Hey all!

Hoping that everyone’s week is off to a good start! There are some upcoming events (listed below), and a new contest for you to enter!

Jan 15 (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.

Jan 17 (Fri) – M & J’s Oscars Night (M & J’s Lounge, 124 Mercer St, Butler, PA 16001) Members are the STARS. $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.

Jan 17 (Fri) – Bear Bar Night (Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA 16501) 11 PM. Come out and join the Bear at the Zone for our monthly Bear Bar Night. Contact: Gary Snyder. Phone: (814) 446-2327. Venue Phone: (814) 452-0125. Email: info@drenchedfur.com. Browse to http://www.drenchedfur.com. RSVP/Register/Tickets at https://www.facebook.com/events/491451157620925/. Browse to venue web site http://www.thezonedanceclub.com/.

Jan 18 (Sat) – Ladder Toss Competition (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.

Jan 18 (Sat) – LBT Women go to Erie Otters Hockey Game (Erie Insurance Arena, 809 French St, Erie, PA 16501) 7 PM. Cost is $14 but we have several buy one get one free coupons available to anyone interested. Social group for lesbian, bisexual and transgendered women. Meets the 2nd Sunday of each month Sign up for email list at http://lists.eriegaynews.com/ Contact: Kim. Phone: (814) 314-9512. Venue Phone: (814) 455-7779. Email: ErieBeans@aol.com. Browse to http://womynoferie.wikifoundry.com/. Browse to venue web site http://www.erieevents.com/about/tullio_arena.htm.

Jan 19 (Sun) – Michelle Michaels presents FACE (Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA 16501) 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/.

Jan 20 (Mon) – Sasha’s Birthday Bash! (Craze Night Club, 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA 16502) Hosted by Cammy Seoul. 18-20 – $5, 21+ – $2, Phone: (814) 456-3027. Browse to http://www.facebook.com/crazenightclub.

Jan 20 (Mon) – Bears Do Dinner (Torero’s Mexican Restaurant, 1940 Douglas Dr, Erie, PA 16509) 7 PM. We 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) 864-2803. Email: info@drenchedfur.com. Browse to http://www.drenchedfur.com. RSVP/Register/Tickets at https://www.facebook.com/events/251986324951143. Browse to venue web site http://www.torerosmexicanrestaurants.com/gallery_toreros_erie_pa.php.

Jan 21 (Tue) – Erie Gay News folding/distribution work party (Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania, 1101 Peach St, Erie, PA 16501) 7 PM. Help us get out the print edition of Erie Gay News. We’ll be folding and distributing the copies. All ages welcome! It is also a great way to hang out and chat with folks! You can also sign up for the Erie GLBT News and Events list at http://lists.eriegaynews.com/. Contact: Michael Mahler. Phone: (814) 456-9833. Venue Phone: (814) 452-4462 ext 117. Email: info@eriegaynews.com. Browse to http://www.eriegaynews.com. Browse to venue web site http://www.mhanp.org/.

Jan 21 (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.

Jan 24 (Fri) – Gag Gift Night (M & J’s Lounge, 124 Mercer St, Butler, PA 16001) Bring in a gag gift. $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.

Jan 24 – 25 (Fri – Sat) – Play: Before Pride presented by Dreams of Hope (The Alloy Studios, 5530 Penn Anve, Pittsburgh, PA 15206) 8 PM – 9:30 PM. Before Pride, a new play created and performed by the Dreams of Hope youth theater ensemble, follows the personal and historical journeys we take as an LGBTQ community to arrive at Pride. Inspired by the ensemble’s interviews with community leaders in Pittsburgh, historical research, and our own experiences, Before Pride asks, “Where have we come from and where are we going?” The ensemble worked with local artists Adil Mansoor, Paul Kruse, Monica Stephenson, and Maree ReMalia to develop original text, music, and dance for this hour-long performance. The development of Before Pride is supported in part through a residency at Kelly Strayhorn Theater. Tickets are pay-what-you-can at the door. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot at http://beforepride.eventbrite.com Phone: (412) 361-2065. Venue Phone: (412) 363-3000. Email: info@dreamsofhope.org. Browse to http://www.dreamsofhope.org/. RSVP/Register/Tickets at http://beforepride.eventbrite.com. Browse to venue web site http://www.kelly-strayhorn.org/.

Jan 25 (Sat) – Drag Show (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.

