Controversy over the term “Israeli Apartheid” plagues Toronto Pride
Jeremy Dias
This year’s Toronto Pride parade, which drew over 1.4 million people, was plagued by a war of words. It all started May 25th, when Pride Toronto organisers decided to censor the term “Israeli Apartheid”, and effectively banned the group “Queers Against Israeli Apartheid” from marching in the parade. Pride Toronto had received complaints about the term since last year, with some people saying they felt the term was hateful and made some communities feel unwelcome.
The situation escalated when Martin Gladestone, a Toronto lawyer and gay rights advocate, used footage from the 2009 Pride Parade and interviews from the Jewish community to make a documentary film which he distributed widely. The film claimed that the participation of Queers Against Israeli Apartheid in the Pride Parade promoted anti-Semitism. Gladstone proceeded to demand that the City of Toronto cut their funding to Pride Toronto, using the argument that it promoted hate and violated the city’s anti-discrimination policies.
Queers Against Israeli Apartheid is a well-established group led by prominent activists, including many queer Jewish members. They claim that the use of the term “apartheid” in simply a description of the experience that individuals face daily in Israel and they work to promote a dialogue about the situation in the Middle East.
Under all the pressure, Pride Toronto made the decision to ban the term. This decision did not sit well with Queers Against Israeli Apartheid as well as many community leaders in Toronto. As a result, an aggressive dialogue ensued where members of the community demanded that Pride Toronto remove the ban, arguing that it was an act against free speech. The dialogue got so heated that over 20 community leaders returned their Pride Toronto Awards (honours as Grand marshals, Honoured Dykes, and others).
In the end, the ban was removed on June 23rd, just a week before the parade.
International
European Union plans to fight for LGBT rights worldwide
Rex Wockner
The Council of the European Union on June 30 adopted a "Toolkit to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of All Human Rights by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People." The kit details what the EU should be doing to defend LGBT human rights in other nations. It calls on diplomats, the new European External Action Service, and EU member states to actively work for decriminalization of same-sex relations worldwide, to further denounce discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, and to support human rights defenders in repressive countries.
"The Council's Working Party on Human Rights is showing some leadership in the area of human rights for LGBT people, which I applaud," said Ulrike Lunacek, co-president of the European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights. "This is a very welcome tool, and one that the Commission, Council, and the European External Action Service should start using as soon and as often as possible, for instance by supporting LGBT human rights defenders in Moscow and St. Petersburg."
Intergroup Co-President Michael Cashman added: "For the first time, the Council has taken an excellent and long-lasting initiative for LGBT people's human rights abroad. We will be with them along the way to ensure that (the) European External Action Service and other relevant EU institutions follow these important guidelines -- starting with their work with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries."
3 million at São Paulo pride parade
Rex Wockner
Step aside, United States, Toronto and Sydney. Your gay parades are not even close to the biggest.
Organizers and media reported that the 14th annual gay pride parade in São Paulo, Brazil, attracted 3 million people June 6.
And it even had a political theme: "Vote against homophobia: Defend citizenship" in the October presidential and congressional elections.
The cost of the massive event was paid by the federal, state and city governments, the state-run oil company Petrobras and the government bank Caixa Econômica Federal.
In the lead-up to Pride, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued a decree establishing a National Day Against Homophobia each year on May 17.
"The decree is the governmental recognition that homophobia exists in Brazil and that concrete actions are needed to reduce or eliminate prejudice, discrimination and stigma against the LGBT community," said Toni Reis, president of the Brazilian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Association, or ABGLT.
"We hope that Brazil's example will be followed by the 75 countries where homosexuality is a crime and in the seven countries where the death penalty exists for homosexuals," he added.
The decree was published in the Official Gazette on June 7 and took immediate effect.
Leading the Modern Disco Revolution: The Freemasons
The Freemasons bring their signature funky, disco house style to Pier 54 for Dance on the Pier 24
Danny Legare
Russel Small and James Wiltshire of Brighton, East Sussex England, otherwise known as disco-house sensation The Freemasons, have had success in the late 90’s, either as one half of ‘Phats & Small’ or as ‘Jimmy Gomez’. The duo has been unleashing mayhem on the dancefloors since the release of their international club hit “Love on My Mind” in 2005. During that time, they have also released countless remixes for such pop staples as Beyonce, Shakira, Moby and Faith Evans. The dynamic duo now have their sights set on taking over North American dancefloors after solidifying themselves as a force to be reckoned with overseas.
The Freemasons return to New York City after their first booking from the Saint at Large in September 2009. This time they come with the good-natured backup of online gay dating website gaydar.net to wow the masses slated to show up for the 24th Annual Dance on the Pier during NYC Pride this coming June 27th. According to the NYC Pride website, the Dance on the Pier is “is a protest set to music, a celebration set to the western skyline and a reminder of how far we've come.” All proceeds from the Dance on the Pier benefit New York City's LGBT Pride Week events and community organizations. 2B caught up with the Freemasons after their gig at Montreal’s Unity to talk about their past, present, their anticipated return to NYC and their thoughts on today’s electronic dance music scene.
2B: What are the influences that bring out the “Freemasons’ sound?
The Freemasons: We are always influenced by all forms of dance music - over and underground, but our biggest consideration whilst working is the song and we always try to bring that bubbling to surface with every record or mix we do.
