Category: Entertainment

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Thousands Attend Barcelona Rock Concert After Being Tested For COVID

Thousands attend a rock concert in Barcelona after being tested for COVID

Thousands attend a rock concert in Barcelona after being tested for COVID A crowd of some 5,000 music fans attended a sold-out rock concert in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday night after the entire audience was screened for COVID-19 before entering the venue. From NBC News:

Music fans in Barcelona hugged, danced and sang along at a sold-out rock concert on Saturday night after taking rapid Covid-19 tests in a trial that could revive the live music industry in Spain and beyond.

Some 5,000 fans at the show for Spanish indie band Love of Lesbian had to wear masks but social distancing was not required in the Palau Sant Jordi arena. Health controls at the entrance delayed the start of the concert, but could not dampen the celebratory spirit.

“Welcome to one of the most exciting concerts of our lives!” lead singer Santi Balmes told the crowd to a roar of cheers. Pre-concert testing at three Barcelona locations was carried out by 80 nurses wearing full personal protective equipment.

Attendees received the results of their tests on their cell phones about 15 minutes after being tested. The ticket price included the cost of the test and a face mask. NBC News says that by mid-day three people out of about 2,400 tested positive and were not able to attend the event. Those folks received a full refund for their tickets. The government approved the event as a sort of test to see if such health precautions could help bring life closer to normal.

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New Music: Lil Nas X ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’

Lil Nas X dropped his new music video, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” on the same day that his blockbuster hit “Old Town Road” became the most streamed single in the U.S. As the 21-year-old recording artist released the new video, he took a second to send a message to his 14-year-old self via Twitter. Addressed to “14-year-old Montero” (his legal name is Montero Lamar Hill), the artist wrote:

“I wrote a song with our name in it. It’s about a guy I met last summer. I know we promised to never come out publicly, I know we promised to never be ‘that’ type of gay person, I know we promised to die with the secret, but this will open doors for so many other queer people to simply exist. You see, this is very scary for me, people will be angry, they will say I’m pushing an agenda. But the truth is, I am. The agenda to make people stay the fuck out of other people’s lives and stop dictating who they should be.”

In the music video, Nas appears in drag, shirtless, wearing knee-high boots and eventually giving a certain red-faced demon a lap dance. At this writing, the video has nearly 5 million views in less than a day. “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” is now available on all download/streaming sites here.

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Out Music: Parker Matthews ‘What Happened To Us?’

Out singer/songwriter Parker Matthews in 'What Happened to Us?'
Out singer/songwriter Parker Matthews in 'What Happened to Us?'
Out singer/songwriter Parker Matthews in ‘What Happened to Us?’

Out singer/songwriter Parker Matthews latest single and music video, “What Happened To Us?,” totally speaks to so many of us when we think a relationship is a true ‘love connection’ but in reality it was fading and we didn’t even know.

While that sounds like a downer, the soundscape of the track is anything but.

With the opening guitar and bass matching a chill pop-synth groove, the song and video conjure up a bit of 80s retro vibe (thinking Phil Collins here) as Matthews and his crisp vocals take us on a night time drive through the dark land of ‘what ifs.’

Matthews shares, “This record reflects on a time when I could see a seemingly infatuating relationship fade away.”

“At first, it was like the rest of the world didn’t exist when we were together, spending long nights and countless hours just the two of us,” adds the handsome artist. “However, over time, that spark faded, he eventually lost interest, and we stopped talking altogether.

“Lost interest.” Trust and believe, we’ve been there, Parker.

“This song touches on the idea that people might say one thing but mean another, or just not deliver on their promises,” says Matthews. “I feel like the song’s fun, strong beat paired with its soulful lyrics helps listeners subconsciously identify those debilitating feelings of rejection, and I hope it helps them begin to heal, too.”

“What Happened To Us” is Parker’s first single release of 2021, debuting this new sound in advance of his upcoming EP No Regular Love, about falling in love, heartbreak, and how there is nothing normal about that special connection.

You can find my previous coverage of the talented Mr. Matthews here. Follow him on Instagram here.

