On behalf of the entire staff of the Seattle Gay News, contributing writers and our community partners; we wish you happy holidays!
On the big picture front, I'm a little surprised that Emilio Estevez's Bobby made it into the noms, while Clint Eastwood's much-touted Letters from Iwo Jima didn't make the cut. From all acccounts Letters is Eastwood's masterpiece; he received two - count 'em, two - nominations in the Director category (the 2nd for Flags of Our Fathers), a first in Globes history. Letters did receive a nom for best Foreign Language flick.
Meanwhile, Leonardo DiCaprio will also compete against himself as Best Actor in a Drama (for The Departed and Blood Diamond, also a first for the Globes). Early favorites Forrest Whittaker (Actor Drama, The Last King of Scotland), Helen Mirren (Actress Drama, The Queen) and Jack Nicholson (Supporting Actor Drama, The Departed) all made it in, while on the comedy side Chiwetel Eijofor (Kinky Boots) edged out Will Ferrell (Stranger Than Fiction) and Toni Collette, not Abigail Breslin, got the best actress nom for Little Miss Sunshine. 9/11 was completely shut out: neither United 93 or World Trade Center received a single nom. But the much-maligned Mel Gibson did receive a nod, as his Mayan epic Apocalypto was nominated in the Foreign Language Film category.
Supreme Court denies motion for reconsideration in marriage equality case
After much debate, Neumos has cancelled the Buju Banton show.
Our mission of providing for the free expression of art must give way in this situation to our responsibility to the health and safety of our patrons and the community. The publication and dissemination of the lyrics for one of this artist’s songs has created the potential for violence that we will not tolerate.
To our patrons who were looking forward to this show, we apologize that you will not be able to see an artist you wanted to see. To those in the community that were deeply offended that we would bring an overtly homophobic artist to the heart of capitol hill we apologize.
We are mindful that this action comes at significant social costs. As a performing arts venue we take pride in allowing artists to freely express their views without censorship or prior restraint. We believe that dissent and disagreement are vital and healthy parts of a community. The song, “Boom Bye Bye” written by Buju Banton over a decade ago when he was fifteen clearly goes beyond such dissent and disagreement, is abhorrent and cannot be defended by anyone. We sympathize with and understand the strong emotions that the publication and dissemination of the lyrics have incited in our community. Because of this, the show cannot go on.
Steven Severin
Neumos/Wake Up Productions/Liberty Lounge
Owner/Talent Buyer
Musicians who sing songs urging people to shoot gay men in the head, pour acid over them, and burn them alive is just fine for Neumos (925 E. Pike Street, Seattle), a popular Capitol Hill venue for music performances.[Buju] Banton's big hit song, "Boom Bye Bye," incites the execution-style killing of gay and lesbian people. He urges listeners to shoot gays in the head, pour acid over them, set them alight, and burn them like car tires. "Boom Bye Bye" is probably the most murderous incitement recorded by any singer in the world, and Banton still performs "Boom Bye Bye." The record remains on sale. He re-released it on his recent Greatest Hits album. Banton is still making money from his incitement to kill gay people.
Banton does not merely express his disapproval of homosexuality. He calls for all homosexuals to be killed and incites his listeners to go out and murder gays and lesbians. This goes way beyond an acceptable expression of opinion. Lesbian and gay people have a right to live their lives free from threats to kill them. Inciting violence against any human being for any reason is totally unacceptable.
By giving Banton any kind of platform, Neumos is colluding with a performer who wants gays and lesbians dead. It is our belief that no mainstream club would book performers who call for the death of other groups of people. Even if Banton agrees not to sing his "Boom Bye Bye" song at the Neumos, it would still be wrong to have him on the stage. Singers who incite the murder of gay people (or anyone else) should be shunned, not rewarded. Take the example of a singer with neo-Nazi sympathies, who had previously released a song calling for the gassing of Jews. Would Neumos host them if they promised not to sing their anti-Semitic diatribes? We think not.
