(Updated) Time, Space & Inspiration: 2015 GBQ Men’s Writing Retreat in Puerto Vallarta

Whether you’re a beginning writer or a seasoned pro, the upcoming GBQ (Gay, Bisexual, Questioning) Men’sWriting Retreat in the Zona Romantica area of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico will give you the time, space, and inspiration to do your very best work.

Facilitator Scott Gibson will hold workshopping sessions in the morning and then you will be released to write for the remainder of the day. Optional writing lessons and meditation instruction will also be offered.

Reserve your spot by December 31, and save 15%!

Update 12/01/14: The dates for the retreat have been reschedule for May 18-25 to coincide with Vallarta Pride 2015 (May 17-25).

Transgender crisis hotline launches

A San Francisco-based group has begun the first crisis hotline dedicated to helping transgender people who may be suicidal. The Trans Lifeline is staffed with volunteers who have personal knowledge of transgender challenges.

NOM's year-over-year fundraising drops sharply

The anti-LGBT group National Organization for Marriage saw a 50% drop in earnings from last year compared with 2012, according to 2013 tax filings released last Wednesday. The tax filings indicate that two donors were responsible for half of the group's $5.1 million in earnings in 2013, and that the group ended the year more than $2.5 million in debt.

Anti-LGBT bill signed into law in Gambia

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has signed legislation that calls for lifetime imprisonments for people convicted of "aggravated homosexuality." Security forces in Gambia have used the law to arrest several people, subjecting them and others to beatings and threats of rape, according to Amnesty International.

Supreme Court asked to hear La. marriage case

Same-sex couples challenging the constitutionality of Louisiana's marriage ban filed a request last Thursday for the Supreme Court to take up their case. The request is the fifth involving marriage rights to be filed in the past two weeks. The case is scheduled to be heard by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in January.

Black Friday: Name-Your-Price Adoption Special at the Dumb Friends League

Adopt ‘til you drop this Black Friday at the Dumb Friends League—on Friday, Nov. 28, you can name your price for all cats and dogs 1 year and older. The first 25 adopters of the day will also receive a free $25 gift card from IKEA.

The Dumb Friends League is hoping to break last year’s Black Friday record of 140 adoptions in one day. The “Name Your Price” Black Friday special is one day only and will be honored at all Dumb Friends League locations—the Quebec Street Shelter in Denver, the Buddy Center in Castle Rock and select Petco and PetSmart locations where Dumb Friends League cats are available for adoption (IKEA gift cards will only be given at the Quebec Street Shelter and Buddy Center). Adoption hours at the Quebec Street Shelter in Denver will be extended from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All cat and dog adoptions include a spay/neuter surgery, initial vaccinations, a microchip identification implant and a free visit to a participating veterinarian within the first 14 days of adoption. The standard adoption screening process still applies during all special promotions.

The Dumb Friends League has hundreds of homeless pets looking for loving families. Our hope is that each one of them can find a happy home for the holidays. Visit the Dumb Friends League today or view pets available for adoption online at ddfl.org.

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Get in the Holiday Spirit in Colorado

Colorado is a picturesque holiday escape and offers a variety of ways to get in the spirit this season - from experiencing the The Polar Express and admiring the lights of “Winter on the Mountain,” to spending New Year’s Eve at a prestigious resort in Aspen or in a yurt in Crested Butte, Colorado’s holiday celebration options are endless. 

After the jump are just a few ways to experience the holidays in Colorado. 

 

OUT on DVD: Last Summer

Breaking Glass Pictures will be releasing the drama Last Summer on DVD and VOD (iTunes, Amazon Instant) on December 2. Last Summer was directed by Mark Thiedeman and stars Samuel Pettit as Luke and Sean Rose as Jonah.

Last Summer tells the story of two high school sweethearts, Luke and Jonah, who spend their final months together over the course of a long, quiet summer in the rural South, contemplating their uncertain future and the uncertain future of America. Jonah, sensitive, quiet and artistic, prepares to leave his small town for college, leaving Luke behind, but all he wants is for Luke to ask him to stay. But Luke, an athlete struggling through summer school, knows that his boyfriend needs to experience the world beyond their home. Though he is somewhat aimless and unsure of his place in the world, he begins to find solace in an old camera that he finds in an antique store. Last Summer positions their love story against a world of baseball fields, bicycles, church, and seemingly conservative values, though the boys never face adversity from their community; instead, they fit directly into the fabric of their all-American town.

