MUSIC FORWARD AND GIBSON GIVES PARTNER FOR: LGBTQ+ EMERGING ARTIST AWARDS GIBSON GIVES TO DONATE OVER $43,000 TO UNIQUE AND IMPACTFUL MUSIC MENTORSHIP PROGRAM SUPPORTING YOUNG TALENT IN THE MUSIC

NASHVILLE, TN (August 5, 2024) Gibson Gives, the non-profit division of the legendary music brand Gibson, is honored to partner with Music Forward to present the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards for 2024. A unique and impactful grant program, the goal of the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards is to help break down the barriers of access in the music industry, allowing artists to have thriving careers and promote a more inclusive music industry overall. With 45 of the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awardsgranted, the new Music Forward and Gibson Gives partnership allows the program to continue to champion diverse voices from all backgrounds and communities, from Atlanta to Austin, and New York City to North Hollywood.

The screening process for the awards is extensive, with ten (10) LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awardees aged 18-24 years old to be selected based on many factors, including the strength of their body of music work, the breadth of their body of work, their artistic vision, and their articulation of their career goals. The ten US-based selected artists are dedicated to their songwriting craft, and their vision for themselves through music. The ten awardees will each receive:

·     $3000 Grant

·     $1000 Gibson retail for an instrument.

·     Performance Opportunities that include the Gibson Garage Nashville and Gibson showrooms, as well as other venues.

·     Quarterly Mentorship with established musicians, as well as the Gibson and Music Forward teams.

LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards submissions for applicants are open now HERE.

The timeline for the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards program is as follows:

·     Monday, August 5: Applications open.

·     Sunday, August 18: Applications close.

·     Monday, August 19 – Friday, September 27:Application review and selection.

·     Monday, September 30: Awardees notified.

·     October 2: Announcement of Awardees.

·     Mid-late October: Virtual Award Show.

Music Forward and Gibson Gives believe in music as a catalyst for discovery, connection, and transformation, and the power of amplifying artists and providing a forum for their diverse voices to be heard. Gibson Gives will donate over $43,000 to the program for 2024, including $33,000 in cash grants ($30k grants/$3k admin fees), and $10,000 in Gibson retail for an instrument. Music Forwarddevelops and administers the grant awards from selection to distribution, and Music Forward and the Gibson team collectively develop and execute mentorship programs. The Quarterly Mentorship Opportunities range from songwriting sessions with Gibson artists to exploring a variety of trending topics and skills, including Gibson and Live Nation Leadership professionals sharing knowledge and insight on what it takes to find success in the business, learning from experts who have turned their passions into professions in the ever-changing entertainment industry, from bands to boardrooms and everything in between. The program is designed to help nurture artists’ growth and progress, expand their social capital, and to reduce barriers, both external and internal, that may come between them and achieving their greatest artistic potential.

Singer-songwriter and record producer Butch Walker, one of the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award musician mentors for 2024, states “Hey all! I’m excited to be supporting the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award, and to celebrate the amazing talent and diversity within the community. This award not only recognizes artistic excellence, but also empowers emerging voices to inspire and create needed change.”

“Gibson Gives is proud to partner with Music Forward to support the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award,” says Erica Krusen, Global Executive Director of Gibson Gives. “We believe in the power of individual voices and strive to break down barriers, promoting a more inclusive music industry. These awards support often-marginalized artists, nurturing their growth and helping them achieve their greatest artistic potential.”

“At Music Forward, we work towards inspiring young artists and providing resources to drive their careers forward while making the industry more inclusive for all voices,” adds Nurit Siegel Smith, Executive Director of the Music Forward Foundation. “The LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award is a staple of our programs, and we are excited for our partnership with Gibson Gives to continue to empower the next generation of LGBTQ+ musicians.”

A national nonprofit in the Live Nation family, theMusic Forward Foundation creates opportunities for young talent in the music industry by mentoring entertainment careers for the next generation through live performances, workshops and panels. Acclaimed artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Maxwell Frost, Trombone Shorty, and Andrae Alexanderare past program participants and grant recipients. While performers such as Kahlid, Sophia Carson, Lauren Daigle, Martina McBride, Carlos Santana, and Julia Michaels have served as Ambassadors for Music Forward:https://musicforwardfoundation.org/.

Gibson Gives is the non-profit division of the legendary music brand Gibson, Gibson supports the music community via its philanthropic endeavor, Gibson Gives, assisting non-profit organizations in their efforts to advance musicians, youth-focused music education, health and wellness initiatives, and inclusive musical partnerships worldwide. The Gibson Gives Scholarship program has provided direct financial support to young students with music career aspirations and is on track to help even more players in 2024. Gibson Gives a 501(c)(3),is committed to cultivating and offering steadfast support for all communities. To date, Gibson Gives has raised over $4.5 million and enabled $46 million in funding for key organizationsthrough product donations and meaningful giving worldwide, with 100 percent of all donations to and from Gibson Gives going towards providing the gift of music.

Multi-hyphenate artist Our Lady J releases new classical music single “Future Of Us” Featuring the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus

Listen to "Future Of Us" on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Music

New York, New York – May 7, 2024 – Today, writer, producer, composer and performer Our Lady J releases “Future Of Us,” the artist’s first major music release in a decade, when she put her musical career on hold to focus on television and filmmaking. Featuring sweeping, classical orchestrations and supporting vocals by members of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, the composition is a meditation on the aftermath of societal chaos, and the responsibility artists have to steer us back towards creation. Our Lady J says, “The song paints a portrait of a world worn from mounting anxieties, building towards a revelation that calls for a return to LOVE.”

The recording of the song, written and performed by Our Lady J, was inspired by the artist’s personal journey of healing from the isolation of the pandemic, after which, she attended dozens of symphonic concerts to find community with other creatives and like-minded artists. In this period of inspiration, Lady J notes that “concert-going reconnected me with my roots as a collaborative musician and chamber pianist. I resumed my formal studies in classical piano at the Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles, and I fell back in love with the healing power of classical music.”

Listen to “Future Of Us” HERE.

“Future Of Us” marks Our Lady J’s official return to music after the release of her 2013 debut album Picture of a Man, praised by Out Magazine for its “deeply felt vocals and highly trained expertise.” The singer took a temporary break from the medium to embark on a successful career in television where her credits include being a writer and producer on FX’s Pose and Amazon Studios’ Transparent. 

While "Future Of Us" is a classically inspired piece, Our Lady J is also releasing more music this summer that is more traditional singer-songwriter material. Her upcoming single “Little Queen,” out this June in time for Pride month celebrations, is dedicated to all her trans and queer siblings in the LGBTQ+ community. 

ABOUT OUR LADY J

Our Lady J is an Emmy-nominated writer and producer, best-known for her writing on Pose, Transparent and American Horror Story. Before Lady J’s career in television, she toured the world performing as a singer/songwriter, as well as a collaborative pianist and musical director for pop, theater, and classical music. She has received two Peabody Awards, three American Film Institute awards, three Writers Guild Award nominations and two NAACP Image Award nominations. As a producer, her shows have garnered a combined total of 48 Emmy nominations, 13 Golden Globe nominations, 20 Critics’ Choice nominations, among others. She is currently writing and co-executive producing on the upcoming Netflix series, The Boroughs, executive produced by the Duffer Brothers.

Follow Our Lady J:

Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

Marshall announces “Marshall Funhouse,” a Three-Day SXSW Activation for Musicians and Music Lovers Alike

Marshall announces “Marshall Funhouse,” a Three-Day SXSW Activation for Musicians and Music Lovers Alike

AUSTIN, Texas (February 13, 2024) - Marshall is gearing up for its second year at SXSW, this time showing up bigger and better and as an official SXSW 2024 partner. The experience will bring an exciting artist lineup, one-of-a-kind carnival themed experiences, games and more, inviting musicians and music lovers to participate in this three-day celebration of culture and community. The event will take place between March 13-15 at Parish, and will be joined by local Austin community partners and vendors. 

Marshall, globally renowned for its iconic sound and pioneering role in music, is announcing today its first official SXSW activation and biggest event yet as a unified group – Marshall Funhouse. The theme is inspired by carnivals, British funfairs, and theme parks, and will come together through partnerships with local community organizations and friends of the brand.  

With this exciting announcement for music fans and SXSW attendees alike, Marshall is sharing a first glimpse into the stacked three-day event lineup for Marshall Funhouse, including a mix of local, regional and international talent – some from the company’s very own record label, Marshall Records. The initial lineup includes Detroit hardcore punk band The Armed, Austin locals Black Angels, UK-based post punk act Dry Cleaning, indie garage punk band Shannon and the Clams, punk and folk musicians Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, as well as Marshall Records’ own Northern Irish metal-icons Therapy?, Kid Bookie, King Nun, Dream Nails and more. To view the full lineup, please visit sxsw.marshall.com, with more acts to be announced in the coming weeks. 

To help bring this ambitious activation into reality, Marshall has enlisted local independent promoter, Resound Presents and entertainment partnership gurus, Ad.Ventures to support local talent and ensure that Marshall Funhouse leaves a lasting impact in the Austin local scene. Apart from live music entertainment, Marshall has invited local community partners SIMS Foundation, School of Rock, and global collective Women in Vinyl, to raise awareness for their programs. Musicians at SXSW will also be able to drop in at the Marshall Funhouse artist gifting suite, where they can get their guitars serviced and receive gifts provided by the legendary Ernie Ball and Musicares custom earplugs.

DREAM NAILS | Courtesy of MARSHALL

“Partnering with SXSW perfectly aligns with our mission to support emerging talent from all backgrounds, to show our long-term commitment to the local Austin music scene, all while putting the spotlight on the music icons of today and tomorrow. As such, Marshall Records will also be doing a takeover during the event to proudly showcase our own talent roster,” says Peter Wijk, VP of Marketing at Marshall.  

KID BOOKIE | Courtesy of MARSHALL

Over the course of the three days, Marshall Funhouse will be a place where people can immerse themselves in live music performances, and enjoy delicious food and drinks provided by local vendors including Bad Larry Burger Club, Zee’s Wiener System, CTRUS lemonade, and Cloud 9 Cotton Candy.  Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to play carnival-themed games from Circus Picnic and take part in screen printing with beloved Austin-based design shop Feels So Good (FSG). To tie it all together, the event has been brought to life under one character-led visual universe, complete with live mascots and surprise activities. 

