Politics, pop culture and entertainment news of interest to the LGBTQ community
“Endless Summer Nights,” written and performed by Grammy Award winner Richard Marx was released in January 1988 as the third single from his triple Platinum debut album, Richard Marx. Continue reading “Saturday Pool Tunes: Richard Marx “Endless Summer Nights””
The world-famous Chippendales are saying thanks to all first responders by offering free tickets to their “off-the-chain” party at the Chippendales Theater inside Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. Continue reading “The Chippendales Say Thanks To First Responders With Free Tickets”
The men of Chippendales have announced that their award-winning male revue will return to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino beginning September 1 to take the stage and “take it off.” Continue reading “The Men Of Chippendales Announce Return To Las Vegas”
Some news items you might have missed:
• ABC13: H Scott Apley (above), an anti-vaxxer and a leader in the Texas Republican Party, died just days after being diagnosed with COVID. His wife and 5-month-old son tested positive as well. Apley mocked federal “hand-outs” during the pandemic on social media, so it will come as no surprise friends have set up a crowd-funding campaign asking for $35K for the family. Continue reading “News Round-Up: August 4, 2021”
Just two weeks ago, Jessica DuPreez was on vacation in San Diego with her fiancé Michael Freedy, and their five kids, ages 17, 10, 7, 6, and 17 months. But a visit to the beach led to a sunburn which led to a hospital visit and a positive COVID test. Continue reading “Father Of 5 Dies Of COVID: ‘I Should Have Gotten The Damn Vaccine’”
Some news items you might have missed:
• Instinct Magazine: RuPaul’s Drag Race is returning to Las Vegas, bringing six sexy Pit Crew members with it. And for the most part, it’ll be a totally new cast of sexy men (above). Check them out at the link.
• Out Music: Belgian pop superstar Max Colombie, (aka Oscar and the Wolf) unveils his brand-new single and music video “Oliver.”
The sultry single serves up a tropical beat and shimmering synths as Colombie’s sensual voice draws us further into his poolside dreamworld.
• Washington Blade: Louisiana lawmakers failed to override Gov. John Bel Edwards’ (D) veto last month of a bill that would have barred trans girls and women from participating on athletic teams or in sporting events designated for girls or women at elementary, secondary and postsecondary schools.
• Family Equality: This short two-minute video, released in advance of Parents Day on Sunday, offers a lighthearted but thorough explanation of the discrimination, bias, and disproportionate financial outlays same-sex couples can face on their journey to parenthood.
• Outsports: The Olympics always drive huge LGBTQ viewership. Here are 8 events at the Tokyo Olympics likely to be popular with LGBTQ viewers.
• Deadline: Billy Porter’s directorial debut for Orion Pictures – What If? – will star Black transgender actress Eva Reign in the upcoming high school rom-com.
And, we’re back to wearing face masks here in my town of Las Vegas, Nevada, thanks to rising cases and slowing vaccination rates.
From the Review-Journal:
The Southern Nevada Health District on Friday recommended that everyone — including those vaccinated against COVID-19 —again wear face masks in crowded indoor public settings such as grocery stores, malls and casinos.
The health district’s recommendation comes as COVID-19 test positivity rates, case counts and hospitalizations continue to increase in Southern Nevada, which has been designated as a “sustained hotspot” for the disease by the federal government.
In mid-May, Gov. Steve Sisolak dropped the mask mandate for those who were vaccinated, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The mask requirement remained for unvaccinated people in most public indoor settings, but was largely unenforced and often ignored.
It’s worth noting the change is only a ‘recommendation’ at this time and not a mandate.
Los Angeles County reinstated its mask mandate beginning last night.
Some news items you might have missed:
• Cycling News: A spectator who held up a cardboard sign on the opening day of the Tour de France accidentally struck cyclists (above) causing dozens to crash. The 30-year-old French woman has been arrested and charged with involuntarily causing injury and faces a fine of 1,500 euros.
• Vanity Fair: Following her very public statement last week, Britney Spears’s request to have her father, Jamie Spears, removed from her conservatorship has been denied by the judge overseeing the case.
• WPRI: Chase Allen, 25, of Seekonk, was apprehended by FBI agents for allegedly taking part in the violent invasion of the U.S. Capitol building. Allen is accused of participating in the destruction of thousands of dollars worth of media equipment during the riots. Photos capturing a man wearing the exact same outfit as Allen show him stomping on cameras outside the Capitol building. He claims he was there to document the events as a journalist.
