It's Britney, bitch

...and Camilla Parker Bowles' love child: Dolly

Can you handle it?

Stu + Has return to GC (www.greencarnationsoho.co.uk) for an exclusive DJ set on Friday, November 30th from 9:30 -11:30

Be there or be square.

Join the girls for a decadent night out at the fab Green Carnation (5 Greek Street, right off Soho Square)

There's gonna be a delicious mix of disco dancing, laughter, showtunes, vodka cranberries, and splash of modern pop classics

RSVP for guestlist (hassanmirza81@gmail.com)

S+H

"I would like a nice, powerful, mind-altering substance. Preferably one that will make my unborn children grow gills" -Party Girl(1995)

La Vie en Rose

Oliver Dahan’s Edith Piaf biopic is a epic triumph, with a flawless Marion Cotillard as France's doomed diva

Oliver Dahan’s epic biopic La Vie en Rose (La Môme) , although somewhat disjointed and twenty minutes too long, reigns resolutely triumphant, chronicling the tragic life of France’s beloved diva Edith Piaf, gorgeously played by a flawless Marion Cotillard. The big-budgeted, majestic blockbuster impressionistically brings to life the story of a rags-to-riches Edith Piaf, whose tragic life distinctively reflected her magically soulful, yet melancholy voice. Writer-director Oliver Dahan ambitiously focuses on Piaf herself as the centrepiece with alarming authenticity, framed by an appropriately surrealistic, fantastical backdrop.

This decision results in a blurred perspective of war and politics, as we remain locked into the heart and mind of the morphine-addicted, cancer -stricken Piaf on her death bed, reminiscing through a series of jumbled flashbacks. Although the strategy works relatively well, the non-linear narrative confusingly jumps back and forth in an effort to cover as many life events as possible, sometimes undermining the film’s fluidity. However, the enormous talent of Dahan’s leading lady and many memorable and inspired sequences- including a spine-tingling conclusion - far outweigh the film’s minor flaws.

Born into poverty in Paris 1915 as the unwanted child of a circus performer and a failed cabaret singer, Edith spent her childhood in her grandmother’s scabby brothel, raised by prostitutes who cared for her while she suffered from a temporary blindness, brought on by conjunctivitis. Bizarrely enough, the prostitutes introduced young Edith to religion by taking her on a pilgrimage to honour Saint Thérèse, allegedly sparking the “miracle” of her recovery. The early event instilled a profound and life-long spirituality in Edith, a theme that Dahan revisits throughout the film, showing how later in life Piaf refused to perform without her beloved crucifix.

By 16, Edith was a street-smart and talented street performer with a penchant for hard liquor, frequenting the decadent 1930s Parisian nightclubs. She was discovered by the Louis Leplée, played by the charming Gerard Depardieu, who helped launch her career as a cabaret singer, giving her a nickname La Môme Piaf (The Sparrow Kid), commenting on her tiny stature and her powerful voice.

Piaf went onto become a huge star in Paris, where she became very much associated with the French resistance movement - a fact which is never mentioned, and criticised for not being included in the film. In following years she achieved worldwide success, even conquering New York, where she met boxer Marcel Cerdan, with whom she fell in love with. His 1949 plane crash death devastated Piaf – a moving sequence which is wonderfully executed in the film, although bordering on the melodrama of Greek tragedy. Her grief, coupled with a car crash she was involved in two years later, resulted in a desperate morphine addiction that she wrestled with until her death in 1963.


Marcel Cerdan (Jean-Pierre Martins) ©Photography Bruno Calvo

La Vie en Rose travels from steam-filled Normandy brothels to Parisian underground cabarets to post-war New York's heaving boxing rings with production values that are absolutely breathtaking. From its atmospheric cinematography to its vibrant art direction, clever lighting and exceptional hair and makeup (Marion Cotillard’s transformation is utterly shocking), the film leaves no visual detail to chance.

And musically, the film’s soaring score equally compliments Piaf’s beautifully restored vocals of the title song (1946), "Hymne à l'amour" (1949), "Milord" (1959), and "Non, je ne regrette rien" (1960). This is, without a doubt, a film meant to be appreciated in the cinema.


Edith Piaf (Marion Cotillard) ©Photography Bruno Calvo

But of course the real star of La Vie en Rose is the exquisite Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf. The 31-year-old actress expertly plays the troubled Piaf with the perfect combination of anxious vulnerability doubled with a gut confidence and acerbic wit. Cotillard acts from the eyes and effortlessly mimes to Piaf’s vocals with such fervour and urgency that you never once doubt the voice comes from her, or even doubt that you are watching Piaf herself. Cotillard is so eerily capable of impersonating Piaf’s cartoonish mannerisms and her odd, guttural speaking voice that you almost question if the portrayal isn’t parody. Before you can, Cotillard switches gears and exposes a raw humility in the character , constantly making Edith interesting and captivating – most effectively brought to life in an understated sequence where Marlene Dietrich [Caroline Silhol] approaches Piaf at a concert pronouncing Édith’s voice “the soul of Paris".

Cotillard, likewise, captures the soul of Piaf, in a performance that is nothing short of extraordinary.

A bit slick, Sophie?

Sophie Ellis Bextor talks to Gay.com about her new album, gay mates, the sexually ambiguous Mika, and why she turned down Agent Provocateur

Following a three year break during which she tied the knot and had a baby, pop starlet Sophie Ellis Bextor found time to churn out a refreshingly indulgent pop album – Trip the Light Fantastic. The album promises to be one of the hottest of the summer, with a healthy dose of disco, electro, and - of course - glamour. Upon meeting, the 28- year-old doesn't look like your average wife and mother: at a shocking 6ft tall, clad in sparkling red heels and a candy-apple vintage dress, she's more of a human doll, with a flair of 1950s panache with a splash of fairy-tale-esque looks. Hmm, Dorothy of the new millennium? How fitting that she clicks her heels together in new single Me & My Imagination. Having conquered Europe with DJ Spiller's Groovejet in 2000 and Murder on the Dance Floor in 2002, she's back with a vengeance and thirsty for another whirl at the disco. Although having settled into motherhood, the indie-lead-woman-turned-pop diva still enjoys a night out with the boys. Gay.com was lucky enough to catch up with her for a pleasurably candid chat about the album , her influences, the competition, why she stepped back from an Agent Provocateur ad (which went to Kylie) and the media storm surrounding pal Mika

So, tell me about your new album

Well, it’s basically a…pop record! (laughs) A celebration of all things pop, I love pop music. Half of it is an album you can dance to and the other half is a bit more eclectic. There’s a bit of disco, a bit of electro, a bit of indie…

What’s an average day for you?

Being a pop star, we don’t really have average days. Different things are happening all the time which suits me very much because I get bored quite easily. It keeps evolving. At the moment I got the single Me & My imagination coming out in three, four weeks.Tomorrow I got a performance on a TV show to do. Friday I got interviews, I don’t really have a typical day.

What about your day off?

Generally just spend a lot of time with my little boy. He’s 2 right now, he’s gonna be three on Monday. He’s quite grown up!

What kind of music are you listening to these days?

I’m listening to music all the time, I spent a lot of time last evening downloading stuff from the itunes store. I got some Dolly Parton and Julie London and ELO. I listen to a real mixture – the new Arcade Fire album?

Oh yeah, I heard it. It’s good.

Yeah, they’re brilliant. I love the first one as well, it’s exciting that the second album is so good. It’s actually quite Bruce Springsteen, which is quite unexpected. I’ve been listening to …what else? I like Keiser chiefs, I like Franz Ferdinand, I like Amy Winehouse, Gwen Stefani…

What about pop girls….have you heard Hillary Duff?

No.

She sounds a little similar to you…

The only thing about that some of that stuff is that they’re quite songwritten songs, you know? It sounds a bit…put together. I like pop music with a bit of soul tapped in. I think mine is a bit more soul. It’s a bit slick.

Who did you like musically when you were a kid?

I really loved Michael Jackson, and I was also really into Madonna, in quite a big way.

Are you still into Madonna?

Yeah…well... she’s one of those people…there’s aspects of her career that I adore and others that I don’t understand quite so much, but whenever I see her live, you can’t help but just…she has this ability to have you in the palm of her hand again. I went to see her last year in the Confessions on a Dance Floor and it was brilliant, it was really inspiring. I can never quite leave her behind really. Songs like Hung up, and Sorry – I don’t know if they get me in the same way the as the songs I knew when I was little like Like a Prayer and Cherish and Express Yourself.

Are you going on tour this year?

Yeah, definitely.

Will yours be, in a way, similar to Madonna’s?

Well for Madonna, budget is a non-issue so…it won’t be at quite the same level obviously (laughs), but I try to see lots and lots of gigs, and you take little bits from everywhere. I do believe in showmanship. I think the thing that Madonna does, which I hope I can do, is that she has this ability to come across as quite austere at the beginning …not cold exactly but a little detached. But at the end of it she looks like she’s having a great time - she’s dancing, and you’re dancing, and it’s all great. I think that’s really clever how she gets that dynamic to work. You always feel at the end of it that you’ve somehow won her over. I don’t know, that’s a real…you know what I mean? Not everyone has that.

