Category: Entertainment

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LGBTQ Marching Band Makes 1st Appearance On Thanksgiving Day Parade

Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (image via Instagram)
The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps is one of the first queer marching bands in the United States, founded in 1979 in New York City. This year, the Big Apple Corps became the first openly LGBTQ group to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. From The Atlantic:

The band had to get creative in order to rehearse safely and legally this fall. Practicing indoors was out of the question, so its usual space in a Manhattan parish center would have to be traded for something without walls.

The band needed daylight, so rehearsals would be limited to weekends. New York did not allow gatherings of more than 50 people, but more than 80 musicians and color-guard members and confetti-cannon shooters needed to practice, so organizers began to investigate their options in New Jersey. They soon settled on a parking lot in the Newark suburbs, between a soccer stadium and a PATH station.

For six sunny Saturdays in October and November, the members of the Big Apple Corps spaced themselves eight feet apart along the yellow lines of the parking spaces, covered the ends of their instruments with plastic, and played.

Many on the Twitterverse noted the inclusion of an LGBTQ marching band wishing they’d seen such representation when they were in their marching band days. Congrats to everyone on the achievement! You can watch a bit of the Big Apple Corps’ Thanksgiving Day performance of the ABBA hit ‘Dancing Queen’ below.

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Out Music: NIKO ‘Thinking About You’

Out singer/songwriter NIKO recently released his latest – a dance floor filler titled, ‘Thinking About You.’ After his romantic single, “Try,” NIKO ups the heat and the tempo with this dance track that explores the darker side of love and seduction. “The song tells the story of someone who is constantly chasing after the next thrill, but in doing that, loses the person who really cares for them,” says NIKO. “It’s about the emotional dynamics of not being able to resist your physical instincts, and then having to face the consequences.”

Singer/songwriter NIKO (via official website)
Born and raised in Milan, NIKO’s first musical endeavors began as creative collaborations with DJs as a songwriter and vocalist in the Italian city. After spending time in the UK, working with music producers in Manchester and London, NIKO decided to launch his career as a solo artist with his first EP RMNC 21 in 2019. Listen to the new single below and you can check out my previous coverage of NIKO and his music here.

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Podcast: Author/Illustrator Mike Curato’s Terrific Graphic Novel ‘Flamer’

In this episode of The Randy Report podcast, I chat with award-winning author and artist Mike Curato, who recently released his debut YA graphic novel, FLAMER, a coming-of-age story that confronts ideas of homophobia, bullying, body image and coming to terms with identity in every sense of the word. Curato’s YA graphic novel follows 14-year-old Aiden Navarro who navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can’t stop thinking about), as he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance. Unfolding over the course of the last week of Boy Scout camp in 1995, Aiden’s story is heavily inspired by Mike’s own experience as a Boy Scout (and eventual Eagle Scout) and his coming out as a teenager.

Author & Illustrator Mike Curato
The Hollywood Reporter called FLAMER “the kind of book that might change its reader’s lives.” I grew up as an avid fan of comic books, and I can see why graphic novels have become the grown-up version of that visual medium. I really enjoyed not only Mike’s prose but his illustrations which are clever and powerfully evocative in their own right as a part of the storytelling. If you haven’t checked out graphic novels lately – this is the one! FLAMER is available on Amazon here, and at Bookshop.org here.

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News Round-Up: November 20, 2020

Jim Newman (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Let’s hear it for Broadway’s Jim Newman (above) who definitely knows how to find his light. Follow him on Instagram here. • CNN: Donald Trump told an ally that he knows he lost, but that he is delaying the transition process and is aggressively trying to sow doubt about the election results in order to get back at Democrats for questioning the legitimacy of his own election in 2016, especially with the Russia investigation. • HBO Max: The original series EQUAL pays tribute to the epic origin stories of the LGBTQ+ movement. The four-part docu-series captures the true backstories of the leaders and unsung heroes, pre-Stonewall, who changed the course of American history through their tireless activism. Each hour-long episode in the series plays like a thriller, bringing to life the high stakes and hard deadlines of historical events that have not yet been given their due. In honor of Transgender Day of Awareness, I want to highlight Episode 2 which focuses on the courageous pioneers of the trans movement. Check out the trailer for the series below.

