DJ Barry Scott decides to appeal charges

What started off as a celebratory evening of music at a backyard birthday party in Provincetown has transformed into an ongoing hell for DJ Barry Scott. In an oddly quick deliberation, the Orleans District Court found the openly gay radio personality guilty on three charges on July 23, 2008.

Scott tells Loaded Gun he will appeal the decision.

"After weeks of consideration, I’ve decided to appeal the charges brought by the Provincetown Police and D.A. Michael O’Keefe to hide police brutality," Scott says. "Although there are many good cops, enabling the Provincetown Police to injure me, lie on official reports and in a court of law ... makes them no better than criminals."

The popular Boston-based radio DJ was found guilty of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace after he was left bloodied and bruised by a crew of summer cops hired by the Provincetown Police Department on July 14, 2007.

"The police assaulted me within one minute of meeting me the first time that night, while complying immediately with their demand to shut the party down," he revealed to me in an exclusive statement.

Gary Pelletier and Brad Bailey of Denner-Pellegrino will represent the Boston-based radio personality.

Here's my initial story on Scott in EDGE.

UPDATE: In a posting labeled "Ptown DJ to fight DA," CapeCodToday.com erroneously linked to my blog presenting it as DJ Barry Scott's page.

Sorry folks! Here's the correct link.

Nicolas Cage's Hub-based film 'Knowing'

While the majority of Nicolas Cage's upcoming flick "Knowing" was shot in Australia, crews were filming exterior shots in Boston last week because the movie is set in, well, Lexington, Mass.

Yep, Cage plays a Hub-based professor who digs up a time capsule that can predict the future at his son's Bay State elementary school.

The film is directed by Aussie Alex "I, Robot" Proyas, which would explain the Melbourne filming locations.

"Knowing" is slotted for release March 20, 2009.

Indie icon Bob Mould spooks P-town, pens book

While in Provincetown over the weekend, I confirmed rumors that alt-rock icon Bob Mould will spook P-town's Boatslip (161 Commercial Street) this Halloween on Friday, Oct. 31 with his side project BLOWOFF, a musical collaboration with DJ Richard Morel that combines projected art vignettes with an assortment of music ranging from indie-rock gems, electro and house tracks.

In an interview I had with the openly gay musician in March, Mould says BLOWOFF is his way to shed his "meanest man in rock" rep while embracing the GLBT community.

"My life is really integrated and I feel a lot better about myself and understand my place in the community," the 47-year-old emotes. "Now, everything is great but it’s taken awhile to get there."

In other Mould news, Michael Pietsch from Little, Brown and Company announced last week that the indie-rock icon and founder of the pioneering American punk band Hüsker Dü will write his memoir for publication in autumn 2010.

Michael Azerrad, author of the bestselling "Our Band Could Be Your Life" and "Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana" will collaborate with Mould to tell the full story of his blazing, era-defining life and career.

Click here for the lowdown.

Mediabistro.com All-Media Party on Oct. 21

Join me 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 at Bella Luna, 403-405 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain for an all-media networking event promoted by Mediabistro.com based in NYC.

The friendly staff at Bella Luna will offer complimentary appetizers that will showcase their stellar new menu.

It's a great way for Boston's media community to come together while enjoying conversation and drinks. Click on the link below to RSVP.

Based on the buzz already, the after-work event is going to be fab!

Forward this link to media professionals only.

'Bride Wars' trailer transforms Boston to NYC

In the Boston-shot flick "Bride Wars," Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson play best friends who are pitted against each other when their wedding dates clash. The BFF duo devolve into bridezillas once it’s clear that neither will step aside.

Similar to "The Women," the film is set in NYC but was shot almost in its entirety in Boston.

The Public Garden, South Station and The Estate (bachelorette party scene) as well as South Street in the Leather District are highlighted in the trailer.

Directed by Gary Winick, "Bride Wars" is slotted for release on Jan. 9, 2009.

Click here for the latest info on the slew of films shot in Boston.

New England Blade's sinking ship?

Boston's GLBT media scene is buzzing over rumors surrounding alleged fiscal problems at HX Media's revamped IN Newsweekly--now called the New England Blade.

According to a Loaded Gun tipster:

* New England Blade was served an eviction notice from their landlord at 450 Harrison Avenue in the South End.

