The Cliks nail a Nexty before heading to Boston

Here's the latest on this weekend's "True Colors Tour" performers, The Cliks:

Canadian rockers The Cliks, slotted to perform at the True Colors show in Boston 6 p.m. Saturday, May 31, proudly took home a "Brink Of Fame: Music Artist" Nexty at last weeks "NewNowNext" Awards. The show airs Saturday, June 7 on LOGO.

Cliks frontman and founder, Lucas Silveira was blown away and had this to say, "We were extremely honored to win the Nexty. I really can't tell you what an amazing thrill it was not only to win, but to have been presented the very first award The Cliks have ever won by Cyndi Lauper.

Silveira continues, "I just felt it was so fitting, as she has been such an amazing source of support for us by having us on the True Colors tour and really thrusting us forward."

On Wednesday, June 4 at 3:30 p.m. the group will make an appearance on MTV's TRL "Total Request Live."

Click here for my interview with Silveira.

Povo.com Hotspot :: The Real Deal

I had dinner at the new Real Deal on Centre Street tonight. Yum! The food at this new haunt raises the bar a few notches in an already stellar block chock full of killer restaurants including Vee Vee, Bon Savor and Ten Tables.

Here's the lowdown:

The Real Deal, a popular deli in West Roxbury, recently opened up shop in the old Emack and Bolio's spot on Centre Street. The restaurant serves gourmet sandwiches and thin-crust pizza, among other things, and will continue to carry Emack and Bolio’s ice cream.

The hotspot boasts mafioso-esque signature sandwiches and "gangster wraps" ranging from the Michael Corleone (genoa salami, capiccola and provolone) to the Tony Soprano (zesty cajun roast beef with horseradish and swiss).

Also, the walls are covered with sandwich-inspired caricatures including playful depictions of the Lucy Goosey (roast turkey) and the Donny Brasco (maple turkey).

Visit here for more information.

'Top Chef' couple headlines Boston Pride

Chefs Jen Biesty and Zoi Antonitsas, recent castaways from Bravo's "Top Chef 4" in Chicago and an openly gay couple based in San Francisco, will present a cooking demonstration at Macy's Kitchen from Noon-2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10.

The duo, who announced on national TV that they were in a committed four-year relationship, will headline a series of events called "Out In Downtown" scheduled for Boston Pride 2008.

"I think I was silent when I first heard," Antonitsas tells EDGE Boston about her recent stint on "Top Chef."

Antonitsas continues, "I was in shock. We never even dreamed it would be possible we would both be picked. We knew there had never been a couple on the show."

"Our first reaction was we were very excited for the opportunity," Biesty says. "Then we wondered what it would be like as a couple." Nothing like a weekly elimination cook-off challenge with 13 other chefs to put a strain on a four-year relationship. "When we got past that is when we decided it would be fun," she adds.

Click here for more info about "Out In Downtown" and here for the article in EDGE.

Ptown’s Vixen Unveils Summer Comedy Showcase

When it comes to representation of female comics in the male-dominated stand-up comedy industry, Bill Colombo says he’s seen it all.

"I’m still stunned that funny women are a minority at most of the major clubs throughout the country," he says, sitting on a bench outside of the Purple Feather, a stone’s throw away from his new gig at Vixen Nightclub.

After working in the business on the West Coast for 25 years, Colombo believes that the women of comedy offer an important point of view that’s often overlooked by the mainstream.

"I find most women comics have tremendous cross-over potential, whether it’s straight culture or the gay and lesbian community, it doesn’t matter," Colombo emotes. "It’s their point of view that’s so strong, and so singular at the same time, that anyone can identify with what they’re talking about."

Click here for my complete article in EDGE.

MassResistance claims Youth Pride turned violent

The following "news" feature here from American Family Association claims that MassResistance photographer, Brian Camenker, was bullied at a scene that turned "violent" at last weekend's Youth Pride when the kids realized he was with the vitriolic anti-gay group.

The propaganda piece called "Youngsters attend Boston homosexual pride event" says the crowd started screaming at MassResistance, blocked their cameras and assaulted them (although they don't give specifics).

"They claimed that by our taking pictures and by putting them on our Web site that we were hurting the kids because their parents didn't know that they were there and they would be 'outed,'" Camenker tells OneNewsNow.

Reporter Scott Kearnan explored the unsavory MassResistance tactic in a piece I edited for EDGE Boston here.

Kearnan writes that MassResistance has gone so far as to take photographs of attending youth, many of whom may not be out to all friends and family members and post them on the MassResistance Web site.

"They harass them, take pictures and put them on their Web site," says one Youth Pride organizer. "They don’t seem to respect anybody, but I would think there would at least be a higher respect for youth."

My thoughts? It upsets me that MassResistance goes after the youngsters who already have to deal with coming to terms with their orientation, coming out to their parents and harassment at school.

If you must, go after the adults who are able to engage in debate and leave the kids alone.

Click here for the article in EDGE Boston.

Free iced coffee day at Dunkin Donuts

Yes, I'm a die-hard coffee drinker and I'm a sucker for free stuff. So, today is one of my favorite days of the year: Free Iced Coffee Day at Dunkin Donuts!