Both of you have remixed many of the top pop divas blending funk, soul and disco into a mashup filling floors all over the world; almost sounds like a bit of ‘Chic’ thrown in here and there.
Interesting that you mention Chic as their production style always revolved around a stunning rhythm section and groove, provided by drummer Tony Thompson, Bernard Edwards on bass and the amazing knife-like guitar parts from Nile Rodgers. We've always tried to bass our tracks on solid rhythmical foundations as then the song will always shine on top of a great groove.
After making yourselves household names in the UK with “Love on My Mind” and then remixing Beyonce and Shakira to name a few, it looked as if you guys hesitated before invading North American soil, playing in NYC only in 2009. Was there any reason for that?
We wanted to make sure (due in part to the size of the continent), that we found the right people to work with and equally important, that we were ready. It’s a really big step for a UK artist of any sort to hop across the pond musically, but we're really glad we did this the right way as now we've found partners to work with that we trust and consider friends which is always the optimal way to work . We are very glad to be travelling to the North America now though, and every trip continues to surprise and delight us.
With having so much exposure through working with several North American Artists, once you hit North America, what was your impression of the dance music scene here? Any major differences between here and on the other side of the pond?
There are differences in every country, but what we have loved is the passion for music we have encountered and interestingly, the lack of musical snobbery that can often taint certain areas of the British scene. Everyone we've talked to in North America always has a story about their musical favourites and it's really inspiring to see that even though the industry is being hit from all sides from a sales perspective, music in North America is a vital part of people's lives. We are also fascinated by the cross-fertilisation of r&b and dance music; it’s producing a melting pot of ideas and records, the like of which haven’t been seen since Late Disco and Hi-Nrg collied in Chicago and other cities to create the first house records. These are exciting times for electronica.
Do you find it equally satisfying remixing other people’s music than producing and releasing your own? Is it an equal mix of playing Freemason’s material vs other artists during your live gigs?
It's always pretty special when it's your own record and the dancefloor is on fire, but we are equally proud of all of our remix work. We NEVER take on a mix if we don't like the song. Some have, in the past, taken us up to four weeks to complete so we treat each piece of work as if it is our own . Around 80-90% of what we play has either been created, remixed , edited or mashed up by ourselves - it makes our sets kind of unique.
As she is seen as the first lady of pop, how did the collaboration of Kylie Minogue’s “The One” come about?
We were editing an album for a Swedish Act called Laid signed to the same record label ( Skint / Loaded). We heard an early version of the song and were surprised to find out it wasn't included on their album so we decided to cover it. About half way through we realised it would work perfectly as a Kylie record, so we stopped working on it and sent it up to her label. A few months later, she had written an alternate version with Biff Stannard (who has now become a great friend from the same town as us - Brighton) and before we knew it it had made the album . It was a very natural progression and we loved the finished record. It's been a pleasure to play our club mix over the last few years and the reactions have shown that it's a song her fans have really taken to heart
You’ve also remixed New Order’s “Blue Monday” and Eurythmic’s “Here Comes the Rain Again” for the Shakedown 2 compilation. What was so special about those seminal tracks that brought you to remix them?
Some records are timeless and have the power to move floors between generations. It was so much fun updating both those and others for the 21st Century and we’ve had fantastic responses back from the original artists. You will always see us singing along to these!!
James has also participated in a presentation during the British Music Experience exhibition in 2009 revealing just about all of your production secrets to the public. With all the experience you both have amassed in the music industry and with the ever-changing array of technology available to aspiring and established dj’s, do you feel it’s important to pass along your knowledge to the newer generation?
James - I came through the recording studio route and even took time away from dance music to work in all the major London studios to learn more about the traditional methods of recording and I'm really glad I did . There is a layer of knowledge that is getting lost now that studios are available in a single computer and I think it's really important that young producers do learn how to amongst others, create a great headphone balance for a singer (which is the one thing that will influence their performance more than any other factor), and that they know how to set up a microphone properly. Having said that, technology is creating new working methods and styles, so every day for us is still a learning curve. It's actually really nice to swap this kind of knowledge as it will only make better records. DJing is now quite very exciting experience although it's always good to check that the overuses of technology does'nt mean three hours of noodling behind a laptop with a confused crowd. People pay money to enter a club and they want their money's worth of entertainment and we hope we always manage to deliver.
Do you guys miss vinyl?
We miss the sound of vinyl - certainly not the weight !!
Having played in Montreal before – were your expectations (if any) met about the Montreal crowds?
Russell - We don't really have any expectations, each club, crowd is unique . Most of the time we are surprised , never disappointed.
You are spinning at the Dance on the Pier event in NYC this summer. This being a huge Pride event, one of the biggest in the Pride season in the US, what do you have planned for the NYC crowds?
This is obviously a huge gig for us. We are very proud to be playing this summer in NYC, a city we fell in love with last year and we cannot thank Gaydar.net for bringing us out again. We always try to bring something unique to an event of this size and right now we are working away in the studio on some re-edits, exclusive mixes, dynamics and tricks. We will also be testing out some new material, one track featuring the beautiful vocals of NYC singer and all-round angel, Wynter Gordon.
Hot & Dry Weekend celebrates the impending summer heat during Victoria Day Weekend
Danny Légaré
The BBCM Foundation, makers of the annual Black & Blue Festival, is holding its annual nod to the imminent summer with its Hot & Dry Weekend, which takes place this year from May 21 to 24. The main events will occur on Saturday May 22 and Sunday May 23.