* The staff has been asked to wait before they cash their paychecks.

* They were told that HX Media in NYC is trying to line up some angel investors to put money into the company.

* Payments to the distributor are rumored to be two months behind which could impede the delivery of tomorrow's paper.

* HX Media honcho Matthew Bank allegedly flew in from NYC to quell the staff's growing discontent.

The latest barrage of insider gossip punctuates an already scandalous year for the New England Blade.

Back in January ‘08, four longtime contributors to IN Newsweekly, including former editor Fred Kuhr, have either formally resigned or stopped contributing to the newspaper after the new publisher repeatedly failed to pay them in a timely manner and ignored concerns over its revamped editorial direction.

Bank fired the paper’s then associate publisher, Bill Berggren, in early 2008. In Feb. 2008, Bank had a judge issue an injunction against Berggren, publisher of the now-defunct N'Touch New England, after allegedly soliciting ads for the publication while still working at the New England Blade, then called IN Newsweekly.

Berggren is now selling ads for competitor Bay Windows.

In June '08, New England Blade got the royal smackdown by gay pub competitor Bay Windows for using the word "official" in their annual gay pride guide.

Click here for the backstory.

UPDATE: James Patterson, the publisher at the New England Blade, tells Bay Windows' Ethan Jacobs that the pub is not being evicted ... their lease is merely up and they're in the process of renegotiating.

The publisher declined to comment on the claim that staffers were asked to wait to cash their paychecks, however, he did say the paper has acquired new investors.

Patterson's spin blames Wall Street for the delay in payments to the distributor. And, contrary to my insider source, the paper will hit stands tomorrow.

Click here for Ethan Jacobs' report.

Boston-based gay author removed from Shrine

Boston-based GLBT author Scott D. Pomfret says the publicity surrounding his satirical gem, "Since My Last Confession: A Gay Catholic Memoir," fueled the friars of Saint Anthony Shrine in Downtown Crossing to remove the writer from a volunteer position he held since 2000 while terminating the GLBT Spirituality Group that was the subject of his book.

Pomfret says he knew something was up last Wednesday, Sept. 17.
"I went to the Shrine for the regularly scheduled meeting of the GLBT Spirituality Group, which met every third Wednesday of the month. As soon as I entered the Shrine’s lobby, I knew something was amiss. Our little paper rainbow flags that point the way to the meeting room were absent," he says.

As a practicing Catholic in a long-term committed gay relationship with a hardcore atheist, Pomfret explores his faith in the book (released in June 2008) with the hierarchy’s bitter attacks on same-sex marriage, adoption, GLBT seminarians, Capri pants, innate style and anything else remotely gay.

Pomfret, who works as a government attorney during the day and, with his partner Scott Whittier, is responsible for the "Romentics" series of explicit gay romantic novels at night, tells Loaded Gun that he's hurt by St. Anthony Shrine's knee-jerk reaction to his work.

"I felt sucker punched. Like a jilted lover. Not that I had not anticipated such a result from my book," he writes on his blog. "But the reality was difficult, made exponentially worse by the inability of my friends at the Shrine to show either courage or courtesy, to stand in good faith and express their feelings in an open dialogue."

Meanwhile, St. Anthony Shrine, which promotes the "All Are Welcome" signage on its doors, has abolished the monthly GLBT meetings.

Click here for my profile on "Since My Last Confession" author Pomfret.

UPDATE: The Boston Globe and Associated Press picked up on my news item on author Scott D. Pomfret. The Globe's religion reporter focuses on the more sensational aspects of "Since My Last Confession," like suggesting that the local clergy are sexually active while taking jabs at Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley.

Both articles pull one line from his bio where Pomfret describes himself as "a happy porn-writing Sodomite." This description is taken a bit out of context.

The Globe also quotes the Shrine's executive director, the Rev. David Convertino, as saying, "There were people who felt it was incompatible for someone to stand up publicly and say, 'I'm a pornographer and I'm a lector at St. Anthony Shrine.' "

Convertino says the GLBT spirituality group hasn't been eliminated but changed so that it will focus on "occasional" events.

Read the complete article here.

Dennis Lehane at the Coolidge Corner Theatre

Want to meet the creative mind that fueled the initial interest in Boston as Hollywood's untapped resource for gritty crime stories?

