Master-stroke Maestro might be the most sophisticated portrait of bisexuality ever filmed Review by Arnold Wayne Jones

Master-stroke

Maestro might be the most sophisticated portrait of bisexuality ever filmed

Review by Arnold Wayne Jones

Courtesy of Netflix

We all know that homosexuality didn’t exist until Uncle Miltie wore a dress, hippies started smoking weed and k.d. Lang won a Grammy. It’s caused by fluoridated water, Will & Grace marathons, gender-neutral pronouns and vegan options in public school cafeterias. 

Yeah, right. Sadly, honest portrayals and discussions of sexual orientation have been suppressed for centuries – by the church, by society, by an unspoken gentlemen’s agreement by journalists and pop culture gatekeepers. Gay men were “confirmed bachelors;” lesbians “old maids;” queer love was “infatuation” or “sickness” … if acknowledged at all. The cascade effect of this imposed ignorance was more than to ignore, more to demonize – it was to make an entire subculture invisible. And when you can’t see evidence of a culture, even if you’re a member of it, you have no role models, no guideposts, no standards to live up to (or cautionary tales to avoid). That’s why most contemporary portrayals of gay life in America in the mid-20th century tend to focus on the covertness, the shame, or the dangers of being gay at certain times. Even good queer cinema (and period TV shows) like Brokeback Mountain, Fellow Traveler or Philadelphia tend toward emphasizing the tragedy. The pall over the protagonists’ lives go hand-in-glove with the genre itself. 

On its surface, the new film Maestro looks like a traditional biopic about the great American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein – both his professional achievements and his personal tribulations, especially his marriage to Felicia Montealegre. But anyone who doesn’t walk away from Maestro with the understanding that it is a towering and multilayered portrait of an unapologetically bisexual icon has largely missed its point. This is a low-key instant classic of gay empowerment moviemaking.

Courtesy of Netflix

As contemporary biopics go, Maestro is sweeping in its coverage. Starting from Bernstein’s first success as a last-minute substitute conducting the New York Philharmonic for a radio broadcast and becoming an instant darling of the glitterati, it tracks his long, impressive career as a conductor, composer, personality and husband and father. But all along, he was also happily bisexual. In many films, that would be a throwaway point, or entirely ignored (I’m lookin’ at you, Beautiful Mind!); here, it’s seamlessly integrated into the fabric of Bernstein’s life. 

Its clarion point of view is evident as early as the second scene, when a young(ish) Bernstein receives the call that will launch his career. At the time, he’s in bed with his male lover and celebrates briefly by kissing the man on his posterior. If the lead actor (and director/co-screenwriter/producer) were a star less shimmering than Bradley Cooper, the casual sexuality of this scene, and many others throughout the film, would be omitted. But Cooper’s charisma, mojo and artistic boldness allow him the confidence to show Bernstein as a complete and complicated person – one who, despite having no template for how to be queer and in the public eye, managed to live his life, his way.

That’s admirable, but it certainly didn’t make it easy on his family. It wasn’t being bisexual that vexed his home life (though it was a part of it); it was the overwhelming Leonard Bernsteinness of him that did. 

The film is called Maestro for a reason. It’s not merely that the term is the preferred honorific for an orchestra conductor, it’s that Bernstein was constitutionally incapable of being second chair to anymore. Friendships, colleagues, children, wife – they were all instruments to be orchestrated in service of his magnum opus: His own life. 

Megalomaniac antiheroes are nothing new as biopics go, but few have come off as charming as Bernstein. The son of Ukrainian Jews who grew up in a Massachusetts mill town, Lenny reinvented himself as an urban sophisticate, graduating from Harvard and affecting a Mid Atlantic accent to seem as polished as New York society allowed. It was in this rarefied atmosphere that he met Felicia (Carey Mulligan), herself an immigrant who sounded as if she was exuded fully formed from the Upper West Side. Lenny never hid his bisexuality from Felicia (or, it seems, his friends and colleagues), but that doesn’t mean it didn’t create complications (serial infidelity will do that, no matter the orientation of the partner). All the while, Bernstein only begrudgingly admitted any culpability as he tried to charm his way around Felicia’s feelings. Different rules for geniuses.

And a genius he was. Maestro captures all the facets of Bernstein’s gifts, and Cooper embodies each brilliantly: The ease of his manner, the fearsomeness of his talent, the speed of his wit. The script (also by Cooper) sizzles with Old Hollywood glam.

Courtesy of Netflix

Cooper’s performance is exceptional, but he’s largely matched by Mulligan’s simmering wife. There’s less for her to work with, but as they said about Ginger Rogers – she did everything Fred Astaire did, only backward and in high heels – Mulligan makes it a duel. The best scene in the movie is a confrontation between Lenny and Felicia on Thanksgiving Day. In a medium long shot with no cuts, the two argue passionately, twisting the corkscrews deeper and from different angles, until it’s a draw. The realism not merely of the dialogue but of the way the words cascade out of their mouths, folding over one another in an unending tapestry of ideas. 

The heavy dialogue and emotional reality are Cooper’s best achievement as a director. His decision to film half in black and white and half in a faded approximation of Metrocolor seems a bit twee. This is also the second recent major film (following Saltburn) to shoot in academy ratio, which again comes off as an effort to suggest home movies that caught the actual events… so of course they become color once the 1960s arrive. 

Interestingly, the film ends not with Lenny’s death (in 1990, at age 72) but soon after Felicia’s in 1978 – a choice that only underscores how the marriage of these two was the signature achievement of Bernstein’s existence. He wasn’t a gay man resigned to a marriage of convenience with a woman, but a true bisexual who contentedly straddled multiple worlds: Gay and straight, classical and pop cultures, orchestral music and Broadway, angel and devil. The film is as ambitious as the man himself.

Saltburn | Movie Review by Arnold Wayne Jones

Sick Burn

Saltburn Wallows in the Inevitability of Its Own Twisted Vision of the World  

Review by Arnold Wayne Jones

Emerald Fennell has only written and directed two feature films, but that’s enough for her to carve out a distinctive style… but also enough to become slightly predictable. She seems to take Aristotle’s dictum – that the best stories’ endings are both surprising and inevitable – profoundly to heart. In her acclaimed debut, Promising Young Woman, she told the story of Cassandra (Carey Mulligan), a woman who turns past trauma into a mission to seek vengeance against any men who exploit or assault women. Cassandra isn’t a murderer (her revenge is more of the cautionary “taste of your own medicine” variety) but we know from the start she’ll save the best for a gloriously over-the-top last – that’s the”inevitable” part. (Fennell even named her after the Greek mythological seer, who prophesied the future even though nobody ever believed her.) What we are surprised by (spoiler alert here) is that Cassandra’s plan goes off course and she herself ends up murdered well before the denouement – that’s the “surprise.” Delicious ending? Sure. But also a little unsatisfying – a bittersweet dessert, like a dark chocolate torte or lemon pie.

Her latest, Saltburn, is more sure-footed directorially, but like PYM, the ending is not a great surprise, though the journey often can be.

Fennell has shifted her focus from a disturbed woman to an even younger, even more disturbed man. The great, unsettling Barry Keoghan plays Oliver Quick, a scholarship-kid attending Oxford University, surrounded by nothing but spoiled rich kids who can’t resist maximizing their dickishness whenever he’s near them It’s not enough that they are privileged brats who could afford to show a little grace; they’re also attractive and clever and cool, and Oliver longs to be included in their world. Like an abused mutt, he slowly ingratiates himself to the athletic ringleader, Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi). Felix is gorgeous and charismatic but also a softie, and he becomes curious about this kid from the other side of the tracks. By social osmosis, Oliver is begrudgingly accepted into the fold by everyone except Farleigh (Archie Madekwe), himself a cash-poor relation of Felix, dependent in part on his family’s largesse. Oliver wheedles an invitation to Felix’s family estate, named Saltburn, for the summer, and there the sweet, unsuspecting naif mounts his grand scheme to be welcomed into class of the landed gentry.

None of this is unexpected – we suspect from the opening moments (the story is narrated by Oliver in flashback) that he had, and likely achieved, his master plan of social climbing. Many of the smaller twists along the way – specifically, Oliver’s life story predictably reveals itself as intentionally constructed, and not as dire as he pretends – don’t really catch us off guard, as Fennell’s track record or projecting her twists clues us in. And yet, the script does take some wild swings, basically by leap-frogging around plot points – even developments the audience may anticipate come at unexpected moments. (Calling the antihero lead Oliver Quick is a not-too-subtle mashup of Oliver Twist and his own improvisational machinations.) Ultimately, virtually every character ends up more or less where we would have imagined they would. But oh how fun it is getting there.

Fennell’s acid-tongued take on British society is so specific, it matters little that it might not be super fresh and inventive. She pulls no punches. 

The first thing we notice is her decision to shoot the film in Academy ratio instead of widescreen, giving it the voyeuristic quality of a hi-def home movie. Then the tight editing, lavish production design and rich musical score elevate the proceedings. 

Then, of course, there’s the dialogue, which crackles with secondary, even tertiary layers in the character-driven portrait of class differences. Unspoken tensions and rivalries  lurk under the battle between the haves and have-nots. Throwaway lines end up being some of the smartest bits, and darkly funny meta commentary.

The casting, and the performances she extracts from everyone, push Saltburn from predictable social satire to compelling art film. Keoghan has only been around a half-dozen years, but since his breakout role in The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and continuing through The Batman and The Banshees of Inisherin, he’s proven himself a resourceful and edgy character actor whose protean face both hides and reveals a tremendous amount of emotional depth. The Catton clan (Elordi, mom Rosamund Pike, dad Richard E. Grant, sister Alison Oliver) all function as “types” – rungs in Oliver’s ladder of success – but they deliver the goods. The homoerotic undercurrent suffuses the entire film with a dangerous, outsidery vibe. 

Fennell may rely on a smallish bag of tricks to tell her tales, but Saltburn shows she’s talented enough to turn those gimmicks into something unusual in cinema today – an outcome that is as inevitable as it is surprising.

Unleashed LGBTQ Unveils Full Lineup of LGBTQ+ Stars for September 2023 Show

From Antoni Porowski, Dyllón Burnside, Indya Moore, Billy Eichner, Zach Herrin, and other LGBTQ+ Icons, Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 Features a Stacked Lineup of Talent for First-Ever Live and In-Person Festival Dedicated to the LGBTQ+ Community

From Left to Right: Indya Moore, Antoni Porowski, Billy Eichner, Dyllón Burnside

DALLAS — SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 — Unleashed LGBTQ, a first-of-its-kind conference and entertainment festival creating a space for brands, artists, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, is excited to announce the official lineup for the first-ever Unleashed LGBTQ in-person and live event, taking place at Gilley’s in Dallas, Texas, from September 22 - 24, 2023. Some of the most prominent names in the LGBTQ+ community will be partaking in special panels, keynotes, workshops, screenings, performances, and engaging showcases throughout the weekend.