The Hot & Dry Party is the second biggest event organized by the BBCM Foundation after the Black & Blue and is a crowd favorite for locals and tourists alike. Be sure to catch the Hot & Dry Party and a variety of events all weekend long during the famed Queen’s birthday.
The Hot & Dry Party will feature DJ Norm and VJ Dan Saycool at the infamous Sky Club (3rd Floor) on Saturday May 22 from 10pm-3am. Once the glitter has settled after last call at Sky, head on over to Circus Afterhours to take in Italy’s biggest dance music import, The Cube Guys, who'll be providing their staple progressive-tribal-vocal-house sound along with our very own homegrown talent, Domenic Pandolfo, and Montreal-born, West Coast-based DJ / “Rhythm Therapist” Mat St. Marie. As someone who cites Michael Jackson, Kraftwerk and Victor Calderone as influences, Mat St. Marie is definitely someone who covers all his bases. Not to be missed!
After a disco nap you'll be primed for the next day of festivities that starts off with the official Hot & Dry Brunch at Restaurant le Planète followed by the official Hot & Dry Tea Dance at Sky Pub featuring local promoter/DJ Mike Savoie and Montreal’s very own unspoken DJ treasure, Ian Key. This year’s Fresh! Party takes place at Parking Nightclub and begins at 6pm, featuring local DJs/house superheroes Paskal & Vesselinov while David Morales, a perennial Montreal favorite, headlines the event. With no tickets being sold prior to the event, patrons are asked to get their tickets at the door. If any of the previous events that featured Morales at Parking is any indication, you’ll be sure to know to get there early and designate line-up “shifts” amongst you and your clubbing pals. We Montrealers know the drill when it comes to a hot party, so these kinds of arrangements are mere semantics.
The Fresh! Party continues at Circus Afterhours with After Fresh! featuring the cream of the crop in progressive house and trance from the UK and beyond. Nick Fanciulli --who has been called upon to remix a plethora of acts that include Underworld, Kylie and Deep Dish-- brings his brand of electro progressive house to the Circus main stage. Also performing at the After Fresh! Party is the euphoric, tech-driven trance ofRonski Speed, who has been in just about every major dance music port in the world. Joining them is Bart Claessen, a DJ from Holland who as Barthezz had two major hits in the early 00’s with “On the Move” and “Infected”. Tipped as one of the biggest names to look out for in 2010, Claessen’s tracks are played by all the Tiesto’s and van Burren’s, making this party almost a triple bill. Definitely worth the $25 cover charge if you’re looking for something different, refreshing (hence the name of the party) and a good taste of the finest progressive house and trance DJs from across the pond.
The Hot & Dry Weekend winds it down with Les Lundis de l’Humour (Hot & Dry edition) at Cabaret Mado, featuring the city’s finest drag personas and entertainers. A portion of the proceeds going to the Fondation d’Aide Directe-SIDA Montreal.
For more information regarding the Hot & Dry Weekend, including ticket prices and points of sale, please go to
Montreal-based singer/songwriter TigerBilly sets his sights on the future
Photo: Isabelle Sénécal
Danny Légaré
A quick glance at local vocal impresario Tommy Morin, aka Tigerbilly, and you have nothing but admiration for this charming and talented individual. Having crossed the global front as a singer/songwriter (not to mention an accomplished competitive figure skater), Tigerbilly is a bona fide local treasure. After performing his songs on various Montreal stages (Parking, Sky, Unity), Tigerbilly now has his sights set on solidifying his creative path.
After getting his stage name from a high school nickname, TigerBilly took to the stage with his amassed repertoire of self-penned pop songs and his flawless stage mantra. His performance skills leave an impression on the audience that he was born to be on stage. With a bright and positive attitude in tow and an unmatched talent to entertain, the very articulate and opinionated Tigerbilly is a name you will be hearing a lot of in the time to come. 2B managed to grab the attention of the infamously busy Tigerbilly to catch up on his past, present and future.
2B: Do you remember your first vocal performance in front of a live audience?
TigerBilly: Absolutely! As a teenager I was singing in a gospel choir, and we opened our first show with my solo performance. We had been told our crowd would consist of mainly a few nuns, priests and gospel music lovers. But when I got up on stage it turned out to be this huge crowd of 7,500 people. I don't think I've ever felt more nervous in my life than at that precise moment.
2B: Who would you say would be your biggest influence(s) and why?
TB: My biggest influences are various. From Pet Shop Boys, Robbie Williams, En Vogue, Kylie Minogue to Madonna, Goldfrapp, Janet Jackson and Lady GaGa... She combines the catchiest tracks with the most dramatic live performances. As busy as she is, she still finds the time to scream at President Obama at a gay rights rally on Capitol Hill and to perform for the Queen in England. In the span of a year, this woman has somehow managed to get the whole world turning in the palm of her hand. She is unbelievable.
How did your singing career come about? Was it an overnight success or have been you honing your skills for some time?
After performing in musicals and a few events, I realized that I enjoyed performing on stage, but I was bored of singing songs that meant nothing to me at all. So I started writing my own songs and learned how to produce my own music. I think I must have spent a million hours working in studios. Learning how to make music is a very long process; it's like learning a foreign language, and that language becomes the vehicle of your creativity.