Jan 25 (Sat) – TransFamily of Erie Support Group meets (Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania, 1101 Peach St, Erie, PA 16501) 2 PM – 5 PM. Transfamily of Erie is a support group dedicated to providing safe, supportive space for transgender, gender non-conforming, gender-questioning, and intersex people and their loved ones in Erie County and the surrounding region. Whether you are a trans man, trans woman, non-binary or genderqueer individual, crossdresser or someone just looking for a little information, Transfamily hopes to provide a judgment-free environment where you can openly express yourself in whatever way feels right to you. Transfamily also welcomes people of all races, ages, religions, and sexualities. (We recognize that many people may not be comfortable with their status as a trans* individual being made public and exercise the greatest discretion toward the privacy of our attendants.) Refreshments are provided. Attendants are encouraged to bring something to share with the group, but this is not required. Transfamily meetings are held from 2-5pm on the 4th Saturday of each month at the Mental Health Association of Northwest PA building (1101 Peach St. Erie, PA, 16501). Contact: Caitlyn Strohmeyer. Phone: (814) 823-1969. Venue Phone: (814) 452-4462 ext 117. Email: caitlyn_xpress@verizon.net. Browse to http://www.facebook.com/TransfamilyOfErie. Browse to venue web site http://www.mhanp.org/.

Jan 25 (Sat) – Erie Sisters meets (Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 New Perry Highway, Erie, PA 16508) 7 PM. Erie Sisters is a local transgender support group that provides support and encouragement for both MTF and FTM transgender individuals. The group meets for discussion the fourth Saturday of each month at 7pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church; 7180 Perry Highway, Erie PA, followed by dinner at a local restaurant and dancing at The Zone Dance Club. Phone: (440) 265-8191. Venue Phone: (814) 864-9300. Email: shub1@suite224.net. Browse to http://eriesisters.ning.com/. Browse to venue web site http://www.uuerie.org.

Jan 26 (Sun) – 4th Annual CVC Cornhole Tournament 2014 (Maennerchor Club, 1607 State St, Erie, PA 16501) 12 AM. Teams must register by January 17th for $50 Food and drinks are included with your $50. We’ll have two sessions at 12 and 4pm to fit your schedule. There will be tons of giveaways, prizes, raffles, and competition. Phone: (814) 455-9414. Venue Phone: (814) 452-4731. Browse to http://www.cvcerie.org. Browse to venue web site http://www.eriemaennerchor.com/.

Win Out Loud DVD from Ariztical Entertainment

Win Out Loud DVD from Ariztical Entertainment! To enter the contest, fill out the form at http://www.eriegaynews.com/news/article.php?recordid=201401outlouddvd&sourceid=2 from January 14 through February 4.

“It takes a brave man to make Lebanon’s first gay-themed commercial feature…helmer Samer Daboul and his cast are to be commended for their conviction”
-Variety

Out Loud

Genre: Drama/Foreign
Country: Lebanon
Running Time: 102 minutes
Language: Arabic
Subtitles: English

DVD MSRP: $24.95
Directed By: Samer Daboul
Cast: Rudy Moarbes, Ali Rhayem, Jad Hadid, Michel Sarkiss, Eliane Kerdy, Jean Kobrously

Just completed theatrical run in New York City and Los Angeles!

“Out Loud bleeds with sincerity.”
– The New York Times

“Confronts not only gay rights but the role of women and the complicated relationship to the civil war.”
– The Mantle

“The homosexual relationship it details…is somewhat remarkable, as director Samer Daboul treats it with a matter-of-factness that most American filmmakers have yet to replicate.”
– Village Voice  

“The point Out Loud makes is that the fanaticism of a vocal, closed-minded mob is stifling a new generation.”
– Variety

Out Loud is the first film from Lebanon with a gay theme that sets a new standard for cinema from the Middle East in the midst of the Arab Spring.

A powerful and bittersweet tale of friendship and love in Lebanon, a nation that has been plagued by civil war for decades and where untraditional relationships and ideas are reacted to with violence and hatred.  Jason, an innocent young Lebanese man, befriends five free spirited young wanderers, who, like himself, are lost between traditional morals and their new generation beliefs in what is truly right.  Their taboo alliances and out-loud statements result in tragedy and heartache, but in the end their commitment to one another and to a life of tolerance and equality allow them to persevere with the hope of creating a world in which bigotry and discrimination are a thing of the past.
DVD BONUS:  
“Out Loud: The Documentary”
a 50 minute documentary about the film’s production which included angry mobs against gay and women’s rights which resulted in police protection during filming.

http://www.ariztical.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Ariztical

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”
AOL Chat ID: MahlerEGN
Yahoo Chat ID: mike_mahler
MSN Messenger Chat ID: eriegaynews@hotmail.com