Interview on PBS

An interview I was lucky enough to conduct will air this Sunday on PBS station KBDI channel 12 in Denver. It is with the Executive Director and the new Artistic Director of a wonderful Contemporary Ballet company, Ballet Nouveau Colorado. (previous post about their season opening)

If you are not in the viewing area you will be able to access the show on the website a few days after air.

In advance of this airing the company has sent out a special promotion for tickets to their season finale, 21st Century Choreography Competition.

Act your age … but only pay HALF!
DON’T MISS out on a great night of entertainment and networking!
Join young professionals from all over the metro area for either Friday night of the 21st Century Choreography Competition – and afterward, meet each other and the dancers at a late happy hour at nine75 or Las Margaritas.

Tickets for this great night out are priced at just HALF YOUR AGE.

Date
Friday, April 4th
Time & Place
Show is at 8:00pm at DL Parsons Theatre in Northglenn
Networking / meet-and-greet after the show at nine75 in Westminster
Cost
HALF YOUR AGE
(min $11; max $26 – regular ticket price $26)

or

Date
Friday, April 11th
Time & Place
Show is at 8:00pm at the Lakewood Cultural Center , Lakewood
Networking / meet-and-greet after the show at Las Margaritas, Belmar
Cost
HALF YOUR AGE
(min $11; max $26 – regular ticket price $26)

For the price of half your age, you get:

• Your ticket to the innovative new production of the 21st Century Choreography Competition.


• Entrance to the exclusive after-show networking event and meet-and-greet with the dancers at nine75 in Westminster or Las Margaritas in Belmar, with special happy hour drinks.


• Bonus – your ticket stub gets you a FREE glass of wine or appetizer with entrée on your next visit to nine75 and you will receive a 25% off card from Las Margaritas with your ticket order!

Click here for tickets and directions and pass this email on to all your friends!

21st Century Choreography Competition
Three dynamic choreographers won the 1st round of the competition with YouTube videos rated by viewers nationwide. See the new works they created for the final phase of the competition, and HELP CHOOSE THE WINNER with your votes at the show.

nine75

started with the simple but apparently elusive idea that no one should have to sacrifice great taste for a hip ambiance. With fresh, original twists on traditional comfort food favorites, and a scene that hits the right note for any occasion, that idea didn't take long to catch on and win the restaurant an army of loyal fans. The original location in the Golden Triangle has been so successful, this brand of city chic has emerged as a second nine75 in Westminster .

Las Margaritas
restaurants and cantinas are legendary Colorado landmarks that boast a huge menu of awesome, award winning Mexican food that is simply fabulous! Explore a vast collection of Mexico ’s most celebrated tequilas! Enjoy all of this with world class service in an exciting dining room or outside on the rockin’ patio. Simply Fabulous Food & Great Margaritas!

mtvU's Editorial Board interview with Bill Clinton on DOMA

Regardless of your politics this is a fascinating clip.

These college journalists are more focused on getting more than just a prefab sound-byte than many of their senior counterparts.

Here they are asking President Clinton about his, and Senator Clinton's position on The Defense of Marriage Act.

President Clinton appeared with this panel as part of CGI U (The Clinton Global Initiative University) There are four other equally interesting clips here.

These journalists make me feel proud of the profession, and hopeful for the use of alternative media.

Reading a friend in the New York Times

While I love the little suburb I live in, it's no secret to any who know me that I miss the city. One of the many things I miss is Sunday morning in New York City. My memories of Sunday morning in my apartment usually have the sunshine flooding the room, the smell of coffee and fresh brioche, and the Sunday Times spread across the bed. The comfort of snuggling up in great bedding with your loved one(s) (not multiple lovers, but my spouse, dogs, children etc) reading, talking, and of course eating, is one of the greatest pleasures for me.

We do a fairly good imitation of it here in the suburbs. We have Sunday Morning on CBS to watch in lieu of the print version of the New York Times. There is food, discussion, and of course coffee. Since we can't simply step outside and find a bakery, a new-stand, or a coffee shop it rarely includes fresh baked goods, or the five pounds of newsprint that is the Sunday Times. Instead I make coffee, my husband often makes a hearty and heavy breakfast (breakfast is his favorite meal) and later I come down to my office and read portions of the Times online.

Today I found a wonderful surprise in the NY Times, an Op Ed piece written by a friend of mine. Earlier this year I posted about the release of her second memoir, I'm Looking Through You: Growing Up Haunted.