Headliners for the show include:

• Antoni Porowski | Emmy-Award Winning Show Queer Eye (Netflix), Host and Executive Producer of Easy-Bake Battle (Netflix), NYT Bestselling Author of Antoni in the Kitchen & Antoni: Let's do Dinner

• Dyllón Burnside | Emmy Award-Winning Show Pose, Emmy-Award winning PBS docuseries PRIDELAND, Golden Globe nominated limited series MONSTER. GLAAD & HRC award recipient

• Indya Moore | Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Saint Laurent Cosmetics, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom    

• Billy Eichner | Co-writer and Star of Bros (Universal Pictures), Billy on the Street, The Lion King (Disney), American Horror Story (FX), Difficult People (Hulu)

• Brian Sims | Former Penn State Rep., LGBTQ+ Advocate & Speaker, Managing Director of Government Affairs & Policy at Out Leadership, Board Member at Campus Pride & GLSEN

• Stacey Stevenson | CEO of Family Equality, Co-Founder of The Changists (Law Firm Consulting), LGBTQ+ Activist, Speaker, Mother of Two

• Zach Herrin | Professional Stock Car Racing Driver for NASCAR, Member of the Founding Class of the North American Expansion of Racing Pride

• Jayzen Patria | Host of the Lead With Your Brand! Podcast, Personal Branding expert and Diversity & Inclusion Thought Leader

• Naomi Green | Transgender Rights Advocate, Vice-Chair of the Allocations Committee of the Ryan White Planning Council of the Dallas Area, Business and Development Consultant for Crush Limits, Adjunct Professor of Marketing for Lone Star College

• Daniel Franzese | Mean Girls (Paramount Pictures), Ru Paul's Drag Race (MTV), Looking (HBO)     

• Ashley Brundage | President & CEO of Empowering Differences, Author of Empowering Differences, Transgender Advocate, Former DEI Vice President at PNC Bank, Mother

• Matt Skallerud | Founder & President of Pink Media, Host of #iLoveGayToday, former President of IGLTA, Award-Winning Online Marketer connecting businesses to the LGBTQ+ consumers

• LaMecia Butler | Program Manager of Supplier Diversity at Meta

• Dr. Carlton Thomas, Gastro-Intestinal Medical Doctor, Social Media Sensation, Contributor to Men's Health Magazine, LGBTQ+ Consultant to the White House & the CDC

• Brad Pritchett, Award-Winning Marketing Executive, Chief Experience Officer at DMA (Dallas Museum of Art), Host of The Good, The Brad, & The Ugly podcast

“We are so proud of the diverse array of talent we’ve brought on to partake in this monumental event that will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community like never before,” said Wesley Smoot, Founder of Unleashed LGBTQ. “It takes a unique group of talented, accomplished, and empowering voices to come together and bring the Unleashed LGBTQ vision to life. From A-list actors, athletes, celebrities, entrepreneurs, industry experts, thought leaders and more, it’s amazing to see how many different brilliant minds will be under the same roof at Gilley’s to celebrate how far our community has come.”

The three-day interactive event aims to bring the LGBTQ+ community together through thought-provoking conversations, endless entertainment, and educational workshops to celebrate the brilliance, innovation, and ground-breaking efforts taking place in the LGBTQ+ world.

Additionally, partnering with the iconic Alamo Drafthouse to host screenings of new LGBTQ+ content from streaming services, movie studios, and television networks.

Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is proud to have received support, endorsements, and/or grants from the following organizations: DTPID (Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District), Visit Dallas, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, NLGCC (National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), & IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association).

Other partners include Gilead Sciences, iHeart Media, equalpride, The Advocate, Pink Media, IHeartMedia, Virgin Hotels, Out Magazine, Dallas Voice, OUT North Texas and Virgin Hotels.

About UNLEASHED LGBTQ, LLC

Unleashed LGBTQ, a space for brands, entertainers, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, will host its inaugural, live event September 22nd - 24th, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. Attendees can learn about the latest products, services, and campaigns debuting in the LGBTQ+ market in a fun and interactive environment. Unleashed LGBTQ provides premier networking opportunities for professionals in a variety of industries. Unleashed LGBTQ will host speakers, panels, and performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ culture, including film, television, music, and business. Stay tuned for additional Talent announcements.

Tickets are currently on sale on the event website here: https://www.unleashedlgbtq.com For more information on partnerships and company group rates visit: www.unleashedlgbtq.com

CONTACT:

Nicole Rodrigues

NRPR Group for Unleashed LGBTQ

Nicole@nrprgroup.com

424-421-9610

To request press credentials email:

press@unleashedlgbtq.com

BEBE ZAHARA BENET RELEASES “HEAVY”

Photo Credit: Darin Kamnetz

Watch “Heavy” HERE

BeBe Zahara Benet, the iconic winner of the inaugural season of RuPaul's Drag Race, returns today with her thumping, bass-laden single, “Heavy.” “Heavy” follows Benet’s 2022 double release of “Waiting” and “Smoke Signals” and chart-topping AfroPop anthems “Banjo” and “Body on Me.” Fifteen singles in, the new release marks a sonic departure from Benet’s Afrobeat roots, but showcases the artist’s slick flow, sharp wit and uncanny ability to brag with charm.

Photo Credit: Darin Kamnetz

“As an artist, it’s always important to surprise my audience and keep them on their toes,” Benet says of the brassy banger. “‘Heavy’ is unexpected but is very much aligned with where I am as a person and as an artist in this moment. I’m telling my story and having fun.”

“Heavy” arrives with a futuristic and fashion-forward music video helmed by Assaad Yacoub, who previously directed Benet’s viral “Jungle Kitty” and “Banjo” visuals. “Heavy” is written by Ben Obi (producer), BeBe Zahara Benet, Taylor Hamilton and Diego Wyatt; and is released via Producer Entertainment Group/Warner Brothers/Savannah Street.

BeBe’s debut comedy special (Africa is Not a Country) is out now via Amazon Prime and Apple TV. BeBe is currently featured on the debut season of Drag Me to Dinner, out now on Hulu. She’ll bring NUBIA: A Brave New World to Seattle’s Moore Theatre on Juneteenth.

News about BeBe Zahara Benet’s forthcoming debut album and headlining solo tour will be announced shortly.

About BeBe Zahara Benet

International recording artist, TV personality and spokesmodel BeBe Zahara Benet breaks the drag mold. Born and raised in the Western African country of Cameroon, BeBe moved to Minneapolis 20 years ago to complete his college studies and be closer to his family. In that time span, he has left an indelible mark on the entertainment world.

BeBe’s first major performance was alongside pop diva Cyndi Lauper in a performance of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” during LGBT Pride. Soon, BeBe was wowing audiences with his international flavor and regal stage presence. In 2009, BeBe was crowned the winner of the inaugural season of RuPaul's Drag Race. He got right to work churning out hit music and unforgettable live shows.

BeBe Zahara Benet: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube / Spotify

Photo Credit: Alvin Washington

Photo Credit: Alvin Washington

“FINDING FIRE ISLAND” – A DOCU-PODCAST SERIES FEATURING JOEL KIM BOOSTER, MARGARET CHO, MATT ROGERS, DJ LINA BRADFORD, PAUL RUDNICK AND MORE – DEBUTS ON JULY 6 VIA BROADWAY PODCAST NETWORK

“Finding Fire Island” – a docu-podcast series which brings to life how a sleepy, 19th century beach town became a modern day queer mecca for artists and the New York City theater community – debuts on July 6via Broadway Podcast Network. Queer history has often been told through the lens of loss and disappearance but Fire Island has transcended that to survive as a stunning fantasy world and cultural touchstone. “Finding Fire Island” takes its listener behind the curtain of the mystique, legends and lore of the LGBTQ+ communities (Cherry Grove and The Pines) from folks who experienced their evolution from the 1950s to today.

“Finding Fire Island” features Joel Kim Booster, Margaret Cho, Matt Rogers, the iconic DJ Lina Bradford, screenwriter Paul Rudnick (Sister Act, The First Wives Club), Brian Moylan (Vulture, author of The Housewives), Zach Stafford (former editor-in-chief of The Advocate, Tony Award winner), cabaret director Ben Rimalower, and Cherry Grove legends Bob “Rose” Levine and Thom “Panzi” Hansen. A full talent list can be found here.

Watch the “Finding Fire Island” trailer here.

“Finding Fire Island” is created and executive produced by writer, producer and native New Yorker, Jess Rothschild. Since 2019, Jess has published and hosted the podcast “Hot Takes & Deep Dives,” centered on queer pop iconography and New York City culture. Jess has received acclaim from The Huffington Post and The New York Times for her interviews with Rosie O’Donnell, Sandra Bernhard, Isaac Mizrahi, Melissa Etheridge, Roxane Gay, Mario Cantone, The L Word creator Ilene Chaiken, Fran Drescher and more. Jess Rothschild was a founding writer for the largest independent LGBT website still in existence – Autostraddle – from 2009-2013.

Of “Finding Fire Island,” Jess Rothschild shares: “As a native New Yorker, Fire Island was intrinsically formative to my identity as a gay person. As my obsession with the history and culture of Cherry Grove and The Pines intensified over the years, I began collecting interviews with notable Fire Island figures, past and present. While working on this project, I realized that this is one of the rare pieces of media about Fire Island from the perspective of a woman.”

Comedian / actor Matt Rogers adds: “The thing about Fire Island is, it itself is such a story, but when you go, it becomes part of your story.”

Comedian / musician Margaret Cho notes: “It’s important to create art about Fire Island which really memorializes the history and the important figures. There are so many stories to tell from the island as this legendary queer mecca.”

“We're thrilled to welcome Jess Rothschild and the podcast ‘Finding Fire Island’ to the Broadway Podcast Network! The epic stories, influential storytellers and fascinating Fire Island lore will capture our audience completely,” Dori Berinstein, Co-Founder and CEO of Broadway Podcast Network, said.

“Finding Fire Island” is presented by the Broadway Podcast Network, with new episodes available starting on July 6 on BPN.FM or wherever you get your podcasts. Broadway Podcast Network is the premier digital storytelling destination for everyone, everywhere, who loves theatre and the performing arts.

Barry Good: Ezra Miller is the Secret Weapon (one of them) that sets The Flash Apart from the Confusing Trend of Multiverse Superhero Franchises

Review by Arnold Wayne Jones

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

The advent of “Cinematic Universes” is a blessing (mostly to the studios’ bottom lines) and a curse (mostly to folks who just like the fun escapism of comic books). When those CUs started delving into the concept of multiverses… well, it just confused me more. I confess that, when I saw Spider-Man: No Way Home, that was the first indication I had that the Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield Spideys all existed in parallel dimensions. This was news to me; I always assumed the casting changes were occasioned by studio whims and creative choices, not living elsewhere in the timeline. Frankly, none of it makes much sense. Did the recasting Bruce Banner (Edward Norton to Mark Ruffalo) within the Marvel CU signal another universe… and if so, why was General Ross played by William Hurt in both the Norton and Ruffalo incarnations (a part soon to be played by Harrison Ford, occasioned by Hurt’s death). It’s the gymnastics associated with insisting on canon, while simultaneously allowing the reinvention of the franchise at will, that makes no sense. (I loathed No Way Home, and its companion film Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, for those and many more reasons.)

