Bent Writing Workshop with STORME WEBBER Today November 19th Noon

You have an opportunity to be a part of an intimate workshop with Storme Webber.  Her Mentor Showcase was a great success last night and today should have wonderful energy as a result.  Get out of your footy jammies, RSVP and let your creative energy flow!  Ms T.

Description

Please join Bent Mentor 2011 Storme Webber for a writing workshop! $10-$15 sliding scale. Please RSVP here and grab a ticket so we know how many to expect. Space is limited to TWENTY participants. TumbleMe Headquarters (this is a private home), 716 27th Ave, Apt A, Seattle, WA WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: This workshop aims to generate text (poetry, memoir, and/or experimental work) through discussion, reading and prompts. We will work on creating a performance of the newly generated piece, using multiple techniques, including theater, music, movement, breath and improvisation. These exercises are drawn from more than 25 years experience as a performing writer and producer. Devised especially for the shy and intimidated, we will first locate the joy of creation and fly on from that point! MORE ABOUT STORME WEBBER: Storme Webber is a spoken word, vocal, and visual artist with extensive experience in multimedia arts production. Her work spans film, stage, tv, radio and cultural production/arts activism, and has focused on marginalized communities. Storme has been a Writer in Residence at Richard Hugo House and is also the Founder/Artistic Director of Voices Rising: LGBTQ of Color Arts & Culture. She has led workshops and organized many art events in various countries over the last 25 years, including the UK, USA, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany & Brazil. She has been a City Artist with the Seattle Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture; a Jack Straw Writer's Program Fellow; and a member of Artist Trust's Literary EDGE program. Storme is now a Writer in Residence for Seattle Arts & Lectures, and a CD Forum Creation Project artist.

Psst...Seattle Women's Chorus February 2012 Schedule

There is no excuse to not see the Women's chorus when you have a couple months to plan for it.  The chorus has grown in numbers and talent over the years and is well worth seeing (and supporting).  A great thoughtful holiday gift too!  Ms T.

Seattle Women's Chorus

Shot Through The Heart

Love: The Good, The Bad, The Hilarious

Sat February 18, 2:00pm
Sun February 19, 2:00pm
Benaroya Hall

Blue Velvet Burlesque Revue tonight November 18th

I had the pleasure of being in a Bump and Grind class taught by Indigo Blue with the lovely Lemon Chiffon.  Lemon is darling and will be preforming in the Tikki party tonight with her co-kitten Lola Mari Posa.  This will be an amazing show!  Ms T.

Highway 99 Blues Club and
The Blue Velvet Burlesque Revue Presents: Mondo Exotica

Friday November 18th 2011
Two shows: 8pm and 10:30pm
Highway 99 Blues Club 

1414 Alaskan Way Seattle WA 98101 206 382 2171

Starring: Fuchsia FoXXX, Inga Ingénue, The Shanghai Pearl and The Blue Velvet Band

Ticket sales:
General Admission tickets $20.00, with VIP seating and packages starting at $30.00 per show.

RESERVATIONS STRONGLY SUGGESTED
For ticket sales and reservations visit
bluevelvetburlesque.com
or
Highway 99 Blues Club 1414 Alaskan Way Seattle WA 98101
206 382 2171
Highway99blues.com

Mondo Exotica brings you to the islands in a celebration of the most exotic Tikki party that you wish you never missed!!! That’s right; this is your chance to make the party!!! Enjoy the sexy side of bellydance as Fuchsia Foxxx brings her exotic art of bellydance to our stage. Slither in your seat as Inga Ingénue entices you with her unique style of Cabaret erotica. But be sure not to melt too fast, in the heat of all this performance, as our Burlesque Queen, The Shanghai Pearl will bring you to your knees with her vintage glamour and sizzling striptease.

Be sure not to miss these beautiful and talented ladies as they join forces with The Blue Velvet Band to present to you an evening that will leave you heading to Seatac for the next flight to the islands!!

Blue Velvet Burlesque Revue co-producers Ed Maloney and Jen Cinquemani have put together a few of Seattle’s internationally renowned, world famous burlesque, dance and performance artist alongside an all-star live band of some of the heaviest hitting musicians in the Pacific Northwest.

Don’t miss this production, November 18th 2011 two shows 8pm and 10:30pm at Highway 99 Blues Club 1414 Alaskan Way Seattle WA 98101.

