Hey all!

Hope that you had a great weekend! There are quite a few events happening this upcoming weekend, including the Rainbow Pride Connect Conference, the 6^th Annual LBT Women Potluck Picnic and more! Full details are below!

We also have THREE new contests for you to enter, including Madonna’s MDNA World Tour DVD! More info about those are also below.

Sep 13 – 15 (Fri – Sun) – HALLOWEEN WEEKEND – Spooky & Amazing All At Once (Jones Pond Campground & RV Park, 9835 Old State Rd, Angelica, NY 14709-8729) Scary isn’t the word — AMAZING is more like it. Our costume ball will award a variety of prizes. Pumpkin carving contest starts Friday night and prizes for best site decorations (Halloween or Fall Displays)! Phone: (585) 567-8100. Email: info@jonespond.com. Browse to http://www.jonespond.com.

Sep 13 (Fri) – Tattoo Contest & Taco Night (M & J’s Lounge, 124 Mercer St, Butler, PA 16001) Come and check out our new dance floor lights. $5.00 Cover Charge BYOB Please NO outside Mixers, Soda, or Food. Must be a member or you can purchase a membership. Open Fri. & Sat. 9:30-2:00. Phone: (724) 602-8447. Email: JoshuaSean2009@AOL.COM. Browse to http://www.facebook.com/MandJsLounge.

Sep 14 (Sat) – Bar Trivia & Taco Night (M & J’s Lounge, 124 Mercer St, Butler, PA 16001) Come and check out our new dance floor lights. $5.00 Cover Charge BYOB Please NO outside Mixers, Soda, or Food. Must be a member or you can purchase a membership. Open Fri. & Sat. 9:30-2:00. Phone: (724) 602-8447. Email: JoshuaSean2009@AOL.COM. Browse to http://www.facebook.com/MandJsLounge.

Sep 14 (Sat) – Craze Drag Show (Craze Night Club, 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA 16502) Phone: (814) 456-3027. Browse to http://www.facebook.com/crazenightclub.

Sep 14 (Sat) – Wig Stock Weekend (Camp Davis, 311 Redbrush Rd, Boyers, PA 16020-1219) Contact: Jim. Phone: (724) 637-2402. Email: campd@aol.com. Browse to http://www.campdaviscampground.com.

Sep 14 (Sat) – Rainbow Pride Connection Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Conference (Bellinger Hall, Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY 14722) 12:30 PM – 11 PM. Workshops, wine and cheese reception, keynote speaker – Dr Richard McCarty, Film: Gen Silent -discussion to follow, Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus. Contact: Pat Collins. Browse to http://www.rainbowprideconnection.net/. Browse to venue web site http://www.ciweb.org/.

Sep 14 (Sat) – The 6th Annual LBT Women Potluck Picnic (Kim and Andrea’s, 4114 McClelland Ave, Erie, PA 16510) 2 PM. Please RSVP to Kim at Kimmytoes@gmail.com or call at 814-452-3628. Bring a dish to share and your drinks. Smokers are asked to only smoke out front of the house next to the street as we have several girls who have health issues such as COPD, or asthma etc. Thanks. Contact: Kim. Email: Kimmytoes@gmail.com. Browse to http://womynoferie.wikifoundry.com/.

Sep 14 (Sat) – RuPaul’s Drag Race (Palace Theatre, 1615 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115) 9 PM. Phone: (216) 771-4444. Browse to http://www.cleveland-theater.com. RSVP/Register/Tickets at http://www.cleveland-theater.com/theaters/palace-theater/tickets.php?buy=true&eventID=2144224&edate=2013-09-14T21:00:00&eventName=RuPaul%27s%20Drag%20Race&cmsEventId=00000.

Sep 15 (Sun) – Deadline for October 2013 Erie Gay News print edition (Erie Gay News, 1115 W 7th St, Erie, PA 16502-1105) Please have all articles, ads, and submissions in by this date. This issue will be released the evening of September 24. For a complete list of upcoming deadlines and release dates, check the print edition schedule at www.eriegaynews.com/printedition/deadlineschedule.php. Contact: Michael Mahler. Phone: (814) 456-9833. Email: info@eriegaynews.com. Browse to http://www.eriegaynews.com.