In my adulthood, live-action feature-film Batmen have included Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale, Ben Affleck and Robert Pattinson – which of these are in the same world, if any? It simply isn’t worth the effort to figure it out.

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

The news, then, that the new Flash film would include time-travel initially set my teeth on edge. (Time travel always reminds me of the throwaway line in an episode of The Simpsons where guest voice Lucy Lawless says that anytime something in Xena didn’t make sense, “a wizard did it.” On the other hand, the animated series Rick & Morty is so crazy, it doesn't even try to maintain consistency; it’s brilliant.) 

The Flash definitely has a lot of plot holes and related issues tied to its universe-hopping, but it’s also hugely entertaining in its own right. No other superhero film that plays so fast and loose with quantum mechanics is quite so satisfying as this.

The plot in its essence is: Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), who is secretly the super-speed hero known as The Flash, wants to help his dead get out of jail after being wrongfully accused of killing Barry’s mom. Barry figures out how to travel back in time in order to “correct” the injustice, but of course, timelines cannot be toyed with, and the repercussions are dire. (The original Star Trek series did basically the same thing in the class episode “City on the Edge of Forever.”) Barry meets his younger self and together they try to set things right – first finding Batman to enlist his help, then using Batman to track down Superman, who isn’t to be found.

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

One reason for the success, I suspect, is that The Flash makes only limited use of the current DC Extended Universe – there are references to Cyborg and Aquaman, but only Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) and Batman (Ben Affleck) make meaningful appearances. That allows the film to more or less stand on its own without too much clutter and focus on the character of Barry Allen.

And the secret weapon of The Flash isn’t speed…. it’s Ezra Miller. Miller’s personal life – use of they/them pronouns, occasional identity as queer (and then not), acts of violence and inappropriate conduct, mental health crises – have been widely documented, but honestly, it is easy to look past them to appreciate the extraordinary work Miller is doing here. They do twice the lifting of any other actors, playing (for the majority of the film) two separate Barry Allens, each of whom Miller makes distinct and individual. You might even call it three performances, when you add his sexy, ripped heroic mien as The Flash. As Older Barry, Miller is quirky and uptight and stressed out; as Younger Barry, he’s annoying and goofy. You’re never confused about who is whom; it might be the best dual performance I’ve ever seen in a movie.

The plot, despite its complications of logic, is incredibly well-structured within its constraints, so I hesitate to give away much of it, except to say that they majority of scenes with “Bruce Wayne” inject a wondrous nostalgia and set up a contrast to the current DCEU that really serves its legacy.

It’s not only the performances, though: The special effects and storytelling are superior to most DC films in this franchise, and the action sequences are staged to be well-lit and visually coherent in a way that often isn’t the case. It really delivers what you want in a summer blockbuster. The Flash gives you a rush.

BILLBOARD MAGAZINE’S “DANCE MUSIC ARTIST OF THE DECADE” RELEASES SUMMER SMASH

Kristine W’s “By My Side” is the Second Single from Her Upcoming Album

Kristine W, the 8th Greatest Dance Artist of All Time, according to Billboard Magazine, is lighting up dance floors this summer with her new single, “By My Side”, the second soulful pop groove from her soon-to-be-released album.  The song is a celebratory homage to the people in our lives who give us unconditional love, support and friendship, no matter the circumstance.  “My grandmother used to caution me about investing too much time in fair weather friends,” Kristine W recalls.  “I didn't understand what that really meant until I got older, but now, I see.   Loyalty is a rare characteristic.  Many folks treat others as disposable.  They don't take the time to nurture a friendship or love interest.  When you find that person who is willing to stick by you, cherish them.  They are greater than gold.”  Kristine W’s “By My Side” is being distributed globally through The Orchard. 

Kristine W says she learned about the importance of supportive friends and family on the oncology floor of UCLA.  “When I was battling leukemia, I couldn't see anyone for months at a time because my immune system was so weak from the many rounds of chemotherapy,” she says. “The treatments are so very difficult and there were many times I wanted to give up but my family and close friends kept me strong and inspired me to fight. There is just something about having people there to cheer you on that makes all of the difference.”

Kristine W wrote “By My Side.”  James Hurr, one of the masters of UK House, produced the original track along with Smokin Jack Hill, John Keenan, and Dirty Disco’s Matt Consola.

Kristine W hails from Pasco, Washington. After winning titles as Miss Tri-Cities and Miss Washington and placing first in the talent competition at the Miss America pageant, she went on to pursue her educational and musical dreams in Las Vegas.  There, she found success headlining her own show at the Las Vegas Hilton, winning several 'Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year' awards and being officially sanctioned as the entertainer who performed more live shows at the Las Vegas Hilton than any other performer in its history, including Elvis. The award led to June 28th being officially sanctioned Kristine W Day in the state of Nevada.

She began recording pop, R&B and dance tracks in the nineties.  “Feel What You Want” was her first single to reach #1 on Billboard in 1994.  Since then, Kristine W has had a steady flow of chart toppers.  “Stars,” from her 2019 album, Issues Episode 1: Love and Lies was her 17th Billboard #1.  She now ties Mariah Carey for the sixth-most No. 1s since the chart’s August 28, 1976, inception. Madonna leads the chart with 46.

With all of her success, the artist admits the last few years have been difficult.  “The passing of my mom and my sister has been debilitating. They were my wing women throughout my life. I could always count on them to be there for me, by my side.”

She hopes the song serves as a reminder to all that we are in the ‘Land of the Living’ ¾ a reference to her debut album and 1996 hit that Billboard Magazine called “a melancholy pop/house anthem that beautifully showcases her formidable pipes and dramatic flair” ¾ for a short time. She insists, “It is important that we tell all of the angels in our life that we love and appreciate them.”

Dallas fans can see her live at MetroBall this Friday?  Here’s info on the party:  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/metroball-2023-tickets-493985813867

Kristine W’s “By My Side” is available now on all digital retailers via Kristine’s own imprint, Fly Again Music Productions.  Fly Again Music is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of dance, pop and jazz culture.  For more information on Kristine W and her music, visit http://kristinew.com.

Billy Eichner and Dyllón Burnside Join Unleashed LGBTQ Live Event - September 2023

Joining a Powerful Lineup of Talent, including Antoni Porowski, Indya Moore, Shangela, and other Industry Leaders making Noise in the LGBTQ+ Market

DALLAS — APRIL 25, 2023 — Unleashed LGBTQ, a first-of-its-kind conference and entertainment festival creating a space for brands, artists, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, is thrilled to announce new talent joining its lineup, including Billy Eichner and Dyllón Burnside, for its first live and in-person Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 conference, taking place at Gilley’s in Dallas, Texas, from September 22 - 24, 2023. Unleashed event organizers also welcome iHeartMedia back as media partners to activate the programming as the official audio partners for the festival’s first ever in-person event.  

"Our first live, in-person, event is going to create a synergy between talent, the business community and the entertainment industry in a way no LGBTQ+ event has ever done before,”  said Founder, Wesley Smoot. “Companies sending representatives to our event will be able to take advantage of all opportunities available, whether it’s for educational purposes, networking or entertainment, LGBTQ+ professionals or others focused on allyship, will reap the benefits of our educational and entertainment-based lineup. We have dedicated an entire area to workshops for attendees to learn new skills from today's thought leaders and we’re confident companies sending entire departments to Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 will have a more informed, supercharged team that will be lightyears ahead of other brands.”

Each day at Unleashed LGBTQ will begin with educational topics — from workshops and panels discussing business (advertising, marketing, DEI), society (non-profit, advocacy), and personal (financial planning, continuing education) development – and will feature high-tech brand activations and experiential marketing installments throughout the venue, before transitioning to entertainment that will include screenings, drag shows, stand-up comedy, and musical performances. Attendees will be enriched by professional development and networking opportunities through the Unleashed LGBTQ event app (developed by WebEx/Cisco) and at specialized mixers and unique branded activations through the award-winning Freeman event services.

The growing lineup of talent will include:

● Billy Eichner Co-writer and Star of Bros (Universal Pictures), Billy on the Street, The Lion King (Disney), American Horror Story (FX), Difficult People (Hulu)

● Antoni Porowski Emmy-Award Winning Show Queer Eye (Netflix), Host of Easy Bake Battle (Netflix), Author of Antoni in the Kitchen & Antoni: Let's do Dinner

● Indya Moore Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Yves Saint Laurent Cosmetics, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom ​

● Shangela Emmy Award-Winning Shows We're Here (HBO), RuPaul's Drag Race, & RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (MTV)

● Dyllon Burnside Emmy Award-Winning Show Pose,Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Emmy-Award winning PBS docuseries PRIDELAND, Golden Globe nominated limited series MONSTER. GLAAD & HRC award recipient

● Daniel Franzese, Mean Girls (Paramount Pictures), Ru Paul's Drag Race (MTV), Looking (HBO)​

● Kelly Ann Winget, Founder & CEO of Alternative Wealth Partners, Over $1B in private equity raised, Host of The Wealth Alpha podcast, and Author of Pitch the Bitch (April 2023)

● Brian Sims, Former Penn State Rep., LGBTQ+ Advocate & Speaker, Managing Director of Government Affairs & Policy at Out Leadership, Board Member at Campus Pride & GLSEN​

● Naomi Green, MBA Speaker, Marketer, Professor, and Transgender Advocate

● Ashley Brundage, President & CEO of Empowering Differences, Author of Empowering Differences, Transgender Advocate, Former DEI Vice President at PNC Bank, Mother​

● Dr. Carlton Thomas, Gastro-Intestinal Medical Doctor, Social Media Sensation, Contributor to Men's Health Magazine, LGBTQ+ Consultant to the White House & the CDC

● Matt Skallerud, Founder & President of Pink Media, Host of #iLoveGayToday, former President of IGLTA, Award-Winning Online Marketer connecting businesses to the LGBTQ+ consumers

● Vicky & Charisse Pasche, Co-Founders of Dapper Boi – body-inclusive and gender-neutral  apparel – Marketing, Sales, and Entrepreneurial Experts, Wives and Mothers of Twins ​

● Stacey Stevenson, CEO of Family Equality, Co-Founder of The Changists (Law Firm Consulting), LGBTQ+ Activist, Speaker, Mother of Two

● Gary Sanchez Sr., Director of Community Impact at Visit Dallas, Former Chairman at North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Chairman at Chamber Foundation ​

● Brad Pritchett, Award-Winning Marketing Executive, Chief Experience Officer at DMA (Dallas Museum of Art), Host of The Good, The Brad, & The Ugly podcast

Unleashed LGBTQ is also partnering with the iconic Alamo Drafthouse to host screenings of new LGBTQ+ content from streaming services, movie studios, and television networks. Independent filmmakers can submit works for Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 Film Festival at:

https://www.filmfreeway.com/unleashedlgbtq

 Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is proud to have received support, endorsements, and/or grants from the following organizations: DTPID (Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District), Visit Dallas, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, NLGCC (National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), & IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association).