Yeah, this is gonna sound dumb, but she kinda takes the audience on a journey. I can see how you’d wanna do something like that

Yeah, exactly, but I’ve seen a lot of great performers. My husband’s in a band called The Feeling and Dan, the front man, is really good with the crowd, Justin from The Darkness is really brilliant with the crowd, the Scissor Sisters are really great with the crowd, there’s lots of ways of doing it.

So I was reading that you were the lead singer for an indie band theaudience. How did you make the transition from that to pop…disco pop. How was that transition? And why did you make it?

Yeah, I think, the whole thing from going from an indie band to a dance track… that was quite a big change because the indie world is quite cliquey. I don’t know how to describe it, it’s sort of a ‘boutique world’. You were in that club and no one really strayed out of it. So making the move out to do a dance record , which would never be featured in NME, it was quite a big leap for me. And really important for me because it made me realise that you can really do whatever you set your heart to. You don’t have to play by anyone else’s rules, you can make your own. But there’s also the side of it at the time I was …what I was doing with theaudience was pop. The whole Brit Pop thing was massive and there wasn’t really a pop side of things like we have now, so music itself has gone on a journey as well. So at the time everybody was doing it, pop music was indie. Indie pop.

Yeah it seems difficult to sometimes differentiate – I feel even these days NME covers pop too..it kinda covers everything

Yeah well again, pop again is has moved on. Now you get The Arctic Monkeys being covered by Girls Aloud and vice versa…these things I know they’re on different sides of the tracks, but the way they move, is sort of in tandem, you know what I mean?

Yeah, makes sense. Are you pretty clued into the Internet and do you use your Myspace? Are you tech-savvy?

Yeah I do. I’m one of those people who almost likes to have too much information so yeah, I’m always checking out new people’s music you know, seeing how things are doing around the planet! Yea, it’s all out there. And I love Youtube and things I’ve heard people mention saying, ‘oh this is really funny’ and if you’ve missed it, you can catch it.. I watched Avril Lavigne on Pop world. Did you see that?

No, I didn’t. But I do occasionally see her on Perezhilton…do you look at that?

Yeah, yeah, sometimes.

Yeah he slates her pretty harshly

Well when she was on the show, she didn’t know what Pop World was, so she was being asked all these questions and she just looked very uncomfy. She kept looking at her PR person with a look of ‘what is going on?’ It’s awkward, I felt sorry for her really.

So you have you tried to break out into the states a bit?

Mmmm, not really, I dunno, when I had success with Murder on the Dance Floor, I kinda had to go where the song took me, and I was really swept off my feet. I learned it’s best to go where people are inviting you really.

Well I have to tell you, that when I used to Tigerheat in LA, I guess your equivalent to G-A-Y? I remember dancing to that song all the time.

(Laughs) Yeah I think there are little pockets where people have heard it. I know there are people on my website from New York, from LA, from San Francisco. I’d love to do a few performances in gay clubs in the states. That’d be brilliant. But like I said, I’d rather go where I’m invited.

It’s interesting right now how British pop music has boomed in the states – Lily Allen, Mika, Amy Winehouse has done really well. I think that’s a lot to do with the blogging and Myspace and how people are more connected through the internet…

Yeah! But these things have also gotta be a bit organic. Yeah, and you can go and tour America for as long as you like, but if you don’t get people playing your records on radio, if you don’t get interviewed or get TV performances it’s all a bit pointless. So I’d rather just wait until something… if one of my songs gets picked up – fab. But I’m just as happy if it happens in France, I’m just as happy if it happens in Mexico. I don’t give it any more importance …but I don’t give it any less importance either, is that makes sense

Right. Yeah, that makes sense. So your mother was on Blue Peter. How did that affect you growing up? Did you get teased?

Yeah, I did, not because of Blue Peter exactly, but just because kids get kinda jealous of special treatment. I used to be able to get into museums, and cut the queue. I used to get new toys she’d bring in from work, so the kids got quite fed up and ganged up a bit. So yeah, and I probably was a bit annoying about it as well.

Do you have a gay best friend?

A gay best friend? I’ve got loads of friends who are gay. Absolutely. The lead singer of my husband’s band is a gay man and he’s my son’s godfather (the sexy Dan Gillespie-Sells of The Feeling) He’s got a lovely group of guys that I love going out with…and there’s his boyfriend Ryan …so we got a little network! And they’ve introduced me to some of my favourite clubs in London.

Which ones?

Wig Out is one of my favourites at Ghetto. I also love Rebel Rebel.

When is Rebel Rebel?

It’s the first Saturday of every month at the Phoenix Bar. Wig Out is actually my favourite – it’s a real party night.

What was it like working with Fred Schneider of the B-52s?

It was great, Fred is brilliant, I saw him last week actually, and luckily he’s become of a friend. And they’re coming over, they’re gonna play the Love Box festival which will be their first gig in a long time. Yeah, he’s lovely, really funny. He’s really secure in his skin.

So I saw that you were at the opening part of Mika’s album release party…

Oh yes.

Well as you probably know the gay media have kinda been after him - or rather, the media in general have been after him to talk about his sexuality. Do you think that’s fair to ask that? Do you think it’s right for him to say he’s not gonna talk about it?

I actually think he’s completely entitled to it. I know that Dan, someone I know as a gay musician, he was actually fine to talk about it, but it’s kinda beside the point. With Mika I kinda respect the fact that he doesn’t have to tell people everything. Why do we feel we have to know? I mean he’s got lyrics like ‘I tried to be like Grace Kelly, and I tried a little Freddie’. And if you want the answer, I think he’s kinda giving it to you. I think he’s completely entitled to do his own thing.

The reason why I asked you is that it seems to be a big topic of discussion. In every interview he does, someone asks him.

I think he should just tell them all to just bugger off. I don’t know why people think they’re entitled to know all that. More than I’d want people asking me about my sex life. It’s not because you’re ashamed or embarrassed or anything, but just because it’s just like, ‘why do you need to know?’

You were in line to do an Agent Provocateur ad a few years back, that went to Kylie (click here to see the final product) why did you turn in down?

Well to put in context, it was about 5 or 6 years ago, and I had just come out with my first record, and I was doing the video for Murder on the Dance Floor, where in the video I was playing this horrible girl who’s killing people, and the advert for Agent Provocateur was basically me, on a bucking bronco in my underwear, arousing the men watching. I just thought, every girl watching this is gonna think I’m a complete bitch. I’d probably do it now, but at the time…I’m a big believer in serendipity, right thing at the right time. It just wasn’t the right time for me to be in my pants on a bucking bronco! Laughs. Maybe now is!

Sophie’s third album ‘Trip The Light Fantastic’ is out on May 21st.

Click here to watch Catch You

Click here for Me & My Imagination

Kismet’s kitsch carpet fails to fly

ENO's Kismet, set in a bewilderingly bawdy Baghdad, proves to be a dated, meaningless piece of shtick

English National Opera’s decision to include a Broadway musical in each season is enlightened in that it both broadens the public’s concept of what music theatre is and offers high production values for hugely entertaining works that are rarely staged.

Since over half of ENO’s funding comes from the public purse there is also a huge responsibility to spend wisely, and many could argue that since there are so many musicals in the West End, the role of an opera house is to carefully uphold the unique mission of opera. I am a huge fan of blurring the boundaries between high art and pop culture and ENO are masters at this. Unfortunately the Coliseum’s production of Wright & Forrester’s Kismet, which opened last week and runs for 15 performances until the 14th July, was grossly ill conceived.


Michael Ball as A Poet

The production team obviously struggled to feel inspired by the script and score and I felt the cast and crew also found it hard to feel involved in a story more suited to a Croydon Panto than the cutting edge of British Music Theatre. Michael Ball as the Poet did his best but was probably more challenged when he played Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang than in this romp. Faith Prince brought great fun to her role as Lalume and the audience were entertained enough, but the hugely kitsch, sparkly- pink sets by Ultz, ironically, seemed dull. The same was true with the costumes. If camp is done cheaply it betrays the very meaning of the word.

This grand musical, meaning fate in Arabic was a huge hit on the Great White Way and the West End in the early 1950’s. Out of date, even then, in a climate of shows such as Guys and Dolls and Wonderful Town it was given the ultimate treatment by Vincente Minnelli for MGM, whose genius was able to get the colour, text and humour at the right pitch.

Transporting a rather frivolous musical into an opera house is already problematic. Unlike great works of art which transcend time and place and which ENO usually revels in, Kismet comes across as daft and dated and it seems can only be done as a well orchestrated panto.


Faith Prince as Lalume

I was tempted not to return for the second act but performances by company soprano Sarah Tynan who played the poet’s daughter Marsinah and the wonderfully funny Faith Prince, who was a class act in her own right, helped me stay the course. The sheer energy of ENO’s orchestra galloped through the score, which is more Vegas than Broadway, giving us a unique experience to hear show tunes on such a grand scale.

In light of the current situation in Baghdad I was asking myself, is it ok to present the city with chocolate box confection filled with badly veiled women and dancing boys singing “Stranger in Paradise”? Probably not. Is the use our most magnificent London theatre, tightest orchestra and chorus and truly talented cast in this dated, meaningless piece of shtick relevant to a discerning London audience today? Definitely not.