Marshall will be further contributing to SXSW by hosting its own panel discussion. This panel will invite speakers who are passionate about and are working towards a flourishing cultural scene and explore the role that community plays in driving music forward and elevating artists’ careers. Among the speakers is rock royalty Janie Hendrix, with whom Marshall has a long-standing partnership with to support the Jimi Hendrix Park Foundation.  

Courtesy or MARSHALL

More artists on the lineup, additional programming details, the three-day schedule and more will be announced over the next few weeks. 

To stay up to date on the latest information on Marshall Funhouse, please visit sxsw.marshall.com and follow along at the @marshallheadphones and @marshallamps social handles.  

WHEN: March 13-15, 2024 

WHERE: Paris, 501 Brushy Street, Austin Texas, 78702  

RSVP link is now live for SXSW badge holders and the general public HERE 

Flame Con, the World’s Largest Queer Comic Convention, Announces Tenth Annual Expo

Tenth Anniversary Expo to Take Place in New York City at The Sheraton Times Square Hotel on August 17-18, 2024

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New York, New York – February 5, 2024 – Flame Con, created and produced by the LGBTQ+ non-profit Geeks OUT, celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. The tenth annual Flame Con expo will take place on August 17 - 18at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel in New York City. Featuring a comics, arts and entertainment expo and showcasing creators and special guests from all corners of the LGBTQ+ community of fans, the two-day venture will include thoughtful discussions, exclusive performances, cosplay and more. 

Tickets for the con are now available HERE.

“For years, the constant refrain we’d hear attending other conventions was ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if..?,’ says Nic Gitau, President of Geeks OUT. “‘Wouldn’t it be cool if… there was a safe space for LGBTQ+ fans to connect?’ or ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if… there was a show that proved audiences were hungry for unapologetically queer storytelling?’ Over the last ten years Flame Con has become a home for queer fans, championed queer stories, and celebrated queer creators as their careers have sparked and exploded. We're grateful for a community that's grown exponentially each year and we're excited to gather the best of LGBTQ+ comics and pop culture once more, in what will be a standout 10th anniversary show."

Flame Con is excited to announce Molly Knox Ostertag as the first of its special guests for this year’s expo. Molly Knox Ostertag is the acclaimed ABA Indies and New York Times bestselling graphic novel author-illustrator of The Deep Dark, The Girl from the Sea, and the Witch Boy trilogy: The Witch Boy, The Hidden Witch, and The Midwinter Witch, as well as a writer for animation. An animated musical adaptation of The Witch Boy has been announced by Netflix. 

To celebrate the expo and its special anniversary, Fireball: The Official Flame Con After Party will be held on Saturday, August 17 at Hell’s Kitchen’s Industry bar. The event will be hosted by Megami, cast member in the current season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Get tickets for the tenth annual Flame Con and the Fireball After Party HERE.

Last year’s con featured many queer-oriented vendors, creators, and special guests including Maia Kobabe (Gender Queer: A Memoir), Terry Blas (Rick and Morty, Steven Universe), Alyssa Wong (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Batman: Urban Legends), and Stephanie Williams (Nubia and the Amazons). Among the panels and presentations held last year were “Demystifying Game Design,” “How to Make Your Independent Queer Comic,” and “What A DRAG!: A Panel on Drag and Cosplay.” The expo also featured a live edition of host Connor Goldsmith’s CEREBRO podcast and a special LGBTQ+ comedy showcase with a lineup that included Calvin Cato (Netflix) and Veronica Garza (MTV, NPR). 

“Flame Con is always my favorite convention of the year!,” says Josh Trujillo (Blue Beetle, Hulkling& Wiccan), Flame Con guest and comics writer and designer. “It’s a unique opportunity to meet with friends, peers, and fans in a more intimate setting. The stories we share as queer people can be so personal, and it means the world to know that readers connect with it.”  

GLAAD Award-winning author and film programmer Anthony Oliveira (Steven Universe) shares, “Flame Con is easily my favorite comic convention. Nowhere else feels so much like home. It feels like someone took all the best parts of a con and just kept those, like if you made a whole con out of the weird queer section of every other expo’s Artist Alley!”

Tickets to Flame Con are available through Eventbrite and will feature daily and weekend passes, as well as passes to the official 2024 Flame Con party. Tickets can be purchased at flamecon2024.eventbrite.com.

Exhibitor table sales dates will launch later this month. Stay tuned for announcements.

For more information on Flame Con, please visit www.flamecon.org and for more information on Geeks OUT, please visit www.geeksout.org

SXSW ANNOUNCES KEYNOTES DAN AUERBACH AND PATRICK CARNEY OF THE BLACK KEYS AND FOURTH ROUND OF FEATURED SPEAKERS

Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys Announced as Keynotes 

Featured Speakers Announced include Ed Bastian, Dr. Sweta Chakraborty, Jack Conte, Jane Fonda, Devery Jacobs, Chris Smalls, Justin Tranter, Dwyane Wade, Elijah Wood and more

Austin, Texas — January 16, 2024 — South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals has announced the addition of Keynotes Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys and the fourth round of Featured Speakers for the 38th edition of its annual Conference, which celebrates the convergence of technology, film, television, and music. SXSW takes place March 8-16, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001, The Black Keys are singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney. They have been called ‘rock royalty’ by the Associated Press and ‘one of the best rock ‘n’ roll bands on the planet’ by Uncut. Originally getting their start playing small clubs, the band has gone on to sell out arena tours worldwide and have released 11 studio albums. The Black Keys have won six Grammy Awards and a BRIT, among other worldwide accolades. A new documentary, This is a Film About The Black Keys, traces their remarkable journey from two neighborhood kids jamming in a basement in Akron, Ohio to rock ’n roll super-stardom will World Premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival. 

The Featured Speakers announced today include CEO of Delta Air Lines Ed Bastian,two-time Academy Award-winning actress, producer, author, and activist Jane Fonda,actor/writer/director Devery Jacobs, founder and President of the Amazon Labor Union and founder of The Congress of Essential Workers Chris Smalls, three-time NBA champion, Basketball Hall of Famer, Olympic gold medalist, New York Times bestselling author, and businessman Dwyane Wade, and actor, producer, and co-founder of SpectreVision Elijah Wood.

"The impact of artists has made music the foundation of SXSW," said Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer and Co-President. “For this reason, we’re especially excited to welcome Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys, one of the most compelling rock bands around, to the Keynote Speaker lineup for a discussion on their prolific career.”

The SXSW Conference is organized into 24 programming tracks presented in a variety of session formats. Tracks for 2024 include 2050, Advertising & Brand Experience, Artificial Intelligence, Climate Change, Creating Film & TV, Creator Economy, Culture, Design, Energy, Fashion & Beauty, Film & TV Industry, Food, Game Industry, Government and Civic Engagement, Health & MedTech, Music & Tech, Music Careers, Psychedelics, Sports, Startups, Tech Industry, Transportation, Workplace, and XR. More information about SXSW programming tracks and formats can be found here.

Newly-announced SXSW 2024 Keynotes:

• Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of the six-time Grammy Award-winning band The Black Keys

Newly-announced Featured Speakers include:

• CEO at Twitch Dan Clancy

• Inventor, futurist, New York Times bestselling author, Grammy Award winner, and Principal Researcher and AI Visionary at Google Ray Kurzweil

• CEO of Mostly Human Media Laurie Segall

Newly-announced Featured Sessions include:

• 2050: Reimagining Future Cities Without Homelessness: In this session, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Jeff Olivet, President and CEO of Los Angeles Mission Troy Vaughn, and U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters will reimagine how cities in the future can flourish without homelessness.

• A^²: Connecting the Dots: In this session, lawyer, writer, and public speaker Steven Donziger and founder and President of the Amazon Labor Union and founder of The Congress of Essential Workers Chris Smalls will speak to the challenges of taking on two of the most powerful corporations in the world. From Chevron in the Amazon to the Amazon Corporation, these two are putting everything on the line to speak truth to power while inspiring all of us to step up and take action. 

• Culturally Confronting Loneliness: This session will focus on changing the loneliness conversation on a macro scale from something overwhelming and sad, to something dynamic and hopeful. Founder and CEO of Hinge Justin McLeod and author and CEO of TheLi.st Ann Shoket will answer questions such as how can we start to dismantle shame, welcome constructive change, and foster community, what role has technology had in the creation of loneliness and what role can it have in solving this problem, how do we get healthier and build true connection, and what proven tools and tactics can ground us all in the mission of forging a path to togetherness?

• Death of the Follower & the Future of Creativity on the Web: The Internet started as a platform that democratized creative distribution. You could upload your work to platforms like YouTube and immediately have it accessible to millions of people. After that came the "subscribe" button, which enabled creators to go beyond reach and find true fans whose support would allow them to build a creative business. But with the rise of platform-focused algorithms (Facebook's ranking, TikTok's "for you" curation), creators cannot reach their following and true fans. This shift has had a devastating impact on creators' creativity and ability to support themselves doing what they love. In this session, co-founder and CEO of Patreon Jack Conte will explain how the current internet algorithms are killing the traditional "follower" for creators and advocate for the new spaces on the internet (like Patreon) where creators can always connect with their communities, create what they want, and control their own destinies.

• Engaging the Next Gen: My Hero Academia’s Journey to Roblox: The unique potential of the Metaverse to engage fans and foster communities, all while presenting substantial revenue opportunities is not yet understood by all marketers and brand owners. In this session, founder and CEO of Gamefam Joe Ferencz and Executive Vice President of Emerging Business and General Manager of Games at Crunchyroll Terry Li will share the journey of bringing My Hero Academia to Roblox and explain why metaverse platforms are critical for brands looking to maintain relevance, build community, and drive growth with a new generation of potential consumers.

• FX’s Reservation Dogs: Indigenous Storytelling Without Bounds: FX’s Reservation Dogs has been hailed as a triumph in authentic Indigenous storytelling on screen. The acclaimed series has broken barriers both in front of and behind the camera, with every writer, director and series regular on the show being Indigenous. While singularly unique to mainstream audiences, the series is the culmination of decades of grassroots filmmaking and advocacy that has been taking place across Turtle Island/North America and beyond. In this session, co-creator/EP/writer/director Sterlin Harjo, director Danis Goulet, actor/writer/director Devery Jacobs, actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai and CEO of the Indigenous Screen Office Kerry Swanson will discuss how a global community of Indigenous storytellers are breaking through with distinctly Indigenous ways of telling stories on screen, signaling an exciting new era for the industry.