One night I met the then-promoter of Stereo nightclub at a private party and we talked about my music, as I had just come back from recording "Turn Me On" at the studio. I made him a copy of the song, and the following Saturday, while I was at Unity II nightclub with a bunch of my friends, I heard my song playing! A few weeks later I was invited to perform "Turn Me On" live at both Unity II and Sky nightclubs. Soon after, my song was being played regularly at clubs and I was invited to perform many other shows.
It is also known that you have done some figure skating in your time. How has that helped you for your live performances?
Being a competitive athlete has definitely taught me how to manage stress. Once you have competed at the national championships, especially in a country which is home to some of the world's best male figure skaters, it takes a lot to rattle your nerves. As an athlete, I learned discipline. I learned determination. If I fell, I learned how to get back on my feet. All these skills have helped me tremendously as a person and as a musician.
You recently performed at the the Electrosexual event at Parking. How did that gig come about?
It was DJ K-nox, the creator and host of this monthly event, who invited me to perform when he heard a remix of my song "Lovetoy". I was very excited, especially when I found out that Dave Audé, one of my favorite producers, was going to headline the event. I was invited to perform again on New Year's Eve.
According to your MySpace page, you have also performed in Milan, Italy. How did the performance at Gasoline Rock Club come about?
I was in Milan performing with Holiday on Ice for two weeks. One night I went out to Gasoline Rock Club with my friend Stefania, and by chance we met two women who turned out to be the managers of the club. They took us all around the city and introduced us to a lot of people. We had a lot of fun that night. Eventually we ended up talking about my music and when they heard a remix of my song "Turn Me On", they said I was the male version of Kylie Minogue! And they immediately booked me for a live gig.
Do you see yourself being exclusive to the club scene?
Absolutely not. I love the club scene, there is something magical about performing in the middle of the night in front of hundreds of beautiful people on their worst behaviour. But there are many other scenes that I want to be part of. I would love to go on a world tour eventually. I once performed for a group of kids from Belgium, who were visiting Canada as part of the Make-a-Wish foundation. Most of them had less than a year left to live, and visiting Canada was the dream they had chosen to realize. They interviewed me for a Belgian TV program. It was one of the most life-changing experiences I have ever had.
Now, according to your Facebook fanpage, it says that “an emerging artist on the electro-pop music scene, Tiger Billy has multi-tasked in more than 20 countries.” In what ways has TigerBilly been multi-tasking in these 20 countries?
I have performed as an ice skater, a professional dancer and a singer in precisely 22 countries. At times, when I had some time off I would book myself a performance in a local nightclub. Like at Gasoline Rock Club in Milan, for example. I'd be performing in an ice show during the day, then at night I would perform at a club, often with two of the skaters from the show as my back-up dancers. We would spend our days off working on the choreography and making ourselves matching outfits. Typically a sport outfit for me and cheerleader dresses and pom-poms for the girls. I love performing in sports gear.
How do you feel about having your songs remixed by other producers? Do you have any production skills?
I do have production skills, as I have written, composed and produced 100% of my material. A few of my songs have been remixed to house versions by producers, and I am looking forward to having more of my music reworked. I love it when talented producers add their own touch of magic to my music.
As a songwriter, do you write about anything in particular? Is there an overlying theme to your songs?
I have written about so many things. Good break-ups, bad break-ups, sex, infatuation, life, death, positive and negative life experiences, love, addiction... Most of my songs are autobiographical. I am currently recording a song called "Disappearance". It's about trying to come to terms with why someone you really care about has decided to end their own life. I'm also working on a song about Japan called "Chiba, Makuhari", which is the city where Elvis Stojko won his first world figure skating title. The song is a shout-out to all my Japanese friends and to Utada Hikaru, who is one of Japan's most successful recording artists of all time. I'm completely fascinated with her.
How do you feel you have progressed as a singer/songwriter since you first started out?
I have traveled around the world since I started making music, I have seen so much, and I have met beautiful people that have inspired me both artistically and spiritually. I feel that I now have better tools to translate my creativity into music, from both working in the studio and experiencing life. And my vocals are stronger.
Who would be your dream producer?
I have tons of dream producers! Guy Chambers, Calvin Harris, Pet Shop Boys, Basement Jaxx, Xenomania, Dave Audé, Chris Lake, Danja, Deadmau5, Sébastien Léger, Cathy Dennis, Groove Armada, Richard X, Will.i.am, Goldfrapp, Red One, Darkchild. The one producer I would most like to work with someday is Kaskade.
What does the future look like for TigerBilly?
I'm barely able to make plans for the next weekend! Short term-wise, I have to meet my costume designer for new stage costumes. And I am recording like crazy. I have nine new tracks to finish and then I want to start recording my debut album. Then a second, and a third. I would like to make music videos, perform more shows. Ultimately, I would like to embark on an international tour and return to parts of the world I have already visited, and also discover the ones I haven't.
As an up and coming vocalist, what would be the best advice you can give to the aspiring singers out there?
Write your own material. Record as much as possible, it will help you get comfortable in the studio and you will learn what makes you sound your best. Don't be afraid to experiment. And most importantly, don't give up... unless you have lost your passion.
Out magazine lists 'most influential' gays, lesbians
Rex Wockner
Ellen DeGeneres is America's "most influential" gay man or woman, according to Out magazine's fourth annual "Power 50" list.