Dennis Lehane, the author of "Mystic River" and "Gone, Baby, Gone," reads from his latest tome "The Given Day," his first novel in more than five years.

Set in 1918 Boston, Lehane's 700-page epic packs in the deep characters and multi-faceted plot that earned him praise in Hollywood while chronicling the days leading up to the Boston police strike of 1919.

Lehane's work has single-handedly raised Boston's profile with his superbly crafted narratives of darkened hearts and challenged moralities. His 2003 novel, "Shutter Island," was recently adapted to film by legend Martin Scorsese.

Renamed "Ashecliffe," the Boston-shot flick features Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley and was shot in Taunton's Whittenton Mills Complex (recrafted as the horrific Nazi concentration camp Dachau) as well as the Medfield State Hospital and Peddocks Island. "Ashecliffe" is slotted for release on Oct. 2, 2009.

Lehane reads from "The Given Day" 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St. in Brookline. $5. 617-566-6660 or visit here for the lowdown.

Harvard student unveils his Diamond in the buff

If you’re going to challenge New England’s traditional puritanical views on "sex, dating and relationships," you probably should check for typos before unleashing an online magazine with naked Harvard students to the general public.

Well, there's only one naked Harvard student and it happens to be the so-called mag's editor.

Matt Di Pasquale’s vanity publishing debut Diamond is riddled with spelling errors like "retarted" and "screem" but that’s if you actually read the articles.

On pages 33 and 37 the Harvard junior lets it all hang out … literally … in one of the more ballsy moves of self-publishing I’ve seen in a long time.

His interview is so over the top and misogynistic that it reads like an online hoax. Borat goes to college? It's possible.

The editor is the magazine’s cover model and nudie centerfold and Diamond features 10 self-masturbatorial pages of Di Pasquale interviewing, well, himself.

His blog dispels any misconceptions regarding his decision not to "manscape" his hairy chest before dropping trou. Also, we learn other important tidbits like Di Pasquale’s proclivity to "get shrinkage" when he’s nervous and that he’s a "grower."

If you're over 18, click here to see Di Pasquale’s Diamond in the buff.

UPDATE: I hope this is some Harvard hoax gone terribly awry--or a disgruntled BU student seeking "Joe Tucker Must Die"-style revenge--and it turns out to be an elaborate example of media manipulation. However, I'm not holding my breath.

Dane Cook's movie poster rant generates buzz

“My Best Friend's Girl,” shot in Boston for a mere $20 million after the state's insanely low tax credit and slotted for national release this weekend, has generated a lot of buzz thanks to an online rant titled "Dear Diary" from hometown boy Dane Cook.

The comedian-actor earned national ink in mid-August when he posted a lengthy bitch session on his MySpace page slamming the movie's poster.

"Whoever photoshopped our poster must have done so at taser point with three minutes to fulfill their hostage takers' deranged obligations," Cook fumes, calling it an injustice to a film in which he and costars Hudson, Alec Baldwin and Jason Biggs "really kicked the funny around."

Cook says he looked to be "wearing Maybelline Water Shine Diamonds Liquid Lipstick," that his high collar was "going for the vampire lurking in the castle basement vibe," and that he appeared "able to turn my head comfortably 360 degrees, because I was raised in an abandoned barn by a family of owls.”

Click here to see for yourself.

Al's South Street Cafe opens in the Leather District

One of the many storefront businesses emerging within the new Lincoln Plaza, Al's State Street Cafe opened up its second location (aptly called Al's South Street Cafe) on the corner of Essex and South Street in Boston's Leather District.

The joint boasts a "Bag Lunch" deal which includes a 10 inch sub, a 20 oz. soda and chips for $6.50.

With a soft launch on Monday, Sept. 15 and officially opening its doors today, the Financial District "ped set" has already stumbled on this new lunch-time hot spot and are buzzing around this new sub shop with an unstoppable fervor.

Click here for more information.

Ben Affleck goes to 'Town' in Boston?

Reports surfaced today that Ben Affleck is in talks to follow-up his stunning directorial debut "Gone Baby Gone" with the Charlestown-based flick "The Town," an adaptation of the blue-collar heist novel by Chuck Hogan which was written for the big screen by Peter Craig.