BE SURE TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS - bluevelvetburlesque.com

"Just the sizzling hot vocalist alone is reason to make your way down to the uber sexy Highway 99 Blues Club. This little gem is seriously magical. Treat yourself to a hot date and set yourself smack dab in deep blue middle of this burlesque kaleidoscope!"
-Fuchsia FoXXX – Bellydance Vixen

For more info and press photos please visit bluevelvetburlesque.com

CHOCOLATE KISSES presents GRATITUDE...GIVING TO OTHERS IN NEED!!!!

I am posting this event and apologize in advance for all the caps (yelling) in this post.  I normally correct these types of things but do not have the time to do so (today).  I am looking at whether I have the time to post events and retype (or correct) them when they are not in proper form.  It is a decision that I realize I need to make due to having close to a thousand events a month that I post and being pinched for time :(.  Ms T. 

The November CHOCOLATE KISSES will be held the last Saturday in November to coincide with Thanksgiving Weekend!! COME OUT AND PARTY AND DANCE OFF THOSE THANKSGIVING CALORIES WHILE ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO A WORTHY CAUSE!!!!!!

The theme for the November Party is GRATITUDE!
November 26th, 10pm - 2am
Waid's Restaurant & Lounge

1212 E Jefferson St, Seattle, WA 98122-5536

With that being said, please bring donated items to help young ladies residing in shelters. Suggested items could include but not limited to: Clothing, Shampoo/Conditioner/Deodorant/Feminine Hygiene Products/Toothpaste/Shower Gel/Socks/Jackets/Underwear/Board Games/CDs/Gift Cards to the Movies/ (You get the idea..ANYTHING that a young lady ageS 12-17 would like!!)

TO SWEETEN THE DEAL! IF YOU BRING A DONATED ITEM(S), THE ADMISSION PRICE IS $5.

OTHERWISE THE COVER REMAINS THE SAME ($7 BEFORE 11PM; $10 AFTER 11PM)!!

COME OUT AND KICK IT WHILE ALSO HELPING OUT YOUNG LADIES IN NEED!!! PLUS YOU KNOW YOU NEED TO BURN OFF THAT SWEET POTATO PIE & CORNBREAD DRESSING!!

PLUS TDUB WILL BE IN THE 206 FOR THANKSGIVING AND CANT WAIT TO SEE EVERYONE!

21+ ID STRICTLY ENFORCED; DJ SPINNING HIP-HOP/R&B UNTIL 2AM!!

Sky Valley GLBTQ Alliance has first support meeting Saturday November 19th

How did the Monroe Monitor come to feature an article about an upcoming GLBTQ group that is starting this Saturday and wildly yet, previously post an retraction to a bias ad they accepted that was derogatory towards gays?  You would have to know Holly Teige, a true force of nature that is determined to make changes where she sees a need.  While she did not foresee her new role as an activist, I believe it suits her well as she is very passionate about her beliefs and helping others.

I met Holly a couple years ago at an event and instantly felt a kinship to her and her partner Nef!  I knew she was going to make any situation better that she was involved in and she certainly has.  Holly has found various ways to help others adding to her full family plate as she has 4 children and Nef has 2.  Activism isn't far from Holly's long term goal of working with under-served communities as an attorney and she is well on her way as a full time student currently on the Dean's list.  She will graduate in March of 2013 with a degree in Society, Ethics and Human Behavior.


Holly is starting her second group for GLBTQ and they are holding their first meeting this Saturday, November 19th.  The Monroe Monitor wrote an open article about the isolation that gays face in rural areas, the need for inclusiveness and how the area church's are opening their doors to assist.  I encourage you to read the article for yourself and to let any of your friends that live in the area to know about this meeting.  This is a great step in the right direction for our smaller community members to feel less isolation, meet like minded others and gain community.

The Sky Valley GLBTQ Alliance will be a monthly meeting with the day/time to be determined by the membership.  One estimate is that 3500 GLBTQ people live between Everett and the Pass.  Holly hopes that people that live in Everett, Granite Falls, Goldbar, Snohomish, Lake Stevens, Fulton, Startup, Index, Skykomish, and everywhere between the Highway 2 corridor will benefit from the meetings.  All are welcome and you will find future meetings on the Seattle Announcements Calendar!

This is not Holly's first effort at attempting to fill what she saw as a need that she had - and she figured others must have as well.  Holly started a Meetup group, Coming Out After 30 for folks that came out after 30 years of age.  The group celebrated their 1 year anniversary last month with almost a hundred members.  They meet on the last Saturday of every month on Capitol Hill.