"Since DeGeneres replaced Paula Abdul as a judge on American Idol in February, millions upon millions of viewers are getting a double dose of the hugely popular talk show host and 12-time Emmy winner," Out said. "The American Express and Covergirl pitchwoman's reach is nearly unparalleled. ... A passionate advocate for marriage equality, an avid opponent of 'don't ask, don't tell,' and staunch defender of animal rights, DeGeneres's enormous platform is many an American's gain."
Others near the top of the list include MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, singer Adam Lambert, actor Neil Patrick Harris, Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese and U.S. Reps. Tammy Baldwin, Jared Polis and Barney Frank.
For the full list, see out.com/power50.
Clash of the Trance Titans
Two international trance DJ heavyweights battle it out with their respective dj-mixed compilations
Danny Légaré
Once Upon A Night: Mixed by Ferry Corsten
Various Artists
Premier/Ultra
vs
A State of Trance 2010: Mixed by Armin van Buuren
Various Artists
Armada Music
Once upon a time, there were three young, bright-eyed boys from Holland who ruled the international trance music scene with an iron glove. Between the three, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten and Tijs Verwest (aka Tiesto) have amassed long and distinguished careers releasing memorable club anthems, producing and remixing their own releases and transforming some of the world’s biggest artists into dance floor staples. With Tiesto taking a giant leap backwards and using a different approach to his musical style, that leaves Corsten and van Buuren to keep hope alive.
At the same time, almost to the day, both Deutchland natives released their newest double CDs , DJ-mixed compilations: Ferry Corsten’s “Once Upon a Night” (March 29, 2010) and Armin van Buuren’s “A State of Trance 2010” (April 2, 2010). The timing of both releases provides ample opportunity for a good-natured comparison between the two DJ/producers, who both respectively and successfully hold down their own record label, produce a weekly radio show and figure in the top ten of DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list for the last few years, with van Buuren holding the top spot for the last 2 years.
Many a DJ has released compilation after compilation featuring the hits du jour in a seamless flow, designed to bring the club home to the listener-- this is nothing new. What’s interesting in this duel of the fates is that while both CD sets bring home the ‘trance sound’ to the listener and both were privy to lavish viral marketing campaigns overseas, one of the compilations remains to be a release that will sell primarily on name recognition while the other sells from its sheer bravado, craft and brilliance.
It is very rare for a high profile DJ to actually release a mixed compilation comprised entirely of tracks that have yet to see a commercial release. Ferry Corsten's two disc opus “Once Upon a Night” takes on that very approach with a two and half hour journey through the best of house and trance. What makes this mixed CD set unique is that all 25 tracks have been exclusively produced for this release. The concept behind “Once Upon a Night” was to segue a selection of unreleased tracks together that would best represent Corsten’s experiences as a globe trotting DJ/producer. That being said, while van Buuren’s ‘A State of Trance 2010’ brandishes a mighty sword in featuring the Armin van Buuren trademark, it lacks the depth that makes Corsten’s “Once Upon a Night” such a pure joy to listen from start to finish.
Armin van Buuren has been dishing out the annual “A State of Trance” compilation as a series since 2004 and every year the double CD set would include his “future favorites” and other hand-picked tracks. The 2010 installment features as-of-yet-unreleased tracks like van Buuren’s remix of Faithless’ “Not Going Home” that --despite being one of the most anticipated releases of 2010 so far-- is forgettable, messy and a downright insult to the Faithless collective. “ASOT 2010” also includes anthems that have already played the rounds in the DJ circuit, scuh as Velvetine’s “Safe (Wherever You Are)” and Jer Martin’s “Ten Minutes to Midnight”, making the ‘futuristic’ compilation already sound dated. Even the inclusion of Gaia’s gorgeous, sweeping “Aisha” and Mat Zo’s “Near the End” couldn’t save the overall release from falling flat with big names and even bigger disappointment.
In regards to Ferry Corsten’s “Once Upon a Night”, Disc 1 features a more sublime and progressive feel with notable releases from Yuri Kane, beginning the set with two of his tracks “Right Back” & “Round You”. The CD continues with the progressive chugger “Salt Tank presents Meet Me at the Burning Man - Leaving Town (Allende Mix)” and Phynn’s “Hello Love” . Disc 2 reveals more “banging” peak-hour type stuff with Bert Claasen giving us the moody “Hartseer”, Ferry himself under his Pulse moniker is represented by the uplifting trancer “Once” and wrapping it all up we are treated with Breakfast’s epic reworking of BT’s “The Unbreakable”. The beauty in this release is that there are no filler tracks, and the sound and vibe of the overall compilation will remain fresh long after ASOT 2010’s expiry date. Also, while van Buuren uses a more ‘cut and paste’ type mixing, Corsten lets the tracks breathe and fully develop, which eases the flow and ebb of “Once Upon a Night”.
If you had the chance to see and hear Ferry Corsten at Bal en Blanc 16, you were introduced to most of the tracks figuring on this release and got a good idea of how well these tracks stand up in a big room. It’s a very bold move for Corsten to do something like this when most other DJs would take the cushy route and ride on the coattails of the biggest anthems to drive sales at the cash. Perhaps it’s the simultaneous release of both “A State of Trance 2010” and “Once Upon a Night”, leaving both to battle it out for the most downloads or scans at the cash, but it’s Ferry Corsten and his willingness to throw caution to the wind that shines and stands tall amongst the mighty Armin van Buuren, at least this time around.