The week in Pop

Gay.com previews hottest new tracks from the Gossip, Scissor Sisters, MIA, Lily Allen and more

The Scissor Sisters – “She’s My Man”

The sisters turn it out once again with the fab third single – She’s My Man. In the spirit of current videogame mania, the live-action Street fighter-esque video sprinkled with slapstick humour makes for an entertaining few minutes, even if it only half-heartedly reflects the song’s dedication to New Orleans. Whether it’s perplexing puppetry or computer animation – or both, She’s my Man’s will make you want to pick up a throbbing joystick.

Click here to see the video.


MIA - “Bird Flu”

Fierce and edgy Sri-lankan rapper MIA follows her well-received 2005 debut with “Bird Flu” –the first single off her upcoming album Power Power. “Bird Flu” is a thrashing, high-energy chant with video featuring MIA herself, dancing among wildly enthusiastic Indian local. MIA’s politically subversive lyrics and punishing beats compliment the gritty, yet jubilant spirit of the tsunami-hit fishing village where the video was filmed.



Click here to see the video and click here for MIA’s myspace.


The Gossip – “Standing in the way”

I was a bit late to discover the magic that is Beth Ditto – but better late than never. The self-proclaimed “Fat, proud lesbian”, now notoriously named NME’s Coolest Person of the Year (Take that, Prom queen!!), the sexy Ditto lives up to the name. Her husky, soulful voice echoes a bizarre yet highly satisfying combo of Joan Jett, Tina Turner, and Mamma Cass. Standing In The Way Of Control is apparently protest song about Bush's attitude to gay marriage, and was appropriately used to soundtrack that deliciously lascivious trailer for new teen sex romp The Skins. “Listen up” is also a must-download, and the remixes are amazing.
.
Click here for The Gossip's Myspace

And click here for their remixes.



Cazwell and Avenue D - “The sex that I need”

Filthy gorgeous disco-rapper Cazwell joins forces with the nasty girls of Avenue D (of electroclash anthem ‘Do I look like a slut?) for a shockingly raunchy chit-chat about their recent tricks. Rapped over a 70s-porn-ish groove, it could almost be a PSS’s (Proud Single Slut) anti-Valentines anthem.

You can listen to the song here on Cazwell's Myspace.

Lily Allen – “Alfie”

Another gem from the adorable Lilly Allen. Lily’s little brother Alfie - like many boys - spends his day drinking, smoking pot, and furiously masturbating. Ms Allen’s sweetly ironic ode to little brother (played perfectly by scowling puppet) rings true to anyone who’s ever had a lazy sibling, who you only abuse affectionately, of course . The song, reminiscent of Sandy Shaw’s 1967 Eurovision-winning Puppet on a String is brilliantly brought to life by director Sarah Chatfield ‘s delightful Disney-mocking music video.

Click here to watch Alfie

Gwen Stefani’s – "Sweet Escape"

Gwen is somewhat able to redeem herself for the cringe-worthy Sound of Music-sampling mish-mash Wind it Up with the second single off her new album – Sweet Escape. The pleasantly catchy tune reminds me a bit like her earlier successes with No Doubt. But that said, Stefani’s latest efforts are so hyper-produced, so gold-splashed – that the final product results in a gaudy anti-climax. Minus all the glitter and gimmicky Harajuku girls, Gwen is “just a girl”. Thankfully she is reportedly returning to band No Doubt after The Sweet Escape significantly disappointed.

Click here for the video.

Nothing like a Dame's Wrath

Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett let the bitch slaps fly in the sinfully delicious Notes on a Scandal.

Move over Dreamgirls! The Catfight of the Year award, no longer in the hands of Supreme-wannabe divas, belongs to an unlikely duelling pair – Dame Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett.

Known primarily for their restrained dramatic roles, The A list actresses let the bitch slaps fly in their most memorable roles to date - in the sinfully delicious Notes on a Scandal.

This well-crafted riveting melodrama tells a familiar story of unrequited same-sex psychopathic love – such classics as Single White Female and The Talented Mr Ripley come to mind. Judi Dench plays narrator Barbara Cox, a lonely spinster working as a miserable London schoolteacher, whose smug wit and malicious observations come alive in her darkly comic diaries.

Beautiful and naïve Snow White-esque Sheba Hart, played by the picture perfect Cate Blanchett, arrives as the new art teacher in school, quickly catching the ravenous eye of the wicked witch. It isn’t long before Barbara surreptitiously gains the trust of her female prey, who readily confesses the daily frustrations living as wife to a significantly older man (Bill Nighy) and mother to a down syndrome son.

As Barbara becomes increasingly possessive of her new best friend, Blanchett’s ingénue takes a bite of the forbidden fruit – embarking on a highly erotic affair with 15- year old student (Andrew Simpson). Upon discovery Barbara avoids reporting her kiddie-fiddling chum, and instead uses the secret to her advantage, drawing Sheba closer to her through a nasty web of deceit and blackmail.



Director Richard’s Eyre’s plot moves along with irresistible alacrity, just as his realistically vulnerable characters unravel to the sadistic glee of Puppetmaster Dench. Philip Glass’s phenomenal score (Glass was also responsible for the score of The Hours) skilfully compliments the direction, further elevating the already dramatic momentum, eerily tinkering in the mind of Barbara as she sits in solitude.

The film’s casting couldn’t have been better with scene-stealing scenes from supporting actors: the flawlessly natural Bill Nighy as Sheba’s well-meaning cuckold husband and the enigmatically sexy Andrew Simpson (yes, he’s 18) as Sheba’s enticing jailbait.

Cate Blanchett’s complex take on Sheba Hart is nothing short of astounding, winning her a well-deserved Oscar nomination for supporting actress. Although it seems unlikely she’ll beat out Dreamgirls’ Jennifer Hudson, Blanchett deserves praise for conveying Sheba Hart’s desperate paranoia, indulging Barbara’s whims and gullible to her threats. While its easy to sympathise with her ill-informed decisions and her downward spiral (although she does have redeeming explosive moments), it’s just as easy to laugh at her ignorance through the eyes of Barbara.



The real star of Notes on a Scandal is not its fatally flawed heroine, but its comically manipulative villain, Dame Judi as Barbara Cox. Bow down, ladies, here’s the real Oscar forerunner. Even while she mercilessly blackmails Sheba, lonely Barbara is the one you sympathise with, in her all her efforts to win over the flagging companion. Her steadfast perseverance and sinister humour, narcissistically getting off on her own diary entries, make her an absolute pleasure to watch.

That said, Dench also brings a peculiar vulnerability to Barbara, whose cynical world can be torn apart just as easy as it comes together. Dench’s nuanced, detailed performance adds a rich layer to the already electrifying thriller, resulting in one of the most riveting climaxes in recent cinema.

Le Jazz Hot!

Christina talks exclusively with Gay.com about her new album Back to Basics, old Hollywood glam, and why she loves her gay fans!


With a new album on the way, the newly-wed Ms Aguilera gets Back to Basics. With a new burlesque-y sound and look, Christina takes us back to the jazz era… yet “still dirrty, gritty, and raw” - just the way we like it! She recently released the chart-jumping new single “Ain’t No Other Man”, and we were lucky enough to catch up with the stunning diva – platinum blond locks, blood red lips and all! – at London’s Sanderson hotel, where she talked to us about her new album, old Hollywood glam, and of course- why she’s Still Dirrty.

Congrats on the new album, it sounds great! How’d you come up with the concept?

Thank you very much. Well, for this record I wanted to draw upon things that I’m solely inspired by - the elements of blues, jazz music- and combining it with the visuals of say 20s, 30s, 40s, you know—old Hollywood glam screen sirens. Itt was such a great time for music, and a great time for… the iconic female.

I’ve always loved old blues, jazz, soul music. Over the past year– I wanted to dive into those eras and look at everything that was going on at the time and everything around.You know, you've got your Marilyn, your Marlene Dietrich, your Veronica Lake - all these incredible starlets that really took time to get ready. I love the whole glam of it all. It’s very ‘feel good’ to me.

There’s a track on the album called Save Me from Myself. What do you mean?

Save Me from Myself is the only song that is truly dedicated to my husband and I wanted it to come across in a very real and honest and vulnerable way.

It’s using just a four-piece string quartet and an acoustic guitar and the vocal is recorded in away that I’ve never done before: It’s super vulnerable, super up-close. No effect, no reverb. I usually have a lot of reverb.

A lot of what I do is belt, and do ad libs, things like that. On this record, it’s stripped away of any of that.

Lyrically what it’s about – on my worst days – I think we all have somebody that’s able to - or at least I hope, for the sake of other people! He’s that one person who is able to reach in there on my darkest days and pull me out of my own heavy space and make me realise all the amazing and beautiful things around me.

Could u sacrifice your career for your marriage?

No. I wouldn’t marry someone who’d ever put that pressure on me to do so. I married a man who knows what I’m about - as a woman and as an artist. He supports me in every way.

So Christina…obviously, you have huge gay appeal. Why do you think gay men love you?

[She laughs] I appreciate it very much!

I think that what I do comes off very real and honest and open.

I know that I got that I got a lot of love for my video for Beautiful because it depicts a man that did like to dress as a woman, and really, what that song was about was really letting everyone know, that even though you may see something as an imperfection, or it may not be accepted by other peoples’ opinions or judgements, no matter what, at the end of the day, it’s you who has to feel comfortable with yourself...

