La Dolce Vita resort and spa,
explains, “The fun part of having a guest-
house is getting to decorate.” At night the Mira
All the resorts have very hands-on ge
hot tub becomes
owners who take great pride in their busi- “a big
bowl of man so
up.”
nesses’ appearance; they rely on word of
269
From
Toronto to
Palm Springs
$ * Unforgettable shopping that fits any budget.
Indulge in infused cuisine.
Rest and relax.
Book by April 30 for travel on select days until April 30, 2011.*
Book today at westjet.com or call your travel agent.
*Book by April 30, 2011 (11:59 pm MT) for travel on Wednesdays until April 30, 2011. Fares on other days may be higher. Taxes, fees and surcharges are extra where applicable. Fuel surcharge still applies to Air Miles™ redemption bookings. Seats at these fares
are limited and may not be available on all flights. New bookings only. 100% non-refundable. Flights may not operate on certain days. Offer combinable with other fares. All fares shown are one-way. See westjet.com for details.
d at
DREW ROWSOM
Zini. sealed in a more intimate way. a popular club famed for its Sunday Night
The resorts outside the Warm Sands area Beer Blast.
tend to be a little more specialized. In the The various clubs have rotating nights:
northern end of downtown, the leather- Arenas Rd is home to Hunter’s Video Bar’s
themed Chaps Inn’s charming blue-and-white Underwear Night, the sports/cowboy bar Score,
Swiss Miss pool design is accented with karaoke at Streetbar and pool and drag shows
stocks, a dog cage and a choice of floggers at SpurLine. Arenas is also home to Gay Mart
hung neatly beside the life buoy. Camp Palm and Bear Wear outlets and other stores, so the
Springs hosts sex parties the first Saturday of street is always full of drinkers, shoppers and
Breakfast choices are plentiful: Pinocchio in the month; slings are hung with abandon and cruising. Just down the street is Palm Springs’
the Desert’s multiple versions of eggs Benedict are always full. The View is a favourite of the leather bar, The Tool Shed, which also has
and omelettes arrive on huge platters and are West Hollywood boys who flock into town on shopping nearby at Gear Leather and Fetish.
washed down with their $3.95 bottomless the weekends. They favour Room 5: it’s the Locals and visiting clubbers trek uptown
champagne special. The King’s Highway at only one without a private patio, but it offers to Toucan’s Tiki Lounge, where Gaga,
the Ace Hotel goes retro chic in a renovated- a view of the hot tub and playroom. Britney, Beyoncé and the Pussycat Dolls are
to-distress former Denny’s with Tex-Mex East Canyon Hotel and Spa caters to a more in continual rotation on the giant video
breakfasts, tequila-cured lox and a reviving upscale crowd and is one of the rare resorts screens. The go-go boy is too musclebound
house brand of coffee. where swimsuits are required. Swimsuits are to display any dance moves, but his bored
also required at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club, demeanour is the only non-exuberant face
Bongo Johnny’s on the Arenas Rd strip creates
the resort of choice for the young and hip. A in the house. Friday nights are ruled by
massive salads and specialty burgers in an uber-
former Travelodge has been dosed in glorious Wang’s in the Desert’s happy hour, where
gay atmosphere designed for watching the action
irony, sailcloth and nautical paraphernalia the $2 drinks pack in so many weekend-
on the street. Uptown, Jake’s Ready to Eat is a
and transformed into stacks of luxuriously arrival celebrants that the crowd spills into
favourite of the fitness-conscious West Hollywood
distressed beachhouses. The crowd — and it the parking lot and onto the surrounding
boys, but the sandwiches and salads taste sinful.
is always almost full — is more queer than sidewalks.
Aspen Mills Bakery has lunch packages that
gay, with het couples and even children lurk- In the early ’50s, when Palm Springs was
include a sandwich made with fresh-baked bread,
ing about. The frat-house atmosphere — the mostly desert, Frank Sinatra built a house
a sampling of their potato salad and a cookie
main pool has a full-time DJ — is perfect for in the middle of an expanse of sand for Ava
— for those heading out on a canyon hike or
those more in need of a party than relaxing in Gardner. Whenever he awakened and was
reluctant to leave the pool (they deliver).