Sep 15 (Sun) – Michelle Michaels presents FACE (Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA 16501) 11 PM. Don’t miss a fun-filled night of great entertainment with all of your favorite drag queens, new drag queens and special guests the third Sunday of the month at 11 PM. Phone: (814) 452-0125. Email: TheZoneDanceClub@aol.com. Browse to http://www.thezonedanceclub.com/.

Sep 16 (Mon) – Back to School Show (Craze Night Club, 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA 16502) Phone: (814) 456-3027. Browse to http://www.facebook.com/crazenightclub.

Sep 16 (Mon) – REAL TIME (Community United Church, 1011 W 38th St, Erie, PA 16508-2540) 6 PM – 8 PM. REAL TIME IS FOR LGBTQ FRIENDS + ALLIES (ages 14-24) who reject negative labels and want to overcome difficulties in a positive way. Real Time, Real Talk, Real Friends! Everyone faces tough situations at home, at school and around town. But no one should ever be bullied or harassed for who they are. REAL TIME is about finding ways to deal with tough times. REAL TIME is about taking care of yourself + standing up for others. Fun, food, friends, FREE! Come check it out @ Persad-Erie, 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Contact: Leann Romitti. Phone: (412) 538-7862. Venue Phone: (814) 864-4429. Email: lromitti@persadcenter.org. Browse to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Services-of-Persad/372314872889919. Browse to venue web site http://www.uccwebsites.net/commuceriepa.html.

Sep 16 (Mon) – Bears Do Dinner (Picasso’s Erie, 2060 Interchange Rd, Erie, PA 16565) 7 PM. This month, in addition to returning to having a bar night outing, we also invite you to join the Bears for a casual dinner of food and fun! Dinner is on your own. Contact: Gary Snyder. Phone: (814) 446-2327. Venue Phone: (814) 866-1183. Email: info@drenchedfur.com. Browse to http://www.drenchedfur.com. RSVP/Register/Tickets at https://www.facebook.com/events/203964533103066/. Browse to venue web site http://picassoserie.com.

Sep 17 (Tue) – Spirituality and Sexuality Discussion Group meets (Community United Church, 1011 W 38th St, Erie, PA 16508-2540) 7 PM. Every third Tuesday of the month (September – May), the Rev. Dr. Rich McCarty facilitates a discussion group on spirituality and sexuality at Community United Church (an open and affirming congregation). This group provides LGBTQA people the confidential opportunity to share questions, stories, and experiences about what it means to be both a sexual and spiritual person. Contact: Rich McCarty. Phone: 1-866-229-1974 (toll free). Venue Phone: (814) 864-4429. Email: richmccarty@msn.com. Browse to venue web site http://www.uccwebsites.net/commuceriepa.html.

Sep 18 (Wed) – GEAE Third Wednesday Happy Hour (Craze Night Club, 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA 16502) 5 PM – 8 PM. 3rd Wednesday Happy Hour is in the back bar/patio area at Craze. GEAE will provide light snacks and a crate of water–all are welcome. GEAE is an LGBT and straight ally non-profit organization, focusing on education, service, and social opportunities. Phone: (866) 229-1974. Venue Phone: (814) 456-3027. Email: GEAEinfo@gmail.com. Browse to http://greatereriealliance.com/. Browse to venue web site http://www.facebook.com/crazenightclub.

Sep 20 (Fri) – Funniest T-Shirt Party (M & J’s Lounge, 124 Mercer St, Butler, PA 16001) Come and check out our new dance floor lights. $5.00 Cover Charge BYOB Please NO outside Mixers, Soda, or Food. Must be a member or you can purchase a membership. Open Fri. & Sat. 9:30-2:00. Phone: (724) 602-8447. Email: JoshuaSean2009@AOL.COM. Browse to http://www.facebook.com/MandJsLounge.