There are things that make us different that people might call imperfections that make us who we are - that make us amazing.

And you guys are just free spirited, and open-minded! So it makes it easier for me as an artist because that’s what I am and that’s how I express myself, you know? I just appreciate the love and support and I always try to take risks and make bold choices and take to you to new places that you can use your imagination, especially on my tour which will be really exciting.

Are you going on a European tour?

Yes! I’m actually going to start in Europe this time, in the fall.

What’s your favourite song on the album?

My favourite song on the album? That’s like asking me which child is my favourite! Oh Mother and Save Me from Myself those are the two that are more deeply spirited.

What kind of lipstick do you wear?

I go through many different ones! This one in particular that I’m wearing today is Powerhouse by Mac.

And what dress are you wearing?

Clothes? This [dress] is by Stella McCartney… belt by ..hmmm (she reaches for the label but can’t see it)…and um.. just a black sweater.

You appear totally naked in GQ. Are you happy with your body?

Yeah , I think it’s really important for woman to feel comfortable in their own bodies to express themselves as they feel they need to.

In society there’s so many rules and regulations and restrictions on how a woman should look and how she should wear her clothes – ‘Don’t be too provocative or too sexual or you’re gonna get judged’.

I think that’s just another form of a double standard that still goes on today and I think it’s really sad, so it’s how I feel comfortable and I’m not going to be afraid to show it.

You said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that the video for Dirrty had a very strong message. Do you still have a message for the new album?

I’m always trying to break new ground with how women feel about themselves. I think as women we need to respect other women in their choices that they make.

We all feel differently about how we want to go about expressing ourselves and it’s really important for us as a support team for each other, and to not criticise other women for how they feel they need to come across.

On this record there’s actually a song called Still Dirrty conveying that message once again just to say that even though I’m married - because there was a lot of press that actually came out in the states about ‘if she’s changed because she’s married, she’s given up this, she’s not doing this, she’s not doing that.’

Really, it was insane to me because I’m a woman who would never change who I am in the process of marriage.

And Still Dirrty says, in a very tongue-in-cheek kind of way that, you know, I’m still the same girl that I used to be.

It’s just that sexuality has taken on a different form for me. It will always show up in my work – it’s an important message I feel, for myself and as a need to express myself as a woman.

If there’s one thing u could to do to change the music scene now, what would it be?

One thing I could change? Well, I’m putting forth my best efforts…just trying to stay as open-minded as possible. I think it’s important in the kind of artists that I look up to in pop music and otherwise, are the ones that really do take those risks, and those are the true groundbreakers that really pave the way for future music.

AND the show queens would like to know - what is your favourite musical?

The Sound of Music is a good one. I love Meet Me in St Louis , that’s another good one, with Judy Garland , a Star is Born, Some Like it Hot. Thank you.

No. Thank you, Christina!

Two face porn-boss murder charges

11/7/07

Adult film's Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes will be extradited Thursday for trial in the death of porn producer Bryan Charles Kocis.

Two alleged escorts from Virginia are facing murder changes for the brutal killing of gay porn producer Bryan Charles Kocis.

In January, Bryan Charles Kocis, 44, was found dead in his burning home in Dallas Township, Penn. Although his body was badly burned, a coroner ruled that he had been stabbed and his throat slashed. Dental records were used to prove his identity.

Harlow Cuadra, 25, and Joseph Kerekes, 33, will be extradited Thursday from Virginia, where they have been jailed, to Pennsylvania for the court case.

Cuadra and Kerekes are charged with homicide, accomplice to murder, burglary, robbery, arson, theft, tampering with evidence, abuse of corpse and criminal conspiracy to commit such crimes.

They were arrested in May after evidence found on Kocis' computer (which survived the fire) revealed that Cuadra arranged a meeting Kocis the night of the killing.

Described to investigators as "flashy and flamboyant," the suspects were apparently rising stars in the gay porn industry. Police claim that the motive of the killing had to do with Kocis' rival porn company. The pair were keen to hire Kocis' lead actor Sean Lockhart, 19.

Cuadra and Kerekes lived together in a $500,000 home in Virginia Beach and "enjoyed exotic vehicles and extravagant dinners, and traveled the country making contacts for their escort and adult video businesses," prosecutors claim.

"It was obvious these were two individuals who led an extravagant lifestyle and followed through with it in all facets of their life," police Cpl. Leo Hannon said.

Kocis' company, Cobra Video, produces and sells gay porn, specializing in bareback films starring twinks. Titles include "Brent Corrigan's Fuck Me Raw," "A Boy's Raw Urges" and "Bareback Twink Orgy."

In 2001, police raided Kocis' home as part of a child pornography investigation and seized video cameras, photos, magazines, computer discs and more than 600 videos.

At the time of Kocis' death, neighbor Jennifer Hughes commented that he wasn't the most pleasant of neighbors, and that he was notorious for hosting large gay parties.

"I knew what he was involved in, unfortunately, it was not nice at all," Hughes said.

"All the time we saw him he would wear the same aviator glasses, baseball cap and jeans. He wouldn't say hello to anybody. He would just keep to himself.

"I know his background so I'm not totally shocked. He had boys over all the time, young boys," she said.

Porn company drops gay bomb

5/7/07

Following last month’s news that the Pentagon had devised a ‘gay bomb’ , Gay porn company Dark Alley has jumped at the opportunity to make a film inspired by pseudo science-fiction, inherently homophobic military maneuver.

In a move to “kick the US Government while it’s down,” Dark Alley described the upcoming “Gay bomb”, to begin filming in November 2007, as follows:

“Gay Bomb will take us into the future and the year 2012. George the Second has refused to step down as leader of the “free world,” and the nations of Europe have banded together to fight the new American military dictatorship.”

“Desperate to fend off its attackers, the US launches the experimental ‘gay bomb,’ designed to make the enemy forces drop their guns and turn fag. But the winds of fate blow in a different direction, and soon America is brought to its knees.”

In June it was revealed that US Air Force had investigated building a "gay bomb", a hormone bomb that was aimed to turn heterosexuals into homosexuals. Government papers suggested that this type of weapon would make enemy soldiers "sexually irresistible" to each other.

Edward Hammond, of Berkeley's Sunshine Project, used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain a copy of the proposal from the Air Force's Wright Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio.

The 1994 plans were projected over six years and would have cost $7.5m. The plans were eventually turned down.

Gay community leaders in California said that they found the idea of a "gay bomb" both offensive and ridiculous.

Commenting on their upcoming feature, Dark Alley’s Matthias von Fistenberg insisted, “We’re really not making this up. In fact, if the Pentagon officials want to see the outcome of this project, they should tune into Dark Alley TV on December 1.”

Dark Alley producer Owen Hawk concurred: “This was too good an opportunity to pass up. When they’re not busy wiping their asses with the Constitution, they’re showing total contempt for basic scientific knowledge and spending tax dollars to turn armies gay. We should laugh at their expense every chance we get.”

Dark Alley is also responsible for the porn political parody Gaytanamo.

London Pride: Wet and joyful defiance

3/7/07

Despite lashing rain and terror threats, London Pride blazed ahead, attracting tens of thousands revellers for the annual festivities...

Despite lashing rain and last week’s attempted terrorist attacks, London Pride blazed ahead, attracting tens of thousands revellers for the annual festivities.

The march began at Baker Street and made its way, as planned through Oxford Street and Regent Street, confronting a hostile, yet small group of conservative Christians and National Front protesters at the bottom of Haymarket, before spilling into Trafalgar Square for a rally and pop performances.

Pride organisers met with Police on Friday and determined there was no need to cancel the festivities. Police deployed over 350 officers to secure the event, supporting their LGBT Met comrades who marched in the parade in uniform.

On Friday London Mayor Ken Livingstone insisted he would be attending the Gay Pride march, saying: "I think people are completely safe to walk about the streets of London today and tomorrow. "I have promised my family all week that we are all going on the Gay Pride march. We will all be there," he told BBC radio. "I suspect virtually everybody who intended to go on that march will be there."

Livingstone joined actor John Barrowman and comedian Amy Lamé on Pride’s lead float before speaking in Trafalgar Square with his two young children. He was joined by Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs.

Commenting on the gay community’s defiant response to the terror threats, a proud Livingstone recalled the London’s similar response to the events of 7/7.

''They planned to cause destruction and fear, and they failed,'' Livingstone said. ''No one stayed home in fear.''

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive, noted the parade's spirit of joyful defiance as his personal highlight.

"My highlight was the wonderful moment when the parade passed two dozen of the extreme Christian protestors shouting and barracking at revellers passing them by in the Mall," he told Gay.com.

"They were heavily protected by the Metropolitan Police but the noise of their hateful sloganeering was drowned out by singing and cheering and whistles. It was a reminder of that age old truth; that goodness always triumphs over hate."

"My low-point (of course) was the incredibly heavy rain. But if the Bishops of Carlisle and Liverpool believe, as they claimed rather bizarrely at the weekend, that all this rain is Britain’s punishment for introducing civil partnership then God is obviously going to have to try a little harder if he wants to stop Pride next year. Perhaps a plague of locusts?"