Other partners include Gilead Sciences, iHeart Media, equalpride, and Kelly Ann Winget.

About UNLEASHED LGBTQ, LLC

Unleashed LGBTQ, a space for brands, entertainers, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, will host its inaugural, live event September 22nd - 24th, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. Attendees can learn about the latest products, services, and campaigns debuting in the LGBTQ+ market in a fun and interactive environment. Unleashed LGBTQ provides premier networking opportunities for professionals in a variety of industries. Unleashed LGBTQ will host speakers, panels, and performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ culture, including film, television, music, and business. Stay tuned for additional Talent announcements.

Tickets are currently on sale on the event website here: https://www.unleashedlgbtq.com For more information on partnerships and company group rates visit: www.unleashedlgbtq.com

CONTACT:

Nicole Rodrigues

NRPR Group for Unleashed LGBTQ

Nicole@nrprgroup.com

424-421-9610

To request press credentials email:

press@unleashedlgbtq.com

Muslim/Pakistani actress and writer Kausar Mohammed Stars in Highly Anticipated "APPENDAGE" premiering worldwide at SXSW 2023 🏳️‍🌈

Kausar Mohammed, Appendage Premiere | SXSW 2023

We all have self-doubt; that little voice in our head that can make us feel like we're not good enough. How do you personally overcome this? 

Oh wee, we all sure do! I have various methods to combat it, because something that might work one day may not work the next. And it's so sneaky! The voice can disguise itself in so many ways, so it never says the exact same thing. One day it may be like, “You’re not good enough!” but once you think you’ve tackled that, it’ll show up in a way that is like “Stop dreaming so big!” So, one way is keeping my mantras around me— both written down and on my phone— that remind me of my power. Another way is talking to the people I love—my family, friends, and partner. A third method is finding something that inspires me and breaks me out of negative ways of thinking—this can be done by watching a movie I’m excited about, dancing to music I love, or just trying new things to prove to myself I am capable of taking on challenges. 

 As a creative, queer, Muslim, Pakistani working into Hollywood; how much were you able to identify with the character or stories’ metaphor?

I remember while filming, I was going through some stuff. Basically, I wasn’t doing a good job of caring for myself and my needs, placing work before everything. Funnily enough, a visual metaphor of the film got me through this low period. I imagined my inner self, with the primal instincts, needs, and source of my creativity as a little baby Appendage.  And that the Kausar who woke up, went to work, and brushed her teeth—she was this outer shell, the guardian of Baby Appendage. It was my job to pay attention to the baby Appendage’s needs and make sure it was doing okay. That sort of differentiation helped me regain trust within myself, reestablishing my relationship with my creative self. I guess it was a spin-off of inner child work, interpreted through horror monster form! That sounds about right for me. 

From L to R: Brandon Mychal Smith, Anna Zlokovic Emily Hampshire, Kausar Mohammed Appendage Premiere | SXSW 2023

So, this gruesome little number got quite the buzz at SXSW. That's so exciting. Can you tell us about your experience with APPENDAGE.

Yes! In "Appendage," I play Esther, the best friend of the main character Hannah, a young fashion designer whose anxiety physically manifests. We had our world premiere at SXSW this spring and the audience reaction was incredible. What I love about the film is it really centers a best friendship between two women and lets that be the driving force, which is a refreshing change from the usual hetero love story we see in movies. Our characters' friendship is the heartbeat of the film, and it was really exciting to bring that dynamic to life. Director Anna Zlokovic has done an amazing job of exploring the literal horrors of anxiety while still keeping it funny and enjoyable as a horror comedy. Hadley Robinson as Hannah and Emily Hampshire as Claudia are also incredible in their roles. And of course, I have to give a shoutout to the costume department head Naomi Wolff Lachter for creating such fashionable looks for us!  I loved every outfit Esther got to wear and I think when people watch APPENDAGE, they’ll know why! It premieres on Hulu this Fall.

Kausar Mohammed | Photo Credit: Shanley Kellis

I understand Appendage has already been acquired by Hulu. Could you see yourselves starring in more horror?

Yes! So excited for the film to hit the platform in the fall. And absolutely, I LOVE horror films and am actively working on writing and starring in them. Truly, ask any of my friends, I am a bit obsessed with the genre. “What does Kausar want to watch?” “Something scary!” I particularly love thematic horror that reflects back to us the horrors of our own society or ourselves. And that’s what I want to be a part of from both the writing and acting angle. 

 Did you have any favorite shorts, features, documentaries at SXSW 2023?

100%! In addition to the world premiere of APPENDAGE, there were a couple of films I absolutely loved. Big shoutout to Imran J. Khan’s feature MUSTACHE! It’s brilliant. It’s about Muslim, Pakistani American teenager Ilyas, who navigates being at a new school with a mustache his parents won't let him shave. And I loved the horror comedy DEAD ENDERS, starring Maya (Skarlett Redd), who encounters a hostile race of mind-controlling parasites while her shift at the gas station. 

Kausar Mohammed | Photo Credit: Shanley Kellis

 You are also the co-founder of SHIFT, a racial and gender equity consulting group created by women of color that advocates change and diversity inclusion. What has that fight been like?

Yes! SHIFT was born in 2017, at the height of the #metoo movement, when my co-founders Veline Mojarro, Natalie Bui, and I, all coming from different spaces of art and activism, wanted to bring radical conversations around consent, race, and gender equity into workspaces. We wanted to center the most impacted people in these conversations, particularly Black, Disabled, Trans, Femme, Nonbinary people.

We know JDEI (Justice, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) work can't be impactful if it's not grounded in institutionalized accountability practices and community care, so that is what we aim to do with SHIFT. We provide trainings, workshops, and facilitation to campuses, workspaces, and organizations. I’m grateful to be in continuous studentship of anti-oppression work and discovery of how we can reimagine more equitable systems within Hollywood and beyond. 

You can learn more about SHIFT at www.shiftingculture.co.

 You are quite the accomplished actress; what advice do have for other minority actresses, particularly queer women of color?

I would say trust your gut. Our whole lives we’re often told to listen to everyone other than ourselves. But on the real real, we often know what’s best for ourselves and just gotta sink in to hear it. 

Do you have any upcoming projects you can share with us?

I’m so excited about some acting projects (from the voice over and on-camera end) that are in the works. Along with some of my writing projects that are in development but that I can’t talk about yet! So, keep in touch through @kausartheperson and keep an eye out for APPENDAGE coming out on Hulu in the Fall.

Social Media: Instagram | IMDb

The Wizard of A-Has: Dungeons & Dragons Breaks the Hasbro Curse Review

by Arnold Wayne Jones

There are names that, when I see them in the opening credits of a movie, instantly make me cringe, or at least give pause: “Directed by Michael Bay.” “Screenplay by Joe Eszterhaus.” “Casting supervised by Harvey Weinstein.” High on that list? “Based upon the property by Hasbro.” Eckk. I know people flock to the Transformers movies, but they are noisy nonsense in a visual dungheap of meaningless VFX; Battleship, Ouija, Jen & the Holograms, My Little Pony? Unwatchable. I’m not even a fan of the strained, unfunny cult classic Clue (yeah, well, sue me). Movies based on games?! When has that ever worked?

But there were two things that lured me into screening of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, despite its pedigree: First, the humane and intrigue dramatic success of The Last of Us on HBO, which showed video games could be the source of filmic creativity; and the second was its appealing trailer, which had a hip, subversive energy. I’d take a risk.

Only it didn’t turn out to be a risk at all. D&D: HAT is one of the most disarmingly enjoyable romps I’ve had in a theater in a while. It’s everything that the trailer promised and more: Funny, clever, exciting and even a little sexy.

One serious upside – which, I dunno, may be a downside for devotees of the game – is that it requires zero familiarity with its source material in order to get caught up in the story. Are the cinematic characters pulled from the game? Are locations celebrated and revisited? I have no clue, and don’t care. It stands on its own for entertainment.

The plot is fairly familiar: Two antiheroes, Edgin (Chris Pine) and Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) are betrayed, captured, imprisoned, manage to escape, and go on a quest to achieve their original goal, only with more at stake. Along the way, they team up with lame sorcerer Simon (Justice Smith), shapeshifting druid Doric (Sophia Lillis) and dreamy Paladin Xenk (Rege-Jean Page). They battle the undead, master magic amulets, plan heists and best the fattest dragon in the world.

Yeah, a fat dragon. Who has flame-performance anxiety. And the villain’s wisecracks are more Noel Coward than Cowardly Lion. And did I mention dreamy Rege-Jean Page? (I might come back to him again.)

The inspiration for D&D seems less Game of Thrones or  Conan or Lord of the Rings and more Princess Bride: sassy, buoyant, clever and wondrous without aiming for outright awe. The visual effects are excellent, but not the entire meal; the action sequences have the balletic humor of Jackie Chan; the plotting is smart and unexpected. For instance, when we first meet Edgin and Holga, he’s knitting and she’s beating the crap out of an ogre. Indeed, the main action set pieces all feature the women. It’s as if Everything Everywhere All At Once had big-budget backing.

Hugh Grant plays a charmingly evil Blofeld-like baddy, and Page (sigh!) plays it entirely straight as a sincere Westley-ish swashbuckler. Even Bradley Cooper shows up in a cameo as a milquetoast farmer. Co-writers and -directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein cast down the gauntlet to jokey actioners like Guardians of the Galaxy … and they win with an off-hand queer subtext (including the presences of Rodriguez and Smith) that delivers a tartness. This could be the start of a new Hasbromance. 

Opens in theaters March 31.

A Whale of a Tale: A Small Movie Offers One of the Best Films in Ages

By Arnold Wayne Jones

There was a time, not too long ago, when the queer community desperately sought out and embraced gay content in mainstream movies … especially those blessed with Oscar validity: Remember panting over The Color Purple, Philadelphia, Longtime Companion and The Crying Game? All excellent, but few and far between.

My, how we’ve progressed in the intervening two decades, with the success of films like The Kids Are All Right, Moonlight and more. But this year? This year feels especially significant. There’s the queer daughter in Everything Everywhere All At Once (and, in one timeline, a touching romance between Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis); Cate Blanchett as an arrogant lesbian in Tar; gayness aplenty in Triangle of Sadness. But no nominated film this year is quite so profoundly meaningful and unexpected as The Whale.

Based on a play, almost all of the action takes place in a single set, and yet it doesn’t feel anticinematic at all; rather, it’s an incredibly intimate film that takes full advantage of the benefits of motion picture magic. The opening shot is a bold one: The camera tracks in on an immensely obese man (Brendan Fraser) watching gay porn on his laptop while jerking off. It’s simultaneously titillating, disgusting and invasive – one of the many cycle that the film constantly juggles. We learn the man is Charlie, a college writing professor who teaches online classes only with his camera turned off so his students can’t see his grotesque body. 