Sep 20 – 21 (Fri – Sat) – HARVEST MOON WEEKEND – Camp Yeti & MEGA Bingo (Jones Pond Campground & RV Park, 9835 Old State Rd, Angelica, NY 14709-8729) Camp Yeti (Yearly Euchre Tournament Invitational) has become an annual favorite at Jones Pond so don’t miss it! Also, bingo moves to Saturday night when we host our MEGA BINGO (the year’s final bingo) at 8pm in the Barn. A fun game filled weekend awaits! Phone: (585) 567-8100. Email: info@jonespond.com. Browse to http://www.jonespond.com.

Sep 20 – 22 (Fri – Sun) – Ohio Lesbian Festival (Frontier Ranch, 8836 York Rd SW, Pataskala, OH 43062) Phone: (614) 431-3600. Browse to http://www.ohiolba.org. RSVP/Register/Tickets at http://ohiolesbianfestival.wordpress.com/2013-tickets/.

Sep 20 (Fri) – Single Out Dinner Club (Church Brew Works, 3525 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15201) A gay dining group in Pittsburgh that meets monthly at different restaurants in Pittsburgh area. We usually get between 20-35 people at the dinner. It’s for single men & women & the whole GLBT community. Phone: (412) 337-0701. Venue Phone: (412) 688-8200. Email: singlesoutpgh@yahoo.com. Browse to venue web site http://www.churchbrew.com/.

Sep 21 (Sat) – Dance to the 80’s Weekend (Camp Davis, 311 Redbrush Rd, Boyers, PA 16020-1219) Contact: Jim. Phone: (724) 637-2402. Email: campd@aol.com. Browse to http://www.campdaviscampground.com.

Sep 21 (Sat) – Michael Vlassick Plays Baby Grand Piano (M & J’s Lounge, 124 Mercer St, Butler, PA 16001) Come and check out our new dance floor lights. $5.00 Cover Charge BYOB Please NO outside Mixers, Soda, or Food. Must be a member or you can purchase a membership. Open Fri. & Sat. 9:30-2:00. Phone: (724) 602-8447. Email: JoshuaSean2009@AOL.COM. Browse to http://www.facebook.com/MandJsLounge.

Sep 21 (Sat) – Annual NW PA NOW Fundraising Auction (Goodell Gardens and Homestead, 221 Waterford Street, Edinboro, PA 16412) 4 PM. Mark your calendars and save the date to attend NOW’s annual fundraising Auction in party. Come join the fun as once again we celebrate Northwest Pennsylvania NOW’s annual auction at the Goodell Gardens and Homestead. You don’t want to miss this chance to gather with other feminists for great food and drinks in excellent company.  Plan on coming out as we look forward to our one event of the the year that funds our chapter’s activities around women’s issues. We’ll provide the food, wine, beer, soft drinks, a lot of laughs. It’s $10 per person and that fee will be waived for anyone who contributes an auction item.  Please reserve by Friday, September 13 if possible. Last-minute guests are also welcomed. Contact: Diana Ziemniak. Phone: (814) 735-3392. Venue Phone: (814) 734-6699. Browse to venue web site http://www.goodellgardens.org.

Sep 22 (Sun) – Autumn Equinox Ritual – Whispering Lake Grove (Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 New Perry Highway, Erie, PA 16508) 5 PM. Doors open at 5:00pm – Ritual to begin at 6:00pm with potluck to follow. Whispering Lake Grove, A.D.F. exists as a chartered subsidiary, branch and/or division of Ar nDraioct Fein, A Druid Fellowship, Inc. For more information contact Rev. Carrion Mann at carrionmann@gmail.com or Rev. Christopher Temple at grollwynn72@hotmail.com. Contact: Christopher Temple. Venue Phone: (814) 864-9300. Email: grollwynn72@hotmail.com. Browse to http://www.whisperinglakegrove.org/. Browse to venue web site http://www.uuerie.org.

Enter to win Tales of Us from Goldfrapp!