Pride performer Darren Hayes, whose forthcoming album 'This Delicate Thing We've Made' comes out in August, told Gay.com:

"I have to say that Pride London was my first one as an openly gay and happily married gay man and it was fab."

"The crowd were incredibly warm and I had rocketed on in from New York esepcially to be there. For me the highlight was being able to kiss my sexy husband Richard the minute I left the stage."

"I feel lucky to live in a country where same sex marriage is not just a technicality but a civil right."

Ruth Kelly ousted in cabinet shift

29/6/07

Gordon Brown announced his Cabinet appointees, shifting Ruth Kelly,former Communities secretary, to Transport secretary

The chemistry of British politics changed today as Gordon Brown announced his Cabinet appointees, shifting former Communities secretary Ruth Kelly to Transport secretary.

Roman Catholic and a devout member of Corpus Dei, Kelly lost her position of Minister of Women and Equality a position that she was criticised for, considering her strong religious ties and implicit anti-gay stance. She refused to answer questions about whether she personally thought homosexuality was sinful.

In January the Independent on Sunday reported that Kelly delayed the Sexual Orientation Regulations in a bid to exempt Catholic adoption agencies from gay and lesbian couples as prospective parents.

The Equality Act, protecting LGB people from discrimination in regards to goods and services, came into effect on April 30th.

Kelly has been replaced by Hazel Blears, Labour MP of Salford.

Alistair Darling has been confirmed as chancellor, David Miliband will replace Margaret Beckett as foreign secretary and Douglas Alexander will become international development secretary.

For a complete list of the new cabinet, click here.

Gay teacher jailed for teen sex affair

19/6/07

A schoolteacher has been sent to jail after it was discovered that he had a consensual relationship with a pupil

A schoolteacher has been sentenced to a year in prison after it was discovered that he had a consensual relationship with a student of fifteen.

Thamesbridge College Drama teacher David Le Brocq, 30, was found guilty on Monday of having a six month sexual relationship with his pupil, Karl Donaldson. The relationship began when Donaldson was 15, but the pair alleges that they didn’t have sex until Donaldson’s 16th birthday, a decision which was approved by the boy’s mother, Donna Stacey.

Le Brocq found himself in court in October 2006, but the jury failed to come to a verdict. A new jury convicted him to a year in prison at Oxford Crown Court in a retrial that began last month.

The Judge Anthony King was relatively forgiving when he addressed Le Brocq saying that it was “perfectly apparent” that there was a mutual attraction.

“Sadly, though, this case is a classic example of a substantial and serious breach of trust.”

"I am wholly satisfied that this is not one of those cases where an adult has acted in a predatory, grooming way towards a young person,” judge King added.

The court heard that the pair began the relationship when Donaldson passed a note to his teacher with his mobile phone on it. While drinking at a party, Le Brocq called Donaldson and confessed his love in February 2004.

The pair then began meeting regularly at Le Brocq’s flat in Dorset. It was even reported that Le Brocq was introduced to the boy’s mother as his boyfriend, which she actively encouraged. Their relationship ended when Le Brocq told his young lover that he had fathered another colleague’s child.

Prosecuting solicitor Alan Blake, told jurors: “[Karl] loved David Le Brocq and his mother wanted him to be happy. The evidence is that there was a mutual infatuation between them.

“David Le Brocq exercised some restraint in not allowing matters to progress too far physically before the boy’s 16th birthday.”

The relationship came to light and police were notified when Donaldson’s younger sister spoke about the affair to a teacher.

Donaldson, who is now 19, responded to Le Brocq’s sentencing:

"I am glad it is now all over and I do not have to worry about anything now."

"I have not been in touch with him [Le Brocq] since we broke up and just want to forget about what happened and get on with the next chapter in my life."

His mother Donna added: "We did not choose to go through any of this.”

"My son just fell in love with the wrong person and it was his first relationship, but he is much stronger for it and has moved on."

Prior to the scandal, Le Brocq enjoyed a career of awards and was praised for his work in the school. He was even nominated for National Teacher of the Year award after three months in the profession by the pupils, teachers and parents.

Michael Barrymore arrested

15/6/07

Essex police arrested Michael Barrymore once again over the death of Stuart Lubbock


British comedian Michael Barrymore was arrested along with two other men over the death of Stuart Lubbock, according to the BBC.

In March 2001, 31-year-old Stuart Lubbock died after three witnesses, including Barrymore, claimed to find him motionless floating in Barrymore’s swimming pool. Although post-mortem tests showed that he died as a result of drowning, alcohol, ecstasy, and cocaine were found in his body. He also suffered severe anal injuries, suggesting that he had been raped.

At the time tabloid papers accused Barrymore of having drug-fuelled gay orgies in his Essex home, claiming that he was responsible for the death. Barrymore denied all allegations.

The Press Association are reporting that Barrymore, 55, was one of the three men arrested by Essex police. A 37-year-old man in Lancashire and a 32-year-old man in Staffordshire were also arrested on suspicion of serious sexual assault and murder.

Following Lubbock’s death in 2001 Essex police carried out an investigation to no avail. Two people who attended Barrymore’s party, unemployed Justin Merritt and drag queen Jonathan Kenney were arrested in June 2001, but were later released. The inquest that took place in September 2002 reached an open verdict.

In December 2006, Essex police reopened the case and the Independent Police Complaints Commission launched a separate investigation. The IPCC investigation is currently on hold.

In January 2006 following Barrymore’s participation in Celebrity Big Brother, Terry Lubbock, father of Stuart Lubbock, met with Michael Barrymore and apparently told him he didn’t blame him for his son’s death.

"I don't believe you had anything to do with what happened to him,” he told Barrymore, according to the Sun.

Since Stuart’s death, Terry Lubbock has leaded a campaign to secure a conviction in his son's case. He and Barrymore are said to have an amicable relationship.

Lubbock’s lawyer Tony Bennett said he was “quite surprised and shocked” that Barrymore may have been arrested.

"We've always thought [Barrymore] may have known more but up till now we've never had any indication that he might have been involved in the actual assault, and Tony Lubbock has never actually alleged that and neither have I,” Bennet told the BBC.

"What we've been campaigning for over the past 18 months is for somebody to be charged and brought to court."

Britain supports the gays

23/5/07

A nationwide survey found that almost 9/10 Britons support gay and lesbian legal protections

The vast majority of Britons support newly-introduced legal protections for gay and lesbian people, according to a nationwide poll. The 2007 Sexual Orientation Regulations, which came into effect on May 1st, assure that businesses cannot discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation.

The legislation has been fiercely opposed by right-wing religious institutions, most notably Catholic adoption agencies that launched efforts to be exempt from the regulations.

The Stonewall-commissioned "Living Together" survey also found that 73% would not mind if their child’s teacher was gay, 80% would not mind if a relative was gay, and 88% would not mind if member of royal family was gay.

YouGov, a market research firm, surveyed over 2,000 people across Britain to analyze public attitudes toward gay people. The discovered that an astonishing 85% of people support the new laws, and that 73% of people think more should be done to tackle anti-gay hate crime.

“We wanted to establish whether the shrill voices in modern Britain still opposing equality are actually representative,” Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said,

“While a significant majority of Britons are clearly not prejudiced, as this polling demonstrates, their voices are often drowned out by a minority who are.”

In April, the House of Commons passed the regulations with 310 votes to 100, dismissing efforts made by a group of Tory MPs to block them at committee stage. From the Tory party, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, and even Ruth Kelly voted in favour of the regulations.

Catholic adoption agencies have until the end of 2008 to comply with the new laws.

"Gay gangs" harass Birmingham councillor

17/4/07

Councillor Michael Mullaney is at the centre of a hate debate after he complained about gay cruising on YouTube

Michael Mullaney, a Lib Dem candidate for Birmingham city council, has found himself at the centre of a hate debate after he publicly complained about gay cruising in the local park.

Using YouTube to articulate his stance, Mullaney highlighted ‘anti-social behaviour’ by gay men who cruise in public view.

As a result, bushes will be cut in Highbury Park, and officers patrolling the area have been equipped with radio communications.

Apparently cruisers were not amused by the councillor’s efforts as placards have appeared near his home, pointing onlookers in the direction of "Mullaney's Paedophile Palace."

Fellow councillor Emily Cox who also appeared in the Youtube clip has also received threats from a man advising her to drop the cruising issue.

"I suspect this latest attack is the work of one of the gangs of men who use Highbury Park to have sex underneath the laurel bushes during daylight hours," Mr Mullaney told the Birmingham Evening Mail.

"Since that video went out I have received a threatening letter from one of these men and council colleagues have been shouted at in Mayfield Road, north Moseley."

A large group of residents apparently complained of rampant gay sex in the park, and dozens of used condoms were found in the bushes. In response to suggestions that his move is anti-gay, Mullaney said he would be opposed to anyone, gay or straight, having sex in the park.

"With regards to homophobic - well I'm a weird homophobe since I support gay marriage and gay couples adopting children. So how do you square that?”

"I just don't want anyone, whatever their sexual orientation, having sex in a public park in broad daylight."

Would you like a peek at the Mullaney’s Youtube video? Of course you do. Click here.