On Thursday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dunkin Donuts is offering free 16-ounce iced coffee to herald the spring and "put winter on ice."

Their iced coffees are "double brewed" for smoothness and come in nine different flavors, in addition to regular coffee.

DD reports that iced coffees are their second most popular menu item after hot coffees and that they sold over 150 million cups last year alone.

Yum!

Click here for more information.

Madonna tickets on sale Saturday

Tickets for Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet" tour hitting Boston Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the TD Banknorth Garden go on sale Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. here.

The concert celebrates the icon's latest release, "Hard Candy."

The album is Madonna’s swan song for Warner Bros. Records, the label she’s leaving for an industry-shattering, $120 million and 10-year deal with Live Nation Inc (virtually guaranteeing her fans another decade of delight).

It’s also her final release before her big 50 birthday this summer, a milestone that will not only kick off a tour hitting Boston in October but is sure to incite the prerequisite VH1 retrospectives on the unparalleled longevity, reinventions and pop cultural impact of her career.

Click here to buy tickets.

Introducing the revamped ConsumerUnited.com

My latest freelance project at a Boston-based start up called Consumer United was featured on Chronicle tonight:

Consumer United launched its new, more robust Web site today in response to the public's interest in getting better deals together.

On the side navigation of the new ConsumerUnited.com, we're linking to social networking sites like Yelp and MySpace to promote interactivity among our customers. I also designed and launched a new blog, Consumer United Advocate here.

The segment on Consumer United aired earlier tonight WCVB's Chronicle and the result has been immediate. Traffic to both the site and blog has spiked dramatically in a matter of minutes.

For those who didn't catch the piece on Chronicle, CU plans to post the video on the new blog here.

Boston beauty cut from ‘Top Model’ finale

There’s some bad news for Boston’s "America’s Next Top Model" fans. Fatima, a Hub transplant originally from Somalia and an Iman look-alike, made it to the final three but was cut in tonight’s "ANTM" finale.

Fatima, who talked a lot about the inner pain she felt spending time in a shelter as a child, was consoled by Tyra Banks after she was booted.

"You’re more than that Fatima," Banks says, alluding to the up-and-coming model’s troubled past. "You need to find who you are now."

The Boston beauty says the competition has boosted her self esteem and ultimately has transformed her attitude toward modeling.

"I feel so new," Fatima says. "I feel so beautiful. I feel so strong. You will not forget about me. You will see this face again."

Whitney, the show's first full-size model to make it to the finale, ultimately won the cycle's top title.

"You're the first girl with some bootie to win," Banks adds.

Click here for the lowdown.

Rave New World :: Flash mob hits Boston Common

Looking to get your groove on with thousands of strangers in a public space? You’re in luck.

Here’s another one of those spontaneous flash-mob gatherings similar to the recent en masse pillow fight in Copley Square and the organized strip-to-your-underwear demonstration on the Red Line.

In the last few months, people in cities around the world, including NYC this past April, have gathered for silent raves where they dance into the wee hours of the night to the music of their choice using their personal music players.

It’s called a silent rave and the concept is simple. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of folks coming together from all walks of life plan to gather in a public place at a pre-arranged time, turn on their Walkmans, CD players and iPods and dance freely to whatever music they choose.

The silent rave is slotted for 7:19-11:19 p.m. Friday, May 16 in the northwest corner of Boston Common @ Beacon and Charles Streets.

Organizers are using grassroots, social-networking sites like Facebook and Craigslist to drum up support. Their tagline: Dance in the streets, not in your room.

Click here for more information.

Gay marriage hearings heat up in Rhode Island

Here's the latest article for EDGE from reporter Joe Siegel:

The House Judiciary Committee held hearings on four bills pertaining to GLBT rights on Wednesday, May 7 at the Rhode Island Statehouse, including a bill which would allow same-sex couples to get married in the state.

One of the bills heard was the Compassion for All Families Act, which would give domestic partners the spousal benefits of family medical leave, nursing home visitation and funeral planning. Another bill, sponsored by House Majority Leader Gordon Fox, would allow same-sex couples married outside of Rhode Island to divorce in Rhode Island courts.

A Providence couple, Cassandra Ormiston and Margaret Chambers, were denied the right to divorce by the state Supreme Court last October. Ormiston and Chambers were married in Massachusetts in 2004, not long after the first same-sex marriages were performed there. The Supreme Court ruled that Ormiston and Chambers couldn’t have access to the Family Court to end their marriage, since the state did not recognize same-gender marriages.

Ormiston gave impassioned testimony to the committee about her frustration with the court’s decision and the state’s refusal to recognize same-sex unions. "Why is it that you feel you can discriminate against me? A woman with a valid contract. I did not ask any faith to bless my marriage. I absolutely respect anyone’s right to believe and worship in any way they choose. But I demand the same right," Ormiston emotes.

Click here for the complete article in EDGE.

Provincetown Hotspot :: Revere Guest House

I’m in Provincetown this weekend interviewing potential writers for EDGEPtown.com as well as generating story ideas for the portal.