We understand that Mr. Banton continues to perform "Boom Bye Bye" in his live performances and that violence against gays and lesbians has ensued in the wake of his appearances. Because of that, other communities and performance venues have recently canceled his performances.
We therefore urge people throughout Washington State to urge the management of Neumos nightclub to cancel Mr. Banton's performance as well.
We do not believe that our collective ethics, morality or religious values in Washington State can allow us to remain silent when someone calls a for murder to a reggae beat in an effort to disguise it as speech or art.
Mr. Banton's performance of "Boom Bye-Bye" in our community should not be protected as free speech -- because it is truly an amplified call for bigoted and hateful mayhem.
West Valley Highway drew a comparatively small early-morning (for Bumbershoot) crowd; presumably those not interested in lining up for a Kanye West pass. I'll admit: they were a little too honky in the honky tonk for me. The Amphitheatre was considerably more crowded for the next act, Electric Shades of Blue. Lead singer/guitarist Kurtis Dengler, who like most of the band's members is only 16, said he had bad news for the crowd: "We changed to death metal. We're now 'Electric Death.'" He then played a riff, gave a loud scream... and cut it short before anyone could run away, saying, "Just kidding!" They proceeded to rock the More Music Stage for an hour with their classic R&B set.
Then it was back to the Mural Amphitheatre. At 2:45 -- fifteen minutes before the show -- the lawn was so packed with bodies I seriously questioned my sanity for ever having left my cozy shaded spot for the likes of The Like. Lucky for me, my neighbors from the hour before were contemplating a brief venue change themselves. We negotiated a space-sharing treaty -- see? I can play nice -- and I was ready for more music. Sonya Kitchell's voice is like butter: rich and creamy, with just the right amount of seasoning ... okay, I've officially run that metaphor into the ground. Seriously, she reminds me of Sarah McLachlan and kd lang. And this little whippersnapper has the gall to be only 17 years old. Boy, the musicians on this stage are making me feel old! Or maybe the ache in my back is doing that. Here's wishing Sonya good luck on her tour of Japan, which starts tomorrow.
And if I thought the crowd was crazy for Sonya Kitchell, Matt Costa really turned them out. Over 2/3 of the crowd was on their feet for Matt, who came on in a safety orange touk. His 13-song set was fresh and fabulous. Most of the tunes came off of his latest CD, Songs We Sing, including the title track -- I love the song's reference to the Beatles' "Bungalow Bill" -- and one of my favorites, "Sweet Thursday." The Watson Twins, who are currently on Costa's tour, joined in the last two songs. Lucky me!! I got to hang out with Matt at the Tower Records booth after the show. He was super nice, staying for over an hour to sign cds, posters, t-shirts, arms and one guitar case. He took time to take photos with practically everyone. When I asked him what the weirdest thing he'd signed that afternoon was, he replied, "A cigarette." Well, that's one that won't be smoked next to the food court! I also asked him if he thought his knitted cap would start a safety orange trend. He chuckled, "I hope so. I want to protect people from dangers... like getting shot in the head." He seemed genuinely surprised by the massive turnout.
Folks were already on the prowl for extra Kanye West tickets -- I told you to get here early! -- offering $10 apiece. Allegedly. But, having secured another comfy spot on the Amphitheatre's slope, I decided to stay put for Newfies Great Big Sea. These Canucks had the entire crowd on their feet, playing practically everything in their repertoire. "Captain Kid" and "Concerning Charlie Horse," from their latest album The Hard and the Easy, were well-received, but the old favorites went over best. I was particularly fond of "The Night Pat Murphy Died," "General Taylor" and "I'm A Rover."