the sun. Ace’s motto is “Thank you for sleep- ready to start the party he would hoist a flag
Upscale choices include Trio, the restaurant ing with us,” but few actually doze. emblazoned with a bottle of Jack Daniels so
of the moment. Every dish is incredible, but All Worlds can coax any man out of his his distant neighbours would know to head
the crawfish pot pie, pot roast and mac and Speedo. It has a seedy reputation that is over. Palm Springs’ rainbow flags fly 24/7,
cheese are standouts. Tropicale infuses classic totally undercut by large clean rooms, friendly and the party never ends.
southern cooking with a touch of pan-Asian staff and well-maintained grounds. Tucked
flair. Their buttermilk-paprika boneless fried in one corner of the 2.5 acre resort is famed visitpalmsprings.com
chicken is an instant classic, and the mile-high pornographer Dirk Yates’ former apartment,
chocolate cake is a must. where he first conceived of the resort as a sex Drew Rowsome is an associate editor at fab
destination and film location. Bordello-red who was delighted with his mid-winter
walls; leopard-print accents; a two-man sojourn to a gay desert oasis.
gaycations
cheap, sexy and quick vacation fixes
What to do What to do
Many of Manhattan’s most popular gay bars Chicago is the big daddy of the Midwest; it’s
and clubs, like Splash (splashbar.com) and a happy mixture of fast-paced urban types
G Lounge (glounge.com), are concentrated and polite Illinois boys. The appropriately
alongside the fancy restaurants and pricey titled Boystown neighbourhood is the centre
sex shops in ultra-gay Chelsea. Low-key (and for gay life, dominated by the daytime hub
I
t’s only April, but you’ve already slept with all your remaining Facebook friends, maxed out low-cost) alternatives are rush or lottery seats Jaemar and David chill at Woody’s. of Broadway St and the nightlife strip on
your tab at every bar on Church St and preemptively abandoned your entire summer reading list, to a Broadway show or an evening stroll Halsted St. It’s easy to get distracted at the
aside from the Speedo catalogue. What’s a gay to do? Spare yourself the headache: we’ve gathered through the innovative High Line biggest and most dependable gay club,
all the details you’ll need for a nearby trip that’s heavy on the hotties and light on the pocketbook. (thehighline.org) park nearby. The East Sidetrack (sidetrackchicago.com), but it’s
Village has something of an artier nightlife, worth hopping over to nearby Roscoe’s
with indie gay bars like Nowhere (myspace. (roscoes.com) or Spin (spin-nightclub.com).
there are always Karel’s Steam Baths you might find exactly that. Audiophiles (myspace.com/metropolitan11211). com) party, which happens every third
(karelssteambaths.com) and Central Spa What to do won’t want to miss the weekly Piknic Friday, bring all types together for some hot
(centralspa.ca), for those looking for a change Electronik (piknicelectronik.com), where hand-to-hand action. Still, bears and daddies
of face from their hometown baths. Halifax just wants to party! The east coast huge acts like Tiga and Junior Boys play. may feel more at home at The Bike Stop
is easygoing, and this town has a number (thebikestop.com), and trendy dive bars like
of dependable places for gays to gather. The What you’ll spend Bob and Barbara’s (1509 South St) put on
large, welcoming, community-oriented lots of alternative programming, like a trashy
Menz Bar (menzbar.ca) is a sweet treat, and TRANSPORTATION: queer improv night with The Dumpsta
so is Reflections Cabaret (reflectionscabaret. Roundtrip tickets booked a week ahead: Players (dumpstaplayers.org). America’s
com). Music is the lifeblood of this town, Megabus from $55, Porter Airlines from oldest gay bookstore, Giovanni’s Room
and the queer-friendly Company House $650, VIA Rail from $250. (giovannisroom.com), is extensive and
(thecompanyhouse.ca) is just one of many affordable. It wouldn’t be a trip to Philly
venues where one can indulge in some local HOTEL: without sampling some local meat; the
tunes. Those looking to do a little sex shop- $90–300 per night at the Auberge Belles much-recommended downtown cheese
Broadway is ultra gay.
ping (and who isn’t?) shouldn’t miss the Vues, $69–139 per night at Hotel de Paris steak stop is Ishkabibble’s (337 South St).
cleverly named and community-oriented (hotel-montreal.com). Rooms from $7.25–
Hamilton skyline.
Venus Envy (venusenvy.ca). 12.50 at the Sauna Oasis (saunaoasis.net). What you’ll spend What you’ll spend
What you’ll spend What you’ll spend TRANSPORTATION: TRANSPORTATION: Sexy shower show at Spin.
