Weezer in Seattle - Seattle Gay News has the scoop

Seattle Gay News was among the giddy pass-holders for Weezer's "Hootennany" stop in the Emerald City.

From a balcony at The Vera Project last Saturday evening, right above lead singer Rivers Cuomo, we overlooked an ensemble of guitars, strings, cellists, horn players, flutes, and even a gong. It was a recording session that lasted two hours, complete with a photo at the end.

Grab a copy of Seattle Gay News this week, out on June 27, to get the full scoop of Weezer's one of a kind shindig at The Vera Project here in Seattle.

FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS AND A FOND FAREWELL TO PROVINCETOWN

Lights! Camera! Action! Awards! The 10th Annual Provincetown Film Festival came to a glittering climax tonight as the HBO Audience Choice Awards were given in six categories. The top prize (for best feature film) went to Frozen River, a triumph for first-time director Courtney Hunt. The film was also an award winner at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

The closing night party was held at The Boatslip, one of Provincetown’s best known and best loved gay venues (where daily tea dances are one of the town’s staples). After the party, I took my very own bar crawl – to Gifford House (with its Porchside Lounge, a casual place to hang out and chat – Club Purgatory, a more serious leather den – and a Lobby Piano Bar). At Atlantic House (“A-House” to those familiar with it) I found a dance bar, smaller bar and a Macho Bar (use your imagination!) And at the Crown and Anchor (where I’m residing) which has so many bar venues that I’ve lost count! Talk about a full service resort!

So I bid a fond farewell to Provincetown. Hope you’ve enjoyed my tales of adventure. I hope to be back soon…….

THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER IN PROVINCETOWN

The first official day of summer brought in the season with a bang. The town was comparatively quiet during the last few days. But the weekend has arrived, and Commercial Street is packed with revelers, the clubs are bursting with patrons as the Provincetown Film Festival has its next-to-last day.

Musical fan that I am, I went to see Grey Gardens: From East Hampton to Broadway, a movie which follows the development of the Tony-winning musical adapted from the classic film. Doug Hughes, Pulitzer Prize winning author was on hand to discuss his contributions to the musical and was in very good humor. Next on my list was a movie I had been dying to see for months: Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story. This affectionate, very funny look at the king of movie schlock had the audience laughing out loud at Castle’s escapades in publicizing his movies with outrageously tacky stunts.

Tomorrow promises a glittering closing night party at which the festival awards will be presented. Will fill you in on all the details, so stay tuned…..

I hated to go indoors on this sunny day, but really wanted to see more films in this 10th anniversary edition of the Provincetown Film Fest. What lured me indoors was Anita O’Day: Life of a Music Legend, a riveting documentary on the life of the legendary jazz singer who, while not a household word, is revered among jazz buffs as one of the greats. The movie was a knockout, as was its subject. Don’t miss this one.

The next film I caught was When I Knew, in which GLBT people are asked to talk about the moment they knew that they were drawn to people of their own gender. It’s a touching and funny short film.
On the way back from the fest, I stopped in for a cool drink at The Gifford House, a complex that has a piano bar, a porchside lounge and the Purgatory Dance Club. Not wanting to stay in purgatory too long, I set off for home – which is the Crown & Anchor Inn, and hung out at their piano bar for a while – where guests were in the throes of show-tune heaven…..More from the Seattle Gay News (and purgatory and heaven) tomorrow. Please stay tuned….

What a day! It’s 1:30 a.m. and I just got back from a fabulously unreal time at the Wellfleet Drive-In Theater, where a special film program was shown as part of the Provincetown International Film Festival. It was a double bill of The Tingler, a so-bad-it’s-good scare-fest directed by William Castle (from 1959) and Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby, the masterpiece of horror (produced by Castle). I’ve only been to three drive-in theaters in my life – but there’s nothing like it. This theater just celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007.

Earlier today, I saw Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, a superbly constructed documentary that exposes the corrupt forces behind Polanski’s trial for having sex with a minor, but does not sufficiently address his culpability for seducing a 13-year old girl.

The sun is still out in full force – and I was able to catch some rays after grabbing a great breakfast at The Patio – a local eatery where you can watch the passing parade on Commercial Street. I will be back tomorrow, continuing my coverage from the tip of Cape Cod for the Seattle Gay News….

PROVINCETOWN FILM FEST BEGINS!

Hailing from Provincetown again! A perfect day, sunny and in the 70s (the temperature, not the decade). I took a short break from sunning and shopping to do some real tourist stuff – went to an open-house at a historical life-saving station near here. No, it wasn’t a circuit party, but it was great fun and really very interesting.

Back in town, the Provincetown International Film Festival blasted off with the North American premiere of Filth and Wisdom, Madonna’s directorial debut. It was not what I expected: a sweet tale of three roommates down on their luck in London. It’s not a very good film, but I think it may pleasantly surprise a lot of people with its comic edge and kinetic musical interludes by the film’s lead, Eugene Hutz.

Back at the Crown & Anchor Inn, the standing-room-only opening night party had a live rock band, great food and drink -- and some real celebs. This writer spoke with none other than John Waters, the patron saint of trash (and a regular at this film fest), who has a long, affectionate history with Provincetown.

Stay tuned for more on the festival and stories of Cape Cod….

PROVINCETOWN FILM FEST....AND MORE!!

Hey there! Ron Anders, here -- reporting from Provincetown, Massachusetts for the Seattle Gay News. (I included the state because many people think I mean Providence, Rhode Island!) The sun is out, as are the guys in tank tops – after a few days of clouds that made me think I was back in Seattle.

This is my favorite gay place in the world. Provincetown is combination of bright seascapes, the lure of (safe) sex, shopping, great food – and endless walking, whether it’s on Commercial Street (the main drag) or on the beaches/dunes that surround the town. I haven’t been here in 20 (!) years, but I’m glad to say that it still feels the same: friendly, flirtatious and infused with a particular kind of summer joy that is unique to this place.

I’m here to cover the Provincetown International Film Festival – which is celebrating its 10th year. The fest opens tomorrow with Filth and Wisdom, Madonna’s directorial debut, which has been getting very good buzz. Guests to be honored in the next few days (the fest lasts until June 22nd) include maverick director Quentin Tarantino and actor/dreamboat Gael Garcia Bernal (who I most fondly remember in Almodovar’s Bad Education, which is being featured in the festival).

Keep checking with me for updates on the festival – and of adventures in sun and sand……

Frightened Rabbit interview in today's issue of Seattle Gay News

One of 2008's most promising bands is Scottish quartet Frightened Rabbit, who released an impressive sophomore project entitled The Midnight Organ Fight in April.

The group boasts a confident, carefree pop sound remiscent of early Counting Crows and similar to present-day Americana artists like Wilco. Ear-sample the foursome's tracks "Set You Free" and "Be Less Rude" at www.myspace.com/frightenedrabbit, and we also recommend "Old Old Fashioned" from the new album.

Frightened Rabbit lead singer Scott Hutchison, on a tour bus somewhere in Texas, took time to answer questions from Seattle Gay News recently - the interview prints in our June 13 issue. The band performs live at Nectar Lounge on Wednesday, June 18. Get to know this talented arist a little better by picking up a copy of Seattle Gay News this weekend.