Charlie was, until a decade ago, a seemingly straight father of a girl, married to a woman, when he met a male student and fell in love. He divorced and married his much younger paramour, only to be heartbroken when the young man dies, sending Charlie into a spiral of over-eating and self-destructive weight gain. He lives in a modest apartment, never venturing to the outside world except via his class Zoom calls and a dear friend, Liz (Hong Chau), who brings him food, nurses him and clucks about how he’s killing himself with food. Charlie seems fine with that, though.

You’d expect that we’re meant to be revolted by Charlie’s gross physical appearance and ravenous appetites, but that’s not the case; neither, however, do we outright pity him. Instead, we come to understand and sympathize with the sadness in his soul, the bottomless well of despair that comes from his broken heart.

This couldn’t have been accomplished without Fraser’s breathtakingly vivid and detailed performance. Charlie suspects – well, knows – that most people would judge and despise him on sight, but he never wallows in his own tragedy; if anything, he empathizes with their predictable reactions – self-awareness overpowers self-pity. He’s basically disgusted by himself, though content with it as well. There are several scenes where Charlie attacks food – pizza, sandwiches, etc. – with the voracious energy of a jungle cat feasting on a kill. He’s post-sex; calories are his passion. Eating is the replacement for human intimacy. 

His life is thrown into additional chaos when a Mormon missionary enters his life, and he unexpectedly renews contact with his now-teenaged daughter. How all of these elements eventually coalesce around themes of love, redemption, betrayal and sacrifice is the greatest joy in discovering the film.

It might seem that, other than the brief porn at the top, Charlie being gay is incidental, or that you can’t otherwise peg this as “a gay movie,” but nothing could be further from the facts. The isolation, the body issues, the love, the identity issues, the guilt? It’s one of the most incisive portraits of queer anxiety ever committed to screen.

Whether it wins Fraser a well-deserved best actor Oscar this year I can’t predict with certainty. What I can be sure about is the loveliness and power of The Whale (even its title has layers). Its stellar performances, beautiful direction (by Darren Aronofsky), flawless makeup and multifaceted writing make this one of the best films in the past year.

Tubi TV Streams New Episodes of #THEDISH

An Original Series Starring “Mama June” Shannon and Wanna-Be TV Star Adam Barta

Tubi TV is streaming new episodes of #THEDISH this month. The five-episode series is a hilarious parody of reality TV starring “Mama June” Shannon and Adam Barta. When rich widow Cynthia Beaumont gives Adam Barta a blank check to create a new type of reality show unlike any the world has seen before, he enlists his celebrity friends, “Mama June” Shannon and the infamous Tan Mom, as well as eighties pop sensation Debbie Gibson, media personality David Pakman and a slew of drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race(Detox, Daya Betty, Tammie Brown, Pandora Boxx, Honey Davenport and more). Adam sees it as his chance for global stardom, however, his thirsty friends - and the rich widow too! - all seek to steal the spotlight and seize the opportunity to stage their own come backs to reality TV glory. #THEDISH is executive produced by Adam Barta and “Mama June” Shannon for Aquetra Media.

“#THEDISH is gimmicky, overly dramatic and wildly absurd,” says Adam Barta. “Like all reality shows, we blur the line between fact and fiction, but what makes #THEDISH different is that we tip in the audience when we do.”

The show was inspired by Barta’s own botched pursuit at reality stardom. He’s been trying to land a show for ten years – appearing in music duets with Tan Mom and Honey Boo Boo, getting plastic surgery on Dr. Miami, and dancing drunk with Teresa Giudice on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. “I got so swept up in trying to be a reality star, I lost track of my real mission in this industry.” 

In 2020, Adam Barta threw himself into producing and storytelling, and came to the realization that he was uniquely positioned to pull back the curtain on reality TV and show the audience the real lunacy that goes on behind the scenes. #THEDISH is meant to be an absurdist escape where viewers are not supposed to take any of the characters seriously. “It’s called a show for a reason. This isn’t a documentary. We employ story producers whose job it is to tell stories and to entertain,” Barta explains.

“The wild part is many of the scenes in #THEDISH, though highly exaggerated, actually happened,” he continues. “Cynthia’s crown falling in her eye and injuring her in the first episode is 100% real. Tan Mom and Mama June really did fight on the Debbie Gibson NYE special. But the magic of editing makes it all so much more fun!”

In the new episodes, chaos ensues as Cynthia Beaumont meets her idol Andy Cohen and laments over losing her chance of getting on an actual TV show; Tan Mom doesn’t show up at an important photo shoot; and Mama June, Adam and the rest of the sordid cast prepare for the big Treasure Coast Pride fest. Special guest stars include drag queens Jaymes Mansfield, Tammie Brown, Kahmora Hall, and Honey Davenport.

Adam Barta is an accomplished musician with chart topping Billboard hits, but he is best known for his stints on The Howard Stern Show. He launched his production company, Aquetra Media, in 2020. #THEDISH is his first full series.

“Mama June” Shannon starred on the #1 rated reality TV show on cable (TLC's Here Comes Honey Boo Boo). She is a confident that she will strike gold a second time with #THEDISH; this time behind the camera as an executive producer. She aims to prove that she’s a savvy business lady and television hitmaker!

#THEDISH is especially dear to Adam Barta’s heart because the series includes footage of his mother, who passed away in 2016. “It’s hard to watch, but I feel like she’s with me on this journey and that’s an incredible gift,” Adam Barta says. The series is dedicated to both of his late parents.

#THEDISH is created by Adam Barta and produced by Aquetra Media Studios. It is directed by Tylor Edwards and June Shannon and written by Adam Barta. Executive producers are Adam Barta, Cynthia Beaumont, June Shannon, Trina Allison, and Sperry Damien. Courtney Brown is a consulting producer. Original theme and music by Roman Molino Dunn. Filming for #THEDISH was done primarily on Florida’s Treasure Coast.

Texas-based queer artist and activist Caleb De Casper performs and speaks at SXSW 2023

The "budding star" will play 6 official and unofficial shows and speak at a panel on LGBT rights

Since Caleb De Casper's last SXSW, the artist was named KUTX Artist Of The Month, co-headlined a Pride festival, had his ACL Fest performance named a "Most Memorable Moment" and the City of Austin declared April 21st to be "Caleb De Casper Day". On the other hand, homophobic trolls had a field day when City Council member Chito Vela posted a congratulatory photo of himself with the artist, but Vela and De Casper had the last laugh when as a result, "Y'all Means All Day was declared" and the debacle ended up in Teen Vogue. The incident made the classically trained musician even more determined to speak out for queer rights and he will be doing just that at a panel put together by the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. As a resident of Texas which is rife with anti-gay legislation, he has plenty to say.

And of course there will be plenty of opportunities to see the artist perform live at SXSW this year, six in fact. And De Casper's live shows are legendary, complete with costumes, props, theatrics and plenty of audience participation. For proof, here is some further reading...

"If theatrics are what you are after, don't miss this performance."- CultureMap

"Peering sharply over Fifties-style sunglasses, De Casper connected to adoring fans through fluctuating electronic beats and audacious flair. With feather boas, pom-poms, and tantalizing phantasmagoria, the 'Real Girl' showed the tenacity of a true superstar." – Alyssa Quiles, Austin Chronicle/Alternative Press

"De Casper’s most notable live performance was a wild, sold-out show at Mohawk last October with NOLA Bounce queen Big Freedia. It was clear they won over the audience with a stellar performance."- Glide Magazine

Caleb De Casper's glam rock show is both over the top and sensational. The gifted songwriter has a knack for incredible live performances.”- Cosmic Clash

Photo by Ismael Quintanilla

Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce Stand Against Discrimination to Remind Texas Lawmakers that “Business is Business”

Washington, D.C. —  The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the national business voice of the LGBTQ community, stands with the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce as they fight to recognize LGBTQ-owned businesses in Texas contracting and procurement opportunities, most recently during “Business is Business” Day at the Texas Capitol. Members of the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce stood in the face of discrimination during the event as planned resolutions recognizing the Texas LGBTQ+ business community were denied.

“We are very proud of our affiliates that comprise the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, a coalition of the Austin LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce, for standing up for what is right for thousands of Texas LGBTQ-owned businesses that are a vital part of the Texas economy,” said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson.

The NGLCC affiliates that make up the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce advocate for Texas legislators to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in workplaces statewide and to oppose discrimination in all forms against the LGBTQ+ community. The coalition gathered at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 to support passage of House Resolution 155 and Senate Resolution 163 as an acknowledgment of the contributions of LGBTQ+ business owners to the economy alongside other state business coalitions on the floor. Ultimately, certain legislators stated they intended on opposing both resolutions, and as a result, the resolutions were pulled altogether, with formal recognition only being granted to non-LGBTQ business coalitions in attendance.

Alongside the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, we call on Texas legislators to remember that their economy succeeds only when there is a fully engaged and protected citizenry, workforce, and supply chain free from fear, bias, and discrimination. We applaud Representative Jessica González, Vice Chair of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus, for standing up for the rights of LGBTQ+ Texans by filing House Bill 2182, which seeks to add LGBTQIA+ owned businesses to the Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program.

Over half of all American states have opted to include LGBTQ-owned businesses in contracting & procurement opportunities, with major cities like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Houston, and Nashville also signing on to recognize LGBTQ+ companies as diverse suppliers. Nearly 450 major Fortune 100 and 500 NGLCC Corporate Partners agree that discrimination is bad for business, and that including Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers is an essential step towards internal and external diversity, equity, & inclusion.

“Inclusive policies build stronger economies, especially since LGBTQ-owned businesses nationwide contribute over $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy,” said Nelson. “NGLCC condemns the failure of the Texas House and Senate to recognize the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce at “Business is Business” Day, and urges Texas lawmakers to pass HB2182 to further their commitment to building a prosperous state economy.”

KEVIN YEE's Queer, Asian-centered Pilot to Premiere at SXSW “A Guide to Not Dying Completely Alone”

Weslo: We're talking with Kevin Yee— actor, writer, comedian, and creator of A Guide to Not Dying Completely Alone. Kevin, how are you today?

Kevin Yee: The sun is finally shining again in Los Angeles, so all is well!

Weslo: Yasssss, positive attitude! I understand you have a pilot premiering at SXSW, how exciting is that?

Kevin Yee: It’s extremely exciting! I’ve been a filmmaker for a long time, and have screened other projects at major queer festivals like Outfest, Frameline, and Newfest. But this is the first time I’ll be screening at SXSW. It’s also been a long six year journey to get this specific TV pilot in front of an audience, so I’m so glad that it’s finally about to happen in such a big way.

Weslo: Congratulations! How familiar are you with Texas? 🤠

Kevin Yee: I’ve been to Texas a lot! Texas seems to love entertainment, and as an entertainer I’ve performed throughout the state several times. I’ve been to Austin when I was a Broadway chorus boy and toured with the musical “Wicked.” We did three weeks there, so I got to know the city well. I’ve also toured to other parts of the state as a comedian. It’s always so lovely, and the food is amazing!

