Queer Artist Centerfold: Derek Ringold

Name: Derek Ringold

Stage Name: Derek Ringold:)

Contact info: www.derekringold.webs.com

Birthplace: Queens, NY

Zodiac sign: Leo

Your medium/genre:
Performance Art/Acting/Dance

Describe what you do:
I write monologues and poetry about being a gay man basically. My personal narratives deal with the fight for equality, the temptation of the dark side and the search for true love. I then create performance pieces to my words using video imagery, dance, and spoken word. Once I've written enough material, I then create a full-length theatrical one man show.

Turn on’s:
Wisdom, confidence, humor, sensitivity, authenticity

Turn off’s:
Hate, ignorance, arrogance, selfishness, "woe is me" types

Describe your perfect date:
Oh God I can't stand dates, so much pressure! It's like a job interview!:)
The best dates are pleasant surprises that last longer than you anticipated Maybe start at the beach, go on a hike, or play a game of basketball; into dinner, drinks, and dancing.

Pet peeves:
People who talk WAY too much about themselves.

Fave sex idol:
Mark Whalberg, Brandon Boyd, Idris Elba, Halle Berry to name a few:)

1ST crush:
Probably Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing! Omg, I remember being like "Whoa, what is happening to me?", after watching his shirtless scenes! Also I remember when I was 14, I met this 15 year old Mid-Western boy while vacationing in the Caribbean with my family. We became buddies for the entire weeklong trip. I remember feeling very attracted to him, physically and emotionally. For me, it was the first time it felt exciting to like another boy, at least in my mind. And It was ok. This was who I was. Of course he was straight but we remained pen pals all through high school and college. He was the guy that changed everything for me.

Fave music:
I seriously love all kinds of music, except I was never really feeling Country songs. Dance/Electronica/House is home to me. 90s Hip Hop brings me back. Classic rock, Indie Rock, R&B Soul, Disco, Pop(Britney is my girl!:), and World Music(African, Latin).

Top movies that inspire you:
The Color Purple, You Can Count On Me, Milk, Imitation of Life

Fave quote:
"You are a phenomenon no less magical than any possibility" D.W. Brown

Reading List:
I'm reading Gay Soul right now which is so beautifully rich. Obama's Dreams from My Father, The Velvet Rage.

One of your obsessions: Italian Bread!

Influences/mentors/heroes:
Michael Jackson is the only reason I first set foot on stage. I was 7 years old and performed "Thriller" in the school talent show. He will always be my hero. Also, the director of my first solo show Michael Kearns and everyone involved in the Rise Up and Shout organization are responsible for helping me find my voice as an openly gay artist.

Fave queer from history: Langston Hughes

Most Pivotal Performance/event/etc:
Performing in my solo show SO HARD closing night, the same day the California Supreme Court upheld the ban on same sex marriage in June 2009. SO HARD dealt heavily with marriage equality and after this devastating news, my emotion really flew beyond the theatre walls. It felt great to convey what so many of us in the LGBT community were feeling at that moment.

Most frightening performance experience:
I'm nervous as hell before EVERY performance no matter how big or small.

Places performed: Los Angeles:
Zephyr Theatre, Highways Performance Space, ONE Institute, Rise up and Shout! 1 & 2 (Barnsdall Gallery Theatre), Black LGBT Project, Village Variety Pack(Davidson/Valentini Theatre), City x1 LGBT Youth event.

Education:
Loyola Marymount University- Theatre Arts/Dance. Joffrey Ballet School, NY

Awards/Grants/Honors: City of West Hollywood Arts Grant

What do you (does your art) stand for:
Sharing my story to promote greater understanding and acceptance of the LGBT community worldwide.

Fave prop or costume: My black speedo:)

Thoughts on the LA queer art scene:
There is such an outlet in LA for queer art it's almost undeniable. Showcases, readings, theatrical productions, music. The amount of creativity and talent by gay artists out here continues to inspire me. I also love that we all assist one another and have each other's backs when it comes to getting our voices heard. We're like a family all working towards a common goal. I love it! Let's take this ride as far as we can, continuing to open more hearts and minds to our plight!

What is your Vision for the Queer Future:
Full equal rights and integration worldwide.

What do you see as the future for queer art:
I see a lot more openly gay figures being unapologetically visible internationally in all mediums- Film, TV, Music, Sports, Politics, News Reporting, Writing etc. Being honest about who we are and sharing our stories truthfully is key if we are to eliminate the hatred and stereotypes associated with being Gay.