• Out: Two Trump-appointed judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit today overturned a lower court ruling and struck down local ordinances prohibiting licensed therapists from practicing the debunked “conversion therapy” on minors. • Bloomberg: Donald Trump’s oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., tested positive for coronavirus earlier this week and is isolating. Junior recently downplayed the extent of the coronavirus outbreak that deaths are “almost nothing.” I guess this makes Junior “almost nothing.” • AP: Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger certified results reported by the state’s 159 counties that show Biden won the state by a margin of 12,670 votes.

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Trans Actress Alexandra Billings Joins ABC’s ‘The Connors’

Alexandra Billings joins ‘The Connors’ (photo: ABC)

Trans actress Alexandra Billings (Transparent) has been announced to join the cast of ABC’s The Connors for a multi-episode arc in the current season.

Billings will play Robin, a transgender woman who works as a supervisor at Wellman Plastics where Darlene (Sara Gilbert) and Becky (Lecy Goranson) are employed.

Fans of the original Roseanne will remember Wellman Plastics was where both Roseanne (Roseanne Barr) and sister Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) worked in the early days of the series. It was at Wellman Plastics that Jackie had a romantic relationship with her supervisor played by George Clooney.

Alexandra Billings (r) with the cast of The Connors

According to Deadline, Robin – described as no-nonsense but fair – becomes a friend and mentor to Darlene. The official synopsis reveals Darlene’s friendship with Robin “lands [Darlene] in an awkward situation between the boss and her sister, Becky.”

Billings is best known for starring as Davina in the acclaimed Amazon series Transparent. She’s also had recurring roles on Never Have I Ever, Goliath, and Diary of a Female President. On Broadway, the veteran actress appeared in the mega-hit musical Wicked as ‘Madame Morrible.’

Billings will make her debut in the November 25 episode.

The Conners recently made its Season 3 premiere drawing 4.8 million viewers. The sitcom, which has continued without Roseanne Barr following an ugly racist incident, chronicles the daily struggles of the Connor family – Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. – as they face financial pressures, parenthood, dating, and life as working-class Americans.

 

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News Round-Up: November 19, 2020

Billy Reilich (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Ellen DeGeneres’s former “gardener,” Billy Reilich (above), is masked up for COVID-19 safety telling his followers, “Here we go again.” • KCCI: A lawsuit filed this week claims managers at a Tyson’s meatpacking plant “organized a cash buy-in, winner-take-all betting pool for supervisors and managers to wager how many employees would test positive for COVID-19.” • Out Music: Peppermint, Mila Jam, and LaFemmeBear team up for a remake of the Sounds of Blackness “Optimistic.” The anthem aims to unite the country and rally around black Trans lives to celebrate Transgender Awareness Week this week. Peppermint says: “The number of transgender people who’ve been murdered is higher than ever recorded. In the midst of senseless murders of black folks, in the midst of the division and the pandemic. After seeing everything that has happened in our country and our world lately and coming up on the holidays, I wanted to gather black Trans women to put out a message of solidarity and love while simultaneously shedding light on the important road ahead.”

• Reuters: New claims for unemployment jobless benefits rose to a seasonally adjusted 742,000 last week, up from the 711,000 filed a week earlier, the Labor Department said Thursday. The spike in claims indicates continued challenges for the U.S. economic recovery as COVID-19 infections continue to surge across the U.S. • AP: Two Republican canvassers in Wayne County, Michigan, initially balked at certifying the vote, and then reversed course after widespread condemnation. But after a call from Donald Trump, the two Republicans reversed AGAIN signing affidavits on Wednesday saying they believe the county vote “should not be certified.” • Pink News: Karine Jean-Pierre could become the first out lesbian and first Black woman to be named White House press secretary. NBC’s Geoff Bennett tweeted multiple sources say Jean-Pierre is a leading contender for the high profile job.

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New Music: Blake English Just Wants To Be ‘Cool’

Blake English just wants to be ‘Cool’ (photo: Rowan Daly)
Out recording artist Blake English recently released his latest single, “Cool.” With top-shelf pop production and clever lyrics, English remembers what it was like keeping up with his glamorous, Hollywood friends on his rise to fame. Written after a party in the glamorous Hollywood Hills, “Cool” tells the story of many up-and-coming artists and those trying to fake it until they make it. English was inspired by the fact that he was surrounded by successful figures in the entertainment industry while still trying to catch his big break. “It basically goes through my journey of maintaining my authenticity while also doing things to pander to the fame life,” explains English. The lyrics contrast witty cynicism and sarcasm with honesty and vulnerability in lines such as, “One’n up with my last pay stub; it’s fine, I’m really fine, I’m really fine; done some things I regret, but for some fame, I’ll forget.” While “Cool” is, on the surface, an incredibly catchy pop song, English is also singing a vital reminder to hold on to your authenticity in a modern, flashy world. Hit the play button below. “Cool” is available now on all streaming platforms.