Enter to win Tales of Us from Goldfrapp! Tales of Us – the stunningly beautiful sixth studio album from the iconic English duo, Goldfrapp. To enter the contest, fill out the form at http://www.eriegaynews.com/news/article.php?recordid=201309goldfrapp&sourceid=2 between September 10 and October 1.

A sumptuous body of work, Tales Of Us has been two years in the crafting and is Goldfrapp’s most narrative, cinematic and intimate recording so far. Nothing in their accomplished back catalogue has hinted at the new lyrical breadth that the band have introduced to Tales Of Us. 

All the songs bar one are named in the first person with a cast list of evocative character sketches, the contrary love affairs, the suspense, hallucinations, fairy tales and modern folklores documented and the traces of redemption they find in song take the poetry of Goldfrapp’s delicately considered music somewhere brand new.

Tales Of Us track listing: 1) Jo  2) Annabel 3) Drew 4) Ulla 5) Alvar 6) Thea 7) Simone 8) Stranger 9) Laurel 10) Clay

Available September 10 on CD, vinyl, digital, and special limited edition boxed set.

http://www.goldfrapp.com
http://www.facebook.com/Goldfrapp
http://twitter.com/Goldfrapp

Win One Last Kiss by Irina!

Win One Last Kiss by Irina! To enter the contest, fill out the form at http://www.eriegaynews.com/news/article.php?recordid=201309onelastkiss&sourceid=2 between September 10 and October 1.

The odds of reaching the Billboard charts with your first single are great, but Russian singer Irina beat those odds when her very first release, “Something About You,” reached the top 40 of Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart. And that was just the beginning for this dynamic singer who splits her time between Los Angeles, Miami and Moscow.

Irina was born in the Russian capital. Three generations of her family lived there, including her mother, who was also born in Moscow.  Although her family members had musical talent, they never pursued professional careers in music.

“When I was very young, my mother was always playing the piano. She learned from her father, who could hear a melody and instantly play it on the piano, by ear.”

Irina calls her mother “Izabella Encycopedia,” “because she knows everything,” says the singer.

“She studied economics and I did the same. She’s the one who prepared me for university. My father is an engineer. He graduated from the Academy in Moscow.”

Irina’s first degree was in economics and her second was in psychology. But the performing arts have been an important part of her life, ever since she was a child.

“I was always involved in theater when I was in school,” she explains. “I was singing in the choir as a mezzo-soprano when I was six and started learning English at the same age.”

Irina’s interest in performing developed even earlier.

“My mother tells me I was singing at the age of three. I was really into music, though at that time it was difficult in Moscow to hear music from Europe. I remember listening to ABBA. I was also always dancing, creating something new.”

After discovering ABBA as a child, Irina had other musical influences from Europe and America, following Perestroika. Her favorite artists from the U.S were Whitney Houston (“the most talented singer I’ve ever known”), Barbra Streisand, Cher and Backstreet Boys. She also loved listening to Queen, Elton John, Take That and East 17 from the U.K., Ace of Base from Sweden, techno hard dance band Scooter from Germany and DJ/production team Sash!, both from Germany.

Before she was 10, Irina was given piano and violin lessons.

“As a child, I hated that,”

she remembers.

“It was hard for me to learn because I was so energetic. It was impossible to sit in one place for very long.”

That changed as Irina continued her schooling.

“I was very busy studying. We were taught many different subjects during the year.”

Irina credits her elementary school teacher, the woman she calls “Miss Vera,” for recognizing her talent.

“She was a great, creative teacher and an amazing person. She paid a lot of attention to me and gave me a lot of roles in our school plays. I’m so thankful to her.”

At 18, Irina was very busy with university studies, but she did have a little time for what she describes as a “hobby.” For many years she had written poems, but now she began to write songs, something she devoted more time to when she was in her mid-20s.

“That’s when I wrote some songs with Russian artists. It was a great opportunity and my songs were played on the radio. I thought I should do more songwriting and come up with songs for myself.”