Weslo: I love to hear that. I’m looking forward to brisket during SXSW. So, tell us, where did you get the inspiration to make A Guide to Not Dying Completely Alone?

Kevin Yee: The original concept of this show came to me when I was in my early/mid 30s. I had made the move from New York to Los Angeles, and it wasn’t going very smoothly. I went through long periods of times where I didn’t work. And now that I was in a new city, I didn’t have a lot of friends or deep connections around me to occupy the quiet times. It was very isolating and lonely. I also went from being fairly successful in the Broadway world, to a relative newcomer to the Hollywood world. I remember being very ambitious and confident in my 20s, but now in my 30s I was questioning everything. I was questioning if I had made the wrong decisions, and if being so career oriented was going to make me alone forever. My family was back in Canada and I was used to not being around them, but I was suddenly missing them in a way I never had. So I decided to write about it. I think a lot of people think about the themes of this show; aging, loneliness, regret, and if it’s possible to change so late in life, shake off the isms that you’ve been hiding behind as a protective shield, and live a self-help book’s ideal fantasy life. So it feels like a story everyone could connect to, even though it’s told through the very specific and often ignored lens of a queer Asian protagonist.

Weslo: Your character, Ben Wu is a gay, Asian, writer... did you pull from personal experiences when creating the character?

Kevin Yee: Ben is an extension of me, for sure. I would say I’m a little more open than he is, and maybe a bit more positive? I don’t think either of us are optimists, but I think he’s definitely more of a pessimist, while I consider myself more of a realist. Ben isn’t in show business though, so I think that’s the biggest difference. There’s a fantasy element to working in show business, a “tomorrow could be your big break” and a “what if” element to life that affects me, but doesn’t really affect someone like Ben. I think the things he wants for his life are a lot simpler than me. But ultimately he’s an exaggerated bitchier version of myself.

Weslo: I love it… Ben Wu wants to make the most of his life after passing out in a gay bar and waking up in the hospital, heavy stuff. Do you personally have a bucket list? If so, what's the first thing you'd want to check off?

Kevin Yee: That’s a good question! You’d think with the theme of this show, I would. I think the usual go-tos people would put on their list (travel, skydive, etc) aren’t appealing to me. I’m kind of a quiet person who isn’t that adventurous in the traditional sense. I think because I was when I was younger, and now I feel like I have a better grasp on what I like and don’t like. I love my work and creating, and that has always been what fulfills me. So I guess I wouldn’t call it so much a bucket list, but I would like to make more TV shows. I would like to fall in love with an awesome guy. And I would like to eventually move my work closer to my family in Canada so I can spend time with them as I grow older.

Weslo: You’re gonna make me cry… ok, I’m back. Ben and Rory are two loners who find themselves in an unlikely friendship. I'm already loving their bond. What can we expect from their characters in terms of growth?

Writer, Actor, Director- Kevin Yee | Photo Credit: Nina Menconi

Kevin Yee: Ben and Rory will definitely help each other grow in every sense. I think the one thing they will teach each other is that it’s okay to be different. And even if you’re different, there are people out there that you can connect to. I feel like society and Hollywood always portrays “fun” and “friendship” in a very specific, loud, and crowded way. Like, you have to drink and go to bars to have fun. Or you have to live in an apartment complex with all your friends like “Friends” in order to not be lonely. But I push back against all of that. I think there are many ways to have fun, many ways to have friends, many ways to party and have connections. So Ben and Rory, two loners who identify with each other even though they come from completely different backgrounds, will let each other fully embrace themselves and what makes them happy simply by existing within the same space. Sometimes you just have to find your tribe, and that tribe may not look like anything you see on TV, or at the bars, or on tik tok.

Weslo: What do you hope viewers take away from this series?

Kevin Yee: I really hope that people will be uplifted and embrace the moment more fully. Especially after what we’ve been through over the past few years; with covid, queer rights being stripped from us at an alarming rate. To realize how short life is and how it’s up to us to find our own peace of mind. This show isn’t about dying, it’s about how to live. How do you live life well? And you won’t necessarily find any answers to that question in this show. I’m not trying to answer an unanswerable question. The show just asks the question and then shows a flawed human trying to answer it. And hopefully it makes you think about your own life, laugh, and cheer for his success. 

Weslo: That makes a lot of sense. So, I’m not huge on self-help books, but I got a lot out of author, Gary John Bishop; do you personally have a favorite self-help book?

Kevin Yee: I read “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero maybe once a year. It’s the self-help book I most connect to since she kind of “tells it like it is.” She’s also a musician so I relate to the entertainment side of the book. But also, a lot of my show is meant to roast the self-help world. There is a flawed impossible positivity to a lot of the self-help industry that I think makes people feel worse about themselves. Like, “the book said if I did what it said I would find a husband, and I haven’t found a husband, so it must be my fault. I must be doing it wrong, or not want it enough.” But I think if you can read a book like “You Are a Badass” not as a bible but as a guide, there are a lot of good points in it about where to put your energy, that I find to be very helpful.

Weslo: Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. We wish you the best of luck on all your future endeavors. You are remarkably talented.

A Guide to Not Dying Completely Alone will premiere at SXSW in Austin, TX Sunday March 12th at 5:15pm and Wednesday, March 15th at 11:45am at Alamo Drafthouse Lamar.

SXSW Comedy Festival Announces 2023 Lineup

Austin, Texas, February 27, 2023 – South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals unveiled the Comedy Festival lineup for 2023. This year’s diverse slate highlights some of today’s most compelling comedic voices during a week-long celebration of comedy. From March 10-18, SXSW Comedy features stand-up showcases, improv, conversations, live podcast recordings, and more. 

Since 2008, the SXSW Comedy Festival has hosted hundreds of acclaimed comedians and performers from all corners of the entertainment industry. The festival is a unique opportunity to connect today’s most influential comedy minds and the next wave of groundbreaking comedic talent with icons from the world of film and television, creating a festival environment unlike any other. SXSW Comedy offers a rare space to witness those spontaneous magical moments that blossom into enduring collaborations.

All SXSW registrants (Platinum, Interactive, Music, and Film &TV) are welcome at all SXSW Comedy showcases. Film & TV wristband holders can attend SXSW Comedy showcases from Friday, March 10 through Saturday, March 18 and Music Wristband holders, Monday, March 13 through Saturday, March 18.

2023 SXSW Comedy Festival Participants:
Abbi Jacobson • Adrienne Iapalucci • Andre Hyland • Anna Kendrick • Anthony Atamanuik • Anthony DeVito • Aristotle Athari • Beth Stelling • Bob Odenkirk • Brian Moses • Caitlin Peluffo • Caleb Hearon • Chelsea Handler • Christina Catherine Martinez • Doug Benson • Eddie Pepitone • Emma Willmann • Eric André • Felipe Esparza • Godfrey • Greg Proops • Ismael Loutfi • Jackie Fabulous • Jake Johnson •James Adomian • Jessica McKenna • Joe DeRosa • John Gemberling • Josh Johnson • Joyelle Johnson • Katherine Blanford • Leonard Maltin • Matt Besser • Mike Lawrence • Natalie Palamides • Nick Thune • Patton Oswalt • Pete Lee • Phoebe Robinson • Rachel Sennott • Reggie Watts • Sabrina Jalees • Sam Jay • Sam Tallent • Sandy Honig • Steve Agee • Steph Tolev • Stuart Goldsmith • Tim Robinson • Todd Barry • Tone Bell • Yamaneika Saunders

Plus surprise guests and more! 

2023 SXSW Comedy Festival Special Programs Featuring: 
Adult Swim’s The Eric Andre Show • ASSSSCAT • The Comedian’s Comedian • Comic Relief US • The Creek & The Cave • Doug Loves Movies •  Good Trip Live: A Night of Comedy and Psychedelic Stories • Gotham Comedy Club • I Used to Be Funny • improv4humans • Maltin on Movies • Matt Besser’s 420 Show • Roast Battle’s Tournament of Champions • Swan Leak: A Silent Clown Ballet • Variety Power of Comedy and more

Variety Power of Comedy, presented by Inspire Brands, will recognize comedic achievements across stand-up, film, TV and digital platforms on March 10. This year’s honorees include Chelsea Handler, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Patton Oswalt, Phoebe Robinson, Tim Robinson, Zach Kanin and others. This star-studded celebration of comedy will be hosted by Mike Lawrence and Nick Thune. Participants also include Bob Odenkirk. Full lineup and details below.

Expert impressionist James Adomian returns to SXSW Comedy with his third festival “keynote”, ŽIŽEK vs ŽXŽW: My God, What Is This Polycrisis? (A Comedy Keynote in Twelve Volumes), featuring celebrity philosopher Slavoj Žižek (Adomian) sharing inscrutable insights and questioning guests who will no doubt struggle to comprehend what cannot be understood about deep politics, late capitalist culture, and SXSW itself.

Comic Relief US (comicrelief.org), the nonprofit known around the world for Red Nose Day, hosts stand-up performance and special event, Funny Thing About Breaking Up the Boys Club. Abbi Jacobson (Broad City), Sam Jay (Bust Down), and Joyelle Johnson (Crashing) join for a discussion on the impact of women who break barriers and the power of laughter to affect change.

Adult Swim joins the festival to celebrate the return of the The Eric Andre Show. Eric André, along with co-host Felipe Esparza, DJ Douggpound, and friends, will present an evening of live comedy along with an exclusive sneak peek of the long-awaited sixth season.

Producers of the hit Netflix documentary, and 2020 SXSW Film selection, Have a Good Trip, will host a night of comedy and psychedelic stories with Eric André, Reggie Watts, Steve Agee, Sandy Honig (SXSW Featured Short Pennies From Heaven), Hamilton Morris, and surprise guests! The Good Trip team will also take part in a SXSW Conference featured session, Have a Good Trip: Psychedelics in Film and TV.

Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (UCB) cofounder, Matt Besser, will return with a slate of shows including his beloved podcast improv4humans. He will provide stoner comedy at The 420 Show and lead UCB’s longest running show, ASSSSCAT, featuring true tales from celebrity guests and inspired scenes from some of today’s most skilled performers. UCB favorites Anthony Atamanuik (The President Show), John Gemberling (Broad City), and Jessica McKenna (Party Over Here) will join in the fun.

Besser will also present Johnny Cash Jr. & The Nepo Babies Hootenanny, a relatively star-studded event. Johnny Cash Jr. (Besser) hosts an evening of infamous nepo babies performing their biggest hits, or maybe their parent’s biggest hits. Another jam session of sorts, Nick Thune will host Riffs and Riff-Raff, a mixed bag of weirdness, complete with outlandish characters, nonsensical lyrics, and improvised songs.