The group provides more than the monthly meetings as they also help newly out members feel comfortable by attending social events together such as Inferno Hotflash Dances.  While Inferno Hotflash Dances are known for being more welcoming than most bar dances, they attend as a cohesive group so women will feel even more comfortable at their first (possible) bar experience in their new "out" identity.  The group though is open to all genders and orientations and currently has trans, bi, lesbian, gay, and asexuals ranging in age from 20's to 60's.

Although the members may identify differently from each other Holly "honors that coming out is ongoing" and believes there are the same social reactions to the different phases of the process.  Members often have the similar theme of "a lack of family support" which presents different challenges that talking to others in the same situation helps with.  You can reach Holly at holly.teige@gmail.com.


 

Saturday, November 19th
Sky Valley GLBTQ Alliance
11am to 1pm 
Monroe Public Library

1070 Village Way
Monroe, WA 98272
(360) 794-7851
Refreshments will be provided.  

Attend the monthly Coming Out After 30 Meet Up Group on the last Saturday of the month at:
DeLuxe Bar and Grill
625 Broadway Ave. East
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 324-9697

A Firestorm of Controversy in Monroe, WA

Quite the controversy erupted when a ad paid for by the Monroe Valley Church Church of Christ called "Ask Your Preacher" in the style of a Dear Abby type column was printed by the local Monroe Monitor paper.  The ad and the church's stand in summary is that one is not born gay, that it is a choice to behave in a "sinful homosexual relationship", we are not born to be tempted beyond control and therefore we do not need to act on our homosexual impulses, and homosexuality is like all sins as we are acting on lust.
 
Holly Teige saw this ad and took immediate action.  She stated on her facebook page that "paid advertisements are *not* the same thing as free speech.  The paper had a choice and they made the wrong one."  Holly further requested people to "please send your support to editor@monroemonitor.com to express how inappropriate it is not only to run this ad, but to defend it under the the pretext of free speech.  Had the word 'homosexual' been replaced with 'blacks' or 'Jews' or 'Muslims' I'm fairly sure this ad simply would not have been run."

On October 10th, Editor Polly Keary printed an article Three Reasons why I ran that ad.  She understood that the community was "indignant" that she ran the ad.  Polly ran the ad as she felt that it did not meet the legal definition of hate speech, the belief in freedom of speech and that the paper is a mirror of the community.  Her article was interesting as she seems to be understanding and supportive, yet perhaps misguided.

Holly continued her campaign and posted the following on her facebook page:

It's working!!! The Monroe Monitor editor has posted a reply to the response against the discriminatory ad. Needless to say it is insufficient and continues to rely on the protection of "free speech".

>>>>>PAID ADVERTISEMENTS ARE NOT FREE SPEECH<<<<<

This "column" was paid for. The Monroe Monitor accepted money for it and after reviewing the content decided it was not hateful and printed it anyway (see editor's response via link below). It contained NO FACTUAL INFORMATION. It was ALL OPINION and based on theology and narrow-minded perceptions.

Would they have done that if it was aimed at African American's and the long-disproved theory they lack sufficient intelligence to hold jobs, vote, or drive? What if it was about Jews, Mexicans, Disabled, Whites, Arabs, or any other portion of our population?

Look, I have met Polly. She is nice, kind, and I'm sure put a lot of thought into this. That doesn't mean she (or they) made the right choice. We need to stand together to change the policies so the Monitor will commit to not printing any ads that contain derisive information about ANY portion of humanity. In the effort to continue to promote discussion and drive accountability I am including her reply to OUR ACTIVE RESPONSE below:

Stand up for safety, support, equality, and acceptance. Email editor@monroemonitor.com NOW!

The Monroe Monitor printed a "we would not have run the ad" retraction on October 17th following what they called a "firestorm of controversy".  They were slammed with letters to the editor that were angry with the paper's choice and they heard the outcry.  Sometimes even as adults we get a "do over".  My new nickname for Holly is Firestorm, and yes...you may quote me on that.

This is an amazing example of what can happen when one person has commitment and passion!  Holly was relentless!  Furthermore she created The Sky Valley GLBTQ Alliance monthly meeting that is having it's first meeting this Saturday November 19th.  Take a few minutes to read these articles as they are worth the time as I feel a little history was made.


