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Win tickets to see June and Jean Millington from Fanny in concert

The Godmothers of all girl rock bands, June and Jean Millington, are coming to town. Best known for their 60s and 70s group Fanny, these sisters were pioneers…yes, even before the Runaways. They were the first all-woman band to record entire albums for a major label and gain international credibility. Even David Bowie said of them (in Rolling Stone, January, 2000): “They were one of the finest fucking rock […]


The weekend cuts deep with execution parties, feminist birthday parties, and playing like a girl with Fanny

June and Jean Milligton, from the iconic girl band Fanny, play Saturday as part of their "Play Like a Girl" tour

Don’t forget that it’s the last days of the Portland Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, and previews should all be out. You can check that plus any reviews thus far in our complete 15th Annual PLGFF coverage.

Thursday

In Other Words 18th birthday party – One of the last remaining feminist bookstores in the country is still going. I hesitate to say strong, although metaphorically they’re as strong as ever, because in this economy they are in constant need of our love and help. So don’t let the $12 price tag deter you because IOW is not a whole community center and the party’s bound to be hoppin’ with a lineup of performers and DJs. There will also be a raffle, food, beer and wine. The raffle prizes will feature fabulous items from local businesses, restaurants, the Portland Timbers, food carts, bicycle shops, Bitch Media and more

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DJ of the Week — Amy Kasio

Every week we introduce you to a local LGBTQ party DJ and ask them about their experiences in the scene and feature an audio mix they’ve made. If you’re interested in being featured contact alley@qpdx.com.

This week sees newish DJ Kasio Smashio on the eve of her brand spankin’ new night called Deep Cuts which will premiere this Friday the 7th at Rotture. This ally friendly party is co-helmed by earlier DJ of the Week Bruce LaBruiser and features Freddie Fagula as a guest at the opener. It is for those who want to focus on the music and move beyond top 40. Can I say PDX music snob in the nicest way possible? That’s what I’m envisioning.

When and how did you get started DJing?

I’ve had a passion for finding new music and sharing it with others my whole life. I come from the generation of kids who made mixtapes like their lives depended on it. I would put everything I had into making the perfect mixtape based on what situation it was for. Was it for a crush? A friend? A party? A roadtrip? What kind of roadtrip? I even went so far as to make mixes for my favorite bands that passed through town so they would have something different to listen to on the road.

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Daytime weekend events include AIDSwalk and a queer history walking tour

Portland's 2010 AIDSwalk. Photo by Mike Burt.

Get those boots that are made for walking out because this weekend has some great ways to enjoy downtown Portland outdoors with a gay spin.

Saturday will see the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest (GLAPN) getting together with the Oregon Safe Schools and Communities Coalition for a Queer History Walking Tours to be held as a benefit for OSSCC. The tour begins at 1:30pm in front of Hobo’s (120 NW Third Ave), an area known as the “vice neighborhood.” (Not much has changed, except this has now become the entirety of the city.) This is also where we have ghost tours, Shanghai Tunnels where sailors were kidnapped to serve.  It was also at the center of he 1912 Portland Vice Clique Scandal. Think Gangs of New York crossed with Tipping the Velvet?

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Saved by the Bell or God Save the Queen, music Lovers get Beyond Thunderdome in a weekend of Underwear Crush

We don't need another hero, we just need Mrs. Beyond Thunderdome Saturday

There’s always lots to do on the weekend but only one weekend is bigger than the weeklong celebration of International LGBT film, PLGFF. We’ll have previews all week long so stay tuned.

Thursday

Cafteria‘s Saved By the Bell edition – It’s time to bust out the cuffed acid wash jeans and use that aerosol to make those bangs into a wave. I’ll even lend you my scrunchie if you meet me at the Peach Pit. Ok, so it’s a special moment of fun nostalgia made right for my exact generation. So let’s all recreate the junior high experience we never had k?

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The 15th annual Portland Lesbian and Gay Film Festival opens Friday the 1st with ‘We Were Here’

Photo from Director David Weissmen of Haight Ashbury 1978. "The two sweet guys on the left both died of AIDS in the 80s, I (Weissman) am on the right in the headband. The bearded beauty in the middle is thankfully a long-term survivor of it all, and one of the worlds great kissers."