Once Upon A Night: Mixed by Ferry Corsten and A State of Trance 2010: Mixed by Armin van Buuren are available now in stores and in all digital outlets.
Obama requires hospitals to recognize gay families
Rex Wockner
President Barack Obama on April 15 ordered hospitals to recognize gay families for purposes of visitation rights and medical powers of attorney.
The mandate -- contained in a memorandum instructing Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to prepare and publish the actual rules -- will apply to any hospital that receives Medicare or Medicaid funding, which is almost all hospitals.
"Gay and lesbian Americans ... are often barred from the bedsides of the partners with whom they may have spent decades of their lives -- unable to be there for the person they love, and unable to act as a legal surrogate if their partner is incapacitated," Obama said.
"(A)ll too often, people are made to suffer or even to pass away alone, denied the comfort of companionship in their final moments while a loved one is left worrying and pacing down the hall."
The mandate also will prohibit hospitals from denying visitation privileges on the basis of gender identity.
More than meets the eye: Marco da Silva
From folk dancer to performing on international tours, Marco da Silva is living his dream
Danny Legare
At a first glance, Marco da Silva’s striking mug would dissolve the biggest of the world’s depleting ice caps. And that’s putting it lightly. But not one to make a fuss about da Silva’s magnetic allure, this wonderboy has got more flint under his belt than one would think. From his modest beginnings in the ‘90s as a prize-winning Portuguese folk dancer, da Silva had his sights set on entertaining the masses with his plethora of soon-to-be-realized talents. At that point in his life his aspirations were focused on stage and television, but it was during the turn of the new millennium that he recorded a #1 chart topper, a cover of Ritchie Valen’s “La Bamba”. Being in photo shoots and gracing magazine covers became his next forté yet his stage mantra led many of the world’s biggest stars (Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Madonna to name a few) to call upon him to map out dance numbers on their respective tours. It was none other than with Kylie Minogue’s infamous USA 2009 Tour that finally brought Marco da Silva to North American shores. Not one to be complacent with his current roster of talents, in 2008 da Silva embarked on a childhood dream: becoming a DJ. With none other than Peter Rauhofer guiding him as his mentor, Marco da Silva’s international status is once again on the rise. He has since secured several residencies with some of the biggest promoters and clubs in the world. These opportunities lead him to play at MATINEE Circuit Party in Barcelona, the biggest gay Circuit Festival in the world with over 20,000 people in attendance.
With two memorable and solid DJ gigs brandishing his deep, sexy, tribal house in Montreal, it’s safe to say that we haven’t seen or heard the last from Marco da Silva.
2B: How did you know that being a performer was your calling?
Marco da Silva: I started really early to compete in Portuguese folkloric dancing, since that is my heritage. By doing this, I quickly became comfortable on stage and with being in front of the audience at a very early age.I felt more at home on stage rather then off, so it was very clear to me that I wanted to be a performer of any kind!
2B: What was your first memory of dancing/performing in front of people?
MdS: I don’t really remember the feeling of being on stage since I was probably 6 years old, but I do remember my first professional job-- and that was the biggest thrill because dancing behind an artist is the coolest thing.
According to the bio on your website, you decided to create your own company at the age of eleven years old, after spending seven years in folklore dance groups. That’s pretty ambitious for a pre-teen. What were your influences as a dancer at such a young age?
My biggest influence was definitely Michael Jackson. I was obsessed with him. I never wanted to move or dance like Michael, but I always wanted to be one of his back-up dancers. Little did I know or understand at the time, what it was exactly that you need to be one of his dancers. But he was my number one influence. Things became more intense when I found out about Janet Jackson, as she took everything to a different level for me and she is still a major artist that I look up to.
Your modeling career has your likeness gracing international magazine covers and representing some of the biggest brands in the world. What can you tell us about the inspiration behind the painting Ross Watson did featuring you, in a white sheet surrounded by what seems like onlookers?
You’re right! I had the privilege and honor of being on many international covers all over the world, which to this day flatters me. About a year ago, Ross Watson contacted me for the first time. I got very excited! It is such a different thing then just to be a model… Having an artist wanting to paint you is very intense and personal, especially since he has painted celebrities like the lead singer of the Scissor Sisters and the Australian National League. He even has clients like Elton John…
Ross and I finally got together in Berlin and produced this amazing piece of art.
How was that project different from any of the other modeling work you have done?
The procedure was more personal because it was more about me rather than me being sexy for others. Also getting completely naked in front of a complete stranger does take a little time to feel comfortable. Believe it of not, I was naked under them sheets.
Do you usually occupy yourself with one talent at a time or do you find there is an overlap or underlying theme in all that you do?
There is an overlap everyday… in the morning I usually take care of my business emails, whether it’s be DJ work or Model stuff. Midday I go to the gym. Throughout the day I take dance classes. Two times a week I take acting class at night, I spend time home networking on Facebook or doing something creative… I never waste my time because I can never learn enough.
Your debut on American shores was as a dancer on Kylie Minogue’s USA 2009 tour, the same tour that brought you to Canada for the first time with a DJ gig in Toronto. What was your reaction to the North American audience after having such a high profile overseas?
It was a very special tour for me. Since I was a little kid, I wanted to live in North America and, of course, perform there. I went on this tour with a three year VISA in my hand knowing that the USA would be my new home. This tour will forever stay in my mind-- though Toronto was actually our biggest stop on the tour… Now I can officially say that I am living my dream to the fullest.