It's just after 11:00 am at Bumbershoot: the gates have just opened and, boy, today is gonna be a HOT one! Hopefully a little less hot -- weather-wise -- than yesterday, but no less hot musically. Hee hee. There is absolutely no free street parking left, and the pay lots are starting to fill up. If you're coming (and you know you are) then I reccommend taking Metro to Seattle Center. Not only is it easier to catch a bus, it's also way cheaper to park downtown. There's even a special service from Northgate Mall to B'shoot, every 20 minutes -- check out the details on the Bumbershoot website. But if you do take Metro please pack your patience. There are a lot of buses but right now it seems like there are even more people. Meanwhile, the lines to enter the veunue are gnarly, so they're sure to be heinous for mainstage show wristbands; I'd get my assets over here asap if you want to see Kanye West.
Right now my mission is to find a little shade, roll out my blanket and park it for a while. I don't want to schlep my stuff all over the Center in temps that could get as high as 88 -- or as comfy as 78, depending on which weather predictions you believe. Seattle's West Valley Highway kicks it off at the Mural Amphitheatre at 11:45 am with their brand of jazzy honky tonk; then I'm off to the Backyard Lawn to catch The Like at 2:00 pm. I'd better run if I want to grab anything to eat. The hordes (read that carefully, I said "hordes") are arriving!
I took a little flak from other festival-goers for my take on the Opening Night Film, Yaji and Kita: The Midnight Pilgrims. I didn't mean to suggest that it was a major success. In fact, I know I said it wasn't going to be everybody's cuppa green tea. But my particular, some would say peculiar, fondness for samurai films and anime series made me predisposed to enjoy the Monty Python-esque antics of Yaji, Kita, et al. Had the movie been about 1/2 an hour shorter I might have avoided the hisses and groans when I expressed my delight with the film. So I can't recommend it to you (when it comes out on DVD) until I've met and/or psychoanalyzed your personal preferences. That'll be 5 cents, please.
I can recommend Summer Storm, which I reviewed in the March 31st edition of the SGN. It played at Out On Screen Saturday night and repeats Wednesday at the Tinseltown at 9:30 pm. One film I'm especially sorry to miss is the festival's "centrepiece," Gypo. I also missed it at this year's SIFF. If you're familiar with other Dogme films (Italian For Beginners, Open Hearts) then you know all the cinematography will be done using hand-held cameras and natural lighting, there won't be a scored soundtrack, and the acting will be heavily improvised. Like Kurosawa's Rashomon, Gypo tells three sides to a single story, bringing up questions of immigration and race in Great Britain. Gypo will be at the Tinseltown, 7:00 pm on Tuesday. It's followed by a showcase of local shorts, The Coast is Queer (9:30 pm).
pick for the evening follows at 7:00 pm. I Know That I Am was literally smuggled out of Iran thanks to the tenacity of director Peyman Khosravi. It tells the story of Transgendered in a country where sexual "deviancy" is punishable by hanging. A post-film party takes place across the street at the gSpot at 9:30. Or you can check out the films at the Pacific Cinematheque (1131 Howe Street at Helmcken). Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema takes a look at Gay representation in film that promises to pick up where Vito Russo's The Celluloid Closet left off. That starts at 7:00 pm, and is followed at 9:30 by Pow! Wow!, a program of shorts showcasing aboriginal -- First Nations or Native American -- shorts.
The opening night Gala is over, sigh, but that just means there are ten more nights of movies left to enjoy! Well, not for me, since I leave on Sunday, but if you book your tickets today you'll get to see a bunch of great movies. In its 18th year, Vancouver's Out On Screen presents a blend of international, art and documentary films, and the resulting concoction is just right: a little froth, a little seriousness, and a lot of great movies you'd never get to see otherwise.
Tonight there are Out On Screen movies at the Emily Carr Institute on Granville Island: Loving Annabelle (7:00 pm) and That Tender Touch (9:30 pm). I'm off to explore the city some more -- no, I'm not allowed to spend any more time or money at Lush -- then I'll be at the Cinemark Tinseltown (88 Pender Street) for a full night of film: a collection of shorts called Groupe Intervention Video (5:00 pm), 50 Ways of Saying Fabulous (7:00 pm) and the Spanish Queens (9:30 pm). You'll see my review for Queens in a few weeks, since it's coming to town in September. Then I might hit the after-party at the "Festival g-Spot," The Honey Lounge at the Lotus Hotel (455 Abbott).