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My Favorite Thing Today: Broadway Star Lee Roy Reams In Concert

Broadway star Lee Roy Reams
What a wonderful treat! My dear longtime friend, Broadway star and frequent ‘partner in crime’ Lee Roy Reams is part of the York Theatre Company’s terrific online cabaret series, Broadway’s Great American Songbook. Hosted by 5-time Grammy Award nominee Michael Feinstein, the series has also included cabaret sets from Tony Award winners Ben Vereen and Lilias White as well as Broadway veterans Alton Fitzgerald White, Karen Mason and more. Online performances premiere on Wednesday evenings continuing weekly through Wednesday evening, December 16, 2020. The series culminates with a York Holiday Cabaret Gala on Monday evening, December 21, 2020 at 7:00PM. Lee Roy’s career is the stuff that Broadway dreams are made of. Moving to New York City fresh out of college, he quickly began racking up major gigs singing and dancing on Broadway in the original cast of Bob Fosse’s Sweet Charity, Applause, Hello, Dolly! with Carol Channing, 42nd Street, Beauty and the Beast, The Producers and many more. Lee Roy also directed the acclaimed 1995 revival of Hello, Dolly! with Channing (and me!) which was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Lee Roy asked me to handle the choreography duties for the post-Broadway national tour of Dolly! and since then we’ve staged the show together several times in major regional theatre companies across the country. Each time, it was just as Cornelius Hackl tells his Dolly! sidekick, “It’s an adventure, Barnaby!” I won’t go on as I want you to hit the play button below and enjoy Lee Roy’s masterful storytelling as he sings his way through his incredible career. Authentic, earnest, captivating and magical – just a few of the superlatives that come to mind after watching this true artist weave his spell. I was especially moved by the medley from Dolly! beginning at the 31:00 mark. And can I say – I wish we all could look and sound so good at 78-years-old. #LikeAFineWine Big applause for Alex Rybeck’s robust and artful musical direction and accompaniment as he does what he does so very well. Enjoy.

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News Round-Up: November 17, 2020

Joe Blizzard (image via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Woofy Joe Blizzard (above) is getting through the rough Miami winter the best he can 🙂 • Kenneth-in-the-212: The venerable NYC-based gay blog turned 15 recently! Hit the link to check out Kenneth’s Top 10 posts over the years. Congratulations, Kenneth! • Broadway World: NBC is bringing the magic of Dr. Seuss’ world to life in a new musical production airing next month. Matthew Morrison (GLEE, Hairspray) will star as the title role in Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical! set to air Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT from the Troubadour Theatre in London.

• STAT News: Pfizer may be within days of filing for an emergency use authorization for its Covid-19 vaccine, having collected the safety data necessary to submit an application to the Food and Drug Administration, CEO Albert Bourla said Tuesday. • Eonline: 13 years after Isaiah Washington was fired for calling his Grey’s Anatomy co-star T.R. Knight a ‘faggot’ on set, he reignited his feud with former co-star Katherine Heigl, who stood up for Knight at the time of Washington’s hate speech. There was no apparent reason cited for Washington reinvigorating the incident. Oh, and he’s a big Trump supporter, so… • Instinct Magazine: The European Union has announced a new strategy to fight anti-LGBTQ laws and sentiments across its borders. The union specifically made this announcement as a response to discrimination skyrocketing in Poland and Hungary.  

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Randy Rainbow: ‘Don’t Tell Donald He’s Not Re-Elected Today!’

While Team Trump continues a facade of ‘fake news’ regarding the Donald’s many filed (and then dismissed) lawsuits in trying to re-litigate the 2020 election, Randy Rainbow lampoons White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany and her constant assertions her boss “won” via Stephen Sondheim’s “Not Getting Married Today” from Company. Rainbow’s rapid-fire satirical lyrics are seriously on point. Enjoy 🙂