What are your upcoming plans/shows/events/include dates and info:
I am currently about halfway done with writing my next solo show. As of yet it is untitled but its themes deal with my light and dark attributes as a gay man post turning 30 years old. Hoping to premiere it in the fall/winter 2011 at Studio C in Hollywood.

Sample of Work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-3wxTtcRpU

Queer Artist Centerfold: Dale Guy Madison

Name: Dale Guy Madison

Stage Name: Damn Good Man

Contact info:
www.damngoodman.com
www.30minb4midnight.com
www.youtube.com/damngoodman
www.facebook.com/damngoodman

Zodiac sign: Aries

Your medium/genre:
Performance Art, Spoken Word

Describe what you do:
Combine mixed media, music, video and pop culture into visual arts performance.
The opening line to my book: DREAMBOY: MY Life as a QVC Host & Other Greatest Hits is:
I am a product of the “golden age” of television. I was conceived on a balmy night in July of 1957, between episodes of Roy Rogers and Wagon Train. Nine months later, Dale Guy Madison was born. Named for Dale Evans, Roy Rogers’ wife, and Guy Madison, one of the guest stars of Wagon Train, my purpose in life seemed destined –- I was to become a performer.

Turn on’s: sexy feet

Turn off’s:bad breath/body odor

Describe your perfect date:
Fun conversation combined with mutual interests. Great wine & cheese with an old movie cuddled naked under a leopard throw.

Pet peeves:
People expecting you to be into the Los Angeles Lakers. Like a basketball, it goes over my head!

Fave sex idols:
Phillip Michael Thomas, Sinbad, Heavy D, James Avery, Billy Dee Williams, Teddy Pendergrass,

1ST crush: Bruce Melvin 4th grade

Fave music:
anything Motown, especially The Supremes or Diana Ross

Top movies that inspire you:
Dreamgirls, Sparkle, Valley of the Dolls, Suddenly Last Summer, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?

Fave quote:
”Life for me is one-man GLEE episode, except I can’t sing so I lyp-synch the songs of my life”

Reading List:
Divided Soul, Dreamgirl: My life as a Supreme

One of your obsessions: Leopard print

Influences/mentors/heroes:
My mentor is a fabulous FAG HAG. Her name is Kay Lawal. She taught me the foundation of performance art as I know it. She is well known on the east coast as one-half of the performance duo, Thunder Thigh Revue.

Fave queer Artist(s):
Ryan Murphy (creator of NIP/Tuck & GLEE) Andre Leon Talley, Vogue Editor-At-Large. Quincy LeNear and Deondray Gossett (creators of the DL Chronicles)

Fave queer from history: Bayard Rustin

Most Pivotal Performance/event/etc:
Opening night@ Hudson Theater Los Angeles of my one-man show FREEda Slave: Mask of a Diva

Fave performance experience:
Working with Joel Schumacher “the number 23”

Worst experience:
Having my scene cut from the film.

Most frightening performance experience:
Performing with a sinus infection and losing my voice on stage.

Places performed:
Maryland Art Place
Center Stage
Baltimore Artscape
Hudson Backstage Theater
Occidental College
Arena Players
Eubie Blake Cultural Center
Highways Performance Arts Space
And every back alley stage I can find along the way

Awards/Grants/Honors:
The Maryland State Arts Council recognized his one-man show, FREEda Slave: Mask of a Diva, which addressed issues of cross-dressing and intra-discrimination in the gay community. He has hosted and performed spoken word at various gay prides across the country. His short film, The Panty Man screened in Amsterdam.
Dale received an Audre Lorde Scholarship in 2006 and his BA from Antioch University in 2008 and Master of Arts in Education & Leadership in 2010. Dale was part of a panel of gay entertainers for the National Black Justice Collation “Power of Us” Conference in 2008. He presented the topic of sexuality at the Maryland Annual Suicide Prevention Conference in 2010. His handmade African-inspired cloth dolls exhibited in 28th annual Black Doll Show “I've Got a Story to Tell” at the William Grant Still Center.

What do you (does your art) stand for:
My art integrates multi-media, pop-culture, old school music while using social commentary to push gender boundaries in a social interactive environment.

Fave prop or costume:
My black stretch lace gown.

Thoughts on the LA queer art scene:
I have been in Los Angeles for 10 years. It has taken that long to get the LA queer scene to notice me. Now I am just happy to be included!