• Hollywood and Activism: Insights from Jane Fonda, Sweta Chakraborty, and David Fenton: In this session, come discover the secrets to creating real and meaningful change from two-time Academy Award-winning actor, producer, author, and activist Jane Fonda, climate behavioral scientist, author, and CEO of North America for We Don’t Have Time Dr. Sweta Chakraborty, and activist, author of The Activist’s Media Handbook, and public relations professional David Fenton. Hear directly from the masterminds behind freeing Nelson Mandela, Fire Drill Fridays, and We Don’t Have Time and learn how to use media and communication to mobilize the public for meaningful action and policy progress.

• Icons of Impact: A Conversation with Dwyane Wade: In this session, embark on a journey through the dynamic universe of three-time NBA champion, Basketball Hall of Famer, Olympic gold medalist, New York Times bestselling author, and businessman Dwyane Wade, an NBA legend not just defined by his prowess on the court but also his remarkable impact off it. From delivering captivating keynote speeches to making striking statements in the realms of fashion and design, Wade's entrepreneurial spirit shines brightly. Dive into his entrepreneurial ventures and uncover how this basketball icon has masterfully crafted a diversified empire in business.

• Live Podcast Episode of Visitations with Elijah Wood & Daniel Noah: On their podcast, Visitations, writer, director, and co-founder of SpectreVision Daniel Noah and actor, producer, and co-founder of SpectreVision Elijah Wood visit the homes and workshops of their favorite creators in film and beyond for intimate conversations about how they turn their lives into art. In this special, live edition of Visitations to launch season two, Wood and Noah will chat with a guest from the SXSW 2024 lineup.

• People First, Always: How to Put Values at the Heart of Your Business: In cutthroat and challenging times for business, it is increasingly difficult to focus on anything other than the bottom line. And yet, it’s people who are the heartbeat of any successful organization. Making people central to business strategy and investing in customers and employees is vital to building trust, retaining talent and transcending industry categories. Delta has navigated one of the most volatile and competitive industries on the planet for nearly a century. The airline leads today because of a simple, but powerful principle: always put people first. In this session, join CEO of Delta Air Lines Ed Bastian and other special guests to learn how to cultivate community from the inside out and foster a spirit of human connection that will drive business forward and sustain success for the years ahead.  

• The Transformation of Music Sync: When the Songwriter Becomes the Screenwriter: Entertainment is evolving, and music is no longer seen as an afterthought in film, TV, streaming, and other forms of media. Songs are now defining entire story arcs from the very beginning with songwriters helping to drive the creative process, often serving as screenwriters, executive music producers, directors, and more. In this session, musician, composer, film scorer, 28-time Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning producer, and founder of the act Calle 13 Eduardo Cabra, Music Crossover Agent at Creative Artists Agency Stephanie Langs, author, music journalist and host of the podcast Totally 80s Lyndsey Parker, Executive Vice President, Global Sync and Media Original Music at Warner Chappell Music Rich Robinson, and artist, activist, Grammy Award-nominated songwriter, and founder and CEO of Facet Records Justin Tranter will explore the players influencing these shifts and the new opportunities for songwriters and artists looking to stretch their creative muscles.

Additional Keynote Speakers and Featured Sessions will be announced in the coming weeks.

SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music, and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2024 will take place March 8–16 in Austin. Learn more at sxsw.com. To register for the event, please visit sxsw.com/attend.

SXSW 2024 is sponsored by Porsche, C4 Energy, Venmo, Delta, and The Austin Chronicle

Texas-Based Indie Rockers The Western Civilization Release Stunning Sophomore Album

The group's LP Fractions of a Whole is out February 16th

Rachel Hansbro (left) and Reggie O'Farrell (right). Photo by Jack Potts.

Chemistry is the key driving force of all great bands, and for Texas-based indie-rock band The Western Civilization, that creative connection has inspired them to get past odds that would seem insurmountable to most, while creating captivating , well-crafted music that is “an aurally enveloping avalanche of big tones and feeling” (Glide). 

Reggie O’Farrell and Rachel Hansbro met while in separate bands in the Houston music scene in 2002, and a friendship developed between the two. Their creative partnership would go on to produce two albums, multiple festival appearances including the Vans Warped Tour, SXSW, Halifax Pop Explosion and most importantly, a lasting artistic union that would survive the two living in separate cities, career changes, a major medical episode and one very cramped tour. Hansbro laughs, “If you can walk away from three weeks in a Geo Metro and still be friends with someone, that means something.”

The Western Civilization’s first album Letters of Resignation was aptly described by The Houston Chronicle as “Equal parts craft and chaos” and “noisy indie-pop that aches with longing, anger and frustration, each song spilling over with elegantly wrought emotion.” That heartfelt quality combined with the intertwined vocals of Hansbro and O’Farrell creates a sound that fans of Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes and Broken Social Scene will gobble up with fervor. The forthcoming album Fractions of a Whole reveals a new maturity to their music with a more lush sounding production style and a focus on cohesive, graceful songcraft over the endearingly quirky elements that dominated their earlier work. The songs, while beautifully gut-wrenching, still hold on to the hope of the light at the end of the tunnel with songwriting that brings to mind a more lyrically biting Death Cab For Cutie or The Shins and Modest Mouse’s finer moments.

Pro tip: Listen with Kleenex on hand. 

Fractions of a Whole album artwork by Reggie O'Farrell.

“The new songs were inspired by the amazing people who are part of my chosen family,” Hansbro reflects. “Reggie has always been good at reminding me of the positive things. (He is) another voice saying ‘Hey, it's going to be okay.’” This optimism amidst the chaos of the world we live in is evident in the rich and buoyant sound of Fractions, of which a handful of warmly received singles have been released in anticipation of the album. Of “Stitches”, The Big Takeover wrote, “(the song) is a dark and beautiful ode to human resilience and the journey of wading through the hard times and coming out the other side in one piece,” while the captivating “Bible Verses for Kids” shines “with an upbeat melody and swelling chorus — peppered with the indie rock outfit’s signature sorrow-soaked vocals,” (Rollacoaster). While the singles are quite literally fractions of a whole, the album altogether presents itself as a captivating masterpiece of a soul-searching roller coaster ride.

While the album’s singles were making their way out into the world, Hansbro began to realize that something was wrong. She couldn’t keep food down, she lost weight and her body began to shut down. She recalls struggling to get through the shows the band was playing in Texas and her frustration when doctors couldn’t determine the cause. Eventually, she found a doctor in her hometown of Houston who diagnosed her with achalasia, a rare disorder that makes it difficult to eat or drink, and that doctor just happened to be the one who had perfected a procedure to correct the life-threatening issue. Healthy again, the harrowing experience has given Hansbro a new drive and determination in approaching the  band’s music. “I can’t wait to get onstage and play again,” she asserts with a smile. “I wrote a lot of songs on Fractions of a Whole as letters of gratitude to friends who always showed up for me during tough times,” she continues. “Those same friends showed up for me when I was sick, reminding me not to lose hope.”

Of their unique relationship, it’s clear what drives the pair to stay dedicated to the band, despite the fact that O’Farrell lives in Austin where he finds more work as a producer and sound engineer and Hansbro resides in Houston where she has developed her own business as a music teacher working with nonprofits: mutual respect, belief in their music and the way they inspire each other. “I know she trusts me and it frees me to try anything, he explains. And of O’ Farrell, Hasbro says, “I trust few things in life, but I trust him.”

Fractions of a Whole is out February 16th on Reggie Records.

Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC locks New Partnership with Freeman

Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC solidifies new partnership with industry giant, FREEMAN Event Services. Partnership duties include sponsorship acquisition and fulfillment for brands participating in upcoming Unleashed LGBTQ+ events available for conference/festival in Dallas, Texas. (Sept, 2024)

Unleashed LGBTQ+ creates a space for brands, entertainers, & LGBTQ+ professionals to connect. Attendees will learn from thought leaders, industry experts, and celebrity talent from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ film, television, music, business, tech, & non-profit in a fun and interactive environment.

Exhibitors have the opportunity to showcase and promote new and exciting products, services, and campaigns with the one of the most reputable event-contractors on the market, FREEMAN.

Freeman, a global leader in trade show production for large scale events will offer exhibitors turnkey solutions (design to installation) for brands to participate in Unleashed LGBTQ+’s events. “We look forward to the professionalism and credibility this partnership that will provide regarding both sponsor engagement and attendee experience” says Founder and CEO, Wesley Smoot.

“We look forward to creating a space (that is) heavy in experiential marketing… We believe partnership with Freeman is an ideal fit, benefiting all parties” says Justin Grucholski, Director of Brand Partnerships.

Past exhibitors and continuing partners include Gilead Sciences, HRC, iHeart Media, Virgin Hotels, Visit Dallas, Out Magazine, The Advocate Channel, Dallas Voice, PRIDE RADIO, and more.

2023 Speakers/Panelists Include:

Unleashed LGBTQ+ 2023 Lineup: Stacey Stevenson (CEO, Family Equality- Washington DC), Daniel Franzase (Mean Girls, Universal Pictures), Dyllón Burnside (Emmy Award-Winning Show: POSE, American Horror Story, FX), Naomi Green, MBA (Speaker, Professor), Billy Eichner (Bros, Universal Pictures, American Horror Story, FX), Indya Moore (Emmy Award-Winning Show: POSE, FX), Antoni Porowski (Emmy Award-Winning Show: Queer Eye, Netflix), Matt Skallerud (Founder, CEO Pink Media), Brian Sims (Former Penn. State Rep, Managing Director at Out Leadership), Dr. Carlton, MD (Gastro Intestinal Physician, Consultant to White House & CDC), Nico Tortorella (The Walking Dead, AMC) and dozens more.