If negotiations work out, the homegrown talent will write, star and direct in the film following a bizarre love triangle involving a crook, a female bankteller and a FBI agent.

Ben Affleck directing himself? Could be a challenge. However, if the Oscar winner's work with "Gone Baby Gone" in 2007 is any indication, this dark romance sounds like a perfect fit.

No word if the "Good Will Hunting" star will film "The Town" in Boston but if history or the fact that Graham King (currently helming the Boston-shot film "Edge of Darkness") is slotted to produce the movie impacts its location, expect a big-screen return to the Hub from Affleck sometime in 2009.

Click here for more information.

Centre Street's open-and-shut CD store

Now you see it. Now you don't.

I did a doubletake yesterday afternoon walking down Centre Street near the new City Feed & Supply convenience store/cafe in Jamaica Plain.

Mud Dog Media, a home-brewed media retail shop carrying new and used CDs, DVDs and video games, recently opened in April 2008 at the former CD Spins storefront at 668 Centre St.

A regional chain based in Wakefield, the storefront sold clothing and featured a full skateboarding supply shop.

I'm a believer in the "shop local" concept, so I wanted to buy some tunes at this indie record joint. No luck. Now, there's a "For Lease" sign on the store-front window and all of its merchandise has been completely removed.

Open-and-shut CD store? Unfortunately, yes.

Mud Dog Media, I hardly knew ya.

Jordan Schechter shines in 'The Women'

The adage "there are no small parts, just small actors" hits close to home for Jordan Schechter, an up-and-coming teen actress from Chestnut Hill.

Schechter stars as Ashley, best friend to Meg Ryan’s precocious daughter Molly (played by India Ennenga) in the all-star cast of "The Women," a remake of George Cukor's 1939 classic starring Ryan, Annette Bening, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Eva Mendez.

When the film premiered on the big screen last Friday, Sept. 12, the local says she was initially overwhelmed.

"It was surreal, scary and a little bit overwhelming," she says about her feature-film debut. "After the scene was over though it felt amazing and I couldn't stop smiling."

"The Women" was filmed in Boston's Back Bay area including the Copley Plaza Hotel and 33 Restaurant and Lounge and in Gloucester, specifically at Lighthouse Beach and along the Annisquam River.

Jordan, who was a finalist a few years ago for the part of the daughter in "The Game Plan" starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, has learned a lot since landing the "BFF" part in "The Women."

"I learned that being confident about the choices you make as an actress is really important not from Meg Ryan but from everyone on the set, cast and crew," she tells Loaded Gun. "Also taking and listening to directions is really key."

Schechter, currently in the ninth grade at Beaver County Day School in Chestnut Hill, appears only briefly in a scene with Ennenga's character Molly when Bening's character, Sylvie, finds the duo skipping school.

Although her part in "The Women" is small, Jordan says her on-set experience has been a career-changing milestone.

Schechter's advice to other up-and-coming actors?

"Keep trying and don't ever give up on your dream," she emotes. "Persistence is really important. Also to not take rejection personally and don't get discouraged by it."

When it comes to the recent influx of big-budget films like "The Surrogates" starring Bruce Wilson and "Edge of Darkness" with Mel Gibson, Schechter is optimistic about her chances to land a larger movie role in the future but she's ultimately realistic.

"Well I think being a local is a leg-up on the competition because it's less expensive for the producers but it all comes down to what they're looking for," she adds. "One day someone might want a girl who has bright red hair and freckles and I just can't be that."

Click here for the lowdown.

Southie-shot film earns rave reviews in Toronto

Brian Goodman, a Southie bad boy turned film director, unleashed his Boston-shot indie gem "What Doesn't Kill You" this past Wednesday, Sept. 10 earning rave reviews at the Toronto Film Festival.

The real-life crime drama, originally titled "Real Men Cry," is set in Boston and stars Ethan Hawke and Mark Ruffalo as childhood friends "who grew up in an Irish-Catholic neighborhood where small-time crimes were as common as confessionals." Fast forward 15 years where the duo is trapped in a cycle of scoring quick cash, drug addiction and an ever-changing South Boston landscape.

"I read the screenplay and absolutely loved it," writes a fan on IMDB. "It truly is a great American story about growing up in the city and the struggles that come with the attempts of sticking together with the ones you trust -- especially when you have been involved in the criminal life since day one."