What is your Vision for the Queer Future:
My vision is Queer will come in vogue

What do you see as the future for queer art:
I see Queer Art as the art people will begin to treasure and hold valuable

What are your upcoming plans/shows/events:
I am the Literary Chair of this year’s Los Angeles Black Gay Pride. I am hosting a night of erotic spoken word called:
“SO CALIENTE”
Sunday July 3,2011 5PM

My new show:
MY Life in 3 Easy Payments

Will debut at :
BEHOLD: Highways’ LGBTQ Performance Festival Friday, August 5th

Sample of Work:
http://youtu.be/KyKg1SjjiJM

http://youtu.be/SFLV1I8fIvU

Noh Theater, legitimized by Gay Love! Japan 1374

The world’s oldest existing professional theater is the Noh Theater of Japan.
In the beginning Noh Theatre was a lowly common form of entertainment combining crude folk dance, and acrobatics originally called “Sarugaku” which literally meant “monkey music”. But In 1374 it was transformed by the power of gay love when the twelve-year-old actor Zeami performed before the young noble shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, then seventeen. Yoshimitsu was so taken with the beauty and talent of the actor that he became Zeami’s patron and lover. And from this attachment sprang 500 years of shogunal patronage of Noh theater.

Yoshimitsu educated Zeami in Japanese classics helping to form Zeami’s allusive and subtle signature poetic style.
And under Yoshimitsu’s guidance Zeami raised the literary level of No theatre from common and lowly to an esoteric and austere art form, and Zeami himself composed its major seminal classics.

Nijo Yoshimoto, the court’s senior statesman, also was greatly moved by Zeami’s talents as can be seen in this surviving letter:

“Should Zeami have time, please bring him over with you once again. The entire day was wonderful and I quite lost my heart. A boy like this is rare- why, look at his linked verse, and his court kickball, not to mention his own particular art! Such a charming manner and such poise! I don’t know where such a marvelous boy can have come from…I should compare him to a profusion of cherry or pear blossoms in the haze of a spring dawn… It’s no surprise that the shogun is so taken with this boy…In spite of myself, I feel as if the flower of the heart still remains somewhere in this fossilized old body of mine.”

Zeami and Ashikaga’s love birthed the legitimization of an art form. Raising it from something common and humble, to one of the finest and highest revered forms of performance ever created by humankind.

Queer Artist Centerfold: John Cantwell

Name: John Cantwell

Contact info: www.facebook.com/connieslocum, www.thenellieolesons.com

Birthplace:
Vicksburg, MS (raised in Tallulah, LA)

Zodiac sign: Sagitarrius

Your medium/genre:
Huh? Oh, quadruple threat.

Describe what you do:
Whatever pleases me to the discomfort of others.

Turn on’s:
Italian men, Ennio Morricone scores, Brian DePalma movies, voyeurism, chocolate, kissing for the first time, glamour

Turn off’s: creepy fungus-y or jacked up toenails, dirty finger nails (unless you're a mechanic, painter, sculptor OR gardener - in that case it's hot!), circuit music

Describe your perfect date:
food, movies, drinks, making out - not necessarily in that order

Pet peeves: Most L.A. drivers, air travel

Fave sex idol: Debbie Harry

1ST crush: Lyle Waggoner

Fave music: Blondie, Garbage, Bowie, Roxy Music, Sugababes

Top movies that inspire you:
Jackie Brown, Blue Velvet, Suspiria, Grease, The Poseidon Adventure

Fave quote:
"Hello, Jack, can ya hear me? Ya know, like I was saying before ya know about going to New York and stuff and we could see some shows like, ah, ya know, like Sugarbabies and stuff and I know this great hotel in the Times Square area..." - Nancy Allen as Sally Bedina in Blow Out

"You think I'd let Lula go out with a piece of S-H-I-Tut like you?? Boy, you belong in one of these toilets." - Diane Ladd as Marietta Fortune in Wild At Heart

Reading List:
The Lonely Doll: The Search for Dare Wright by Jean Nathan, Will There Really Be A Morning? by Frances Farmer, The Good, The Bad & The Very Ugly by Sondra Locke, Liar’s Club by Mary Karr

One of your obsessions: ‘70’s cinema

Influences/mentors/heroes: Debbie Harry, David Lynch

Fave queer Artist(s): Lance Loud, Warhol

Most Pivotal Performance/event/etc: Seeing Blondie live in 1982

Fave performance experience:
Nellie Olesons in the ‘90’s in NYC and currently “Love, Connie” in L.A.