Antoni Porowski | Netflix | Emmy Award-Winning Series: Queer Eye | National Geographic: ‘No Taste Like Home with Antoni Porowski’

Stephen Walker (The Advocate Channel Correspondent) & Michel J Pelletier (equalpride media CMO)

Indya Moore | FX | Emmy Award-Winning Series: POSE | Warner/Discovery: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Billy Eichner | FX | Emmy Award-Winning Series: American Horror Story | Disney: Lion King | Hulu: Difficult People

Unleashed LGBTQ+ Founder/CEO Wesley Smoot | West Hollywood

Master-stroke Maestro might be the most sophisticated portrait of bisexuality ever filmed Review by Arnold Wayne Jones

Master-stroke

Maestro might be the most sophisticated portrait of bisexuality ever filmed

Review by Arnold Wayne Jones

Courtesy of Netflix

We all know that homosexuality didn’t exist until Uncle Miltie wore a dress, hippies started smoking weed and k.d. Lang won a Grammy. It’s caused by fluoridated water, Will & Grace marathons, gender-neutral pronouns and vegan options in public school cafeterias. 

Yeah, right. Sadly, honest portrayals and discussions of sexual orientation have been suppressed for centuries – by the church, by society, by an unspoken gentlemen’s agreement by journalists and pop culture gatekeepers. Gay men were “confirmed bachelors;” lesbians “old maids;” queer love was “infatuation” or “sickness” … if acknowledged at all. The cascade effect of this imposed ignorance was more than to ignore, more to demonize – it was to make an entire subculture invisible. And when you can’t see evidence of a culture, even if you’re a member of it, you have no role models, no guideposts, no standards to live up to (or cautionary tales to avoid). That’s why most contemporary portrayals of gay life in America in the mid-20th century tend to focus on the covertness, the shame, or the dangers of being gay at certain times. Even good queer cinema (and period TV shows) like Brokeback Mountain, Fellow Traveler or Philadelphia tend toward emphasizing the tragedy. The pall over the protagonists’ lives go hand-in-glove with the genre itself. 

On its surface, the new film Maestro looks like a traditional biopic about the great American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein – both his professional achievements and his personal tribulations, especially his marriage to Felicia Montealegre. But anyone who doesn’t walk away from Maestro with the understanding that it is a towering and multilayered portrait of an unapologetically bisexual icon has largely missed its point. This is a low-key instant classic of gay empowerment moviemaking.

Courtesy of Netflix

As contemporary biopics go, Maestro is sweeping in its coverage. Starting from Bernstein’s first success as a last-minute substitute conducting the New York Philharmonic for a radio broadcast and becoming an instant darling of the glitterati, it tracks his long, impressive career as a conductor, composer, personality and husband and father. But all along, he was also happily bisexual. In many films, that would be a throwaway point, or entirely ignored (I’m lookin’ at you, Beautiful Mind!); here, it’s seamlessly integrated into the fabric of Bernstein’s life. 

Its clarion point of view is evident as early as the second scene, when a young(ish) Bernstein receives the call that will launch his career. At the time, he’s in bed with his male lover and celebrates briefly by kissing the man on his posterior. If the lead actor (and director/co-screenwriter/producer) were a star less shimmering than Bradley Cooper, the casual sexuality of this scene, and many others throughout the film, would be omitted. But Cooper’s charisma, mojo and artistic boldness allow him the confidence to show Bernstein as a complete and complicated person – one who, despite having no template for how to be queer and in the public eye, managed to live his life, his way.

That’s admirable, but it certainly didn’t make it easy on his family. It wasn’t being bisexual that vexed his home life (though it was a part of it); it was the overwhelming Leonard Bernsteinness of him that did. 

The film is called Maestro for a reason. It’s not merely that the term is the preferred honorific for an orchestra conductor, it’s that Bernstein was constitutionally incapable of being second chair to anymore. Friendships, colleagues, children, wife – they were all instruments to be orchestrated in service of his magnum opus: His own life. 

Megalomaniac antiheroes are nothing new as biopics go, but few have come off as charming as Bernstein. The son of Ukrainian Jews who grew up in a Massachusetts mill town, Lenny reinvented himself as an urban sophisticate, graduating from Harvard and affecting a Mid Atlantic accent to seem as polished as New York society allowed. It was in this rarefied atmosphere that he met Felicia (Carey Mulligan), herself an immigrant who sounded as if she was exuded fully formed from the Upper West Side. Lenny never hid his bisexuality from Felicia (or, it seems, his friends and colleagues), but that doesn’t mean it didn’t create complications (serial infidelity will do that, no matter the orientation of the partner). All the while, Bernstein only begrudgingly admitted any culpability as he tried to charm his way around Felicia’s feelings. Different rules for geniuses.

And a genius he was. Maestro captures all the facets of Bernstein’s gifts, and Cooper embodies each brilliantly: The ease of his manner, the fearsomeness of his talent, the speed of his wit. The script (also by Cooper) sizzles with Old Hollywood glam.

Courtesy of Netflix

Cooper’s performance is exceptional, but he’s largely matched by Mulligan’s simmering wife. There’s less for her to work with, but as they said about Ginger Rogers – she did everything Fred Astaire did, only backward and in high heels – Mulligan makes it a duel. The best scene in the movie is a confrontation between Lenny and Felicia on Thanksgiving Day. In a medium long shot with no cuts, the two argue passionately, twisting the corkscrews deeper and from different angles, until it’s a draw. The realism not merely of the dialogue but of the way the words cascade out of their mouths, folding over one another in an unending tapestry of ideas. 

The heavy dialogue and emotional reality are Cooper’s best achievement as a director. His decision to film half in black and white and half in a faded approximation of Metrocolor seems a bit twee. This is also the second recent major film (following Saltburn) to shoot in academy ratio, which again comes off as an effort to suggest home movies that caught the actual events… so of course they become color once the 1960s arrive. 

Interestingly, the film ends not with Lenny’s death (in 1990, at age 72) but soon after Felicia’s in 1978 – a choice that only underscores how the marriage of these two was the signature achievement of Bernstein’s existence. He wasn’t a gay man resigned to a marriage of convenience with a woman, but a true bisexual who contentedly straddled multiple worlds: Gay and straight, classical and pop cultures, orchestral music and Broadway, angel and devil. The film is as ambitious as the man himself.

Saltburn | Movie Review by Arnold Wayne Jones

Sick Burn

Saltburn Wallows in the Inevitability of Its Own Twisted Vision of the World  

Review by Arnold Wayne Jones

Emerald Fennell has only written and directed two feature films, but that’s enough for her to carve out a distinctive style… but also enough to become slightly predictable. She seems to take Aristotle’s dictum – that the best stories’ endings are both surprising and inevitable – profoundly to heart. In her acclaimed debut, Promising Young Woman, she told the story of Cassandra (Carey Mulligan), a woman who turns past trauma into a mission to seek vengeance against any men who exploit or assault women. Cassandra isn’t a murderer (her revenge is more of the cautionary “taste of your own medicine” variety) but we know from the start she’ll save the best for a gloriously over-the-top last – that’s the”inevitable” part. (Fennell even named her after the Greek mythological seer, who prophesied the future even though nobody ever believed her.) What we are surprised by (spoiler alert here) is that Cassandra’s plan goes off course and she herself ends up murdered well before the denouement – that’s the “surprise.” Delicious ending? Sure. But also a little unsatisfying – a bittersweet dessert, like a dark chocolate torte or lemon pie.

Her latest, Saltburn, is more sure-footed directorially, but like PYM, the ending is not a great surprise, though the journey often can be.

Fennell has shifted her focus from a disturbed woman to an even younger, even more disturbed man. The great, unsettling Barry Keoghan plays Oliver Quick, a scholarship-kid attending Oxford University, surrounded by nothing but spoiled rich kids who can’t resist maximizing their dickishness whenever he’s near them It’s not enough that they are privileged brats who could afford to show a little grace; they’re also attractive and clever and cool, and Oliver longs to be included in their world. Like an abused mutt, he slowly ingratiates himself to the athletic ringleader, Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi). Felix is gorgeous and charismatic but also a softie, and he becomes curious about this kid from the other side of the tracks. By social osmosis, Oliver is begrudgingly accepted into the fold by everyone except Farleigh (Archie Madekwe), himself a cash-poor relation of Felix, dependent in part on his family’s largesse. Oliver wheedles an invitation to Felix’s family estate, named Saltburn, for the summer, and there the sweet, unsuspecting naif mounts his grand scheme to be welcomed into class of the landed gentry.

None of this is unexpected – we suspect from the opening moments (the story is narrated by Oliver in flashback) that he had, and likely achieved, his master plan of social climbing. Many of the smaller twists along the way – specifically, Oliver’s life story predictably reveals itself as intentionally constructed, and not as dire as he pretends – don’t really catch us off guard, as Fennell’s track record or projecting her twists clues us in. And yet, the script does take some wild swings, basically by leap-frogging around plot points – even developments the audience may anticipate come at unexpected moments. (Calling the antihero lead Oliver Quick is a not-too-subtle mashup of Oliver Twist and his own improvisational machinations.) Ultimately, virtually every character ends up more or less where we would have imagined they would. But oh how fun it is getting there.

Fennell’s acid-tongued take on British society is so specific, it matters little that it might not be super fresh and inventive. She pulls no punches. 

The first thing we notice is her decision to shoot the film in Academy ratio instead of widescreen, giving it the voyeuristic quality of a hi-def home movie. Then the tight editing, lavish production design and rich musical score elevate the proceedings. 

Then, of course, there’s the dialogue, which crackles with secondary, even tertiary layers in the character-driven portrait of class differences. Unspoken tensions and rivalries  lurk under the battle between the haves and have-nots. Throwaway lines end up being some of the smartest bits, and darkly funny meta commentary.

The casting, and the performances she extracts from everyone, push Saltburn from predictable social satire to compelling art film. Keoghan has only been around a half-dozen years, but since his breakout role in The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and continuing through The Batman and The Banshees of Inisherin, he’s proven himself a resourceful and edgy character actor whose protean face both hides and reveals a tremendous amount of emotional depth. The Catton clan (Elordi, mom Rosamund Pike, dad Richard E. Grant, sister Alison Oliver) all function as “types” – rungs in Oliver’s ladder of success – but they deliver the goods. The homoerotic undercurrent suffuses the entire film with a dangerous, outsidery vibe. 

Fennell may rely on a smallish bag of tricks to tell her tales, but Saltburn shows she’s talented enough to turn those gimmicks into something unusual in cinema today – an outcome that is as inevitable as it is surprising.