The schedule features a slate of live podcast recordings. Renowned film historian Leonard Maltin and daughter Jessie Maltin, will talk all things cinema with guests on Maltin on Movies. Stuart Goldsmith will return with live editions of his famed podcast, The Comedian’s Comedian, where he delves into the minds of the funniest people with his signature curious and insightful style. Doug Benson will record his hit audience-interactive game show, Doug Loves Movies. For the first time in almost a decade, Greg Proops (Whose Line Is It Anyway) brings his podcast, The Smartest Man in the World, to the SXSW stage.

Two comedy institutions are back again this year to bring some of their favorite acts to the festival. A renowned launching pad for New York’s funniest, Gotham Comedy Club brings a killer lineup of comedians from their famous stage. Official SXSW venue The Creek & The Cave, which fostered a massive wave of comedy in NYC before making a home in Austin, will also be showcasing a selection of their top stand-ups.

Brian Moses returns to the festival with The Hateful Eight: Roast Battle’s Tournament of Champions. Since its inception at the world-famous Comedy Store, Roast Battle has spent a decade spreading the art of insult comedy, crowning the best trash talkers in cities all across the country. Moses assembles a first-ever meeting of champions from every region of America to compete in a three-day battle of wits… until one is crowned best roast battler in the country.

Joe DeRosa, comedian and owner of NYC sandwich shop, Joey Roses, returns with another edition of last year’s hit, Joe DeRosa’s Sandwich Summit. The summit will bring together chefs and creators behind some of Austin’s best eats to talk about all things sandwich. 

In their first year at SXSW, comedians Natalie Palamides and Christina Catherine Martinez team up for SWAN LEAK: A Silent Clown Ballet. Moonlighting as incendiary LA clowns, the pair explore their softer side through a soggy interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece.

Comedian and actress Rachel Sennott stars as an aspiring stand-up comic struggling with PTSD in SXSW Narrative Feature, I Used to Be Funny. In partnership with the Film & TV Festival, We Used to Be Funny celebrates the film and its comedian-studded marquee with a stand-up show featuring cast members Rachel Sennott, Sabrina Jalees, Caleb Hearon, and friends.

Variety Power of Comedy, presented by Inspire Brands, will recognize comedic achievements across stand-up, film, TV and digital platforms on March 10 at SXSW. This year’s honorees are Eric André, Cult Favorite; Chelsea Handler, Comedy Icon; Jake Johnson, Comedy Director; Anna Kendrick, Comedy Actress; Patton Oswalt, Stand-up Comic; Phoebe Robinson, Comedy Innovator; Tim Robinson & Zach Kanin, Sketch Comedy; and Rachel Sennott, Breakthrough Artist. Variety Power of Comedy will be hosted by Mike Lawrence and Nick Thune. Participants also include Bob Odenkirk.Inspire Brands will be serving food and drink at the event from Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin', Jimmy John's and SONIC Drive-in. The event will be open to SXSW badgeholders on a first come, first served basis.

SXSW Film & TV Festival 
Featured performers will also appear in an array of exciting new films and TV series debuting at the SXSW Film & TV Festival. Jake Johnson and Anna Kendrick star in the SXSW Narrative Spotlight film, Self Reliance. Patton Oswalt will attend the premiere of TV Spotlight, Shatter Belt, where he stars in episode three of director James Byrkit’s modern mindbender. He’ll also make an appearance at a featured discussions session, The COHERENCE Effect: Manifesting Shatter Belt, to discuss the unconventional approach to the making of the film. Rachel Sennott takes the screen in narrative feature, I Used to Be Funny, along with comedians Sabrina Jalees and Caleb Hearon. Sennott also appears in the hilarious SXSW Film & TV Festival Headliner Bottoms. Sandy Honig attends the festival as director of her short film, Pennies From Heaven, and additionally for her acting role in The Young Wife.

About SXSW
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music and comedy showcases, film screenings, exhibitions, professional development and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2023 will take place March 10 - 19, 2023. For more information, please visit sxsw.com. To register for the event, please visit sxsw.com/attend.

SXSW 2023 Comedy Festival is sponsored by Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Volkswagen, The Austin Chronicle, Porsche, Itaú bank, C4 Energy, and Slack.

SXSW 2023 ART PROGRAMMING

Full Program and Art and Design Conference Sessions Unveiled

Austin, Texas, February 22, 2023 – South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals (March 10-19, 2023) announced the full Art Program and Art and Design Conference Sessions.

The SXSW Art Program made its debut at SXSW 2017, and over the years has exhibited thirty-one installations from twelve countries.

The program has grown from exhibiting only four installations in its debut year to exhibiting nine installations at SXSW 2020 prior to the cancellation of the conference and festival. Some of the notable artists include Refick Anadol, NeuroSpeculative Afro Feminism, Marshmallow Laser Feast, Cocolabs, Lisa Park (in collaboration with New Inc), Naho Matsuda, Stephanie Dinkins (in collaboration with New Inc), Nancy Baker Cahill, Bill Poster, Ciara Elle Bryant, SCANlab Projects, and Jess Simon. 

The SXSW Art Program curates from studios, designers, collectives, and individual artists. The work — either in medium or concept — is at the intersection of art and technology and creates an experience that provokes discussion around the role of visual and digital media arts in culture, technology, and the public realm.

Official selections of the program are chosen on the basis of their ability to enhance the landscape of SXSW and bring meaningful inspiration and discovery to attendees. We strive to showcase work from both emerging and established artists whose vision reflects the values of SXSW.

“The 2023 SXSW Art Program highlights five artists using mixed reality to explore Afro-Futurisms, holographics that morph between human and animal anatomy, augmented reality utilized to showcase the collaboration between artist and social humanoid robot Sophia on the impending climate crisis, and viewer interactivity beckoned by the use of Quantum Physics,” said Aimée Everett, SXSW Art Program Curator. “Exploring disciplines outside of the traditional projection based experience opens the program to more artists and hopefully offers a diverse conversation on society. It is also important that the SXSW Art Program reflect the cultural diversity represented on our conference and festival stages,” 

Applications are closed for 2023. Stay tuned for announcements coming later in the season.

Ancestral Archives by Josie Williams in association with EY metaverse lab

Long description: Cultivating new connections between the revolutionary leaders of the past and a future generation of critical thinkers, Ancestral Archives brings historically significant Black leaders to present-day communities through a new dimension. This installation presents the manifestation of these leaders in chatbot form and blurs the line between the physical and digital as you step into their world. In collaboration with the EY metaverse lab, this work seeks to explore how AI can be enriched with the connections, experience, and knowledge of the past to build a better society. This project leverages learning capabilities of deep neural networks with Black culture to create a thoughtful, one-of-a-kind physical and digital experience that showcases the power of harnessing technology for positive human impact.

Short description: Ancestral Archives creates new connections with historically significant Black leaders of the past and future through an immersive experience combining AI enabled chatbots and 3D virtual environments. This work is in deep collaboration between New Museum and the EY metaverse lab. 

Mixanthropy by Meichun Cai and Yiou Wang

Long Description: Mixanthropy refers to the capturing of a deity’s potential for fluidity and change. Transitioning between animal and human states, Mixanthropy explores the divine hybridity through body transformations based on anatomical isomorphism, with mimetic skin textures echoing different environments with dataset generated by AI. The hybrid mixanthrope morphs into other bodies with mocap retargeted on human and nonhuman bodies. This work synchronizes motion, as an externalization of the intrinsic psyche, with 3D body deformation and metamorphosis into humanoids, chimeras, and otherworldly beings. 

In the process of creation, Meichun and Yiou performed a series of different animist movements while imagining themselves transitioning between their original species, Homo sapiens, and another species. Using motion capture technology of MIT Immersion Lab, Meichun and Yiou choreographed and personally provided movements to the shapeshifting beings.

Short Description:: Mixanthropy is an ancient future myth of more-than-human shapeshifting bodies discussing the non-binary association between chimera and metamorphosis in culture, biology, and technology.

Quantum Jungle by Robin Baumgarten

Long description: Quantum Jungle is an interactive art installation that playfully visualizes Quantum Physics concepts on a large wall filled with novel touch-sensitive metal springs and thousands of LEDs. It calculates Schrödinger's Equation to model the movement of a quantum particle, and demonstrates concepts such as superposition, interference, wave-particle duality, and quantum waveform collapse.

The design and construction of the hardware is a deliberate choice to complement the quantum scientific content: On one hand the springs and lights correspond directly to the particle-wave duality of quantum particles, and on the other hand the immediacy and tactility of the spring input are an intentional antithesis to how mysterious and beyond human grasp quantum effects are.

The interactions have been designed from scratch over several iterations to create a positively playful audience experience drawing on Robin Baumgarten’s artistic and technical background in both game design and designing low-level hardware: satisfying and ‘juicy’ interactions meet extremely high refresh-rates and low latency inputs on bespoke hardware.

Together with a scientifically accurate implementation of Schrödinger's Equation, Quantum Jungle becomes an innovative and unique art installation that makes quantum mechanics more approachable and entertaining than ever before.

Short Description: Quantum Jungle is an interactive art installation that playfully visualizes Quantum Physics concepts on a large wall filled with 720 touch-sensitive springs and thousands of LEDs.

STONE SPEAKS by Nancy Baker Cahill x Sophia the Robot

STONE SPEAKS is a monumental, narrative augmented reality artwork inspired by conversations between artist Nancy Baker Cahill and Sophia the Robot. Commissioned by Borderless Capital to reimagine climate crisis solutions, the artists exchanged thoughts about the accelerating climate crisis on our imperiled planet, and the adaptive potential of human-machine collaboration. 

The work first appears as a massive particle field comprised of silicon and carbon elements. In a reverse Big Bang, the particle field contracts into a molten core, and then swells into a vibrant planet, textured with digital paintings created by Sophia as an extension of her conversation with Baker Cahill. The final resulting work speaks to the poetics of human-machine collaboration—what might be possible if they worked interdependently toward mutual survival and a robust restoration of the world’s natural ecosystems? 

The interactions have been designed from scratch over several iterations to create a positively playful audience experience drawing on Robin Baumgarten’s artistic and technical background in both game design and designing low-level hardware: satisfying and ‘juicy’ interactions meet extremely high refresh rates and low latency inputs on bespoke hardware. Together with a scientifically accurate implementation of Schrödinger's Equation, Quantum Jungle becomes an innovative and unique art installation that makes quantum mechanics more approachable and entertaining than ever before.

Conference Sessions with an Art Focus

Birds Tell Us: Inspiring Conservation Through Art 

Birds, the original musicians, have inspired joy and art from time immemorial. They also give us critical information about our environment's health, and science shows that two-thirds of North America’s birds are threatened by climate change.

Join us to hear how hundreds of the biggest names in entertainment - including Wes Andersen, Yoko Ono, ANOHNI, Karen O, Lee Ranaldo, Yo-Yo Ma, Beck, Laurie Anderson, Andrew Bird, and panelist Lili Taylor - contributed their time and talents to drive conservation action and benefit the National Audubon Society’s mission to protect birds and the places they – and we all - need

Receive insights into how art can serve as a catalyst for change and learn more about what you can do to help birds today.

