Author: Randy Slovacek

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The Donny & Marie Show – Las Vegas

Michael, Marie, Donny and I backstage after their show at the Flamingo

Last night Michael and I saw “The Donny & Marie Show” at the Flamingo Showroom in Las Vegas as guests of the new director, Richard Jay-Alexander.

It’s no surprise to anyone in Vegas that the show has been a huge hit since the talented two-some opened their show here. Last night was the first chance Michael and I have had to see the show and it’s really terrific.

The showroom is the best showroom in Las Vegas. Beautiful red velvet walls and leather booths – old school Vegas but not old or rundown. Beautiful.

And the show – well, it completely showcases what Donny and Marie do best. In addition to highlighting the ongoing “sibling rivalry” – now focused on Donny’s win on ‘Dancing With The Stars’ versus Marie’s third place showing – we get to hear these two show business veterans SING. They’ve always had great voices and this show makes it clear that some things, like fine wine, continue to get better with age.

After opening the show with several duets, including one from their new CD – Donny and Marie, each takes a solo turn in the spotlight. Marie ends a Kander & Ebb medley by belting an impressive “World Goes Round,” then switches it up to full on gorgeous soprano with “Somewhere” from West Side Story.

I’ve been a fan of Donny since I was five. He inspired me to become a performer. Donny’s voice is as strong, clear and exciting as ever and he delivers hit upon hit; whether it’s “Go Away Little Girl” and “Puppy Love” or Osmond classic “Crazy Horses” or a full on replication of the athletic Osmond choreography to “Yo-Yo” from the early 70s. Now in his early 50s, Donny doesn’t merely keep up – but he sets the bar for the ensemble dancers on stage with him.

On top of that, both have an natural affinity for interacting with the audience that makes for a show all unto itself.  Only through the years that they’ve put in performing live could result in the ease and charm that they both bring to the stage.

The show is extremely well paced, and the lighting is gorgeous.

There’s a reason why the show was completely packed.  There’s always an audience for talent.  Sorry, make that Talent.

Donny & Marie know exactly what they do well, and it’s onstage at the Flamingo. They sing, they dance, they’re funny.  About the only things they don’t do is perform with fire baton or on toe taps. But you get the sense that if you asked, Donny might just say “give me a minute…”

If you’re in Vegas make sure you go see them. You get your money’s worth and more.

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Old Navy launches line of gay-pride t-shirts

Old Navy isn’t the first retail chain to ride the gay pride rainbow wave, but it’s likely the largest. Starting Monday, Old Navy (owned by Gap, Inc.) is launching a line of gay pride-themed T-shirts sized for men, women, and babies, with 10% of the proceeds going to the It Gets Better Project.

I like the idea of moms, dads, and teens browsing in malls across America and unexpectedly coming across t-shirts emblazoned with the words “Love proudly, Old Navy Pride 2011.” I’m very impressed by these Old Navy tees promoting love and acceptance to the masses.

A notable list of high-end designers—notably Marc Jacobs and Kenneth Cole—have released limited edition t-shirts in support of marriage equality. But Old Navy is by far the largest retailer to do so.

The limited edition Old Navy pride t-shirt collection, priced at $7.50 to $14.50, includes four designs that are available until June 30th.

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Former Palin aide: “she would be an absolute disaster as President”

Former Sarah Palin aide Frank Bailey opened up to “Extra” about the ex-Governor of Alaska with his thoughts on her possible run for the presidency. In his candid interview, Bailey revealed, “She would be an absolute disaster as President.”

The former member of Sarah Palin’s inner circle released a new tell-all titled, Blind Allegiance to Sarah Palin: A Memoir of Our Tumultuous Years.

The book details Frank’s four years with Palin, based on 50,000 emails he wrote or received as a campaign and administration staffer. Frank, standing by his claims, cites the insider emails as evidence that back his stories.

In “Blind Allegiance,” the author paints a portrait of a fame-hungry, erratic and unethical politician.

“She loves to play the victim. She cannot handle criticism.” He also addresses Palin’s family life and explained, “I frequently found myself in the middle of dysfunction between Todd Palin and Sarah Palin. Sarah would tell us, ‘Don’t trust Todd, be careful what you tell Todd… Todd talks.’