Unleashed LGBTQ Unveils Full Lineup of LGBTQ+ Stars for September 2023 Show

From Antoni Porowski, Dyllón Burnside, Indya Moore, Billy Eichner, Zach Herrin, and other LGBTQ+ Icons, Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 Features a Stacked Lineup of Talent for First-Ever Live and In-Person Festival Dedicated to the LGBTQ+ Community

From Left to Right: Indya Moore, Antoni Porowski, Billy Eichner, Dyllón Burnside

DALLAS — SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 — Unleashed LGBTQ, a first-of-its-kind conference and entertainment festival creating a space for brands, artists, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, is excited to announce the official lineup for the first-ever Unleashed LGBTQ in-person and live event, taking place at Gilley’s in Dallas, Texas, from September 22 - 24, 2023. Some of the most prominent names in the LGBTQ+ community will be partaking in special panels, keynotes, workshops, screenings, performances, and engaging showcases throughout the weekend.

Headliners for the show include:

• Antoni Porowski | Emmy-Award Winning Show Queer Eye (Netflix), Host and Executive Producer of Easy-Bake Battle (Netflix), NYT Bestselling Author of Antoni in the Kitchen & Antoni: Let's do Dinner

• Dyllón Burnside | Emmy Award-Winning Show Pose, Emmy-Award winning PBS docuseries PRIDELAND, Golden Globe nominated limited series MONSTER. GLAAD & HRC award recipient

• Indya Moore | Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Saint Laurent Cosmetics, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom    

• Billy Eichner | Co-writer and Star of Bros (Universal Pictures), Billy on the Street, The Lion King (Disney), American Horror Story (FX), Difficult People (Hulu)

• Brian Sims | Former Penn State Rep., LGBTQ+ Advocate & Speaker, Managing Director of Government Affairs & Policy at Out Leadership, Board Member at Campus Pride & GLSEN

• Stacey Stevenson | CEO of Family Equality, Co-Founder of The Changists (Law Firm Consulting), LGBTQ+ Activist, Speaker, Mother of Two

• Zach Herrin | Professional Stock Car Racing Driver for NASCAR, Member of the Founding Class of the North American Expansion of Racing Pride

• Jayzen Patria | Host of the Lead With Your Brand! Podcast, Personal Branding expert and Diversity & Inclusion Thought Leader

• Naomi Green | Transgender Rights Advocate, Vice-Chair of the Allocations Committee of the Ryan White Planning Council of the Dallas Area, Business and Development Consultant for Crush Limits, Adjunct Professor of Marketing for Lone Star College

• Daniel Franzese | Mean Girls (Paramount Pictures), Ru Paul's Drag Race (MTV), Looking (HBO)     

• Ashley Brundage | President & CEO of Empowering Differences, Author of Empowering Differences, Transgender Advocate, Former DEI Vice President at PNC Bank, Mother

• Matt Skallerud | Founder & President of Pink Media, Host of #iLoveGayToday, former President of IGLTA, Award-Winning Online Marketer connecting businesses to the LGBTQ+ consumers

• LaMecia Butler | Program Manager of Supplier Diversity at Meta

• Dr. Carlton Thomas, Gastro-Intestinal Medical Doctor, Social Media Sensation, Contributor to Men's Health Magazine, LGBTQ+ Consultant to the White House & the CDC

• Brad Pritchett, Award-Winning Marketing Executive, Chief Experience Officer at DMA (Dallas Museum of Art), Host of The Good, The Brad, & The Ugly podcast

“We are so proud of the diverse array of talent we’ve brought on to partake in this monumental event that will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community like never before,” said Wesley Smoot, Founder of Unleashed LGBTQ. “It takes a unique group of talented, accomplished, and empowering voices to come together and bring the Unleashed LGBTQ vision to life. From A-list actors, athletes, celebrities, entrepreneurs, industry experts, thought leaders and more, it’s amazing to see how many different brilliant minds will be under the same roof at Gilley’s to celebrate how far our community has come.”

The three-day interactive event aims to bring the LGBTQ+ community together through thought-provoking conversations, endless entertainment, and educational workshops to celebrate the brilliance, innovation, and ground-breaking efforts taking place in the LGBTQ+ world.

Additionally, partnering with the iconic Alamo Drafthouse to host screenings of new LGBTQ+ content from streaming services, movie studios, and television networks.

Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is proud to have received support, endorsements, and/or grants from the following organizations: DTPID (Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District), Visit Dallas, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, NLGCC (National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), & IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association).

Other partners include Gilead Sciences, iHeart Media, equalpride, The Advocate, Pink Media, IHeartMedia, Virgin Hotels, Out Magazine, Dallas Voice, OUT North Texas and Virgin Hotels.

About UNLEASHED LGBTQ, LLC

Unleashed LGBTQ, a space for brands, entertainers, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, will host its inaugural, live event September 22nd - 24th, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. Attendees can learn about the latest products, services, and campaigns debuting in the LGBTQ+ market in a fun and interactive environment. Unleashed LGBTQ provides premier networking opportunities for professionals in a variety of industries. Unleashed LGBTQ will host speakers, panels, and performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ culture, including film, television, music, and business. Stay tuned for additional Talent announcements.

Tickets are currently on sale on the event website here: https://www.unleashedlgbtq.com For more information on partnerships and company group rates visit: www.unleashedlgbtq.com

CONTACT:

Nicole Rodrigues

NRPR Group for Unleashed LGBTQ

Nicole@nrprgroup.com

424-421-9610

To request press credentials email:

press@unleashedlgbtq.com

BEBE ZAHARA BENET RELEASES “HEAVY”

Photo Credit: Darin Kamnetz

Watch “Heavy” HERE

BeBe Zahara Benet, the iconic winner of the inaugural season of RuPaul's Drag Race, returns today with her thumping, bass-laden single, “Heavy.” “Heavy” follows Benet’s 2022 double release of “Waiting” and “Smoke Signals” and chart-topping AfroPop anthems “Banjo” and “Body on Me.” Fifteen singles in, the new release marks a sonic departure from Benet’s Afrobeat roots, but showcases the artist’s slick flow, sharp wit and uncanny ability to brag with charm.

Photo Credit: Darin Kamnetz

“As an artist, it’s always important to surprise my audience and keep them on their toes,” Benet says of the brassy banger. “‘Heavy’ is unexpected but is very much aligned with where I am as a person and as an artist in this moment. I’m telling my story and having fun.”

“Heavy” arrives with a futuristic and fashion-forward music video helmed by Assaad Yacoub, who previously directed Benet’s viral “Jungle Kitty” and “Banjo” visuals. “Heavy” is written by Ben Obi (producer), BeBe Zahara Benet, Taylor Hamilton and Diego Wyatt; and is released via Producer Entertainment Group/Warner Brothers/Savannah Street.

BeBe’s debut comedy special (Africa is Not a Country) is out now via Amazon Prime and Apple TV. BeBe is currently featured on the debut season of Drag Me to Dinner, out now on Hulu. She’ll bring NUBIA: A Brave New World to Seattle’s Moore Theatre on Juneteenth.

News about BeBe Zahara Benet’s forthcoming debut album and headlining solo tour will be announced shortly.

About BeBe Zahara Benet

International recording artist, TV personality and spokesmodel BeBe Zahara Benet breaks the drag mold. Born and raised in the Western African country of Cameroon, BeBe moved to Minneapolis 20 years ago to complete his college studies and be closer to his family. In that time span, he has left an indelible mark on the entertainment world.

BeBe’s first major performance was alongside pop diva Cyndi Lauper in a performance of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” during LGBT Pride. Soon, BeBe was wowing audiences with his international flavor and regal stage presence. In 2009, BeBe was crowned the winner of the inaugural season of RuPaul's Drag Race. He got right to work churning out hit music and unforgettable live shows.

BeBe Zahara Benet: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube / Spotify

Photo Credit: Alvin Washington

Photo Credit: Alvin Washington

“FINDING FIRE ISLAND” – A DOCU-PODCAST SERIES FEATURING JOEL KIM BOOSTER, MARGARET CHO, MATT ROGERS, DJ LINA BRADFORD, PAUL RUDNICK AND MORE – DEBUTS ON JULY 6 VIA BROADWAY PODCAST NETWORK

“Finding Fire Island” – a docu-podcast series which brings to life how a sleepy, 19th century beach town became a modern day queer mecca for artists and the New York City theater community – debuts on July 6via Broadway Podcast Network. Queer history has often been told through the lens of loss and disappearance but Fire Island has transcended that to survive as a stunning fantasy world and cultural touchstone. “Finding Fire Island” takes its listener behind the curtain of the mystique, legends and lore of the LGBTQ+ communities (Cherry Grove and The Pines) from folks who experienced their evolution from the 1950s to today.

“Finding Fire Island” features Joel Kim Booster, Margaret Cho, Matt Rogers, the iconic DJ Lina Bradford, screenwriter Paul Rudnick (Sister Act, The First Wives Club), Brian Moylan (Vulture, author of The Housewives), Zach Stafford (former editor-in-chief of The Advocate, Tony Award winner), cabaret director Ben Rimalower, and Cherry Grove legends Bob “Rose” Levine and Thom “Panzi” Hansen. A full talent list can be found here.

Watch the “Finding Fire Island” trailer here.

“Finding Fire Island” is created and executive produced by writer, producer and native New Yorker, Jess Rothschild. Since 2019, Jess has published and hosted the podcast “Hot Takes & Deep Dives,” centered on queer pop iconography and New York City culture. Jess has received acclaim from The Huffington Post and The New York Times for her interviews with Rosie O’Donnell, Sandra Bernhard, Isaac Mizrahi, Melissa Etheridge, Roxane Gay, Mario Cantone, The L Word creator Ilene Chaiken, Fran Drescher and more. Jess Rothschild was a founding writer for the largest independent LGBT website still in existence – Autostraddle – from 2009-2013.

Of “Finding Fire Island,” Jess Rothschild shares: “As a native New Yorker, Fire Island was intrinsically formative to my identity as a gay person. As my obsession with the history and culture of Cherry Grove and The Pines intensified over the years, I began collecting interviews with notable Fire Island figures, past and present. While working on this project, I realized that this is one of the rare pieces of media about Fire Island from the perspective of a woman.”

Comedian / actor Matt Rogers adds: “The thing about Fire Island is, it itself is such a story, but when you go, it becomes part of your story.”

Comedian / musician Margaret Cho notes: “It’s important to create art about Fire Island which really memorializes the history and the important figures. There are so many stories to tell from the island as this legendary queer mecca.”