Birds tell us. Now is the time to listen.

Data Art: Processes and Perspectives

By using data as a tool for expression, data artists illuminate untold stories about our world. The processes employed by these artists vary just as much as the art they produce: ranging from data visualization to hand-crafted sculptural installations.

The choices that artists make when working with data are distinctly different from those made by analysts, and yet, they offer a mirror through which to view our world and consider the soft subjectivity of ‘hard’ quantitative information.

This session will engage data artists from different disciplines and career stages in conversation about their varied career paths, artistic processes, and perspectives on data art, and hopefully inspire attendees to introduce data to their art flow, or creative thinking to their data flows.

Data Art as Time Capsule of the Anthropocene

If we put the time that humans exists onto a clock, we are only the last two seconds.

Can we stop climate change if we get out of the regular perception of time, compress and defamiliarize time?

Data is the footprint of climate change over time. Not another impersonal, boring, and clinical chart on climate data! Our panel will explore how data tells stories about climate change by observing their various ways of looking at the time through data art and how we can turn the esoteric numbers into embodied experiences and foster connections.

Speakers  will share their insights on deep time, data humanism, handbuilt data art with recycled materials, data feminism, and calculation of carbon footprint for their artworks. Our panelists are artists and designers deeply connected to data and ecology.

The Decentralization of Art as We Know it

The Kunstmuseum Basel, which is considered to be the first-ever public art museum, opened in 1661. Four centuries later, 55,000+ art museums now exist in 202 countries around the world.

While each museum is unique, they all share one common practice: the art is selected by a small group of curators. Artists create their work with the intention to entertain, arouse and confuse the world. However, somewhere along the way, it became the curators’ decision as to who gets to see what. It is no secret that art museums need to evolve as art is now being shared and circulated through new mediums.

So, now the question is, what if the Smithsonian was owned and curated by the Internet? How? Decentralize it. The result? People from all backgrounds can finally feel represented through art.

The Future of Digitally Native Art and Music

A discussion of actionable steps, balanced with visionary future thinking and concept building. The conversation will focus on what implementing XR looks like for working artists and musicians and will address how creatives can navigate the full scope of the Metaverse, including the logistics, UX / UI, curation, and idea development for future projects.

The session is designed to reflect on why right now is "the best time for artists and musicians" by taking full advantage of immersive technology. In doing so, creatives will retain ownership of their ideas, while simultaneously building community. Key topics will also focus on what steps can be taken now to start on a path for future world builders, harnessing all aspects of their creativity.

NASA Combines Art & Science To Explore & Innovate

“The greatest scientists are artists as well.” ~Albert Einstein.

Traditionally, art and science have been treated as separate disciplines, but when paired, they impact and enhance one another.

A great deal of creativity is required to make scientific breakthroughs, and art is just as often an expression (or product) of scientific knowledge. NASA understands the interconnectedness of art and science, and the pairing is essential to the advancement of science because creativity involves imagination, and imagination is visualization.

Things that can be conceptualized, visualized, or imagined in the mind are the things that can be created. NASA leverages the interconnectedness of art and science in the creation and execution of all its missions and in disseminating that information broadly.

Remaking an American City Using Arts and Culture

The City of Detroit, historically a headquarters for transformative music, design and art, is transforming itself, using beautification as a tool for commerce and population growth.

The city is documenting every mural in the city, placing each on a Mural Map with artist bios so residents and tourists can digitally meet and appreciate a creative workforce that is among the best in the country. The city also is placing dozens of kiosks citywide that feature art, restaurant reviews and directions to the most popular spot near WHERE YOU ARE.

Mayor Mike Duggan’s Blight to Beauty campaign is centered on tearing down every bit of ruin porn, commissioning hundreds more murals and activating art alleys across the city.

Using Art To Lift Homeless, Enhance Transit

Mural Arts Philadelphia’s innovative Color Me Back program offers people experiencing economic and/or housing insecurity an opportunity to make art, earn same-day pay, and access social services.

In partnership with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), the program reimagines the transit agency’s public spaces with a series of colorful murals adorning its walls and concrete columns. Participants in the program engage with outreach specialists who link them with support services, including social and behavioral health services and potential longer-term employment.

Learn how Color Me Back positions art as a catalyst for change to create healthier, stronger, and more beautiful communities.

Visual Storytelling: A Way to Elevate Communities

The social media explosion has instantly turned all of us into storytellers. We all try to tell stories that matter to us.

People and communities matter as they shape the world we live in. The stories we share create narratives that have the power to educate and elevate the profile of people and communities.

Through imagery, the stories of people can be celebrated and amplified to create a nuanced context for the narrative.

Storytelling plays an integral part in understanding our human experience. How we transfer information about culture, circumstances, and experiences from one person to the next is crucial to bringing awareness to the nuances of humanity. Our panel explores the visual mediums through which we share our diverse stories across the world to shape narratives.

Unleashed LGBTQ is Coming Out of the Virtual Closet for the First National LGBTQ+ Business & Entertainment Festival!

After a successful pandemic virtual launch, Unleashed LGBTQ hosts its first in-person LGBTQ conference and festival for LGBTQ+ professionals in Dallas, September 2023.

Gilley’s Dallas 1135 Botham Jean Blvd Dallas, TX 75215

LOS ANGELES, CA (February 13th, 2023) - Wesley Smoot, in partnership with iHeart Radio, equalpride (Out, The Advocate, Advocate Channel, Pride, Plus, Out Traveler), Dallas Voice, and Kelly Ann Winget announce their Unleashed LGBTQ conference and festival in Dallas, Texas, on September 22nd - 24th, 2023. This trailblazing event will bring LGBTQ+ professionals from across the country to connect in a fun and interactive environment with top talent, brands, and industry leaders across Business, Entertainment, Fashion, Travel, and Technology sectors. Attendees will be introduced to the latest products, services, and campaigns entering the LGBTQ market through keynotes, panels, workshops, screenings, and live performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ culture. For announcements about speakers and entertainers, visit the link here.

“You’ll love what these guys are doing... They’re basically creating a “gay SXSW.” – Matt Skallerud of Pink Media

Following a successful virtual launch during the pandemic, this three-day in-person event arrives at Gilley’s Dallas – one of the most sought-after and beautiful conference venues in Texas, with 92,000 square feet across seven unique rooms, multiple stages, and rooftop views of the Dallas skyline – and the neighboring Cedars Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, an upscale theater and dining complex where film and television screenings and panels from popular streaming services, studios, and networks will take place.

Each day begins with educational topics (e.g., Effective Advertising, Financial Planning, Entrepreneurship, DEI, LGBTQ+ Representation in Media & Politics) and high-tech and experiential brand marketing installments and transitions to entertainment (e.g., music, drag, and comedy performances, panels from film and television). There will be ample opportunities for professional networking using the Unleashed LGBTQ event app (developed by WebEx/Cisco) and at specialized events and unique branded activations through the award-winning Freeman event services.

Speakers and Entertainers for LGBTQ Unleashed 2023 will be announced in groups leading up to the event date. Last year’s virtual events included a diverse slate of speakers and performers, including Comedian Matteo Lane (Netflix, Comedy Central), drag diva Carmen Carrera (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Victoria’s Secret fashion show), Brian Sims (Pennsylvania State Representative), Stacey Chosed (CEO, League at AT&T), Michael Sam (first openly gay NFL draftee), Gravity Balmain (HBO Max’s Legendary), comedian Daniel Webb (Apple TV, Comedy Central), and trans activist Celia Sandhya Daniels (Trans Can Work nonprofit), to name a few.

Unleashed LGBTQ is currently taking submissions for additional speakers, panelists, artists, brands, and project premiers. For more information about registration, participation, or ticket sales, visit: https://www.unleashedlgbtq.com/

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Unleashed LGBTQ will have designated areas for press to connect with talent and other industry professionals. Bloggers, journalists, and influencers can request information about press credentials by emailing press@unleashedlgbtq.com.

Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is proud to receive support, endorsements, and/or grants from the following organizations: DTPID (Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District), Visit Dallas, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, NLGCC (National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), & IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association).

Media Contact

Amanda Samoyloff│Samoyloff PR amanda@samoyloffpr.com

Alamo Drafthouse Cedars—Dallas, Texas

Unleashed LGBTQ Founder/CEO, Wesley Smoot

Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC has been certified as a LGBT Enterprise by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce

For Immediate Release

Febuary 20, 2023

Dallas, TX – Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is proud to announce their recent certification as an LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE®️) through the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Supplier Diversity Initiative. The NGLCC is the business voice of the LGBT community and serves as the nation’s exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned and operated businesses.

“On behalf of the entire National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), it is our distinct honor and pleasure to send Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC our congratulations! I am happy to inform you that the NGLCC Certification Committee has officially approved your application for Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) certification through the NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative.”

Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is now eligible to participate in the NGLCC’s corporate partners’ supplier diversity programs, can take advantage of the vast educational opportunities promoted by the NGLCC and will work to foster business relationships with other LGBTBEs worldwide.

“Unleashed LGBTQ’s primary goal, from day one, has been to work with LGBTQ+ brands, supportive corporate partners, and of course, largest LGBTQ+ voices. Thank you to the NGLCC, we are honored to be certified by your organization, we can’t wait to partner with other organizations in this valuable and inclusive business community,” said Wesley Smoot- Unleashed LGBTQ Founder & CEO

About UNLEASHED LGBTQ, LLC

Unleashed LGBTQ is creating a space for brands, entertainers, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect. Attendees can learn about the latest products, services, and campaigns entering the LGBTQ+ market in a fun and interactive environment. Unleashed LGBTQ provides premier networking opportunities for professionals in a variety of industries. Unleashed LGBTQ will host speakers, panels, and performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ culture— including film, television, music, and business.

About NGLCC

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business voice of the LGBT community and the exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned businesses. With more than 200 corporate partners, and 62 local, state, and international affiliate chambers, NGLCC is the largest LGBT business development and economic advocacy organization in the world. www.nglcc.org

MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE?

Starring Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek

Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes the third installment of the blockbuster Magic Mike film franchise, the musical comedy Magic Mike’s Last Dance. The creative team behind the first film, which garnered praise from critics and audiences alike, has reunited to create the magic again: Channing Tatum reprises his role as Mike Lane and Steven Soderbergh returns to the helm with a script from Reid Carolin, who also wrote the first two films. And starring alongside Tatum is Salma Hayek Pinault (“House of Gucci,” “Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard”).

“Magic” Mike Lane (Tatum) takes to the stage again after a lengthy hiatus, following a business deal that went bust, leaving him broke and taking bartender gigs in Florida. For what he hopes will be one last hurrah, Mike heads to London with a wealthy socialite (Hayek Pinault) who lures him with an offer he can’t refuse…and an agenda all her own. With everything on the line, once Mike discovers what she truly has in mind, will he—and the roster of hot new dancers he’ll have to whip into shape—be able to pull it off?