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IG Live: Rachelle Rak & Her New Musical ‘Electric Island’

Cover image for the new musical "Electric Island"

Cover image for the new musical "Electric Island" Broadway and TV veteran (and my longtime friend) Rachelle Rak chats with me about her new musical, “Electric Island.” p.s. my first-ever Instagram Live chat…! The musical follows and celebrates the real stories of women working on Broadway: those working hard to go from show to show and aren’t the recognized stars above the marquee.

Shining light on women of all ages, ethnicities, and sexual orientations, “Electric Island” illuminates how these performers have navigated the highs and lows of a life in the theater–on stage and off. The streaming event (below) features selections from the show and will be available for a few days after. Plus, the live stream will benefit the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, a program of The Actor’s Fund.

A quick run-down of Rachelle’s lengthy resume includes her many Broadway Credits: Fosse, Catch Me If You Can, The Look of Love, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Thou Shalt Not, Oklahoma!, and CATS. TV audiences know her from Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition and Dance Moms on Lifetime TV. During the pandemic, Sas (as she’s known among friends) launched her own dance conventions, Ignite Dance Live – which have now gone virtual. AND, she offers her own master classes – SasStorm.com – where studios around the country can book her one on one for their students. Every class she offers is a form of weather – because, as I say, she’s a force of nature. You can check out my in-depth chat with the indomitable Rachelle Rak from last fall on The Randy Report podcast here.

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NYC: COVID Vaccination Site For Broadway Industry Workers Announced

(photo: Ludovic Bertron/Flickr)
Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced plans to create a coronavirus vaccination site on Broadway that will be reserved for theater industry workers. The mayor added there will be additional city resources dedicated to the push to reopen Broadway theaters by this fall. From the New York Times:

At a news conference, Mr. de Blasio said that in addition to the Broadway vaccination site, there would be a mobile vaccination unit to serve theater workers beyond Broadway. The sites will be staffed by theater workers, many of whom have been relying on unemployment insurance since Broadway shut down over a year ago.

The city’s plans will not change the state’s rules around vaccine eligibility, which currently allow residents older than 50 to sign up for shots, as well as those in certain job categories and with certain health conditions. Mr. de Blasio said that the sites would be set up over the next four weeks or so and that vaccination eligibility is expected to be much more broad by then.

I want to stress that last part – theater workers won’t be ‘jumping the line’ to get vaccinated. These plans are being initiated in advance of when eligibility opens up as requested by President Biden. Earlier this month, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that arts, entertainment and events venues will be allowed to reopen April 2 at 33 percent capacity up to a maximum of 100 people indoors or 200 people outdoors. While Broadway shows can’t afford to operate at 100 tickets per performance, it’s expected that there will be some special events inside Broadway theaters throughout the spring and summer. Trust and believe – the Broadway theater community is a resilient one. Just like streaming/virtual events have become the new normal over the past year, I’m sure we’ll be seeing some exciting live theater moments in the near future.

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GLAAD Media Awards: GLEE Stars To Reunite In Tribute To Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez in GLEE

Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez in GLEE
Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez in GLEE (image via Fox)
The cast of iconic series GLEE will reunite for a special tribute to the legacy of the late Naya Rivera’s character Santana Lopez. Jacob Artist, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Vanessa Lengies, Jane Lynch, Kevin McHale, Heather Morris, Matthew Morrison, Alex Newell, Amber Riley, Harry Shum Jr., Becca Tobin, and Jenna Ushkowitz will come together during the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards to honor the 10th anniversary of Santana’s coming out on the show. And that’s not all – the cast will be joined by global superstar Demi Lovato, who played Santana’s girlfriend on GLEE, to introduce the special tribute. Tune in for the premiere on April 8th at 8:00 P.M. on YouTube, or stream on Hulu starting at 10:00 P.M. Remembering just a little bit of the fabulous Ms. Rivera as Santana in GLEE.