Was your decision to become a DJ a gradual progression?
A good teenage friend of mine was a DJ back in the day and I always watched him, thinking that I would love to learn how to DJ. I think being a DJ has a sexual appeal since you are in control of all the people in the club… you tell them where to go with their energy and there is NOTHING better than getting a positive reaction when you choose the right song at the right moment. Such an incredible adrenaline kick!
Would you say that having been on a dance floor or on a stage for so many years has helped you to understand the people dancing in front of you when you are spinning a set?
Without a doubt! I believe it because it showed and paid off in my learning procedure. I understood in a very short time what it takes technically to become a DJ and my years of being a club kid definitely helped to understand music and where music can take people. The best DJ is the one that knows how to take the people on the dance floor on a journey…
You said on your blog that you were excited to play in Montreal for the first time after hearing that Montreal guys are the hottest. Any fond memories of Montreal and how did the guys match up?
Hell yeah! Montreal has definitely something to offer. I was pretty impressed and all the rumors were true-- and I only was there for a day! Looking forward to playing a Saturday night to see what Montreal is really all about.
Dancer, model, choreographer and now DJ. What’s the next step for Marco da Silva?
For the lonely boy who painted his nails by flashlight under his covers only to remove the polish before his parents saw in the dawn’s early light; for the girl who stood in her lacy bra and panties, reveling in the voluminous curves and sweet expanses of her flesh that the mirror showed; for those who spat on those magazines filled with “women’s fashion” and for those who kept them, cutting them up, and pasting them into combinations new, fabulous, beautiful; for those who like tight clothes, flowing skirts, sparkles, fluttering lashes, thigh high boots, big hair, glossed lips, shaved skin, and, most importantly, subversion…
This book is for you
Brazen Femme: Queering Femininity is a 2002 Arsenal Pulp Press offering edited by the Torontonian bohemians Chloe Brushwood Rose and Anna Camilleri. With less than 200 pages, two dozen contributors, and 34 pieces, this anthology is far from a dry, academic, theory-laden read—despite the “Lesbian Studies” and “Cultural Studies” labeled on the back. Already, the cover is daring you to redefine femininity, with a be-ringed woman’s hand holding a bare knife, point down into the chair, in front of her spread open thighs. To the editors “femme might be described as ‘femininity gone wrong’ – bitch, slut, nag, whore, cougar, dyke, or brazen hussy”, a concept the book attempts to capture through the “experiences of femme also complicated by maleness, by racist queers and racism, by transsexuality, by the politics of fat, by class, by age, and by institutionalization.” The work presented in this collection is mostly first-person written narratives, handfuls of poetry heavy with italics, sporadic photographs and paintings, a couple of entertaining comics, an interview, a creative third-person imagining (“Quantum Femme” by Elizabeth Ruth), and a food-for-thought “Fem(me)inist Manifesto” (by Lisa Duggan and Kathleen McHugh) to finish it all off.
Some might have originally picked up the book because of the queer big names found within its pages, such as Michelle Tea, Sky Gilbert or Leah Lakshmi-Piepzna Samarasinha (I know I did), but I was quickly captivated by the all the various experiential pieces. I was immersed into their world so that I could see how they defined “femme” in their own terms. Through these narratives I was able to make more sense of my own. I felt supported, bolstered, inspired, and utterly more respectful of what it is to be femme. As a self-identified androgyn, I felt, on some level, that I didn’t “get it”—the femme/butch dichotomy—and thus I couldn’t be a part of it. But I realized that some of the roles I slip in and out of, some of the ways I carry myself, some of my own experiences, are very powerfully femme. I take pride and solace in that, and in what this book has taught me about myself and especially about other people.
While I find it bold that the anthology attempts to scrutinize “femme” without the “butch” attached to it, I don’t think the book attempts to separate femme from butch completely—nor do I think that’s possible. According to their own definitions, femme is “queering femininity”, and by that logic butch should be “queering masculinity”. As long as femininity and masculinity are defined against each other in a binary fashion, then the femme and butch dichotomy exists. However, the act of “queering” something, of exploring and subverting stagnant or constricting social/sexual roles, is a process of transformation that could eventually lead to “femme” being a concept that stands on its own, self-defined and self-defining.
This book is a must-read for those who want to know where femme is going and especially for those who want the solidarity and affirmation of where their femme selves are coming from.
Queer Festival Underlines the Need for Non-Commercial LGBT Community Space
Michael Dion
This year`s Radical Queer Semaine outdid itself. With 3 political conferences, 4 film screenings, 3 performance nights, 3 direct actions and 17 political and cultural workshops, the 10-day festival would have been more aptly named ‘’Radical Queer Semaine and a Half’’. Quebec Solidaire candidate for the village riding of Sainte-Marie Saint-Jacques captured the spirit of the week best during the opening debate on Sexuality in Politics when she said, ‘’We’ve all been saying how we need a place where men, women, trans, gays, lesbians, feminists, sex workers, can meet and collaborate. We’ve found it. We’re here.’’