Denver Film Society Announces Winners for 37th Starz Denver Film Festival

The Starz Denver Film Festival (SDFF) today announced its jury and audience award winners for this year's festival, which ran from November 12-23 in Denver.

"Beginning with our Opening Night presentation of 5 to 7 with special guests Victor Levin and Jocelyn DeBoer, to filmmakers from around the world joining us, and award recipients including Roberto Andò, Michael Beugg, Tom Bower, Bruce Greenwood and Lawrence Jordan, the 37th Starz Denver Film Festival was an inspiring cinematic celebration," said Festival Director Britta Erickson. "In one of our most successful festivals to date, it was also a true honor to recognize the outstanding work happening in our own community with the induction of Daniel Junge into the Colorado Film Hall of Fame and the presentation of the first annual True Grit Award to Paula DuPré Pesman and Davis Coombe for Keep On Keepin' On."

The 37^th Starz Denver Film Festival featured 252 films from 45 countries comprised of 115 features and 137 shorts, with 16 titles being local Colorado productions. Recognized as the Rocky Mountain Region's premier film event, SDFF attracted over 55,000 filmgoers during the twelve-day celebration.

See the full list of winners after the jump.

Free Music Download: Marcus Schossow - Special November Groove Mix 2014

Swedish house producer MARCUS SCHOSSOW just dropped a new mix for his fans for free download, Marcus Schossow Special November Groove Mix 2014- take a listen HERE.

Southwest Rink at Skyline Park Opens Today

As of noon today, Southwest Rink at Skyline Park is officially ready for Denver residents to take to the ice. Mayor Hancock, City Councilman Brooks, City Councilwoman Montero, and Downtown Denver Partnership President Tami Door have invited children from the Sun Valley Youth Center to the Southwest Rink to be among the first to skate on the freshly-frozen ice.

To celebrate the five-year anniversary of the Southwest Rink in Downtown Denver, Southwest is extending its warm heart within the community by encouraging Rink visitors to bring a donation of socks, gloves, or mittens to a special Volunteers of America donation area at the Rink throughout the entire Rink season in exchange for free skate rentals.
 
The Southwest Rink is free to skate, with $2 skate rentals, and is open from Tuesday, Nov. 25 through Feb. 16. Visit www.southwestrink.com for Rink hours of operation, programming, and special events.

New Holiday Music: Rebel Coast - Lonely Christmas

Toronto-based youth band Rebel Coast release their latest single, "Lonely Christmas" just in time for the holiday season. The song, written by the five band members; Curtis Smith, Kyle McVea, Ryan Hawken, Angelo Moretti and Amer Dhaliwal, serves as the first single from the band's upcoming holiday EP, Home For The Holidays.

Produced by the band with co-production by Dane Hartsell, this ode to distant love perfectly captures the essence & nostalgia of the holiday season. 

Since being named the winners of YTV's hit TV show "The Next Star: SuperGroup", Rebel Coast has been visiting markets across Canada as part of a national anti-bullying campaign. Their first single "We Are The Brave" was hand-picked by Bell Media Radio's "Future Star" program for the month of October as well as something dearly special to the boys, the official anthem for the Canadian Cancer Society's National Fearless Challenge Campaign.

6th Annual Red Ball - Last Chance For Tickets

We're just 6 days away from this unforgettable and outrageous night of fashion and hair
that has become THE IT runway event in Denver, raising awareness for World AIDS Day
and raising funds to support the services provided by Denver Colorado AIDS Project.

The Arvada Center announces auditions for the play 'The Archbishop’s Ceiling'

The Arvada Center will hold auditions for the play, The Archbishop’s Ceiling written by Arthur Miller at the Arvada Center on January 7 and 8, 2015. Callbacks are scheduled for January 9, 2015. The Arvada Center production will be directed by Brett Aune. The Arvada Center Artistic Producer is Rod A. Lansberry.

Experienced actors with strong acting abilities are needed. See the character breakdown after the jump for specifics on available roles. Actors should prepare one minute monologue of the style and period of the piece. A current headshot and résumé are required. Audio and video submissions will not be considered. Equity members must have a current equity ID card. This is an Equity LORT D production, non-equity actors will be considered. Individuals of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds are needed and encouraged to audition for all roles. 