Meanwhile, with her degree in psychology, Irina opened her own practice in Moscow. She continued to write songs and then, her family decided to move – to America, to start a new business.  Not wanting to be separated from her relatives, Irina moved, too.

“I spent time in Miami on the beach. I love everything about that city—the energy, the sunsets and sunrises, the people smiling, the air. Moscow is my home town but Miami has become a big part of my life.”

Irina soon found another city to love. During a visit to Los Angeles, she ran into one of her classmates she knew in Moscow when she was eight.

“He had just finished studying at the New York Film Academy. He introduced me to people in the music industry and that’s how I met my manager. Together, we started searching for music producers in Los Angeles, because it’s a town of music and inspiration, a town of such great, talented people.”

Spending time in sunny Southern California, Irina’s life took a new turn.

“I was raised on rock and my dream was to record a rock album. I wanted to be the blonde Bon Jovi. But then my manager asked me if I could dance. I told him of course I could, I’d been dancing my entire life. I love expressing myself through body language. He suggested we try a pop project first. We searched for choreographers and I started working with Mikey Minden, the creative director for the Pussycat Dolls.”

Irina and Mikey worked on a hot club dance style and Irina’s first single, the original song “Something About You,” was released in America. The song quickly debuted on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart and was on the list for a number of weeks, peaking at No. 40.

While “Something About You” was doing well in the United States, Irina had a unique opportunity to return home and perform live in Moscow’s Gorky Park. Through the production company ELLO, she was the only artist living in America to join a bill of Russian artists singing for a crowd of 20,000 people. It was Irina’s largest audience to date. She was accompanied by her team from Los Angeles and rapper Brasco, who joined her on stage for the song “Feels So Good.” But while she was there, Irina experienced some unexpected feelings.

“Moscow is my hometown but after living in the U.S., I felt like a stranger in my own culture. At the same time, when I’m in Miami or Los Angeles, as a Russian I can feel like a stranger there, as well.”

Now Irina’s second single is ready for release. Like “Something About You,”

“ One Last Kiss” was co-written by Irina.

“I love to write songs,” she says, “and pour my own feelings into the lyrics. All my songs are about me, my history or my feelings about love and relationships. If you want to know more about me, just listen to my songs.”

“One Last Kiss” is bound to follow “Something About You” up the charts, as more and more people discover this talented singer who is a citizen of two countries and three of the world’s major cities.

Win Madonna‘s MDNA World Tour on DVD!

Win Madonna‘s MDNA World Tour on DVD! Enter to win the highly anticipated and groundbreaking Madonna MDNA World Tour concert film! To enter the contest, fill out the form at http://www.eriegaynews.com/news/article.php?recordid=201309mdnaworldtour&sourceid=2 between September 10 and October 1.

The two hour nonstop performance includes songs from Madonna’s MDNA album such as “Girl Gone Wild” and “Gang Bang,” as well as fan favorites including exhilarating versions of “Hung Up,” “Express Yourself,” “Vogue,” “Open Your Heart,” “Like A Prayer” and “Celebration.”

Presented by Live Nation Global Touring, the MDNA World Tour included 88 sold out shows in 29 countries.

Available September 10 on DVD, Blu-ray, and as a digital album from Live Nation and Interscope Records.

http://madonna.com
http://www.facebook.com/madonna
http://instagram.com/madonna

Win An Unspoken Compromise: A Spiritual Guide for LGBT People of Faith By Dr. Rizi Xavier Timane! 

Win An Unspoken Compromise: A Spiritual Guide for LGBT People of Faith By Dr. Rizi Xavier Timane! To enter the contest, fill out the form at http://www.eriegaynews.com/news/article.php?recordid=201309unspokencompromise&sourceid=2 between August 30 and September 20.

An Unspoken Compromise: A Spiritual Guide for LGBT People of Faith
By Dr. Rizi Xavier Timane

CAN A PERSON BE LGBT AND RELIGIOUS?

Rizi Xavier Timane has a message for the world and for the LGBT community in particular, “God loves you just the way you are.”