A sedition hunter told me in March that the Chase Allen case was “low hanging fruit, so it didn’t take a huge amount of sleuthing.” Turned out Allen had some FBI interactions… on Jan. 7. #bostonwhitebeanaom https://t.co/TDnerg2D5H pic.twitter.com/ckBm3P6TwH
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) June 30, 2021
• JoeMyGod: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noam has literally rented out 50 members of the state’s National Guard to an auto scrap billionaire to head down to the Texas/Mexico border.
• Nevada Independent: Nevada casinos collected a single-month record of $1.23 billion in gaming revenues during May, a stunning figure given that most COVID-19 capacity restrictions weren’t fully lifted until June 1.
• People: Out singer/songwriter Hayden Joseph tells the pop culture magazine, “Mainstream country radio is still controlled by a couple of conglomerates, and they still play one-dimensional country music, all signed by a boy’s club that looks and sounds the exact same.” I wrote about his latest single, “Out,” here.
Hayden Joseph Says ‘They Still Play One-Dimensional Country Music’ as He Speaks on His Journey https://t.co/CQSC5QCPKb
— People (@people) July 1, 2021
Immersive Van Gogh, the mesmerizing digital art exhibition, is coming to the heart of Las Vegas for the first time ever.
The visually-striking exhibition encourages guests to experience the awe-inspiring works of post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh through 500,000 cubic feet of immersive projections, 60,600 frames of video and 90,000,000 pixels. Immersive Van Gogh will be making its Las Vegas debut at a secret location, soon to be announced.
The spectacular digital art exhibition invites audiences to “step inside” the legendary works of post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh, evoking his highly emotional and chaotic inner consciousness through art, light, music, movement, and imagination.
Featuring stunning towering projections that illuminate the mind of the artistic genius, the exhibition will feature a curated selection of images from Van Gogh’s 2,000+ lifetime catalog of masterpieces, including Mangeurs de Pommes de Terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), Nuit étoilée (Starry Night, 1889), Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1888), and La Chambre à coucher (The Bedroom, 1889).
Paintings will be presented as to how the artist first saw the scenes, based on an active life and moving landscapes turned into sharp yet sweeping brush strokes.
The hour-long, timed-entry, walk-through experience is designed with health and safety as a priority. Capacity will be limited in accordance with the City of Las Vegas’ safety protocols.
Additional safety precautions include touchless ticket-taking, temperature checks upon arrival, hand sanitizer stations, social distancing markers throughout the venue, and digitally projected social distancing circles on the gallery floors to ensure appropriate spacing. All guests must wear a face covering at all times during their visit.
Immersive Van Gogh is accompanied by original, evocative musical score by Italian multimedia composer Luca Longobardi and Vittorio Guidotti as the Art Director.
Pre-sale tickets for Las Vegas will be available for purchase Thursday, March 11, 2021 at https://immersivevangogh.com for the exhibition’s opening on Thursday, July 1, 2021. Public sale starts on March 13 at 10:00 a.m. PST with prices ranging from $59.99 and above.
Immersive Van Gogh has already entertained more than 200,000 guests since its North American debut last July, receiving rave reviews from critics worldwide.
The Toronto Sun declared it “intense and emotional, cathartic and liberating.” Debra Yeo of the Toronto Star stated, “I wondered: could projections of paintings on walls and floors be thrilling? The answer is ‘yes.’”
(via press release)
Truly sad news as the powers that be at Cirque du Soleil have announced the spectacular and sensual Las Vegas production, ZUMANITY, will close permanently.
The show, which opened in September 2003, featured European-style circus acts in a sensual, often sexually-ambivalent environment. The hostess of the show, the gifted and revered drag performer Edie, has developed a worldwide following due to the long-running production.
From local ABC News affiliate KTNV:
After wowing audiences with more than 7,700 shows, the last performance of Zumanity took place on March 14, 2020 before it was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cirque du Soleil and MGM Resorts International have solidified their commitment to the partnership and the four shows remaining in the Cirque du Soleil portfolio. Contract extensions for “O” at Bellagio, The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage, KÀ at MGM Grand and Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay have been signed.
Additionally, Treasure Island and Cirque du Soleil have recommitted to Mystère with a contract extension.