Are you ready for Out On Screen Vancouver? I hope so. Tomorrow's opening night Gala film should be a blast: Yaji and Kita: The Midnight Pilgrims (Mayonaka no Yaji-san Kita-san) is an update of a 1958 film about two samurai who go on a pilgrimage to Ise Temple to get away from their wives. Only in the 2005 version, Yaji and Kita are Gay and they're going to Ise to help rehabilitate drug addicted Kita. Expect Monty Python-esque non sequiturs, colorful fantasies and a musical number involving motorcycles and mayhem. The afterparty at Celebrities Nightclub is a must! Remember to save your ticket stub for admission to the launch party.
Four staff members of Lifelong AIDS Alliance are attending the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto, Canada. Over 20,000 scientists, health care providers, government officials, and others from around the world meet every two years for the largest forum related to HIV/AIDS in the world.In tonight’s opening session, Bill Gates, who keynoted after a long list of politicians, said that throughout the world, for every new person treated for HIV/AIDS, ten more are infected. It’s clear that we’re simply not keeping pace.
“Day of the Decision” activities - July 26, 2006
The Washington State Supreme Court will issue its decision on marriage equality in the Andersen/Castle case on Wednesday, July 26, 2006.
The following events - in protest, celebration, or a combination of the two, depending on the court’s ruling - are planned for tomorrow. Equal Rights Washington will continue updating this page for the next 24 hours.
The following events have been confirmed:
Seattle:
Morning: Press conference with the plaintiff couples in the morning.
Confirmed - 5:30-6:45pm: LGBT and allied community gathering in Seattle from 5:30pm-6:45pm at Seattle 1st Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Avenue.
Organized by DontAmend.com-WA,
ACLU-WA, NW Women’s Law Center, and Lambda Legal, and co-sponsored by several other organizations.
7:00pm: Worship service at 7:00 p.m. at Seattle 1st Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Avenue. Organized by the Religious Coalition for Equality. All are welcome.
CONFIRMED - Olympia:
Gathering at 5:30 PM, at Ramblin Jack's restaurant, 520 East 4th Avenue. For more information, contact WA State Now president Teresa Sykora Lovaas at 360-259-6136 or president@wanow.org.
CONFIRMED - Spokane:
Inland Northwest Equality (INWE) will hold a gathering at 5:00 p.m. in front of the Federal Courthouse, 920 W Riverside in Spokane. Contact Krista Benson at Inland NW Equality, at 509-838-7870, or inwe@qwest.net.
CONFIRMED - Yakima:
Gathering at 7:00 p.m. at the MCC Rainbow Cathedral, 225 North 2nd Street, Yakima. Contact Rev. Jane Newall, TheRevJane@juno.com.
We are presently confirming the following events:
Pending - Tacoma:
Gathering at 5:30p.m. at the University of Washington Tacoma. Food, drink, music and FUN will be provided. To learn more or to add your organization to the South Sound Marriage Equality Partnership email info@tuffpierce.org or call 253.272-3444.
Pending - Vancouver:
Plans are in progress. For information, contact Rev. Daryn Nelsen, crossrootsministries@yahoo.com or David Hopkins at the Pride Foundation, david@pridefoundation.org
Washington Supreme Court Announces Decision in Andersen v. King County Expected Tomorrow
Olympia, July 25, 2006-- The Washington Supreme Court has announced that a decision in Andersen v. King County, a consolidated case regarding Washington’s Defense of Marriage Act, is expected tomorrow, July 26, 2006.
The Court’s opinion including any concurrences and dissents will be available online via the Washington Courts web site at www.courts.wa.gov in an Adobe Acrobat “PDF” format.