For the weekend, I’m staying in this amazing B&B in the heart of Ptown called the Revere House and I must say, I’m smitten with this place.

Innkeeper Gary A. Palochko gave me a walkthrough of this beautifully restored colonial house located on Court between Commercial and Bradford Streets.

Last night, my friend and I hung out in front of the fireplace in the newly renovated common area in the back and really enjoyed how much thought was put into the interior design and layout of the common space.

Each room has its own special ambience: including room 2 with two beds and a fireplace, room 1 with a working kitchen, separate living room and rooms 7 & 8 with access to the roof deck, whirlpool baths and killer views of Ptown.

Click here for the lowdown. Also, take a virtual tour of Revere House here.

Author confesses in upcoming Boston event

Here's an e-mail from author Scott D. Pomfret. I'm setting up an interview with the satirist for EDGE:

I'm reading from my new book "Since My Last Confession: A Gay Catholic Memoir" on 1 p.m. on Monday, June 9 at Borders Books in Downtown Crossing and at 7 p.m. Friday, June 20 at Calamus Books, 92B South Street. If you're interested, I'd love for you to come and post on the events.

"Confession" is a funny, irreverent faith journey by a gay Catholic pursuing his Archbishop in the style of Michael Moore's Roger & Me that answers the perennial question, "What's a Nice Gay Catholic Part-time Porn Writer Doing in a Nasty Church Like This?"

As a practicing Catholic in a long-term committed gay relationship with a hardcore atheist, I try to reconcile faith with the hierarchy's bitter attacks on gay marriage, gay adoption, gay seminarians, Capri pants, innate style and anything else remotely homosexual.

Convinced that a meeting with the Archbishop would foster homo-Catholic rapprochement and world peace, I pursued the prelate from pulpit to Chancery to state funeral -- and ran into a host of motorcycle lesbians, gay priests, flaming friars, pious prelates, would-be Opus Dei monks, dozens of Irish women named Mary and angry orthodox bloggers along the way.

Addressing topics ranging from a firsthand account of a 1970s SWAT team raid of a gay Mass to "Ten Ways to Recognize a Gay Catholic" to Harry Potter's Satanism, Confession is one man's personal experience of wrestling with faith, doubt, sex, love and priestly undergarments.

Click here for the lowdown.

Ding Ho reunion benefit show added

Because Sunday’s Ding Ho Reunion benefit sold out quickly, organizers have planned another show at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 5 at the Regent Theatre in Arlington Center.

Here’s the lowdown:

For those who long for the good ol’ days when Inman Square’s Ding Ho was the center of Boston’s comedy universe, you’re in luck.

A handful of old-time Ding Ho regulars are gathering for a two-night-only benefit to help out comedian Bob Lazarus called "One Of Our Own."

Local stand-up legends like Steven Wright, Lenny Clarke, Barry Crimmins, Steve Sweeney and Jimmy Tingle will gather for this must-see evenings of comedy.

Political satirist Crimmins, who founded the infamous Ding Ho Comedy Club in 1979, is coming out of retirement and stepping up to the mic to help out his friend.

"I have made no appearances since last year. None. I always said that if there was a really good reason I'd show up to help. My dear friend Bob Lazurus's illness is just such a good reason," Crimmins remarks.

Lazarus has toured all over the country with Wright and has been seen on Comedy Central and in film with cameos in flicks like "27 Dresses," "Mystic River," etc. Lazarus was diagnosed with leukemia last summer and has been in remission since his hospital stay in August.

With 10 months of outpatient treatments scheduled, proceeds from the show will be donated to help offset Lazarus’ medical costs.

7:30 p.m. Monday, May 5. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St. Arlington, MA. $45-$50. 781-646-4849 or www.regenttheatre.com.

GQB takes over Theatre District’s Liquor Store

We’re here. We’re queer. We want a beer.

The Guerrilla Gay Bar folks are taking over the only straight hangout in Boston with its own mechanical bull. Yes, they’re infiltrating the Liquor Store, 120 Boylston Street starting at 9 p.m. Friday, May 2.

According to the e-mail blast, organizers Daniel and Josh want to teach Boston’s straight masses "how to ride." Of course, they’re referring to the Liquor Store’s mechanical bull.

The guerrilla gay bar idea is a great concept: a group of GLBTs sign up for an e-mail list, the organizer chooses a traditionally straight establishment (like last month's event at Landowne Street’s uber-straight bar, Tequila Rain).

Here’s my write-up on the fine Boylston Street establishment for Povo:

The bar's mechanical bull perpetuates an "Urban Cowboy" meets "Girls Gone Wild" vibe. With large open spaces, VIP couches, a velvet rope and killer Cosmos, this Theatre District haunt is not the place to go for those looking for a laid-back night on the town. It’s drunken craziness at its best.

Only open late on Friday and Saturday nights, the Liquor Store recently served as a backdrop for the filming of an episode of Oxygen Channel’s "Bad Girls Road Trip" when the crew made a pit stop in Boston.

Click here for the Boston Guerrilla Queer Bar lowdown.