“We're thrilled to welcome Jess Rothschild and the podcast ‘Finding Fire Island’ to the Broadway Podcast Network! The epic stories, influential storytellers and fascinating Fire Island lore will capture our audience completely,” Dori Berinstein, Co-Founder and CEO of Broadway Podcast Network, said.

“Finding Fire Island” is presented by the Broadway Podcast Network, with new episodes available starting on July 6 on BPN.FM or wherever you get your podcasts. Broadway Podcast Network is the premier digital storytelling destination for everyone, everywhere, who loves theatre and the performing arts.

Barry Good: Ezra Miller is the Secret Weapon (one of them) that sets The Flash Apart from the Confusing Trend of Multiverse Superhero Franchises

Review by Arnold Wayne Jones

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

The advent of “Cinematic Universes” is a blessing (mostly to the studios’ bottom lines) and a curse (mostly to folks who just like the fun escapism of comic books). When those CUs started delving into the concept of multiverses… well, it just confused me more. I confess that, when I saw Spider-Man: No Way Home, that was the first indication I had that the Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield Spideys all existed in parallel dimensions. This was news to me; I always assumed the casting changes were occasioned by studio whims and creative choices, not living elsewhere in the timeline. Frankly, none of it makes much sense. Did the recasting Bruce Banner (Edward Norton to Mark Ruffalo) within the Marvel CU signal another universe… and if so, why was General Ross played by William Hurt in both the Norton and Ruffalo incarnations (a part soon to be played by Harrison Ford, occasioned by Hurt’s death). It’s the gymnastics associated with insisting on canon, while simultaneously allowing the reinvention of the franchise at will, that makes no sense. (I loathed No Way Home, and its companion film Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, for those and many more reasons.)

In my adulthood, live-action feature-film Batmen have included Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale, Ben Affleck and Robert Pattinson – which of these are in the same world, if any? It simply isn’t worth the effort to figure it out.

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

The news, then, that the new Flash film would include time-travel initially set my teeth on edge. (Time travel always reminds me of the throwaway line in an episode of The Simpsons where guest voice Lucy Lawless says that anytime something in Xena didn’t make sense, “a wizard did it.” On the other hand, the animated series Rick & Morty is so crazy, it doesn't even try to maintain consistency; it’s brilliant.) 

The Flash definitely has a lot of plot holes and related issues tied to its universe-hopping, but it’s also hugely entertaining in its own right. No other superhero film that plays so fast and loose with quantum mechanics is quite so satisfying as this.

The plot in its essence is: Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), who is secretly the super-speed hero known as The Flash, wants to help his dead get out of jail after being wrongfully accused of killing Barry’s mom. Barry figures out how to travel back in time in order to “correct” the injustice, but of course, timelines cannot be toyed with, and the repercussions are dire. (The original Star Trek series did basically the same thing in the class episode “City on the Edge of Forever.”) Barry meets his younger self and together they try to set things right – first finding Batman to enlist his help, then using Batman to track down Superman, who isn’t to be found.

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

One reason for the success, I suspect, is that The Flash makes only limited use of the current DC Extended Universe – there are references to Cyborg and Aquaman, but only Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) and Batman (Ben Affleck) make meaningful appearances. That allows the film to more or less stand on its own without too much clutter and focus on the character of Barry Allen.

And the secret weapon of The Flash isn’t speed…. it’s Ezra Miller. Miller’s personal life – use of they/them pronouns, occasional identity as queer (and then not), acts of violence and inappropriate conduct, mental health crises – have been widely documented, but honestly, it is easy to look past them to appreciate the extraordinary work Miller is doing here. They do twice the lifting of any other actors, playing (for the majority of the film) two separate Barry Allens, each of whom Miller makes distinct and individual. You might even call it three performances, when you add his sexy, ripped heroic mien as The Flash. As Older Barry, Miller is quirky and uptight and stressed out; as Younger Barry, he’s annoying and goofy. You’re never confused about who is whom; it might be the best dual performance I’ve ever seen in a movie.

The plot, despite its complications of logic, is incredibly well-structured within its constraints, so I hesitate to give away much of it, except to say that they majority of scenes with “Bruce Wayne” inject a wondrous nostalgia and set up a contrast to the current DCEU that really serves its legacy.

It’s not only the performances, though: The special effects and storytelling are superior to most DC films in this franchise, and the action sequences are staged to be well-lit and visually coherent in a way that often isn’t the case. It really delivers what you want in a summer blockbuster. The Flash gives you a rush.

BILLBOARD MAGAZINE’S “DANCE MUSIC ARTIST OF THE DECADE” RELEASES SUMMER SMASH

Kristine W’s “By My Side” is the Second Single from Her Upcoming Album

Kristine W, the 8th Greatest Dance Artist of All Time, according to Billboard Magazine, is lighting up dance floors this summer with her new single, “By My Side”, the second soulful pop groove from her soon-to-be-released album.  The song is a celebratory homage to the people in our lives who give us unconditional love, support and friendship, no matter the circumstance.  “My grandmother used to caution me about investing too much time in fair weather friends,” Kristine W recalls.  “I didn't understand what that really meant until I got older, but now, I see.   Loyalty is a rare characteristic.  Many folks treat others as disposable.  They don't take the time to nurture a friendship or love interest.  When you find that person who is willing to stick by you, cherish them.  They are greater than gold.”  Kristine W’s “By My Side” is being distributed globally through The Orchard. 

Kristine W says she learned about the importance of supportive friends and family on the oncology floor of UCLA.  “When I was battling leukemia, I couldn't see anyone for months at a time because my immune system was so weak from the many rounds of chemotherapy,” she says. “The treatments are so very difficult and there were many times I wanted to give up but my family and close friends kept me strong and inspired me to fight. There is just something about having people there to cheer you on that makes all of the difference.”

Kristine W wrote “By My Side.”  James Hurr, one of the masters of UK House, produced the original track along with Smokin Jack Hill, John Keenan, and Dirty Disco’s Matt Consola.

Kristine W hails from Pasco, Washington. After winning titles as Miss Tri-Cities and Miss Washington and placing first in the talent competition at the Miss America pageant, she went on to pursue her educational and musical dreams in Las Vegas.  There, she found success headlining her own show at the Las Vegas Hilton, winning several 'Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year' awards and being officially sanctioned as the entertainer who performed more live shows at the Las Vegas Hilton than any other performer in its history, including Elvis. The award led to June 28th being officially sanctioned Kristine W Day in the state of Nevada.

She began recording pop, R&B and dance tracks in the nineties.  “Feel What You Want” was her first single to reach #1 on Billboard in 1994.  Since then, Kristine W has had a steady flow of chart toppers.  “Stars,” from her 2019 album, Issues Episode 1: Love and Lies was her 17th Billboard #1.  She now ties Mariah Carey for the sixth-most No. 1s since the chart’s August 28, 1976, inception. Madonna leads the chart with 46.

With all of her success, the artist admits the last few years have been difficult.  “The passing of my mom and my sister has been debilitating. They were my wing women throughout my life. I could always count on them to be there for me, by my side.”

She hopes the song serves as a reminder to all that we are in the ‘Land of the Living’ ¾ a reference to her debut album and 1996 hit that Billboard Magazine called “a melancholy pop/house anthem that beautifully showcases her formidable pipes and dramatic flair” ¾ for a short time. She insists, “It is important that we tell all of the angels in our life that we love and appreciate them.”

Dallas fans can see her live at MetroBall this Friday?  Here’s info on the party:  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/metroball-2023-tickets-493985813867

Kristine W’s “By My Side” is available now on all digital retailers via Kristine’s own imprint, Fly Again Music Productions.  Fly Again Music is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of dance, pop and jazz culture.  For more information on Kristine W and her music, visit http://kristinew.com.

Billy Eichner and Dyllón Burnside Join Unleashed LGBTQ Live Event - September 2023

Joining a Powerful Lineup of Talent, including Antoni Porowski, Indya Moore, Shangela, and other Industry Leaders making Noise in the LGBTQ+ Market

DALLAS — APRIL 25, 2023 — Unleashed LGBTQ, a first-of-its-kind conference and entertainment festival creating a space for brands, artists, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, is thrilled to announce new talent joining its lineup, including Billy Eichner and Dyllón Burnside, for its first live and in-person Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 conference, taking place at Gilley’s in Dallas, Texas, from September 22 - 24, 2023. Unleashed event organizers also welcome iHeartMedia back as media partners to activate the programming as the official audio partners for the festival’s first ever in-person event.  

"Our first live, in-person, event is going to create a synergy between talent, the business community and the entertainment industry in a way no LGBTQ+ event has ever done before,”  said Founder, Wesley Smoot. “Companies sending representatives to our event will be able to take advantage of all opportunities available, whether it’s for educational purposes, networking or entertainment, LGBTQ+ professionals or others focused on allyship, will reap the benefits of our educational and entertainment-based lineup. We have dedicated an entire area to workshops for attendees to learn new skills from today's thought leaders and we’re confident companies sending entire departments to Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 will have a more informed, supercharged team that will be lightyears ahead of other brands.”

Each day at Unleashed LGBTQ will begin with educational topics — from workshops and panels discussing business (advertising, marketing, DEI), society (non-profit, advocacy), and personal (financial planning, continuing education) development – and will feature high-tech brand activations and experiential marketing installments throughout the venue, before transitioning to entertainment that will include screenings, drag shows, stand-up comedy, and musical performances. Attendees will be enriched by professional development and networking opportunities through the Unleashed LGBTQ event app (developed by WebEx/Cisco) and at specialized mixers and unique branded activations through the award-winning Freeman event services.