One might feel compelled to express excitement for the lineup of Portland‘s Annual Lesbian and Gay Film Fest but I am truly and deeply sincere when I say that this year, now 15th of the festival, has me even more excited than the past. There’s isn’t a night where I wouldn’t go out to see 1 or more of the films being shown at Cinema 21, although I am particularly excited about the women in rock anthem Trigger playing Monday night, the high school musical type comedy Mangus, (Wednesday night), and the 2 films showcasing trans young people of different ages Romeos (Sunday afternoon) and Tomboy playing Wednesday. So stay tuned for previews of each night of fabulous flicks published 2 days before the screenings.

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This weekend Touch Your Woman, be it with shopping, soccer, drag, music or Blow Pony

Soccer stars Abby Wambach (L) and Hope Solo of Team Lez (I mean USA)

Thursday

Momma’s Boyz | Kaylah Marin – The wide base of Bay area drag king competition leaves room for some breadth. So expect a nice dip into some old school hip hop and an urban vibe. And forget the usual lip syncing role. These Mommas Boyz belt it out of their own mouths. Add in guest San Francisco House Music Phenom, DJ Gstar and you’ve got yourselves a party.

US Womens National Soccer Team vs Canada – Did you see that Women’s World Cup Final that we so narrowly lost to Japan? It was the best game we could have lost. No one could begrudge the earthquake/tsunami ravaged country their victory but the USA played a truly incredible game. I am by no means a jock but I was glued to my live ESPN 3 stream (me and the Obamas) for every amazing second of Abby Wambach head-butting it in or Hope Solo diving for the save. So when these ladies, some lesbians some not, come to town you better believe the ladies, football fans and anyone than cares about international sports is going to be at this game. It’s practically inconsequential who the US team is playing against. This is basically a victory lap, a chance to see our stars in action, and ample opportunity for Team USA to get laid.

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Interview with ‘Kids in the Hall’ comedian Scott Thompson

New contributor Hans Ryan got a chance to sit and have a telephone conversation with Scott Thompson, the openly gay actor best known for his sketch comedy on Kids in the Hall. He discusses the inanity of his Fruit Blog, how tough it was to be gay in the 90s and how much he loves Portlandia. He is currently on tour with Kevin McDonald performing their new touring stand up show, Two Kids, One Hall. The show plays this Thurs – Sat at the Helium Comedy Club (details below).

On Being on the road with Kevin:

It’s a thrill being on the road with Kevin and his girlfriend, because they’re so madly in love that they text up to 200 times day. Two and half years and they’re still like that. They just can’t let go of each other for a second.  It’s really very nice. Kevin and I don’t really fight.  On stage, it’s very much like the fights that we do have, which is basically about Kevin’s passive-aggressive nature and my aggressive nature. And so what happens, because we turn it into comedy every night, there doesn’t seem to be as much need to have actual fights. The most talented thing about Kevin is his food issues.  He is a vegetarian almost Vegan. He’s almost one of those Gluten People. He’s very healthy. You know, I mock veganism and vegetarianism a lot. But, with Kevin, I look at him and say “Wow it’s working for him!” It kind of bugs me, because I really wish it wasn’t working.  Most comedians if you look at them are just a wreck. And it’s not just the booze and the drugs and the lifestyle, it’s those chicken fingers!

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Photos from this weekend’s Peep Show with Carmen Carrera

This Friday Red Cap Garage saw a sensual performance by the lovely Miss Carmen Carrera of RuPaul’s Drag Race as well as a host of amazing Peep Show characters. Contributor Lyska Mondor caught some great shots of the night.


A weekend Gaylabration of peep shows, bears, candy and showgirls (Peaches Christ!)

Carmen Carrera from RuPaul's Drag Race makes an appearance Friday at Peep Show

Don’t forget the biggest fest of the weekend, Not Enough!, preview in this interview with organizers Sheana Corbridge and Edgar Frias.

Thursday

Love Crimes: Faguette Disco – Haven’t seen DJ Girlfriends around in awhile so I’m glad to see him back and teaming up with another of Portland’s great lesbian loving and adorable gay DJs LunchLady. Advertising a cross of pulp fiction and Tom of Finland means a welcome infusion of irreverence to perk up a scene that hasn’t seen a new night in awhile. (Because we have so many good ones currently I know. Just sayin’…)

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