Key scenes for "What Doesn't Kill You" were shot on West Broadway in South Boston as well as the Billerica House of Correction.

Click here for the lowdown.

Peter Pizzi unveils voyeuristic 'Tea and Sympathy'

Peter Pizzi, a Boston-based photographer and filmmaker, recently raised eyebrows with his short film "Sucker" at the Boston Gay and Lesbian Film Fest last May.

The flick, which follows a man with an unstoppable oral fixation, is based on the short story of the same name written by novelist Wayne Hoffman.

Pizzi continues to provoke and inspire with his upcoming multi-media art show called "Tea and Sympathy" slotted to be unveiled 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Atlantic Works Gallery, 80 Border Street in East Boston.

Taking his cue from the 1956 film "Tea and Sympathy," Pizzi has orchestrated a media playland that touches on themes of sexuality and identity while challenging Boston's traditional puritanical views on sex and nudity.

Via eight video viewing boxes, Pizzi’s peep show includes hands-on erotic puzzles, doll-sized dioramas and photography of masked nude models.

Click here to learn more.

Brit replaces Robert De Niro in 'Edge of Darkness'

British powerhouse Ray Winstone has reportedly stepped in to replace Robert De Niro in the remake of the 1985 BBC series "Edge of Darkness" currently being filmed in Boston.

According to Variety, De Niro's publicist says the acting icon left over "creative differences."

De Niro had signed to play an operative sent to clean up the evidence in the murder of a young female activist. Mel Gibson stars as the victim's father, a homicide detective for the Boston Police Dept. who digs up the many secrets surrounding her death.

Winstone, who was featured in "The Departed" as Mr. French and was last seen in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," is in discussions alongside Mel Gibson to co-star in the Martin Campbell film.

"Edge of Darkness" started shooting on Monday, Aug. 18.

Click here for the latest.

Follow up to Six Flags New England controversy

I just received two heated e-mails from the director of sales at Six Flags New England, Keith Hermann and another from ad sales maverick Bill Berggren ... yes, this guy... who claim that there's some sour grapes from OutinthePark.com promoter Gary Turner.

Hell hath no fury like a gay man scorned.

Hermann writes, "Six Flags in no way 'hijacked' this event and in fact Mr. Turner has known about this change since the beginning of the year and in fact had been supporting the event and promoting it on outinthepark.com for most of the year."

The Six Flags New England rep continues, "We fully intended to include Mr. Turner again this year, but there was a lapse in contacting him due to him changing his e-mail from aol to yahoo without us knowing."

Hermann echoes Berggren's gripe that Turner didn't pay for the advertising that ran in the former IN Newsweekly.

"For the record, Six Flags has provided all of the advertising and entertainment for this event for the past several years. The decision to take this event private was made last fall as the operating schedule for the park was set and Mr. Turner was well aware and as you can see from his website was very much in support.

Since then, for some reason, his feelings were hurt and he chose to go on the attack of the event and spread completely false information."

My response?

Thanks for pointing out my credentials. For the record, it was a blog post and not a story and based on your credentials you should know the difference.

Blogs are more opinion based. My pieces in mainstream pubs are journalistic endeavors. My blog is subjective.

With that said, it still seems sketchy to me. The blog post on Loaded Gun was fueled by e-mails sent to me by my readers--who happen to be a part of the Boston-area GLBT community and regulars to the annual Six Flags "Out in the Park" celebration.

Members within the GLBT (myself and my group of close friends, for example) were initially confused that there are two "gay days" at Six Flags and I wanted to point out the contradiction.

Click here for the lowdown.

(Note: The image at the top of this blog posting is a screenshot from happier times back when OutinthePark.com supported the Sept. 20 private party).

Six Flags New England hijacks 'Out in the Park'

Organizers of the annual “Out in the Park” event held at Six Flags New England in September are fuming over the Agawam-based amusement park’s attempt to throw their own “private party” the day before the scheduled GLBT celebration on Sunday, Sept. 21.

“The owners of OutInThePark.com and the many people who have been involved in planning and organizing Out In The Park at Six Flags New England since 1997, don’t support the ‘private party’ event that Six Flags New England has decided to plan for Saturday, September 20,” writes Gary Turner, the owner of OutinthePark.com.