The growing lineup of talent will include:

● Billy Eichner Co-writer and Star of Bros (Universal Pictures), Billy on the Street, The Lion King (Disney), American Horror Story (FX), Difficult People (Hulu)

● Antoni Porowski Emmy-Award Winning Show Queer Eye (Netflix), Host of Easy Bake Battle (Netflix), Author of Antoni in the Kitchen & Antoni: Let's do Dinner

● Indya Moore Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Yves Saint Laurent Cosmetics, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom ​

● Shangela Emmy Award-Winning Shows We're Here (HBO), RuPaul's Drag Race, & RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (MTV)

● Dyllon Burnside Emmy Award-Winning Show Pose,Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Emmy-Award winning PBS docuseries PRIDELAND, Golden Globe nominated limited series MONSTER. GLAAD & HRC award recipient

● Daniel Franzese, Mean Girls (Paramount Pictures), Ru Paul's Drag Race (MTV), Looking (HBO)​

● Kelly Ann Winget, Founder & CEO of Alternative Wealth Partners, Over $1B in private equity raised, Host of The Wealth Alpha podcast, and Author of Pitch the Bitch (April 2023)

● Brian Sims, Former Penn State Rep., LGBTQ+ Advocate & Speaker, Managing Director of Government Affairs & Policy at Out Leadership, Board Member at Campus Pride & GLSEN​

● Naomi Green, MBA Speaker, Marketer, Professor, and Transgender Advocate

● Ashley Brundage, President & CEO of Empowering Differences, Author of Empowering Differences, Transgender Advocate, Former DEI Vice President at PNC Bank, Mother​

● Dr. Carlton Thomas, Gastro-Intestinal Medical Doctor, Social Media Sensation, Contributor to Men's Health Magazine, LGBTQ+ Consultant to the White House & the CDC

● Matt Skallerud, Founder & President of Pink Media, Host of #iLoveGayToday, former President of IGLTA, Award-Winning Online Marketer connecting businesses to the LGBTQ+ consumers

● Vicky & Charisse Pasche, Co-Founders of Dapper Boi – body-inclusive and gender-neutral  apparel – Marketing, Sales, and Entrepreneurial Experts, Wives and Mothers of Twins ​

● Stacey Stevenson, CEO of Family Equality, Co-Founder of The Changists (Law Firm Consulting), LGBTQ+ Activist, Speaker, Mother of Two

● Gary Sanchez Sr., Director of Community Impact at Visit Dallas, Former Chairman at North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Chairman at Chamber Foundation ​

● Brad Pritchett, Award-Winning Marketing Executive, Chief Experience Officer at DMA (Dallas Museum of Art), Host of The Good, The Brad, & The Ugly podcast

Unleashed LGBTQ is also partnering with the iconic Alamo Drafthouse to host screenings of new LGBTQ+ content from streaming services, movie studios, and television networks. Independent filmmakers can submit works for Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 Film Festival at:

https://www.filmfreeway.com/unleashedlgbtq

 Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is proud to have received support, endorsements, and/or grants from the following organizations: DTPID (Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District), Visit Dallas, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, NLGCC (National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), & IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association).

Other partners include Gilead Sciences, iHeart Media, equalpride, and Kelly Ann Winget.

About UNLEASHED LGBTQ, LLC

Unleashed LGBTQ, a space for brands, entertainers, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, will host its inaugural, live event September 22nd - 24th, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. Attendees can learn about the latest products, services, and campaigns debuting in the LGBTQ+ market in a fun and interactive environment. Unleashed LGBTQ provides premier networking opportunities for professionals in a variety of industries. Unleashed LGBTQ will host speakers, panels, and performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ culture, including film, television, music, and business. Stay tuned for additional Talent announcements.

Tickets are currently on sale on the event website here: https://www.unleashedlgbtq.com For more information on partnerships and company group rates visit: www.unleashedlgbtq.com

CONTACT:

Nicole Rodrigues

NRPR Group for Unleashed LGBTQ

Nicole@nrprgroup.com

424-421-9610

To request press credentials email:

press@unleashedlgbtq.com

Muslim/Pakistani actress and writer Kausar Mohammed Stars in Highly Anticipated "APPENDAGE" premiering worldwide at SXSW 2023 🏳️‍🌈

Kausar Mohammed, Appendage Premiere | SXSW 2023

We all have self-doubt; that little voice in our head that can make us feel like we're not good enough. How do you personally overcome this? 

Oh wee, we all sure do! I have various methods to combat it, because something that might work one day may not work the next. And it's so sneaky! The voice can disguise itself in so many ways, so it never says the exact same thing. One day it may be like, “You’re not good enough!” but once you think you’ve tackled that, it’ll show up in a way that is like “Stop dreaming so big!” So, one way is keeping my mantras around me— both written down and on my phone— that remind me of my power. Another way is talking to the people I love—my family, friends, and partner. A third method is finding something that inspires me and breaks me out of negative ways of thinking—this can be done by watching a movie I’m excited about, dancing to music I love, or just trying new things to prove to myself I am capable of taking on challenges. 

 As a creative, queer, Muslim, Pakistani working into Hollywood; how much were you able to identify with the character or stories’ metaphor?

I remember while filming, I was going through some stuff. Basically, I wasn’t doing a good job of caring for myself and my needs, placing work before everything. Funnily enough, a visual metaphor of the film got me through this low period. I imagined my inner self, with the primal instincts, needs, and source of my creativity as a little baby Appendage.  And that the Kausar who woke up, went to work, and brushed her teeth—she was this outer shell, the guardian of Baby Appendage. It was my job to pay attention to the baby Appendage’s needs and make sure it was doing okay. That sort of differentiation helped me regain trust within myself, reestablishing my relationship with my creative self. I guess it was a spin-off of inner child work, interpreted through horror monster form! That sounds about right for me. 

From L to R: Brandon Mychal Smith, Anna Zlokovic Emily Hampshire, Kausar Mohammed Appendage Premiere | SXSW 2023

So, this gruesome little number got quite the buzz at SXSW. That's so exciting. Can you tell us about your experience with APPENDAGE.

Yes! In "Appendage," I play Esther, the best friend of the main character Hannah, a young fashion designer whose anxiety physically manifests. We had our world premiere at SXSW this spring and the audience reaction was incredible. What I love about the film is it really centers a best friendship between two women and lets that be the driving force, which is a refreshing change from the usual hetero love story we see in movies. Our characters' friendship is the heartbeat of the film, and it was really exciting to bring that dynamic to life. Director Anna Zlokovic has done an amazing job of exploring the literal horrors of anxiety while still keeping it funny and enjoyable as a horror comedy. Hadley Robinson as Hannah and Emily Hampshire as Claudia are also incredible in their roles. And of course, I have to give a shoutout to the costume department head Naomi Wolff Lachter for creating such fashionable looks for us!  I loved every outfit Esther got to wear and I think when people watch APPENDAGE, they’ll know why! It premieres on Hulu this Fall.

Kausar Mohammed | Photo Credit: Shanley Kellis

I understand Appendage has already been acquired by Hulu. Could you see yourselves starring in more horror?

Yes! So excited for the film to hit the platform in the fall. And absolutely, I LOVE horror films and am actively working on writing and starring in them. Truly, ask any of my friends, I am a bit obsessed with the genre. “What does Kausar want to watch?” “Something scary!” I particularly love thematic horror that reflects back to us the horrors of our own society or ourselves. And that’s what I want to be a part of from both the writing and acting angle. 

 Did you have any favorite shorts, features, documentaries at SXSW 2023?

100%! In addition to the world premiere of APPENDAGE, there were a couple of films I absolutely loved. Big shoutout to Imran J. Khan’s feature MUSTACHE! It’s brilliant. It’s about Muslim, Pakistani American teenager Ilyas, who navigates being at a new school with a mustache his parents won't let him shave. And I loved the horror comedy DEAD ENDERS, starring Maya (Skarlett Redd), who encounters a hostile race of mind-controlling parasites while her shift at the gas station. 

Kausar Mohammed | Photo Credit: Shanley Kellis

 You are also the co-founder of SHIFT, a racial and gender equity consulting group created by women of color that advocates change and diversity inclusion. What has that fight been like?

Yes! SHIFT was born in 2017, at the height of the #metoo movement, when my co-founders Veline Mojarro, Natalie Bui, and I, all coming from different spaces of art and activism, wanted to bring radical conversations around consent, race, and gender equity into workspaces. We wanted to center the most impacted people in these conversations, particularly Black, Disabled, Trans, Femme, Nonbinary people.

We know JDEI (Justice, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) work can't be impactful if it's not grounded in institutionalized accountability practices and community care, so that is what we aim to do with SHIFT. We provide trainings, workshops, and facilitation to campuses, workspaces, and organizations. I’m grateful to be in continuous studentship of anti-oppression work and discovery of how we can reimagine more equitable systems within Hollywood and beyond. 

You can learn more about SHIFT at www.shiftingculture.co.

 You are quite the accomplished actress; what advice do have for other minority actresses, particularly queer women of color?

I would say trust your gut. Our whole lives we’re often told to listen to everyone other than ourselves. But on the real real, we often know what’s best for ourselves and just gotta sink in to hear it. 

Do you have any upcoming projects you can share with us?

I’m so excited about some acting projects (from the voice over and on-camera end) that are in the works. Along with some of my writing projects that are in development but that I can’t talk about yet! So, keep in touch through @kausartheperson and keep an eye out for APPENDAGE coming out on Hulu in the Fall.

Social Media: Instagram | IMDb

The Wizard of A-Has: Dungeons & Dragons Breaks the Hasbro Curse Review

by Arnold Wayne Jones

There are names that, when I see them in the opening credits of a movie, instantly make me cringe, or at least give pause: “Directed by Michael Bay.” “Screenplay by Joe Eszterhaus.” “Casting supervised by Harvey Weinstein.” High on that list? “Based upon the property by Hasbro.” Eckk. I know people flock to the Transformers movies, but they are noisy nonsense in a visual dungheap of meaningless VFX; Battleship, Ouija, Jen & the Holograms, My Little Pony? Unwatchable. I’m not even a fan of the strained, unfunny cult classic Clue (yeah, well, sue me). Movies based on games?! When has that ever worked?

But there were two things that lured me into screening of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, despite its pedigree: First, the humane and intrigue dramatic success of The Last of Us on HBO, which showed video games could be the source of filmic creativity; and the second was its appealing trailer, which had a hip, subversive energy. I’d take a risk.

Only it didn’t turn out to be a risk at all. D&D: HAT is one of the most disarmingly enjoyable romps I’ve had in a theater in a while. It’s everything that the trailer promised and more: Funny, clever, exciting and even a little sexy.

One serious upside – which, I dunno, may be a downside for devotees of the game – is that it requires zero familiarity with its source material in order to get caught up in the story. Are the cinematic characters pulled from the game? Are locations celebrated and revisited? I have no clue, and don’t care. It stands on its own for entertainment.