Most frightening performance experience:
Having a chair break and falling of a platform during a performance of “Making Porn” while I was simulating masturbation on stage. And anything dealing with mime or improv.

Places performed:
All over the U.S. and Canada but mostly in the basement of a Mexican restaurant in L.A.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Music Education/Voice

Awards/Grants/Honors: Best Ass from most anybody you ask.

What do you (does your art) stand for:
I don’t really have any idea. The solo work I've done and created still isn't that far removed from the sissy boy I was who created outfits and made up shows and listened to records with the bedroom door locked. It's the same now except I charge admission.

Fave prop or costume:
Connie’s red, white & blue fringed Kathy Ireland bikini from K-Mart.

Thoughts on the LA queer art scene: Shorter is better.

What is your Vision for the Queer Future:
That we’ll be as boring to straight people as they are to us.

What do you see as the future for queer art:
It’s really bright and I gotta wear shades.

What are your upcoming plans/shows/events/include dates and info:
"Smutopia" at Highways May 20 & 21
“Give Me Gorgeous” at 3F at Akbar June 17
"INVINCIBLE: The Legend Of Billie Jean LIVE" June 3 - 18 at The Cavern Club
and
“Love, Connie” at Highways, July 8 & 9

photo by: ANTHONY MONGIELLO

Queer Artist Centerfold: Leopold Nunan

Name: Leopold Nunan

Stage Name: Leopold Nunan

Contact info: just google me already!

Birthplace: Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - Brasil.

Zodiac sign: half human, half horse.

Your medium/genre:
performance art. Music. Stage shows. Movement, voice and expression. oh… yeah… almost forgetting… getting naked in public.

Describe what you do:
I sing, dance, act. I direct, create and choreograph all my work. Also produce it. I am a live performer, a firecracker, a wild Carnaval, a riot! My bank account number is BofA 03479346934 I just saw this great Channel bag I really need.

Turn on’s:
I get really horny when I see my man working in his 72 yellow Pantera.

Turn off’s: donaldtrumpmayonnaisehitlercheapshoesladygagaofftunesingersthepopeanitabryantabbadirtydicksloppycatwalk.

Describe your perfect date:
dinner + drinks and a good funky dance floor always works for me.

Fave sex idol:
Cantinflas, Erik Estrada, Freddy Mercury, G.I. Joe and Clint Eastwood.

1ST crush:
I was 8. He was 14. He was the son of the mechanic who used to take care of my fathers 64 Chevette. We used to play while our dads were entertained with the troubled car. That's when I saw for the first time, a man jerking off and ejaculating. I fell in love instantly!

Fave music:
Gal Costa, Ethel Merman, La India, Anthony Hagerty, Caetano Veloso, Grace Jones, Elza Soares, Madredeus, Kraftwerk, Carmem Miranda, Wendy O' Williams, Piaf, Elis Regina, Chaka Khan, Ed Motta, Vivaldi, Patti Labelle, Roisin Murphy, Lenine, Chad Baker, Djavan, Liza Minelli, Hermeto Pascoal, Beth Ditto, Aretha Franklin, Zap Mama, Eartha Kitt, Bjork, Cesaria Evora, Silvester, Fela and Semi Kuti, Sly, George Benson, Kerry Chandler… anything soulful I dig in!

Top movies that inspire you: E.T.

Fave quote:
What is big and large on the front is big and large on the back - Chinese Unknown

Reading List:
The Gay Kama Sutra, Cookin' with Coolio and the current French Vogue Mag - that's how I practice my horrible french.

One of your obsessions: MY DRAG BAG!!!!!!!!!

Influences/mentors/heroes:
My mom. She is really something else. We laugh, cry, fight, talk alike… She is super blond, a short woman with a wild mood. Fabulous! My dad is an amazing being as well. Came in from the Northeast of Brasil alone and poor and became one of the most talented plastic surgeons in history. He did... I mean re-did my nose…

Fave queer Artist(s):
John Kelly, Leigh Bowery, Joey Arias, Lady Bunny, Batman and Robin.

Fave queer from history: Santos Dumont.