This was a treat. Here is a link to her piece.

Op-Ed Contributor
The Democrats’ Endless Winter
By JENNIFER FINNEY BOYLAN
Published: March 23, 2008

Happy Easter Weekend

You Always Remember the First Time ...

No, not that first time.
The title refers to the latest installment of Titlepage
Daniel Menaker chats with four first-time authors. two novelists and two memoirists.

This episode follows the same format as the previous. (not important but interestingly, this was actually taped first) Each of the four authors has a chance to respond to Mr Menaker's questions about their work. Again, they each piqued my interest in the book, but the best part of the show was when they all began engaging in a group discussion. I would love to see even more of that.

They discussed, briefly, the value printed books still hold in the age of Blogs and e-readers like Kindle. It was loose and fun. Keith Gessen made a brief comment that made it seem he had read Ceridwen Dovey's book. Perhaps they all had read each other's work before the interview, but that would bring another spark of fun to the group discussion.

I love this project/show. It will be interesting to see how it develops and who will be on.


authors in this episode
I Was Told There'd Be Cake Sloane Crosley
Please Excuse My Daughter Julie Klam
All the Sad Young Literary Men Keith Gessen
Blood Kin Ceridwen Dovey

The Hollywood Red Carpet Event...

The Red Carpet event in Hollywood I am attending this spring has even more pressure for me to find the right gown.(previous post) It will be televised, on one of my favorite stations, BRAVO. Now, there was already pressure to have a great gown, but for the event to be on the home of Project Runway!?! How can a mere mortal meet this challenge? :-)

Here is a portion of the press release:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



BRAVO AND GLAAD SIGN BROADCAST RIGHTS DEALTO TELECAST 19th ANNUAL GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS


Annual Ceremony Honoring Media to Call Bravo Home

New York, March 17, 2008 “ The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today announced an exclusive agreement with Bravo, its new broadcast partner, which will telecast the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards later this year. The announcement was made jointly today by GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano and General Manager of Bravo Media Frances Berwick. The national media advocacy organization has presented the GLAAD Media Awards annually since 1990, but this will be the first televised airing of the celebration on a fully distributed national cable network.

"Bravo has an already proud record of featuring groundbreaking gay and lesbian programming, and the broadcast of the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on Bravo will be historic not just for GLAAD, but for the entire lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movement for equality," said Giuliano. "The GLAAD Media Awards have grown to be GLAAD™s most visible media program. This partnership is a tremendous opportunity for a national audience to learn about and celebrate the extraordinary nominees and honorees that exemplify the spirit of inclusion which we seek."

"We have tremendous respect for GLAAD and the powerful work the organization does across the country," said Berwick. "We are honored to be associated with them and to broadcast this high profile and important event to a national audience."

The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and the issues that affect their lives.

###

I said before that this was harder than deciding what to wear for my own wedding! What an understatement. ;-)

Since some of my favorite actors, comedians, and other showbiz professionals will be there, I want to make the best impression possible. I hope to meet Kathy Griffin, Ellen, TR Knight, Kathrine Heigl... OMG, Tim Gunn and the designers from this season of Project Runway might be there!

I'm not feeling well.... ;-)

resolution for the ICRME

Over the past ten days or more the Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire faced a difficult situation. I maintained my confidence in the organization's ability and commitment to resolving the conflict. While there is no pleasure in the outcome, I am proud of the ICRME. Below is the statement.

In a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Rocky Mtn. Court System on Sunday, March 16, 2008, the Board has unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Benjamin Paige from the Board of Directors based on his communication via email and text message. The policies and procedures of the R.M.C.S. clearly states “R.M.C.S. will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, non-disqualifying mental or physical disability (including HIV status) or veteran status.” The Board believes in the rights of individuals to express their individual viewpoints, but when those expressions become incompatible with the day-to-day operations and purpose of the organization the Board will strive to ensure the success and mission of the organization. We sincerely thank the members of the organization and the community at large for their thoughtful input on this difficult
situation. As leaders of the organization, we are exploring opportunities to open further discussion and education about gender identity issues.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors
Tom Japhet
Board
President

The official campaign season will be robust and spirited as usual. When you see them out raising money, volunteering, and asking for your vote, listen, donate, and tell them how you feel.

happiness

"I define happiness as a continuous, creative activity." -- Baba Amte

When I read this several weeks ago it stuck with me. That is one of the things I miss most about being a dancer and actor. The process. The work was so fulfilling, and interesting. For a time I was able to capture some of that by working with local people. Charity shows, pageants, nightclubs, it was all great fun. I miss it often. This weekend some of those same people will be putting on their big shows. I hope they can put aside the strife and distractions of the last week and enjoy it. Good Luck to the candidates!

Writing can be a struggle sometimes, but more often it feels as much like happiness as any of my other creative endeavors. Discipline was the foundation of dance and theater that gave the freedom to create. The discipline of writing, every day, is proving to be a similar foundation. There is happiness in that work too.....

unfortunately the same can't be said of cooking and cleaning. :-)

Protest...

During the last week I have seen how powerful writing can be, both good and evil. It is encouraging to see how many people responded by taking action to counteract intolerance, divisiveness, and ignorance. An organization I have worked for and respected is still working to meet this challenge.

I urge those who are calling for action by protesting the ICRME function this weekend to have patience. As an all volunteer organization it is not as nimble as we might hope. The board of directors is working diligently to answer the community's call for a response to one of their members writing. I am aware that the President of the Board is scheduling and emergency meeting to address this issue.

By calling for patience I am advocating on behalf of the hard working volunteers of the ICRME. Give them a chance to respond. The Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire has an opportunity to show their leadership and commitment to the community it serves. There will be other opportunities to protest if that becomes necessary in your view.

Lynn Conway has a section of her website for tracking news related to the Transgender community, and specifically this issue here. When the ICRME Board of Directors makes a statement or takes any action you will find it here and on Lynn Conway's page.

Here is a video that shows another side of the ICRME.

Wow O Wow

This is a new website I found out about that I am already adding to my daily list. It launched on March 8th so I am a little late to the party, but only fashionably so. ;-)

Here is a snip from CEO Joni Evans' welcome message.

WowOwow is a party — disguised as a website — where we meet for coffee (in our robes) and for cocktails (without any makeup) and even in the middle of the night (someone’s always up!). Here, we can talk to our readers, invite the most interesting guests, share experiences, tell tales out of school, exchange gossip and news — and make some of our own. WowOwow is created, written and owned by Lesley Stahl, Peggy Noonan, Liz Smith, Joni Evans, Mary Wells, Sheila Nevins,
Joan Juliet Buck, Whoopi Goldberg, Julia Reed, Joan Ganz Cooney, Judith Martin, Candice Bergen, Lily Tomlin, Jane Wagner and Marlo Thomas.

That is a group of women I'd love to have lunch with. Well, maybe not all at once, but you get it. The very first Question of the Day that drew me in was from 03/10/2008

From James Frey to J.T. Leroy and beyond: Why are publishers such easy marks for fake memoirs?

As a reader and a writer I had a great time reading the various takes on this question. What do you think?

Words..

There has been some strong reaction to my post regarding "Homo-Razzi in the News" by Benjamin Paige - 7 Year Old Transvestites in Public Schools -Gayzette) http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TS/News/US/Benjamin%20Paige/ben-paige-hi-res.jpg Most of the people contacting me have understood why this article was unacceptable and have been supportive. Most recognize that it is not at all humor or satire. A few people have questioned why I wrote my open letter to the ICRME when they did not write or publish it.

Simply, because the writer, Benjamin Paige, sits on the Board of Directors. He is listed as being responsible for Corporate Development. If this were an antisemitic article there would be calls by concerned people to sanction, censure, or remove the writer from any other 501c3 nonprofit, so why should it not be the case here?

To say that this was free speech, and intended as humor is not good enough. Yes, Mr. Paige has the right to free speech. With that right one must accept the consequences. This was not humor, they are not just words.

Words can equal hope

Words can equal humor

Words can equal unity

Words can equal violence



I hope you understand.

an Open letter to a community service organization

Today I am terribly sad to report that a wonderful community service organization I once worked with has come under negative attention due to the published writings of a current Board member. The Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire. The Publisher has published a retraction already, I hope this organization also takes a public stand.

I'm am posting my open letter to the ICRME:


An Open letter to the ICRME,

The Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire was one of the first places I found friends when I moved to Denver more than ten years ago. I quickly joined in the wonderful work being done by the all volunteer organization. The Colorado AIDS Project, Project Angel Heart, and Howard Dental Center were only a few of the programs that benefited from the tireless efforts of the diverse membership of the ICRME. Community spirit, leadership and education were the principles behind the ICRME's own White Rose Scholarship program.

This meaningful work moved me to serve on the governing council and Board of Directors as well as many campaigns for Emperor and Empress. I have held the ICRME in high esteem long after my life has led me in a different direction. In recent days the Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire has become the focus of national attention, but not for the wonderful work done by the membership, but for an article published by one of it's current board members. ("Homo-Razzi in the News" by Benjamin Paige - 7 Year Old Transvestites in Public Schools -Gayzette) http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TS/News/US/Benjamin%20Paige/ben-paige-hi-res.jpg This negative attention demeans the hard work and generous giving of an organization that might otherwise be recognized for inclusiveness and community service.

Even though the publisher has printed a retraction the impact reaches the ICRME. I urge you to find a way to address these concerns. It is imperative to take action swiftly. The Imperial Court System must avoid the same appearance of division that the Human Rights Campaign fell into. It must stand as one LGBT community. As a leader among Colorado's LGBT organizations I am confident that the Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire can take steps to preserve it's place in the community and my heart.



Sincerely.



Eden Lane

Success of a self-published author

I love hearing about how other writers get published. When I hear about how they found an agent, how many times their submission was rejected, the changes requested by the editor, it binds us together in much the same way audition and tour stories did among my fellow dancers and actors. Many of the writers in the group I belong to that have yet to be published debate the merits of self-publishing.(this can be true self-publishing or via the services of subsidy press i.e. iUniverse, Outskirts Press, or Lulu to name only a few) The challenge of finding their first agent, or even getting a publisher to read and make an offer on unrepresented work brings up the temptation to try an alternative route.

Many writers have negative views of self-publishing. That extends to book-sellers and reviewers too. So the writer who chooses that route is often working up and even steeper hill to find success. There are of course enough examples of books who have taken any of these unorthodox paths that achieve success. One such example has really caught my attention again.

Mark 947: A Life Shaped by God, Gender and Force of Will

by Calpernia Sarah Addams

I read Mark 947 a few years ago after watching a movie that was inspired in part by this book. Soldier's Girl

It was Emmy nominated and Calpernia Addams received the Peabody award for her work on it.

This success alone would surely be enough to inspire many writers eager to be in print to follow this path, but there's more. Two years ago I had the chance to meet Calpernia when she spoke at an event held by the Women's Studies department of a large university. She and her business partner, Andrea James started their own production company, Deep Stealth Productions. They had begun producing instructional DVD's as well as consulting on , and appearing in some Hollywood productions. Their first short film, Casting Pearls made the film festival circuit. Now they both appear in a charming take on the reality TV dating show genre.

Transamerican Love Story is worth seeking out. It's funny, and charming. I have become addicted to it. :-) And to really bring it around, last week a song Calpernia wrote made it's debut on the show. Stunning (love it)

This success from a self-published book. Calpernia had a strong platform from which to promote her work. Platform it the key for non-fiction success, or so all of the experts say. Platform is mentioned in many agents guidelines. So this book, and this writer should have been able to take the more traditional path to print. I wont begin to guess why she decided to take the route she did, but I am greatly impressed with where it has brought her.

So how many other writers will try it?

Title Page

A wonderful new webcast launched today. Titlepage, billed as an "online literary conversation program" is hosted by Daniel Menaker. (formerly the editor-in-chief of Random House)

Here are snips from the press release

<"Titlepage" is the result of a collaboration between Menaker and Brown Hats Productions, headed by Odile Isralson and Lina Matta. It draws its inspiration from the classic French program "Apostrophes", PBS’s "Charlie Rose," and "Dinner for Five," the actor's roundtable discussion once seen on IFC.>

<"Authors of all kinds will appear on the program in the coming months," Isralson said. “We are aiming for the greatest possible diversity and variety. We are looking to have poets, novelists, journalists, Americans, foreigners -- we will talk to anybody, about anything to do with books, as long as it strikes us as worth talking about, timely, and deserving of a wide audience's attention.”>

This sounded like my kind of webcast so I made sure to log on today to watch the first episode. http://www.titlepage.tv/ Titlepage surpassed my expectations. The production values are as high, or in some cases higher, than broadcast talk shows which made it easy to look at. The conversation was interesting, and the first four guests were writers worth having a chat with. I added more than one of their books to my reading list.

If the next episodes are full length shows, the first is a full hour long, I'll be sure to settle in with a coffee ... or maybe a glass of wine, depending on the panel. Check out Titlepage, I am already waiting for the next show.