“Six Flags New England decided on their own to basically change the event to a ‘private party,’ to use our event name and our logo to promote their event. We here at OutInThePark.com have had no involvement with the event SFNE has been planning this year,” Turner remarks, adding that Six Flags didn’t contact him about their dueling private event on Saturday, Sept 20.

To support Turner’s accusations, a simple search on GoDaddy.com confirms that Keith Hermann of Six Flags New England purchased OutinthePark.info on July 30 and overtly used Turner’s logo to promote the private event on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Click here to get the lowdown and here to learn more about the "rogue" Six Flags-sponsored event.

Also, go here for my profile on Kevin Aviance, the headliner of last year’s less sketchy “Out in the Park” bash.

UPDATE: Click here for the heated follow up from Six Flags New England's sales director.

(Photo: Kevin Aviance, drag diva and Billboard star, headlined last year's "Out in the Park" event at Six Flags New England)

Povo.com Hotspot :: Newbury Comics Faneuil Hall

To celebrate the grand opening of their brand new Newbury Comics location at Faneuil Hall, the new shop on the block hosted, well, the New Kids On The Block (yes, the '80s pop icons from Boston) at this swank record and retail location.

For those not in the know, Newbury Comics is an independently owned retailer specializing in music, movies and pop culture items. Their experience comes from over 30 years of alternative retailing through their now 28 New England-based store locations.

The Faneuil Hall shop boasts two floors with some of the familiar indie goods that made their growing brand a fave among the collegiate crowd including a "Wicked Cheap" rack of CDs, a chalkboard highlighting upcoming releases as well as an emphasis on local/regional bands. In addition to the usual pop culture goods, this tourist friendly location has a larger selection of edgy clothing like their alterna-Ts and a second-floor space carrying a bevy of Levi jeans.

Click here for the Povo.com lowdown.

De Niro drops the ball on 'Edge of Darkness' set

The "creative differences" surrounding Robert De Niro's abrupt departure from the Boston-based flick "Edge of Darkness" centers around the Oscar winner's issues with the 15th hole at the Gannon Municipal Golf Course on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

The Daily Item of Lynn reports that observers at the course say the Oscar winner became aggravated after he couldn't lift a shot out a sandtrap dug at least four feet deeper than usual. Director Martin Campbell wanted to fit the actor, the sand trap and the Boston skyline in the shot so he ordered the grounds crew to excavate the pit even deeper.

De Niro, who had admitted that he's never played golf before, walked off the set after a reported 20 takes with a swinging sand wedge. Observers say one PA was tossing a handful of sand near De Niro's ball to simulate a hit.

According to Variety, De Niro's publicist says the acting icon left over "creative differences."

De Niro had signed to play an operative sent to clean up the evidence in the murder of a young female activist. Mel Gibson stars as the victim's father, a homicide detective for the Boston Police Dept. who digs up the many secrets surrounding her death.

Click here for the latest.

NOTE: I interviewed De Niro at the Righa Royal in NYC in the early '90s and he left an indelible mark on my early A&E journalism career. Note to up-and-coming actors: You can be nice even if you're an Oscar-winning actor. He was probably the most down-to-earth celebrity interview I've had over the years--a genuinely kind guy with enormous talent. Sad to see him leave Boston!

Kinsey Report :: The Kinsey Sicks Hits Boston

The Kinsey Sicks, a hilarious drag a cappella troupe from San Francisco, will perform Wednesday, Nov. 5 until Saturday, Nov. 8 with the The Theater Offensive at the Calderwood Pavilion in the South End.

Here's an exerpt from an interview I had with group leader Ben Schatz a few years back:

Summoning Ben Schatz's sharp-tongued drag alter ego Rachel is enough to make a grown man blush.

"Eat me!" Rachel bites, when asked if she's in fact a nympho—or just a misunderstood, sexually frustrated older lady. The word "older" triggers a hormonally-driven rage within the finger-snapping diva delight. Seems age is a touchy subject.

"She's not old," Schatz snaps.

Just like Mount St. Helens, Rachel is about to blow.

"She's just beyond the age of consent," says Schatz, slipping in and out of character throughout the interview—but never losing Rachel's tongue-in-cheek edge. "What's age, really?"