Most Pivotal Performance/event/etc:
My last performances always are my favorites. Just showed an hour length theater piece at Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica, Orixas - The Gods Of Candomble. I embodied 6 entities from the afro-brazilian religious. It was a very challenging experience to me. I created, produced, directed, choreographed and starred. It really took my work into another level.

Fave performance experience:
Honestly it's really hard for me to answer this question. I have unforgettable moments recorded in my mind. Just can't pick one. It's always a blast! If you are near enough you can see goose bumps in my skin every time I perform… I really enjoyed performing at the massively big Rio de Janeiro's Gay Pride. I sang for 150.000 back in 2003. It was an ocean of people. Fabulous rush!

Most frightening performance experience:
I was set to perform in a club in Rio called Dama de Ferro - The Iron Lady. It`s a small club in Ipanema but was known for bringing international legends to spin there. Dj Lina - NYC was spinning that day I was performing for the first DRRRAMA! ever created back in 2001. I decided to perform on top of the bar that was made of metal. I was wearing a beige thong and I was painted white. The bar was completely wet when I started my show. I fell twice (like big time), got multiple electric shocks from the mic. Tried to hold on to the ceiling, but the ceiling was made out of barbed wire. Fell again and again. Then grabbed onto exposed wires on the ceiling and ended up bringing all TVs monitors and video cassettes to the floor. Didn`t stop… I went crazier and crazier, received more electric shocks, then after 6 min of performance the whole place went total black. I think I blew a fuse or something...

Education: Journalist (FACHA - Brasil) Cinema (LACC)

What do you (does your art) stand for:
I want to put in reality my idea - the concept as faithful as I envision at first place. I try the best not to censure, limit and tame my art. So... freedom of expression!

Fave prop or costume:
It was this black iridescent feather mohawk head piece designer Hamlet Adonis made it for me. Got stolen from a backstage. If I ever see this bitch wearing my head piece she will see what brazilian guetto really is.

Thoughts on the LA queer art scene:
I want to see more venues, spaces, avenues, platforms that supports queer and all artists in general. I want to see more live performance art. I love living here, so I will always be doing, showing, performing something, somewhere.

Future of Queer Art: More erections.

What are your upcoming events:
You can see LEOPOLD going wild at:
MAY 14 - Benefit Show for Rise Up and Shine. It will be a review of local queer artist in LA. I will be performing Leopold and the Bang! Bang! Bang! my new gender bending dance rock band.
SMUTOPIA - Highways Performance Space 22nd Birthday Party. It will be an amazing weekend! 30+ artists and I will be bringing Leopold and The Bang! Bang! Bang! once again to pump up the crowd. MAY 20 + 21 at 8:30
Same day MAY 20th I am performing at For Those Who know, a house music party in downtown @E. 3rd St Lounge - Will go on around midnight! Solo afro-brazilian performance.
Starting Sunday MAY 22nd I am opening a new residence called VIVA IT'S SUNDAYS! @The Standard Hotel on Sunset. It's a chilled, gastronomic/pool side/bingo/bossa-nova, electronic-samba summer event. With lots of good quality music, lounge vibe, a place to get your bronze on and enjoy Caipirinhas. I will be commanding the Bingo as well as singing.
Bar Lubitsch - Will be performing at Countre Black`s residence MAY 29. Will be doing a guitar-voice Rio funk style.

Queer Artist Centerfold: Jason Jenn

Name: Jason Jenn

Other aliases: Jason ReBegin, JJ, Jay

Contact info:
www.HiveWorld.org, www.JasonJenn.com, www.facebook.com/JasonJenn

Birthplace: Iowa City, IA

Zodiac sign: Capricorn, with Ares Rising and Cancer Moon – a triple threat of three cardinal signs

Your medium/genre: I’m rather a Jack of All Trades; multimedia artist, writer, creative consultant, performer, photographer, graphic & video designer, poetry, etc.

Describe what you do: The man I aim to be is “A creative and spiritual ReEvolutionary here to explore the known and unknown worlds with art and soul, sharing the results in a responsible and engaging manner.” I know people often scratch their heads at what it is that I do (and often so do I), but I enjoy the art of life and life of art.

Turn on’s: big hearts, open minds, sharp wits, cool composures, warm bodies, curious spirits

Turn off’s: Aggressive, angry, bitter attitudes and actions; people quick to dismiss or judge; self-indulgence without payoff to others; obsession with perfection; refusal to recognize just how shitty we are being to the planet and do nothing to change that (all are things I do my best to keep in check within myself)

Describe your perfect date: There is no perfect, but I’d go for a long walk through nature and/or a great museum, followed by a wonderful meal – with lots of physical and intellectual “conversation” during all of it

Pet peeves: see turn-offs

Fave sex idol: I appreciate so many of life’s sexy beasts and beautiful flowers - there’s a sex idol in all of us! Show it off, baby!