Soho nail bomber gets 50 years

7/3/07

David Copeland, responsible for the 1999 bombing of London gay bar, gets extended stay in prison

Nail bomber David Copeland, responsible for the 1999 bombing of London gay bar Admiral Duncan, has been sentenced to prison for a minimum of 50 years.

High court judge Justice Burton extended the original sentence of 30 years to 50, citing the "exceptional gravity" of the case under new legislation.

Copeland, was originally sentenced in June 2002 for three counts of murder and three for causing explosions in order to endanger lives.

Copeland, a neo-Nazi, had planted a series of bombs throughout London – in Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho – in a space of 13 days which resulted in 139 injuries.

Fatalities of the 1999 Admiral Duncan blast included a pregnant Andrea Dykes, 27, John Light, 32, and Nik Moore, 31.

Judge Burton said the attack was a a "really exceptional case of deliberate, multiple murder".
Burton said Copeland serve longer than his extended sentence if it was "necessary for the protection of the public".

"When the defendant has served the minimum term, and if the parole board decides to direct his release, he will remain on licence for the rest of his life and may be recalled to prison at any time."

At the time of the bombings, Copeland was 22. His plea of manslaughter on the grounds that he was a paranoid schizophrenic was dismissed.

A former British National Party member, Copeland allegedly quit because the right wing group was not militant enough.

Senior Scotland councillor : “I’m gay”

13/12/06

Scotland’s most senior councillor has come out amid escalating media scrutiny of his private life.

Steven Purcell, 34, the youngest-ever leader of the Glasgow City Council, confirmed on Saturday that he had split from his wife of five years after coming to terms with his sexuality.

"Over the past couple of weeks the rumours surrounding my marriage have increasingly become a distraction to me. I wish to set out in public the facts surrounding the issue,” he told The Herald.

"For the last year my marriage has been in trouble and some months ago my wife and I separated. One of the issues we have been facing up to is the fact that I have realised I'm gay.”

"Now that they are aware of the situation, and that Katrina and I are clear that they understand the issues, I want to dispel the rumours and get on with the important job I am privileged to do as leader of the city council."

Purcell’s wife Katrina did not find the news of Purcell’s homosexuality particularly surprising and said that she will continue to support him. The couple do not have children. "It did not come as a shock to me to find out Steven was gay and I now intend to offer him continued friendship and support and otherwise to get on with my own very busy life."

"This has been a difficult time both for me and Steven," she continued. "And I'm naturally very sad that we have had to announce our separation.

Purcell, who has been a councillor for only a year, has been praised by Tony Blair for his efforts to focus on social projects in Glasgow.

Wife’s web cam fury at gay husband

24/10/06

A Manchester woman allegedly went on a drunken rampage upon discovering that her husband was gay, according to the Manchester Evening News.

A Manchester city court heard that social worker Fiona Marsden, 45, had returned unexpectedly at the couple’s home in Northendon to discover her husband performing a lewd act in front of a web cam.

Marsden then drank multiple double-vodkas at the local pub and then drove her car into two parked cars on her way home. Local residents tried to stop Marsden from fleeing the scene.

Marsden then viciously attacked one of the residents, former deputy district judge Tony Broadley.

She apparently kicked Broadley in the groin and punched him in the face before being restrained by emergency services.

In court, Marsden admitted to assault, using threatening language and behaviour and careless driving.

Her defending barrister Jenny Callis said that Marsden, who was also taking prescription painkillers for nerve damage, could not remember anything after leaving the pub.

"The humiliation and shock of finding out her husband was gay in the manner in which she did was enormous," she said.

Callis also went on to say that Marsen was suffering from severe emotional distress, and that now she is in danger of losing her job as a social worker.

The Magistrate conditionally discharged Marsden, due to "exceptional mitigating circumstances". She was banned from driving for 18 months and had to pay £100 compensation fee to Mr Broadly.

Her husband is now living with his web cam lover.

The Eden Sessions

Lily Allen, Rufus Wainwright, and the Pet Shop Boys will grace the stage at Cornwall's spectacular Eden Project

Attention music fans!

Lily Allen, Rufus Wainwright, and the Pet Shop Boys are only a few of many fabulous acts that are coming up a as part of Eden Sessions at Cornwall’s Eden Project this summer.

Voted as the UK’s best rock music venue, with the stage set up against the spectacular Biomes, The Eden Sessions have attracted the very best of the music scene and have already sold out their July show for the amazing Amy Winehouse.

The outdoor concerts are being sponsored by The Eden Project, a giant environmental complex in Cornwall. And for the price of the concert ticket (for all shows), you’ll also get free admission to the Eden Project which has quickly become one of the most popular and fantastically futuristic attractions in the UK.

The complex includes two sets of massive, interconnected transparent domes made of ETFE cushions, each emulating a natural biome, that house plant species from around the world. The first emulates a tropical environment, the other a warm temperate, mediterranean environment.


Inside the Eden Project

Gay.com recently interviewed the enormously talented Rufus - to celebrate the release of his new album Release the Stars. His much anticipated show at the Eden Sessions promises to be nothing short of fantastic. It would be a mistake to miss.

And special guest for Rufus Wainwright on July 10 will be electro-pop act Hot Chip who won NME Track of 2006 for Over and Over.

Following her sell-out US tour, the adorable Lily Allen will be joined on stage by the sexy Mark Ronson, one of the world’s hottest DJs and producers, responsible for much production on Alright Still. Mark has also recently released Version, a record featuring his unique interpretation of songs taken from a wide variety of genres, including Radiohead’s Just.

To check out an animated Lily in latest video for single Oh My God, featuring Ronson himself, click here.

Don’t miss the Eden Sessions at the Eden Project for this one-of-a-kind music experience!

For more details and/or to buy tickets online, click here

Pictured: Mark Ronson

Any dream will do?

Lee Mead has been cast as Lloyd Webber’s Joseph. Is he up to par? Check out his official video

And then there was one.

One the heels of winning the coveted role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Lee Mead has released the official Children in Need single, the aggressively gay title song Any Dream will Do.

Featuring dew-eyed Lee Mead sighing and frolicking on a sparkling digital rainbow, it’s questionably joyful and charmingly low budget (and seethingly irritating and maniacal to some). I imagine it would be a decent theme song for a child pride festival, if there was such a thing. Nonetheless, this video will find an audience with gay six-year-olds and show queens - with little to no taste -everywhere. Unicorns should have been included.

Although beating out the vocally superior and more charming Keith, Lee does pull it off – adding just the right amount of zest. Despite the campness of it all, he seems oddly heterosexual. Wrong.

Click here to take a look.

A Drowsy Hit!

Joyfully camp and subtly sweet, The Drowsy Chaperone has the recipe for the West End's best musical comedy

Having successfully transferred to the West End, sparkling Broadway import The Drowsy Chaperone should be at the top of your hit list. Despite the bewildering title, this satirical, yet inspired look at the early musicals of the 1930s results in a joyfully kitsch and subtly sweet mix. High camp and sentiment don’t often belong in the same sentence, let alone the same stage – but the Drowsy Chaperone cleverly demonstrates how the two can marvellously co-exist.

A play within a play, The Drowsy Chaperone is narrated by a self-deprecating, yet charmingly enthusiastic show queen, only referred to as ‘Man in Chair’ played with much heart by the play’s co-writer Man in Chair Bob Martin. The lonely Martin chats to the audience from his dismal New York flat about his love of escapist musical comedies with such giddy enthusiasm that he’s hard to resist.


Bob Martin as Man in Chair

As he plays his original cast album on his rickety record player, the musical comes to life, bursting through his windows and doors in cartoonish glee. As much as he loves the musicals themselves, he’s equally obsessed with the musical theatre stars, the closeted leading men, their backstage antics and egos, their tawdry life stories - details of which he pops in throughout the show.

Although the musical itself is satirical pastiche, it intelligently covers all ground with slapstick humour and a formulaic, yet nonsensical plot, complete with solid roles of the loud brassy diva, the dim chorus girl, the toothy leading man, and dancing gangsters, reminiscent of the popular musicals of the 1930’s (Cole Porter’s Anything Goes most readily comes to mind). As with many musicals of this era, there happens to be a happy ending – featuring a big, ridiculous group wedding. Pure joy.

West End veteran Elaine Paige is a delight in her role as a drunkenly and disorderly ‘chaperone’ of a glamorous chorus girl. She’s entertainingly two dimensional as she dismisses her responsibilities to chase the affections of a wily Italian Adolfo. Martin is quick to point out that the chaperone’s penchant for booz wasn’t too far from reality as the actress was ‘notoriously difficult’ – an observation with becomes apparent when the chaperone hysterically upstages the other leading actress in showstopper As We Stumble Along.

The stunning Summer Strallen, playing haughty chorus girl Janet van de Graaff, sadly lacks the pizzazz of Broadway powerhouse Sutton Foster who originated the role. She does shine however in the memorable and witty I Don’t wanna show off, as she knowingly contradicts herself through song, dance, magic tricks, and acrobatics.

And where so many musicals have underperformed, Drowsy gloriously succeeds musically as Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison's songs craftily parody popular standards of the 30s, never comprising the original integrity. Director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw adds just the right amount of slapstick and heart in a piece that, with any more effort, could have been a huge mess. The Drowsy Chaperone is, without a doubt, the best musical comedy in town.

The Drowsy Chaperone
Novello Theatre

Smoke this!