The plot is fairly familiar: Two antiheroes, Edgin (Chris Pine) and Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) are betrayed, captured, imprisoned, manage to escape, and go on a quest to achieve their original goal, only with more at stake. Along the way, they team up with lame sorcerer Simon (Justice Smith), shapeshifting druid Doric (Sophia Lillis) and dreamy Paladin Xenk (Rege-Jean Page). They battle the undead, master magic amulets, plan heists and best the fattest dragon in the world.

Yeah, a fat dragon. Who has flame-performance anxiety. And the villain’s wisecracks are more Noel Coward than Cowardly Lion. And did I mention dreamy Rege-Jean Page? (I might come back to him again.)

The inspiration for D&D seems less Game of Thrones or  Conan or Lord of the Rings and more Princess Bride: sassy, buoyant, clever and wondrous without aiming for outright awe. The visual effects are excellent, but not the entire meal; the action sequences have the balletic humor of Jackie Chan; the plotting is smart and unexpected. For instance, when we first meet Edgin and Holga, he’s knitting and she’s beating the crap out of an ogre. Indeed, the main action set pieces all feature the women. It’s as if Everything Everywhere All At Once had big-budget backing.

Getty

Hugh Grant plays a charmingly evil Blofeld-like baddy, and Page (sigh!) plays it entirely straight as a sincere Westley-ish swashbuckler. Even Bradley Cooper shows up in a cameo as a milquetoast farmer. Co-writers and -directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein cast down the gauntlet to jokey actioners like Guardians of the Galaxy … and they win with an off-hand queer subtext (including the presences of Rodriguez and Smith) that delivers a tartness. This could be the start of a new Hasbromance. 

Opens in theaters March 31.

A Whale of a Tale: A Small Movie Offers One of the Best Films in Ages

By Arnold Wayne Jones

There was a time, not too long ago, when the queer community desperately sought out and embraced gay content in mainstream movies … especially those blessed with Oscar validity: Remember panting over The Color Purple, Philadelphia, Longtime Companion and The Crying Game? All excellent, but few and far between.

My, how we’ve progressed in the intervening two decades, with the success of films like The Kids Are All Right, Moonlight and more. But this year? This year feels especially significant. There’s the queer daughter in Everything Everywhere All At Once (and, in one timeline, a touching romance between Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis); Cate Blanchett as an arrogant lesbian in Tar; gayness aplenty in Triangle of Sadness. But no nominated film this year is quite so profoundly meaningful and unexpected as The Whale.

Based on a play, almost all of the action takes place in a single set, and yet it doesn’t feel anticinematic at all; rather, it’s an incredibly intimate film that takes full advantage of the benefits of motion picture magic. The opening shot is a bold one: The camera tracks in on an immensely obese man (Brendan Fraser) watching gay porn on his laptop while jerking off. It’s simultaneously titillating, disgusting and invasive – one of the many cycle that the film constantly juggles. We learn the man is Charlie, a college writing professor who teaches online classes only with his camera turned off so his students can’t see his grotesque body. 

Charlie was, until a decade ago, a seemingly straight father of a girl, married to a woman, when he met a male student and fell in love. He divorced and married his much younger paramour, only to be heartbroken when the young man dies, sending Charlie into a spiral of over-eating and self-destructive weight gain. He lives in a modest apartment, never venturing to the outside world except via his class Zoom calls and a dear friend, Liz (Hong Chau), who brings him food, nurses him and clucks about how he’s killing himself with food. Charlie seems fine with that, though.

You’d expect that we’re meant to be revolted by Charlie’s gross physical appearance and ravenous appetites, but that’s not the case; neither, however, do we outright pity him. Instead, we come to understand and sympathize with the sadness in his soul, the bottomless well of despair that comes from his broken heart.

This couldn’t have been accomplished without Fraser’s breathtakingly vivid and detailed performance. Charlie suspects – well, knows – that most people would judge and despise him on sight, but he never wallows in his own tragedy; if anything, he empathizes with their predictable reactions – self-awareness overpowers self-pity. He’s basically disgusted by himself, though content with it as well. There are several scenes where Charlie attacks food – pizza, sandwiches, etc. – with the voracious energy of a jungle cat feasting on a kill. He’s post-sex; calories are his passion. Eating is the replacement for human intimacy. 

His life is thrown into additional chaos when a Mormon missionary enters his life, and he unexpectedly renews contact with his now-teenaged daughter. How all of these elements eventually coalesce around themes of love, redemption, betrayal and sacrifice is the greatest joy in discovering the film.

It might seem that, other than the brief porn at the top, Charlie being gay is incidental, or that you can’t otherwise peg this as “a gay movie,” but nothing could be further from the facts. The isolation, the body issues, the love, the identity issues, the guilt? It’s one of the most incisive portraits of queer anxiety ever committed to screen.

Whether it wins Fraser a well-deserved best actor Oscar this year I can’t predict with certainty. What I can be sure about is the loveliness and power of The Whale (even its title has layers). Its stellar performances, beautiful direction (by Darren Aronofsky), flawless makeup and multifaceted writing make this one of the best films in the past year.

Tubi TV Streams New Episodes of #THEDISH

An Original Series Starring “Mama June” Shannon and Wanna-Be TV Star Adam Barta

Tubi TV is streaming new episodes of #THEDISH this month. The five-episode series is a hilarious parody of reality TV starring “Mama June” Shannon and Adam Barta. When rich widow Cynthia Beaumont gives Adam Barta a blank check to create a new type of reality show unlike any the world has seen before, he enlists his celebrity friends, “Mama June” Shannon and the infamous Tan Mom, as well as eighties pop sensation Debbie Gibson, media personality David Pakman and a slew of drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race(Detox, Daya Betty, Tammie Brown, Pandora Boxx, Honey Davenport and more). Adam sees it as his chance for global stardom, however, his thirsty friends - and the rich widow too! - all seek to steal the spotlight and seize the opportunity to stage their own come backs to reality TV glory. #THEDISH is executive produced by Adam Barta and “Mama June” Shannon for Aquetra Media.

“#THEDISH is gimmicky, overly dramatic and wildly absurd,” says Adam Barta. “Like all reality shows, we blur the line between fact and fiction, but what makes #THEDISH different is that we tip in the audience when we do.”

The show was inspired by Barta’s own botched pursuit at reality stardom. He’s been trying to land a show for ten years – appearing in music duets with Tan Mom and Honey Boo Boo, getting plastic surgery on Dr. Miami, and dancing drunk with Teresa Giudice on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. “I got so swept up in trying to be a reality star, I lost track of my real mission in this industry.” 

In 2020, Adam Barta threw himself into producing and storytelling, and came to the realization that he was uniquely positioned to pull back the curtain on reality TV and show the audience the real lunacy that goes on behind the scenes. #THEDISH is meant to be an absurdist escape where viewers are not supposed to take any of the characters seriously. “It’s called a show for a reason. This isn’t a documentary. We employ story producers whose job it is to tell stories and to entertain,” Barta explains.

“The wild part is many of the scenes in #THEDISH, though highly exaggerated, actually happened,” he continues. “Cynthia’s crown falling in her eye and injuring her in the first episode is 100% real. Tan Mom and Mama June really did fight on the Debbie Gibson NYE special. But the magic of editing makes it all so much more fun!”

In the new episodes, chaos ensues as Cynthia Beaumont meets her idol Andy Cohen and laments over losing her chance of getting on an actual TV show; Tan Mom doesn’t show up at an important photo shoot; and Mama June, Adam and the rest of the sordid cast prepare for the big Treasure Coast Pride fest. Special guest stars include drag queens Jaymes Mansfield, Tammie Brown, Kahmora Hall, and Honey Davenport.

Adam Barta is an accomplished musician with chart topping Billboard hits, but he is best known for his stints on The Howard Stern Show. He launched his production company, Aquetra Media, in 2020. #THEDISH is his first full series.

“Mama June” Shannon starred on the #1 rated reality TV show on cable (TLC's Here Comes Honey Boo Boo). She is a confident that she will strike gold a second time with #THEDISH; this time behind the camera as an executive producer. She aims to prove that she’s a savvy business lady and television hitmaker!

#THEDISH is especially dear to Adam Barta’s heart because the series includes footage of his mother, who passed away in 2016. “It’s hard to watch, but I feel like she’s with me on this journey and that’s an incredible gift,” Adam Barta says. The series is dedicated to both of his late parents.

#THEDISH is created by Adam Barta and produced by Aquetra Media Studios. It is directed by Tylor Edwards and June Shannon and written by Adam Barta. Executive producers are Adam Barta, Cynthia Beaumont, June Shannon, Trina Allison, and Sperry Damien. Courtney Brown is a consulting producer. Original theme and music by Roman Molino Dunn. Filming for #THEDISH was done primarily on Florida’s Treasure Coast.

Texas-based queer artist and activist Caleb De Casper performs and speaks at SXSW 2023

The "budding star" will play 6 official and unofficial shows and speak at a panel on LGBT rights

Since Caleb De Casper's last SXSW, the artist was named KUTX Artist Of The Month, co-headlined a Pride festival, had his ACL Fest performance named a "Most Memorable Moment" and the City of Austin declared April 21st to be "Caleb De Casper Day". On the other hand, homophobic trolls had a field day when City Council member Chito Vela posted a congratulatory photo of himself with the artist, but Vela and De Casper had the last laugh when as a result, "Y'all Means All Day was declared" and the debacle ended up in Teen Vogue. The incident made the classically trained musician even more determined to speak out for queer rights and he will be doing just that at a panel put together by the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. As a resident of Texas which is rife with anti-gay legislation, he has plenty to say.

And of course there will be plenty of opportunities to see the artist perform live at SXSW this year, six in fact. And De Casper's live shows are legendary, complete with costumes, props, theatrics and plenty of audience participation. For proof, here is some further reading...

"If theatrics are what you are after, don't miss this performance."- CultureMap

"Peering sharply over Fifties-style sunglasses, De Casper connected to adoring fans through fluctuating electronic beats and audacious flair. With feather boas, pom-poms, and tantalizing phantasmagoria, the 'Real Girl' showed the tenacity of a true superstar." – Alyssa Quiles, Austin Chronicle/Alternative Press

"De Casper’s most notable live performance was a wild, sold-out show at Mohawk last October with NOLA Bounce queen Big Freedia. It was clear they won over the audience with a stellar performance."- Glide Magazine

Caleb De Casper's glam rock show is both over the top and sensational. The gifted songwriter has a knack for incredible live performances.”- Cosmic Clash

Photo by Ismael Quintanilla