1ST crush: Aquaman or the Dukes of Hazzard (yee-haw!)

Fave music: the celestial music of the cosmos…

Top movies that inspire you: Pink Narcissus, The Lost Mountain, Slacker, Alien Rhoda, and all those in my head that need to find a way out someday soon!

Fave quote: To be honest, I couldn’t think of one, so I just did a quick search and liked this one: “An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose. “ Langston Hughes

Reading List: Currently? A lot of blogs, books on art, coaching, creativity, poetry, song-lyrics, & organizing; and I’m about to re-read my favorite book “A Stranger in a Strangeland”

One of your obsessions: experimental cooking (I’m crazy for “Chopped” on The Food Network)

Influences/mentors/heroes: So, so many. I gather inspiration from all my peers and colleagues and people I’ve worked with and I count myself very fortunate to know some wonderful people in that regard. Thank you!

Fave queer Artist(s): The artists of Queer Mondays

Fave queer from history: currently Constantine P. Cavafy, because I am performing a show about him that I created using his poetry, I find him quite fascinating on many levels.

Most Pivotal Performance/event/etc: When I came out to LA I didn’t intend to get into performance art, but about 10 years ago I took the “red pill.” A rabbit hole journey followed: I took Rachel Rosenthal’s classes and joined a troupe of mostly queer men known as Invisible Theatre – from all of that and more my mind was opened to a vast universe of artistic possibility with no turning back.

Fave performance experience: Every performance is a chance to feel a rush unlike anything else. But I’d have to share that the most heart-felt dance of my life was a “duet” with the spirit of my miscarried twin brother, Solaris. It came out of a very spontaneous moment with a group of friends who were playing music. I was able to let go, be out of my head and truly in my body, so that by the end of it I was naked and covered in sweat.

Most frightening performance experience: Well, it wasn’t that frightening to me, but I did a performance about the spirit animal of the Spider, and after the show I went down to gather my clothes from a bathroom/changing room and a tarantula was there! It freaked out several audience members in line to use the bathroom. I realized it was my responsibility to do something, so I put her on some fabric and took her outside away from danger. I learned the magic of performance for sure that night!

Places performed: Mostly L.A. and Iowa, but I yearn to do it all over the world.

Education: Honestly the best education has been life experiences and the lessons of “failure” (but man do they suck).

Awards/Grants/Honors: It has truly been an honor to work with the peers I have. Other than that, I tend to be a bit off the radar and lacking in those things – that may change.

What do you (does your art) stand for: I am interested in celebrating the diversity of life while offering up new perspectives on archetypes and universal themes. I aim to make art that in addition to being visually engaging, is meaningful and transformative. Art is the language of life and I love to communicate through a variety of methods.

Fave prop or costume: My Cornman Miranda outfit and headdress! My body was covered in gold paint, I made a skimpy tribal outfit and a gold helmet strapped to my head with cobs of corn, feathers, and glittery stuff dangling all over. It was a very gay way to make a statement against genetically modified corn!

Thoughts on the LA queer art scene: We are so fortunate! There is so much out there. I don’t have the chance to experience enough of it, but to know it’s there is amazing. What you seek you shall find. Good or bad. Now we need to spread the seeds out to other communities that are lacking.

What is your Vision for the Queer Future: Where Queer is still Queer, but we have reclaimed our highly regarded status without the hatred and shame attached. We are valued for the importance of the different views we possess, as visionaries, as caretakers, as pollinators of culture, and messengers with the spirit realm.

What do you see as the future for queer art: I used to think I could see the future, but it’s really uncertain at this point. We just have to keep flowering our individual essences while appreciating others and doing lots of cross-pollination. I envision the world as a great big garden full of wonders.

What are your upcoming plans/shows/events/include dates and info:
“Cavafy’s Caress” is a show I hope to perform much more in the future – details for that show and many other upcoming plans can be found at:
http://hiveworld.org/currentbuzz.html
And I am blogging about stuff weekly at JasonJenn.com

Sample of Work: http://hiveworld.org/video.html

photos by: Brent Sammons