For centuries, misguided individuals and entire societies have used religious texts to condemn and persecute minorities and anyone perceived as “different,” and as a transgendered minister and a person of color, Dr. Timane has experienced such discrimination and hatred firsthand. In An Uncommon Compromise: A Spiritual Guide for LGBT People of Faith, he shares the struggles he’s gone through since childhood to find his own identity and his place in the world—especially in his parents’ strict Christian religion.

“Many LGBT persons want to know God and have some form of spirituality but they have been discouraged by religious abuse.  This is wrong, unfortunate and usually based on biblical misinterpretation. It is important for the LGBT community to know that there exists a spiritual path for them in which God loves ALL people regardless of gender or sexual identity,” says Timane.

What he’s found and what he shares in this book is that one person can change the world by telling people the truth about God’s unconditional love for us all. “It all begins with loving yourself just as you are.  That is God’s way, and it can be, it must be ours as well,” Dr. Timane adds.

An Unspoken Compromise combines Dr. Timane’s personal story and experiences with self-help tips on how to live the spiritual life one desires as an LGBT person of faith.  It is the first of its kind written from the international perspective of an African transgender minister and person of color and as such is of particular use in giving a diversity based understanding of religious persecution from a minority view.

• Reparative therapy or praying the gay away is wrong and dangerous
• God is only concerned with our heart and not our bodies, so transition is fine otherwise there wouldn’t be transgendered fish
• Family support is crucial from parents and families of LGBT persons
• The bible is a great source of guidance and inspiration but must not be idolized or taken literally

Dr. Rizi Timane was born in Northern Nigeria, West Africa. He grew up in a fundamentalist Christian home and was taught from an early age that being part of the LGBT community would lead him straight to hell. Like most transgendered persons, Rizi struggled with gender dysphoria in early childhood and initially identified as a lesbian.The rejection and persecution that Rizi was subjected to led him to abuse drugs and alcohol, and coupled with his growing gender dysphoria, culminated in a suicide attempt. After much soul searching and research, Rizi, like many LGBT people today, discovered that nothing is wrong with him being transgendered nor is anything wrong with LGBT sexuality, which are both in fact, natural God-given traits. His struggles and persecution identifying first as an openly out lesbian in Africa, and then subsequently as a trans-man, are the inspiration behind his ministry today.

Dr. Timane has been a commissioned minister and spiritual counselor within Rizi Timane Ministries, a Jesus based ministry that values people of all faiths and religious backgrounds, for the past 5 years. He routinely provides affirming spiritual support to the LGBT community and is much sought after as a public speaker on the subject of the intersection of Religion/Spirituality and LGBT Civil Rights. His speaking engagements have included universities, colleges, churches and other non-profit organizations. Dr. Timane is also an inspirational/gospel singer whose albums “Come Out” and “Just the Way You Are,” have been well received within the community and had him booked in numerous affirming churches/venues all over the USA and Internationally. He is the author of “Inspiration For When…” a spiritual book with scriptural encouragement for daily situations and he also wrote and directed, “What’s Wrong With This Picture,” a comedic movie that portrays problems inherent in literal biblical interpretation and in the church’s continuous persecution of the LGBT community.

Dr. Timane completed year-long seminary studies at Claremont School of Theology in California, earning a graduate certificate in Religion, Activism and Social Justice. He also earned a PhD in Christian Counseling from Newburgh Seminary and is set to graduate from USC School of Social Work this August with his Masters in Social Work with the intent to become fully Licensed as a Psychotherapist in Los Angeles which would enable him to add clinical counseling to the spiritual counseling he already provides to LGBT people within the ministry.

An Unspoken Compromise is available for purchase from the author’s website, www.rizixaviertimane.com or through Amazon

 

Yours sincerely,

Michael Kenton Mahler, Erie Gay News
1115 W 7th St, Erie PA 16502-1105
Phone: (814)456-9833
Fax: (530)451-9833
Email: info@eriegaynews.com
“Covering news & events in the Erie PA region since 1992”
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