MTV Canada's new commercial featuring a gay kiss, oddly to warn against the perils of pot-smoking.

MTV Canada has created a new commercial featuring a gay kiss, oddly to warn against the perils of pot-smoking.

The Saatchi & Saatchi created ad features a trio of young men sitting in a car in an empty car park, apparently after smoking marijuana. Two of the boys kiss, provoking a stunned response from the third. Click here to take a look.

Earlier this year a Snickers commercial featuring a gay kiss between mechanics caused uproar among the American gay lobby.

The ad, broadcast during the Super Bowl, was pulled after the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD condemned the Mars company for the commercial, which they interpreted as anti-gay.

“The makers of Snickers and its parent company at Mars should know better,” Joe Solmonese, president of HRC said.

The ad featured a pair of mechanics who end up unintentionally kissing when eating opposite ends of a Snickers bar. Horrified at what they’ve done, the pair rip their chest hair to do “something manly”.

The Snickers ad campaign was pulled within a week.

Hello Sailor!

ENO packs a punch with its joyful tale of horny seaman out On the Town.

ENO’s splendid production of On The Town returns to The Coliseum for 20 performances only and is one of the must-see cultural events of the season.

To experience this 1940’s Broadway show with the enormous forces of English National Opera’s 62 piece orchestra balanced with a cast of 62 performers is a total treat for both show queen and philistine alike. Its charm is in the simple plot of 3 sailors on twenty-four hours leave in New York City and their quest to find a date.


A scene from On the Town

“The show was light” Bernstein once said, “ but the subject was serious”. Set against the backdrop of World War II’s darkest hour, the sailor’s vulnerability and joy for life and their meeting with 3 great gals carries us through both funny and moving episodes told by song, dance, comedy and drama.

The young creators of On The Town were all in their mid twenties in 1944 and this youthful ambition and excitement of New York is captured throughout. Conceived by choreographer Jerome Robbins, the whole piece is hugely balletic and as much a visual feast as a musical one. Bernstein’s score is both sassy and poetic and its huge ambition is realised scene after scene.


June Whitfield (Madame Maude P. Dilly) / Helen Anker (Ivy Smith)

The strength of the cast added to the night’s success. What a treat to see June Whitfield hamming it up as Madame Dilly while the hoofers were spot on.

In particular Caroline O’Conner brought a Broadway edge to the show. Previously seen as Ethel Merman in the Cole Porter bio-pic, De-Lovely, as Nini Legs in the Air in Moulin Rouge, and set to bring Judy Garland to the London stage in End of the Rainbow towards the end of the year, Miss O’Conner as Hildy gave her all to “Back to My place” capturing the energy of the time. It reminded me of all the reasons we love a show tune and musical theatre girl.


Sean Palmer (Chip) / Caroline O'Connor (Hildy Esterhazy)

As the American art-form the musical is often misunderstood but the sheer excellence and confidence of On The Town captures the spirit of youth in wartime using song and dance, humour and pathos and proves that great art found in the opera house can be totally accessible and entertaining across the generations.

On The Town runs from 20th April for 20 performances.

On The Town
London Coliseum
St Martin’s Lane, WC2
Call ENO's Box Office on: 0870 145 0200
Performances April – May 2007.

You can book online by clicking here.

Photos by Laurie Lewis

Let the sun shine?

Danny Boyle's science-fiction epic Sunshine hits cinemas this weekend. Is it worth the hype?

The year is 2057, and the sun is dying. As a result, all life on earth is jeopardised. The world pools together its resources to deliver a bomb, through the vessel of a space ship, designed to ‘re-ignite’ the sun. If the suicide mission is successful, mankind is saved.

After years of travelling to the sun, the astronauts on board ship are -as you would - going a bit mad. As their ship Icarus II approaches Mercury, they lose contact with earth, and pick up a distress call from Icarus I, the ship that disappeared in the same mission seven years before. After a heated debate, the crew decide to respond to the floating ship, sparking a domino of disastrous and frightening results.

I went into science-fiction thriller Sunshine with high expectations…but left deflated.

I do respect Danny Boyle’s past films and his ability to tackle multiple genres (He’s responsible for the twisted classic Trainspotting, and the gloriously horrific 28 Days Later, which as far as I’m concerned is the best zombie movie ever) but despite its impressive special effects and brilliant art direction, Sunshine doesn’t quite make the cut.

Sunshine, above all, is a sensory experience. Impressively created in London’s East End 3 Mills studios, the film features wildly imaginative visual effects. Parts of the film are absolutely breathtaking – bizarrely visceral, trippy and psychedelic. The sound and score similarly reflect a gelled and tranquil consciousness- and sounds a bit like French electronic duo Air. This kind of epic space film is designed for the big screen.

Sunshine also boasts an impressive cast, led by rising star Cillian Murphy as Capa, sensitive, yet hot-tempered scientist responsible for the decision to change the mission’s course of action. The beautiful Rose Byrne, playing scientist Cassie, possesses a charmingly vulnerable quality. Quite subtle, the characterisation of Sunshine works because they just seem like real people with real emotions. That said, they’re not particularly believable as scientists.

Sunshine builds effectively to its thrilling climax; the mood and characters are established and for a few moments, there's hope that the film will go beyond the normal conventions of the science-fiction/horror genre.

But sadly as the plot speeds up and haphazardly introduces new challenges to the crew, suspense falters and logic disappears. I’m not against horror by any means- but it can be frustrating when a film that sets out to be metaphorical and poignant, turns into a slasher flick. Why? The result is messy.

The choppy editing also makes Sunshine difficult to watch. There are so many cuts from inside the spaceship to outside and back to the sun; it becomes stress-inducingly unclear what you are looking at. Perhaps remaining calm under such circumstances is part of the talent of appreciating science fiction – but I don’t seem to have that gene.

Sunshine touches on unexpected psychotic consequences of the astronauts’ mission, but moves too quickly to develop any clarity. It also has a fair share of intriguing religious references – the end of mankind, man's efforts to change 'the course of nature'– but simply fails to give any of these ideas enough room to breathe. Another lost cause.

The last 40 minutes is nearly unbearable in its incomprehensiveness, but the unforgettable final sequence manages to round it out, and brilliantly capture the hypnotic charm of the scorching sun. Hopefully the dazzling sequences can make you forget the many flaws of this film.

Sunshine opens nationwide on Friday, April 6.

Scissor Sister Del Marquis talks

The sexy gay guitarist talks to Gay.com about life on the road...

As the Scissor Sisters sparkle through another world tour - showcasing their latest musical triumph TaDah, Gay.com caught up with them in Detroit and chatted to lead guitarist, Del Marquis. Arguably the least vocal and visible of the queer power phenomena led by song writing duo Jake Shears and Babydaddy, the 27-year old Del, aka Derek Gruen, has an understated charm and sexiness. For those of you who have witnessed the Sisters in concert, you’ll recognise Del for his high strung, matador trousers, mostly deadpan expression, and phallic guitar - often scoring a centre-stage solo. Earning a reputation of staying enthusiastic and remarkably modest, The Scissor Sisters seem unfazed by their growing celebrity. The down-to-earth Del was no exception, chatting familiarly about time-insensitive touring, absent gay groupies, his Brooklyn boyfriend, and about the band’s sisterly dynamic.

So, what did you do today?

Everybody sleeps really late because we travel on a bus. I don’t know if you’ve been on the traditional tour bus, but it’s devoid of light and any kind of natural sense of time… it drives me insane. So as soon as my eyes open I get up, and its usually around 9 am. No one gets up for hours. I just have to start my day. So today, we went to our day rooms, I went to the gym and I had breakfast. It’s really kind of monotonous, it’s not that exciting (laughs).

So how to you build up your energy up for a show?

Exactly like this, by doing something really regular, as if it’s any old day. I don’t sleep late at home so when I’m on tour, so I try to get up at a reasonable hour, eat a big meal and take a walk around the city…to some place interesting. Detroit just doesn’t happen to be that.

Yeah, Detroit’s not very exciting.

Yeah, I mean, it’s not bad. Detroit’s hard to get around in. I’m in motor city and I don’t have a car.

So I’ve read about your fan group, the Deltoids. Do you get groupies? Has anyone ever done anything really crazy?

You know what? In the scheme of rock history, I doubt it. I’ve obviously read about everything from the Led zeppelin incident to Def Leopard groupies, but I don’t think it’s that crazy for us. I don’t know if the gay fans are willing to go all the way like the classic girl groupie.

That’s interesting.

Yeah, it’s true, you might get them at a bar, but in a mixed venue, they’re a little shy. I guess we should ask people to step out a little, and be a little more daring. They’re familiar with the music, but then they might be confronted with the mixed audience, and not feel as comfortable as they would as in all gay crowd. I say, do what you wanna do (laughs).

Who are you closest to in the band?

It really kind of depends. I think we’re all such of different archetypes…are you asking if I have a specific issue I want to talk about or…?

If something heavy has happened, who would you go to?

Something heavy. I actually feel pretty comfortable going to most band members. For something heavy, I don’t think there’s any one member I wouldn’t feel comfortable confiding in .These are people that you spend so much time with, but there’s no avoiding knowing the details if something really awful had happened. You can’t hide it. Everyone ends up knowing, and that’s a good thing.You don’t wanna be a moody asshole, and everyone is like – hey, what’s up your butt? And you’re actually like, ‘Uh, My relative just died, and I can’t go home for the funeral cause I’m on tour’.