The Harvard educated former legal eagle, Schatz knows how to control his sassy darker half—the feisty enforcer within his drag a cappella troupe known as The Kinsey Sicks. Calling itself America's Favorite "Dragapella" (a term it has trademarked) Beautyshop Quartet, the group is the latest in the line of drag acts that actually sing, not lip-sync. And they're aiming their finely coifed beehive hairdos in this direction.

When asked if it's difficult for him to "turn on" his drag persona, Schatz quickly answers. "No, it's so easy for me. Being Rachel is a blast," he says, calling from South Carolina. "I get to be socially inappropriate and get paid for it. I get to say all the things your parents warned you not to say and I make a living out of it," Schatz spews with a laugh. "And people applaud."

"WAKE THE F**K UP AMERICA" starring The Kinsey Sicks running November 5-8; Wednesday - Thursday at 7.30 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Click here for the lowdown.

Povo's roving rock 'n' roll college bus

What the buck?

In an attempt to generate buzz on college campuses, Povo plans to unleash their rock 'n' roll college bus to the masses at Northeastern, Boston University and Kenmore Square this Monday, Sept. 8 from noon-9 p.m.

Here's the lowdown:

• Noon-2 p.m.--Northeastern Campus (Forsyth St. near Centennial Commons)
• 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m.--Boston University (Warren Towers on Comm Ave.)
• 5 p.m.-9 p.m.--Kenmore Square (outside Hotel Commonwealth).

Give Povo.com 15 minutes of your time and they'll give you a buck. Click here for more information.

Robert De Niro pulls out of 'Edge of Darkness'

In a bizarre twist in an already tumultuous remake of the British miniseries "Edge of Darkness," Oscar winner Robert De Niro abruptly quit the Mel Gibson-starring flick that's currently being shot in the Boston area including the South End, Roslindale and Lynn.

According to Variety, De Niro's publicist says the acting icon left over "creative differences."

De Niro had signed to play an operative sent to clean up the evidence in the murder of a young female activist. Gibson stars as the victim's father, a homicide detective for the Boston Police Dept. who digs up the many secrets surrounding her death.

De Niro was last spotted shooting a scene at the Gannon Golf Club in Lynn on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Click here for the latest.

Rave New World :: Back-To-School Silent Rave

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.

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 back-to-school edition of the silent rave is slotted for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12 at Copley Square, 607 Boylston Street. 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.

Tabloids in a tizzy over Mel Gibson's Russian

Australian tabloid Women's Day claims that married Mel Gibson, currently in Boston filming "Edge of Darkness," has been spending "quality time" with an Eastern European musician known as Oksana.

The Aussie scandal sheet alleges that Gibson and the Russian beauty were romantically hanging out in the 52-year-old's roving trailer (recently in the South End, Roslindale and Chelsea).

Gibson's publicist slams the rumors saying that Oksana is "one of the artists on Mel's recording label Icon and is currently in the US recording a new album. She's a musician."

Click here for the latest on Mel Gibson's and "Edge of Darkness."

Random Shot :: Casting Bread Upon the Waters

I had a higher power moment today when I passed by the "Casting Bread Upon the Waters" angel in Boston's Public Garden.

The last time I remember seeing this Daniel Chester French statue I was walking to my job at WHDH at 3 a.m. because I didn't have enough money for cab fare. That was exactly one year ago. It's amazing how much has changed since those dark days at Channel 7.

The engraving reads: "Cast your bread on the water; for you shall find it after many days" (Ecclesiastes 11:1).

Click here for more photos from the "Loaded Gun Random Shots" series.

Photo by Sam Baltrusis

'Survivor: Gabon' features Boston lawyer Dan Kay

I must confess: My interest in "Survivor" has waned a bit over the years but I now have a reason to watch the upcoming season of "Survivor: Gabon."

Dan Kay, a 32-year-old Boston lawyer who is originally from Walpole, made the cast of 18 contestants on the new season premiering 8 p.m. Thursday Sept. 18 on CBS.

Here's his bio:

"Attractive, athletic, single and a lawyer, Dan is set to make a big impression on his competitors. Currently, he's training to compete in his first triathlon."

According to his profile, Kay has issues with trust.

"You have to have trust to win this game but you have to know who is untrustworthy, and that's probably the most difficult task," he adds.

Click here for the lowdown.