Frank sent a message to the politician at the end of his interview with “Extra”: “Look at the things you’ve done and look in the mirror. I’ve taken this painful step to own what I’ve done and I’d hope you can do the same.”

More on EXTRA

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Dan Choi arrested at Moscow Gay Pride event

Army veteran and gay activist Dan Choi, Chicago activist Any Thayer were among at least 18 people who were mobbed at a gay pride parade in Moscow by police and a group of Neo-Nazis on Saturday.

Video of the attack was posted on AmericaBlog, in which Choi and Thayer are walking quietly, when a mob of uniformed and undercover police attack them. According to British gay rights activist Peter Tatchell, the arrests took place between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Moscow time.

Choi and seven others were carted off to Presnensky Police Station in Moscow after the attack. He and the other foreign protesters were released without a charge or fine, but the Russians will have to remain overnight.

More at The Advocate.

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New DVD movie: “Violet Tendencies”

Next time you want to find an off-beat movie to watch, how about this?

Mindy Cohn, best known as Natalie on the ’80s sitcom The Facts of Life, is a scream as Violet, a self-described “fag hag” swarmed and sometimes stifled by her gay male friends in Manhattan.

Directed by Casper Andreas and penned by Out columnist Jesse Archer — collaborators on films like Slutty Summer and A Four Letter Word — this unconventional rom-com is jam-packed with buff eye-candy, gut-busting one-liners, and surprising heart.

Rent it on iTunes and have a fun evening at home.

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Matt Doyle – “Daylight”

Currently starring in Broadway’s War Horse, out performer Matt Doyle has just released his soulful debut EP, which was fully funded by fans through Kickstarter.com and includes a sultry cover of Sam Cooke’s “Lost and Lookin’.” 


The 24-year-old Spring Awakening alum — better known to Gossip Girl fans as Eric’s boyfriend, Jonathan — will also star in Private Romeo, an upcoming gay film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. 


Check out the new music here.

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Americans estimate 25% of Americans are gay

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U.S. adults, on average, estimate that 25% of Americans are gay or lesbian. More specifically, over half of Americans (52%) estimate that at least one in five Americans are gay or lesbian, including 35% who estimate that more than one in four are. Thirty percent put the figure at less than 15%.

Americans with lower incomes and less education give the highest estimates, on average, of the U.S. gay and lesbian population, and far higher estimates than those with higher incomes and more education. Americans aged 18 to 29 give a higher average estimate than older Americans, and women give a far higher average estimate than men.

Democrats, liberals, and those who say they are socially liberal are also more likely to give higher estimates than those at the other end of the spectrum. However, the differences by political or ideological leanings are in most cases not as wide as those seen by demographic group.

Read more from Gallup

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Gas prices begin to fall

If you’ve been worrying yourself silly about $4 gasoline, it may be time to relax.

Lower oil prices are finally trickling down to retail fuel pumps, prompting experts to wonder whether gas prices have peaked for the year.

The fading fears of $4 gas also come just in time for the traditional Memorial Day vacation kickoff.

Travel industry officials said consumers were already showing signs they wanted to travel as much if not more than a year ago. But that was in part because they planned to offset their fuel costs by eating cheaper meals and finding less costly hotel rooms.

Now, travel industry officials said, the dropping gasoline prices will at least provide a psychological boost.

A couple of weeks ago, the national average price for gasoline stood at $3.99 a gallon. By Thursday it had dropped to $3.81.

Gas prices are still about $1.15 higher compared to last year. So some consumers are still weighing vacation tradeoffs.

The average price for gas in April was the highest in more than two decades and the momentum pushing prices higher continued into May. The federal Energy Information Administration and other analysts had been predicting the national average for gasoline to top $4 at some point this summer.

But now the federal agency is reconsidering.

“It is possible we have reached our peak,” said Neil Gamson, an analyst for EIA.

Read more here.

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ALPHAS on Syfy – July 11

The premise of “Alphas” — seemingly ordinary people with amazing abilities — isn’t exactly a new one. But based on the first full trailer for Syfy’s upcoming series, it looks like it could be a pretty fun version of that oft-told tale.

The 90-second spot, which will also play in movie theaters in the coming weeks, introduces the team and their powers, along with scientist/mentor David Strathairn.

Premieres July 11 on Syfy.