(via press release)

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Podcast: Captain America, Japan & Marriage Equality, The LGBTQ Tribe Takes The Call

The Randy Report podcast

The Randy Report podcast delivers the week's top stories in a quick, convenient podcast - 'the 60 Minutes of gay news - only shorter' In this week’s podcast: • Japan takes a baby step towards marriage equality • A transgender student won a large settlement in his discrimination lawsuit against a school district in Minnesota • A pharmacist came to the aid of LGBTQ seniors in Brooklyn • New polling shows strong support for the Equality Act • Marvel Comics has announced a gay Captain America on the way • And the LGBTQ tribe answers the call – link to Twitter thread here. All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report podcast

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Elton John Oscars Pre-Party Hosted By Neil Patrick Harris Goes Virtual

Neil Patrick Harris, Elton John, David Furnish, and Dua Lipa

Neil Patrick Harris, Elton John, David Furnish, and Dua Lipa
Neil Patrick Harris, Elton John, David Furnish, Dua Lipa (image – Cisco Webex/Elton John AIDS Foundation)
The 29th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Pre-Party will be hosted by Emmy® and Tony Award®-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris alongside Sir Elton John and David Furnish on April 25, 2021. The virtual event – powered by powered by Cisco Webex – will include a stripped back performance by GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Dua Lipa for the virtual event along with other all-star guests to be announced. For the first time, Foundation supporters worldwide are invited to attend the famed Oscar party by joining a 60-minute Pre-Show Special. “This year, we are bringing our Oscar Party into people’s homes for the first time virtually for an unforgettable evening with David (Furnish), myself, our dear friend Neil Patrick Harris and the incredible Dua Lipa plus many fabulous surprise names,’ says Sir Elton John, Founder, Elton John AIDS Foundation. “Now more than ever, we need to ensure that one pandemic does not override another, and we cannot forget the 38 million people living with HIV globally who need our care, love and support so we hope everyone joins us for this special one of a kind Oscar Pre-Party.” Since the annual event’s inception in 1992, The Academy Awards Viewing Party has supported the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s efforts to raise millions for their lifesaving work. With its presence across four continents, the Foundation is committed to overcome the stigma, discrimination and neglect that keeps us from ending AIDS. Fans can purchase tickets to the Oscar Pre-Show special for $19.99 via Ticketmaster here. Please visit www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org for additional information. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CMuwPAZjZfL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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New Music: John Duff’s Poised Pooch Premieres ‘100% Baby’

John Duff and Baby

Out recording artist John Duff with Baby
John Duff and Baby (photo: David Laffe)
DJ Baby Duff’s new single ‘100% Baby’ is fun, funny, and a total ear-worm. Out singer/songwriter John Duff constructed the track and music video as a tongue in cheek laugh about overly-deep lyrics. “Sometimes I feel like my lyrics are too smart and that nobody has an attention span to actually listen to them,” Duff explains. “So, with this one, I wanted to do something extremely stupid as stupid is always relatable.” There might also be some subtle shade here aimed at over-paid DJs who score beaucoup bucks without bringing all that to the table. “It’s not all DJ’s, but definitely some,” Duff clarifies.

Baby Duff steps up and steps out doing all of her own stunts (thanks to dog trainer Kirstin McMillan). Photographer Davide Laffe captured the poised pooch from all her best angles. And animator Sqott pulls the whole thing together with awesome video skills. “I didn’t want the video to be too sexy,” says Duff. “She’s so young.” Will Baby save Planet Earth? Hit the play button to find out. You can find my previous coverage of John Duff and his music here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CMlgxpVjBCi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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InstaHunk Round-Up: Weekend Edition

InstaHunk Pierre Vuala

InstaHunk Pierre Vuala
Pierre Vuala (image via Instagram)
Checking in on some of our favorite InstaHunks this week… First up, Wilhelmina model Pierre Vuala (above) shares a moment from a good day ‘where the sun resides.’ Follow him on Instagram here. Sean O’Donnell got creative framing his selfie using the California sunset for a backdrop:

Dental doc Curtis Fitzgerald urges us to up our kitchen game, and trust us – the hunger is real:

Marc Burgum admits he’s been short on his gym selfie game since the pandemic began but is trying to rectify the situation.

Designer Anthony Varrecchia showed of some country living in the Catskills:

Bremen Menelli has a sports ball and he’s not afraid to use it:

Dan Tai shared his favorite beach in Bali, Indonesia:

On the first day of spring, The Griffopotamus was already trying out new swim lewks in advance of warmer weather:

Chicago-based trainer Michael (the self-styled Blacktain America) had a moment with Spiderman at the Chicago Museum’s Marvel exhibit:

Fitness guru Nathan McCallum had fun in the sun with his favorite fur-ball. Check him navigating that sandy beach – those thighs aren’t just for looking at: