PAUSE FOR CRUISE

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!

This week, out of Ft. Lauderdale, I depart on a 7-day Caribbean Cruise aboard the Crown Princess.

It's the 4th Annual Gay Men’s POZ Cruise Retreat and the 11th Annual Hetero Poz Cruise Retreat. Paul Stalbaum began these retreats and I’ll be interviewing him on board.

Bon Voyage!

IT’S LISA WITH AN ‘S’

Several days ago I interviewed a talented Broadway [August Wilson’s King Hedley II] and TV [Sex & The City] actress, Lisa Tharps. She’s currently appearing in Nick Salamone’s, Sea Change, at the Gay and Lesbian Center in Hollywood. Treat yourself. Don't miss it!

The article I’m writing will focus on Lisa’s humanitarian efforts with the HIV/AIDS community. Last year, she rode in The AIDS/LifeCycle and pedaled her way from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Incredible. I’ve known quite a number of people who’ve taken this journey and I’ve been sportin’ the idea of doing it too. Hmmmm…..

[Photo of Lisa by Greg Crowder]

http://www.lagaycenter.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TE_ON_OUR_STAGES

www.gregcrowderphotography.com

http://lisatharps.com/

Lisa’s article will be published, of course, in A&U--the December issue.

JOHNNY O!

A bit of fresh Irish air swept through my home yesterday.

It was actor, Johnny O'Callaghan.

What a shinning spirit and an inspiration this guy is!

You'll have to find out why when you read my article

in an upcoming issue of A&U magazine.

In the meantime, visit Johnny's website:

http://www.johnnyocallaghan.com/

My associate, Jill

Clowning between shots with photographer,

Renee, and her assistant, Rick



Outside location


A man after my own heart: blood-red toenails !

BATALON BASH

The L.A. ART RAT, Davidd Batalon, had a successful opening Saturday night at FLAZH! ALLEY STUDIO. Not only on exhibit at the gallery were some of Davidd's classic paintings, but new stuff, as well. Some of the new stuff consisted of intricately executed erotic sketches. Don't miss out. See it!

Prof. Ron Steen, Art Historian, Art Educator and Curator of Contemporary Art Exhibitions

sitting and paging through new Batalon works with others

At midnight, we toasted to a successful launch!

BENT ON BATALON

You are cordially invited . . .

Flazh!Alley Studio Presents

"LUSTER -- Deliberate Sensuality"

Reception: Saturday, Saturday 27, 2008 - 7-11PM

Flazh!Alley Studio

1113 S. Pacific Ave., Suite B

San Pedro, CA

Located at Pacific Ave. & 11th Street.

Park in the Ramona Bakery parking lot

310.833.3633

flazhalley@aol.com

You are cordially invited to attend a private champagne reception, on Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 7-11 PM, to meet artist, Davidd Batalon, and preview his series of narrative figure paintings, "LUSTER," Deliberate Sensuality" before its formal public receptions on October 2 & November 6, 2008.

Please RSVP By September 25, 2008

http://www.flazhalleystudio.com/


Los Angeles artist, Davidd Batalon has a love for narratives. His spellbinding paintings reflect a strong desire to create worlds saturated with intrigue and mystery. With a style influenced by such artists as Paul Cadmus, George Tooker and Thomas Hart Benton, combined with an aesthetic akin to writer Ray Bradbury, Batalon forges his own genre of storytelling replete with elements taken from contemporary life and the mass media. Batalon's painting has evolved from a style reflecting tension and implied eroticism born of self censorship to a provocative, expansive style animated by the freedoms self awareness and self acceptance bring. As he states, "I've become more comfortable in my own skin."

http://laartrat.tripod.com/

Photographs by Lori Di Costanzo
http://www.photographybylorid.com/

TALENTED CHAMELON

One of the most talented, funniest actors around today – and highly underrated – is Beth Grant. You’ve seen in her tons of films, but you may not have recognized her! She is such a seasoned character actress that it’s difficult to spot her from film to film. Some of her creations can be seen in: No Country For Old Men, Little Miss Sunshine, Matchstick Men, Factory Girl, Flags Of Our Fathers, Our Very Own, Pearl Harbor, Speed, Rain Man, and Donnie Darko.

In reel life, most characters Beth portrays are usually homely or geeky looking, like Sissy Hickey in SORDID LIVES, but in real life Beth is pure eye candy.

Several years ago I interviewed the gal. Take a peek:

http://aumag.org/features/RubyAugust03.html

NAM LE . . . AND ME

In the process of interviewing the author, Nam Le. His book, THE BOAT, released in May of this year, has garnered some impressive reviews. Look for the interview in an upcoming issue of A&U magazine, probably the December issue.

A warm person and a talented fellow.


http://www.namleonline.com/