Right. So I imagine that the gay energy of the group can be really intense, especially with you guys being in such intimate quarters. How do you deal with that? Does it feel any different than if you were with straight guys?

I’ve only been in two bands with straight guys, and I would definitely take this situation over that. There are more straight men in our entourage that outnumber the gay band members, but our direction comes from the fans. We have a certain sensibility, a queer sensibility, and that extends to Ana and other people we surround ourselves with.

I don’t like to call it a gay sensibility, it’s a queer one. It’s about a sense of humour, a sense of openness…and I don’t think I could do this without it. It’s great, I could never be with anything less. There’s just such openness, everyone is really funny and witty. And they’re also really emotionally developed people. I don’t know any other situation - I just like the one I’m in.

Do you have a boyfriend?

I do have a boyfriend.

And how long have you been together?

A little over two years. We live in Brooklyn.

So is he touring with you, or is he back home?

Nah, he has his own career, he has a job and you know, does the 9 to 5. It doesn’t really allow him to travel much to meet me, but we make time to meet up. He can’t put his life on hold for me.

I saw your Myspace page, but there wasn’t any music up, and you said there was more to come. Tell me about your music.

Well obviously there’s a really strong song writing core in The Scissor Sisters, Jake and Babydaddy write most of the music. Yeah, I mean, it’s not for lack of writing songs, the songs I write aren’t always gonna be appropriate for this band, but that doesn’t dissuade me or stop me from working on music. And I’ve had stuff on the page, but because they’re demos. I take them down, and I work on them., depending how busy I am with the band. Sometimes I neglect that page (laughs).



But there will be time between the albums, I’ll hope to work on other projects. I don’t know where they’re gonna lead, but I think that what this band does is open a lot of doors. There’s a lot of possibilities.

I read that you are interested in film. What kind of films do you like?

Sometimes I like to see a really wrank kind of big Hollywood movie. It’s kind of my escapism.

What was the last film you saw?

That last thing I saw was a Netflix movie. Capturing the Friedmans. (IMDB: “Documentary on the Friedmans, a seemingly typical, upper-middleclass Jewish family whose world is instantly transformed when the father and his youngest son are arrested and charged with shocking and horrible crimes”)

Oh I saw that. Wasn’t it amazing?

It is amazing, and I was just talking about it with my boyfriend actually. The film doesn’t give you the answer, I don’t know if you go into the film thinking are they guilty..or if are they not…

It’s very weird.

They’re not particularly guilty of all the crimes, but they’re not innocent either. The film is willing to be middle ground. Everyone wants it to be one way or another, but it’s really somewhere in the middle. It was even hard for me to say well, ‘Oh they may be guilty of some things,’ but I definitely think they were overcharged. There was definitely something of a witch hunt.

I agree. So what does Elton John look like at Breakfast???

(Pause) He keeps his appearance up. I don’t really wanna comment on that.

So, you’ve have been invited to separate lunch dates. One from Paul McCartney and another from Heather Mills. Who would you go with and why?

I would go with Paul McCartney. I have nothing to talk to Heather Mills about without being mean spirited.

What’s the next single?

We just released She’s My Man, as a single and the video is out. The next single will most likely be Kiss you Off.

Oh, I really like Kiss you off!

Oh I know, I really like it too. I think it’s one of my favourite songs to play. And this means that Ana is kind of the creative driving force for the video. She has her own ideas of beauty and film, so it should be good…and different.

The Scissor Sisters tour will headline the O2 festival in London on July 26th and 27th and play the Manchester Evening News Arena on July 30th, 31st, and August 1st.

To find more tour information, click here.

Pop this pill

If drugs could make you straight, would you be tempted to take them? Don't miss the thought-provoking and clever Hard Pill

One of the most difficult, unexpected challenges about coming out is that once you do, there’s no looking back. And if you expect to find romance, or at least feel part of a community, you may end up feeling more isolated than you were before.

Would life be easier if you could be straight?

John Baumgartner’s clever and poignant Hard Pill tells the story of chronically single, average, unhappy Tim.

Working at a dead-end job, Tim’s most romantic relationship is with a doting overweight Ugly Betty. The closest thing he has to a sex life is begging a manic- depressive straight friend to graciously accept a blow job.

Despite his best efforts, Tim can’t break his lack of self-confidence, and a harsh, unfriendly gay scene further fuels his depression. Desperate for change, he volunteers for a controversial pharmaceutical study designed to make gay men straight.

While the gays and the church go head-to-head (which is brought to life through a brilliant documentary approach), Tim slips through the cracks and begins treatment – despite objections from close friends. The treatment works, and although he tries to enjoy his new life, he's faced with unexpected consequences of his decision.

Filmmaker Baumgartner’s novel idea and direction make for a thought-provoking and suspenseful drama. Conversion treatment isn’t new, and the introduction of sexuality conversion – in pill form - doesn’t seem an unlikely reality. Just last week Christian leader Albert Mohler suggested that if being gay is biologically determined – people should be “fixed” to be straight, prompting backlash from gay rights groups.

Besides the impressively provocative premise, the casting of Hard Pill is also noteworthy. There’s a very distinct ‘kitchen sink’ aspect to the characters, each imperfect and vulnerable, reflecting Tim’s troubled state of mind. The supporting cast – made up of Tim’s straight crush, a hard-partying queen, and a doting female companion - each have very precise character traits and motivations, later instrumental in Tim’s unravelling.

Susan Slome stands out in her performance of Sally, Tim’s fag hag …literally. Overweight and homely, Sally is devoted to Tim – and would “marry him if he was straight”. While she is upset by Tim’s decision to dismiss his gayness, she secretly warms to the prospect of Tim being a hot-blooded hetero.

With the exception of some briefly excessive melodrama, Hard Pill is definitely worth a watch. Refreshing and sweet, similar to the amazing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Hard Pill is another rare example of a quality gay drama.

My rating? 4.5/5 stars

Hard Pill is available on DVD.

‘Idol’ alumni in cottaging scandal

Pop star Mario Vasquez has been accused of "masturbating" in front of an American Idol employee

Pop star and former American Idol contestant Mario Vasquez faces allegations of sexual harassment from a former employee of the reality show's production company.

In a lawsuit that was filed last week to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Magdaleno Olmos, an assistant accountant to Fremantle Media, claimed that Vasquez tried to cruise him in the company lavatory.

According to the documents, which were obtained by TMZ on Monday, Vasquez, who has never publicly acknowledged his sexuality, asked Olmos "if he wanted oral sex."

Olmos said that Vasquez followed him into the lavatory, knocked on the toilet stall that Olmos was using, and looked at him through the space in the stall door. Vasquez made eye contact with Olmos, and smiled "lasciviously" as he "started to rub his genitals over his pants."

Although he resisted Vasquez’s advances, Vasquez forcefully unzipped Olmos' pants and touched his "chest and stomach underneath his shirt ".

As Olmos tried to exit the lavatory, he turned and “saw Vazquez standing in front of him with his pants down masturbating".

Olmos reported the incident to his supervisor Eric LaPointe, who then threatened Olmos with termination and called him “crazy”. Olmos was fired a few months later.

In addition to suing Vazquez, Olmos is also taking FOX Entertainment and Fremantle Media to court for wrongful termination.

Shortly after the incident, Vasquez, who had made in into the final round of the reality show, dropped out of the competition citing “family reasons”.

Quashing rumours that he had clashed with Idol producers, Vasquez told morning show "Good Day New York" that his experience on American Idol was “only positive”.

Aussie pop star: I'm gay

“Yes, I am gay,” said Australian pop singer and former Idol contestant Anthony Callea

Australian pop singer and former Australian Idol contestant Anthony Callea has come out of the closet, after being accidentally outed by a Sydney radio host earlier this month.

“Yes, I am gay,” Callea told News Limited on Monday.

His sexuality has been the subject of much speculation, especially since he denied being gay in 2004 and insisted, “I'm not gay. I don't know why people say I am. A lot of people just make up rubbish.”

Callea, now 24, revealed that he is now comfortable with himself and wanted to end the rumours.

"I have no issue with my sexuality now but it has taken time to become confident with who I am and happy with who I am," he said.

"I'm looking forward to living a life with no holds barred and not worrying about having to say the right thing."

Callea's confirmation of his sexuality follows an on-air conversation on Sydney radio station on March 6, 2007, when a traffic reporter nonchalantly mentioned that Callea is gay.

Callea admitted that he regretted not coming out earlier, but felt pressure to hide his sexuality, especially during Australian Idol.

"You learn from your mistakes. I was 21, 22 at the time," he said. "I didn't want to be known as just the gay contestant from Idol.

He also discussed how growing up gay in an Italian family was difficult.

"I went through a major depression. I hated myself. I had to see a psychologist. I wasn't talking to anyone. My parents didn't know what was wrong with me," he said.

"But getting through that makes you a stronger person. It allows me to do what I'm doing now and not be affected by what's said.”

Callea currently holds the record for being the highest-selling single and fastest-selling single in Australia for his debut single The Prayer.