Roundtrip tickets booked a week ahead: Roundtrip tickets booked a week ahead:
TRANSPORTATION: TRANSPORTATION: Megabus from $80, Porter Airlines from Megabus from $80, Amtrak from $250, HOTEL:
Roundtrip tickets booked a week ahead: Roundtrip tickets booked a week ahead: $750, VIA Rail from $240. Air Canada $1,100. $99–159 per night at The Villa Toscana
GO Transit from $19. Porter Airlines from $500, VIA Rail from (thevillatoscana.com), $29–35 per night
$420, Greyhound Canada from $315. HOTEL: HOTEL: at Hostelling International Chicago
HOTEL: $155–375 per night at the Chelsea Savoy Hotel $119–159 per night at The Alexander Inn (hichicago.org). Rooms $20–50 at
$131–211 per night at the Visitors Inn HOTEL: (chelseasavoynyc.com), $30–70 per night at (alexanderinn.com), $29–35 per night Steamworks (steamworksonline.com).
(visitorsinn. com), $15–50 per night at $27–68 per night at Hostelling International Whitehouse Hotel (whitehousehotelofny. at Apple Hostels (applehostels.com).
Hamilton Guesthouse. Rooms $25–55 at Halifax (hihostels.ca). Rooms $18–95 at com). Rooms $21–35 at the West Side Club Rooms $25–35 at Sansom Street Gym Jonathan Valelly is a fab writer who loves
Central Spa (centralspa.ca). Seadog’s Sauna & Spa (seadogs.ca). Hotties Jon and Yves at Parking. bathhouse (westsideclubnyc.com). (sansomstreetgym.com). being the out-of-towner at any gay bar.
Jonathan and
R
emember how, when the John are tough Jonathan and Jason • Remember how those spandex-
Sailor Scouts trans- but sweet @ are here to pump clad ladies with the matching leg
AsianXpress you up @ Fit
formed on TV’s Sailor warmers from TV’s 20 Minute
Moon, you were supposed Workout were always bouncing? Well
to forget that they were Fit, the monthly party at The Beaver,
really little girls? Well, Birthday is not quite as strenuous. Ricky
boy Ricky
Donnarama’s perfor- Krueger is outside, shirtless, holding
is ready to
mance at AsianXpress a red balloon. It’s his birthday. Happy
work it out
has her changing onstage @ Fit pneumonia! For some, dancing on
from a calm white the small dancefloor without falling
tutu’ed ballerina into a down the adjacent stairs is the way
Robert, Rea, Jeff
psychotic dancer dressed J-Mag rocks to stay fit. For some, tag-teaming a
and Michael are
in black feathers à la Black runway ready the mic @ cigarette on the back patio is the way
Swan. This is the first time @ AsianXpress AsianXpress to stay fit. For DJ Phil Villeneuve
I’ve seen her do less farcical (fab’s Tunes columnist), fit means
and more forceful choreogra- “being active and keeping things
phy. “Girl, I’m sweating light. Like those Body Break ads.”
something nasty,” she heaves But to his die-hard fans, like Sheldon
afterward. Providing some McIntosh, who is going to it on the
firm sticky buns are go-go boys Kris and Phil spin tracks that would dancefloor, Villeneuve is “killing it
Farley Tarn, Dean Voon, Larry make even Hal Johnson and Joanne with the remixes.” We hear amazing
McLeod sweaty @ Fit
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Hannah is
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a velvety
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Flyerman is
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sitcom? Well, the lesbians at Cherry Bomb it takes to get to the centre of like that at George’s Play, where the
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decorated with what has to Lindsay and Spanish, going to great
be Toronto’s most interest- Carla and Jen had no idea lengths to convince a visit-
ing lamp and lighting Mario are they loved balls ing queen from Montreal to
collection, are several spicy treats so much @ do a Lady Gaga number.
delectable guys. With its @ HOLA Cherry Bomb Unfortunately, Madame
intimate conversation Poutine doesn’t know the
nooks, busy pool tables words. All the other drag
and packed dancefloor, queens do their best to appease
Andy Poolhall is the per- the crowd with Spanish pop
fect spot to hear DJs Denise songs. Since it’s a charity (and the
Benson and Cozmic Cat, queens ain’t being paid) many
who are selections higher profile ladies (except for
perfection. “Local legend” Nicole Batista) aren’t present. This
Flyerman has loved Denise allows the newer ones like
thoroughly since 1991. Hannah, Chantal and Kandy
“I’m a lesbian down deep,” to really shine. I smile and
he says. “If it wasn’t for pretend I understand what’s
Denise, the lesbian club going on. That’s what they do
scene would be lost. She is Warner, on TV.