10/10/2011 Monroe Monitor Why I ran that ad
10/17/2011 Monroe Monitor  About that ad
11/14/2011 Monroe Monitor Rainbow in the Valley: Gay community and allies forming alliance in Monroe
Thanks to the Monroe Monitor for all this information and for stating they would not run the ad (in hindsight)!  Bravo to Progress!

Inferno Hotflash rockin on Saturday November 19th

Time to bust out your moves and get your groove on because Lady Jane DJ is heating up the next Hot Flash-INFERNO dance! Saturday, Nov. 19th! We're talking steamy and saucy just for you Seattle! What's not to like? Sexy women, crazy good times, and the hottest beats, so you can bust out your moves and cruise!

Neighbours, 1509 Broadway, Seattle, 6-10 PM, $10

Inferno hosts the best pre-funk dance party for lesbians around! Dances are held early in the evening so you can party through the entire dance AND make plans to continue on afterward.

Thanks to Inferno Hotflash Dances for this update.

Women in Music, Saturday November 19th

I had the pleasure of meeting Sue Quigley last year during Perfect 10 Date Auction that she was the MC for and I was impressed with her generosity, flexibility and kindness!  I am looking forward to seeing her perform as well as these other great women!  These musical events started in May and are gaining a following.

Women in Music Night
Saturday November 19th, 7pm
http://www.womeninmusicseattle.blogspot.com/
Join us for a night of music featuring returning artists Helen Ray, Shameka Gagnier, Onyx, and Sue Quigley along with several new talented musicians.  And for those of you who would like to play your own music you will be more than welcome...that's part of the fun.

The Reading Room
Pioneer Square
No Cover, Food and Drink available for purchase
103 South Main St
Seattle, Wa 98104
thereadingroomseattle.com

Thanks to http://www.womeninmusicseattle.blogspot.com/ for this information.

Holiday ART Festival featuring fabulous items for purchase, Nov 19/20

I enjoy this Holiday Art Festival as it highlights the work of 6 local women artists showcasing a variety of mediums.  I happen to be partial to Marni Jenkins artist expression and this year she has added several new series to her beautiful cards including Rat City Roller Girls, Shells and Large Flowers.  Stop by for a visit and to look at what is being offered by these talented women.   

6 x 6 - SIX ARTISTS – SIX VISIONS
Saturday, November 19th

11am - 7pm
Sunday, November 20th

12pm - 4pm

1111 16th Avenue East (near E. Prospect)
cash or check only please

Watercolor by Karen Kaushansky

Gourds by Ernestine Blue

Photography by Marni Jenkins

Paper Folding by Fai Coffin

Oil Paintings by Ellen Leggett

Kimono Fabric Collage by Ellen Kissman 

Mentor Showcase featuring Storme Webber on Friday November 18th

ONE NIGHT ONLY! Mentor Showcase

Friday, November 18 · 7:30pm - 10:00pm

Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)

2700 24th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112-2099 

Presented by Bent Writing Institute and TumbleMe Productions. A showcase of poetry, storytelling, and fiction written by Seattle's queer community.

Featuring the work of Storme Webber, a multi-genre spoken word artist. Webber is the Founder/Artistic Director of Voices Rising: LGBTQ of Color Arts & Culture, and has been a City Artist with the Seattle Mayor's Office, a Writer in Residence at Richard Hugo House, and a CD Forum Creation Project Artist.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. (Premium seating tickets available as well as discounted tickets for youth & low income guests). Showcase tickets are available through Brown Paper tickets.

Thanks to Storme Webber's Facebook page for this information.

Movie Ten More Good Years on Friday November 18th

THE NW LGBT SENIOR CARE PROVIDERS
& SAGE SEATTLE

Invite you to the next Senior Care Providers Meeting!

On Friday November 18th , 2011 at 9:00 AM Aegis Living Shoreline

Ten More Good Years

We are pleased to announce that we will be showing the movie Ten More Good Years. This is a touching documentary about aging challenges facing the LGBT Community. Please join us at The Aegis Living Shoreline Theater for this special screening. The film is approximately one hour, so the meeting will begin no later than 9:15 AM. Please RSVP no later than Wednesday, November 16th as seating is limited.

There will be a table available for any collateral information that you would like to make available, and breakfast will be provided. We would like to thank Executive Director – John Carpentier and the Aegis Living Shoreline Team for hosting this special event. If you should have any questions regarding location, or to RSVP please contact him at (206)452-0278.

Aegis Living Of Shoreline
14900 1st Ave. NE
Shoreline, WA 98155