Auditions are on January 7 and 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., by appointment only. Call the Arvada Center Box Office at 720-898-7200 to schedule an appointment time. Please do not contact the production staff to schedule an appointment. Actors must be 18 years & older to audition.

Two Feet of New Snow Launches Winter Season in Gunnison-Crested Butte

With more than two feet of fluffy white snow falling over recent days, Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley is off to a momentous start to winter. Crested Butte Nordic Center is open with some of the best early season conditions on record, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort is gearing up to open next week in time for Thanksgiving. Here are several prime reasons to start enjoying winter now:

Free Skiing – No need to worry about having enough money to rent equipment, buy lunch or enjoy an après ski cocktail when the lift ticket for skiing and boarding is absolutely free, no strings attached, for Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s opening day on Nov. 26. Live music is planned at the slopeside Butte 66 throughout the day, providing a festive start to season.

All season long, Crested Butte Nordic will offer free skiing and ski gear for youth ages 17 and under, making cross-country skiing and snowshoeing attractive and affordable ways for families to enjoy mountain trails.

Power Up Ski Skills – Pig out on turkey and all the fixings, work off the calories and learn something new at Crested Butte Nordic’s annual Thanksgiving Training Camp on Nov. 27 – 29. All levels of cross-country skiers can attend with groups divided by experience and into classic and skate skiing disciplines. The camp kicks off with a refresher round robin clinic for classic skiers on Thanksgiving morning and continues with half- and full-day clinics on Nov. 28 and 29. Clinic instructors include Olympians Rebecca Dussault and Ingrid Butts.

Those who love the outdoors will appreciate “Summits of My Life – A Fine Line,” presented by Crested Butte Film Festival on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. to benefit Crested Butte Nordic. On Nov. 29, the Thanksgiving Training Camp Party and Silent Auction at the Red Room features delicious fare, libations, music and dancing at 6 p.m.

Ski mountaineering continues to gain traction but how does one go about learning this unique sport? Crested Butte’s gOCB Professional Skimo Team is presenting a solution by offering the first-ever gO Skimo Camp on Dec. 13 – 14 at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Local world-class, professional athletes and coaches Bryan Wickenhauser, Brian Smith, Jari Kirkland, Jon Brown, Sari Anderson and Stevie Kremer will work with participants on uphill, downhill and transition skills on alpine touring (AT) gear, and two forums will focus on nutrition and performance, ski-specific core workout lessons, product development, beginner and advanced racing techniques and injury prevention tips. A skimo gear swap, yoga session, winter run, skimo race and social gatherings also are part of the weekend.

Get Your Race Face On - Of the three International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) sanctioned races in the United States this season, Crested Butte is thrilled to host two events. The first is the fifth annual Irwin Guides/Griggs Orthopedics ISMF Race on Dec. 6 in nearby Irwin, a former mining town near Crested Butte. Competitors in the race division should plan on 5,000 feet of elevation gain/loss over a 10-mile, three-loop race course while the recreation division features 3,500 feet of elevation gain/loss over 6.5 miles, which includes the first two loops of the race division course. An awards party is planned for 5 p.m. at Mountaineer Square Ballroom in Mt. Crested Butte, held in conjunction with the Crested Butte Avalanche Center Awareness Party.

The Mountain Store Citizens Race Series is competitive and fun for all ages and abilities with classic and skate ski races held on Saturday mornings at scenic locations within Crested Butte Nordic’s groomed trail network. Beginning with 5 and 10 kilometer lengths in early December, race distances increase up to 20 km leading up to the 29th annual Alley Loop Nordic Marathon on Feb. 7. Citizens Race dates are Dec. 13 and 20 and Jan. 10, 17 and 24.

The Gunnison-Crested Butte valley has the unique distinction of being one of the birthplaces of mountain biking and continues to push the envelope with a fat bike race series this winter that kicks off on Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. in Crested Butte’s Magic Meadows area near Peanut Lake. The series continues with a Jan. 3 race in Gunnison at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area and Feb. 6 in Crested Butte in conjunction with Alley Loop. Check Facebook for more details.