the definition of girl-on- Kevin and Clement and
girl power.” Well, she does Natalia gives new meaning JonJon are Cory get their Julian and deepdish
spice up my life. to the power suit @ HOLA out for a cherries Christopher are @fabmagazine.com
Chris and Levi get a good time John and Flynn are ready popped @ bushmen for the night
20 March 30, 2011 fab little tipsy @ HOLA @ HOLA to float away @ Fit Cherry Bomb @ Cherry Bomb fab March 30, 2011 21
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tunes@fabmagazine.com fab March 30, 2011 23
BELLINI AT LARGE Paul Bellini
Mega
catfights
M
y boyfriend George just moved from Timmins to be with Donny and Marie or
me. In Timmins, entertainment usually means playing an eerie facsimile?
darts, but now that George is a Torontonian, entertainment
can mean a lot of things.
I take him to Factory Theatre’s challenging production of Brothel
#9. A pretty young thing named Rekha goes to Kolkata expecting “my sister La Toya.” I tell George how my sister Christine and I
to take a job making light bulbs, only to discover that her brother- used to think we looked like Donny and Marie and would duet
in-law has sold her into prostitution. In true horror-movie fashion, “I’m Leaving It All up to You” in the rec room. Donny is so effin’
she goes to the police, but it turns out that they are in on the scheme. cool. It’s hard to believe he’s a grandfather.
Meanwhile, she is held under thumb by Jamuna, the cruel head of Then George and I go home to watch a movie. Because he loves
the household, who warns her that escape is not an option. Rekha sci-fi and I adore ’80s pop divas, we find something perfect for both
has no choice but to adapt and find dignity where there is none. of us — Mega Python vs Gatoroid. It stars Debbie Gibson and Tiffany,
I worry that the downbeat nature of the material will make for who also co-produced. Tiffany plays a busty sheriff in the Everglades
an odious experience. But this is one of the most cinematic plays who combats an increasing python problem by feeding growth hor-
I’ve ever seen, in no small part because of its richly coloured set mones to the gators. All the beasts become gigantic and the two
design. The performances are also superb, and the rape scene might heroines spend much time running from atrocious CGI lizards. I love
go down as the most harrowing thing I’ve ever witnessed on a stage. that Tiffany has only two outfits — her sheriff shirt paired with unflat-
Playwright Anusree Roy, who also plays Jamuna, finds all the human tering short shorts and a bust-enhancing black dress. Indeed, Tiffany’s
elements in the drama, making for overwhelming theatre. This one’s massive jugs compete with the giant lizards throughout.
going to win a raft of Doras. The two pop stars are positioned as rivals from the beginning. In
A few days later, I take George to a their first heated argument, Debbie responds to Tiffany’s authority
surprise Dancap press conference with “Somebody had ‘bitch’ for breakfast.” But it’s the catfight in the
featuring Donny Osmond, who is middle that makes it a masterwork. Tiffany holds a big classy fundraiser
bringing Donny and Marie Live to to benefit an estuary, and Debbie, an annoying eco-activist,
the Four Seasons Centre for the shows up to bug her. They go at it in front of everybody,
Performing Arts from Tuesday, pulling hair and scratching at eyeballs, even incorporat-
July 5 to Saturday, July 17. ing whipped cream. There are lines of dialogue like
Donny flirts with the “Only in your dreams” or “I think we’re alone now.
press, flashing those There doesn’t seem to be anyone around.” So many LOL
million-dollar moments, like when the lizards attack and someone
chompers and yells out, “If you have a gun, you should get it out
making cute now!” and every single person whips out a gun. It
quips about helps that Micky Dolenz of The Monkees shows up
to get eaten by a giant python.
Giant gators, Hindi hookers, Donny’s teeth — it’s
a lot to digest, but George takes it all in stride. In
fact, he’s stoked to attend Zero Hour, a play featuring Jim
Brochu as Zero Mostel, directed by famous actress Piper
Zero darts for TO Laurie. It plays at the Al Green Theatre until Saturday,
entertainment. April 16. It should be fun, considering Mostel’s legendary
performances in Rhinoceros and the original Producers.
And more to the point — it sure beats playing darts.
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