One of the highlights of the week was drag skating in support of American Olympic Figure skater Johnny Weir. Weir was the victim of homophobic and heterosexist comments from several Quebec radio personalities during the Vancouver Winter Olympics. In support of the figure skater, a dozen members of RQS took to the local skating rink at 1000 de la Gauchetière West in drag, a rink frequented primarily by families and young children. One member of RQS was asked by a young boy if he was a boy or a girl. He replied, ‘’I’m a boy who is wearing a dress. Just because I’m wearing a dress, it doesn’t mean I’m a woman.’’ Upon reflection, the mother replied, ‘’That is a very good lesson for my son.’’ The action forced parents to broach the subject of gender with their children, rather than letting it remain taboo.
The following were some of the political workshops presented during the festival: Trans Identity, Sex Work: Stigma and Challenges, Finding Your Normativity, Anti-Capitalist Romance, Queer Tango, Organising a Trans-Visibility Action, Non-Masculine Men, and Queer 101. Platonic Speed Dating: a Community-Building Exercise was a frank success, allowing introverts and extroverts alike to get to know anyone and everyone-- but only for 5 minutes. Holding the event at the beginning of the week added to the relaxed feeling created in the space.
The organisers also made an impressive effort to be inclusive. They mounted a safe space campaign throughout the week to promote and maintain an environment safe from harassment and oppression for those participating. An active listener was present at every event to mediate any conflicts or reactions. Most of their events were presented in both languages, with volunteer whispering translators to fill in the gaps.
RQS organiser Bruno Dion gushed to 2B about the event. ‘’It has been so great to occupy this space this week. People have felt so welcome. We are always so delighted to see the mix of women, men, trans, old, young, anglo and franco. The space has been so conducive to collaboration and learning. We even had someone who walked in by accident and ended up coming out of the closet for the first time an hour later and staying the whole evening for the workshops. The presence of this space, however, has just underlined the necessity for a non-commercial community space for LGBT people in Montreal.’’
‘’Though Montreal’s gay village is highly developed,” Dion continues, “there is no LGBT community centre, and most space is devoted to commercial establishments. Commercial space encourages consumption, is less accessible to the young (who are often the most affected by homophobia and transphobia), and is often dominated by gay men.’’ Organisers hope to work on creating a permanent space for queers, but for now, one thing is for sure-- Radical Queer Semaine will be back next year.
New York City
Gays arrested at marriage license bureau
Rex Wockner
Four members of a new ACT UP-like group known as Queer Rising were arrested in Manhattan on Feb. 12 after chaining themselves to the entrance of the New York City Marriage Bureau.
Alan Bounville, Jake Goodman, Justin Elzie and Gabriel Yuri Bollag sought equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.
Dozens of gay marriage supporters cheered them on.
Twenty same-sex couples went inside and tried to obtain marriage licenses. They were rebuffed.
A gay man and a lesbian then presented themselves as a faux couple, asked for a license and were given one.
"New York City is home to the Stonewall Riots and in that tradition we are here to say
that equality doesn't arrive through the ballot box," said Queer Rising spokesperson
Spring Super.
"The bankrupt strategy of putting all efforts into electing so-called friendly officials
has failed," Super said. "We must shift to building a grassroots, national movement that demands full equality by any means necessary."
The four activists were charged with obstructing government administration and disorderly conduct. On Feb. 20, they agreed to "adjournment contemplating dismissal," which will occur in six months if they are not arrested again before then.
"As long as the state of New York maintains a policy which codifies that the love between two men or two women is inferior to the love between a man and a woman, these actions will continue," said the activists' lawyer, Ted Bohn.
"This was only the beginning," he said. "We are grateful, however, to (New York County District Attorney) Cy Vance for recognizing that those arrested in furtherance of civil rights should not be treated like criminals."
New York state recognizes same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions but does not allow them itself.
Same-sex marriage is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. It also is legal in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Sweden -- and in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province. It will become legal in Washington, D.C., in March and in Portugal later this year.
Same-sex couples were able to marry in California for 4 1/2 months in 2008 until voters amended the state constitution to put a stop to it.
Maine legalized same-sex marriage in 2009 but voters repealed the new law before it took effect.
Australian Senate rejects same-sex marriage bill
Rex Wockner
Australia's Senate rejected a measure to legalize same-sex marriage Feb. 26. The vote was 5-45. Twenty-six senators failed to vote.
The bill, introduced by the Greens, was opposed by the Labor, Family First and Liberal/National/Country Liberal Coalition parties.
"The Coalition believes the (opposite-sex) definition of marriage, as contained in the existing provisions of the Marriage Act, reflects the standards and mores of contemporary Australia," said Liberal Sen. George Brandis.
The organization Australian Marriage Equality denounced the vote and vowed to make same-sex marriage an election issue.
"It is arrogant of (Prime Minister) Kevin Rudd and (Liberal leader) Tony Abbott to ignore the 60 percent of Australians who, opinion polls show, support same-sex marriage", said AME National Convener Alex Greenwich.
"However, the fact that 26 senators were absent from today's debate is an indication that there is dissent in the ranks of the major parties, dissent which we believe will only grow. Because the leaders of the major parties are clearly deaf to the wishes of mainstream Australia we have no choice but to make this an election issue when the nation goes to the polls later this year," Greenwich said.
AME said "there's no such thing as half equal" and criticized same-sex "relationship registers" as conferring an unacceptable second-class status.
A Galaxy poll released last June found that 60 percent of Australians support same-sex marriage, including 64 percent of Labor voters and 50 percent of Coalition voters.
