Valentines Gay: Valentine X at the 13th Floor

 
What was meant to be a romantic night has now become a tale of bloodied hearts and terrifying revenge that will keep you and your date or friends clenched in fear! 13th Floor Haunted House presents: Valentine X, a thrilling new experience premiering Valentine's weekend in 2014. Experience the Bear Butcher and his gnarly blade seeking out his lustful and obsessive revenge in candlelit horror as he leaves nothing but an "X" carved into his victim's foreheads. Celebrate Valentine's weekend in a way like no other by getting scared at 13th Floor.

Things To Do In Denver When You're Gay: A Cavalcade of Events By GLBT Student Services of Auraria

GLBT Student Services at Auraria educates and advocates for gay students on campus. And one of the many ways they do that is by hosting fabulous gay and gay-friendly events that are open to the public. 

Laverne Cox

Today, they present Love Is A Drag from noon to 5pm at Tivoli Turnhalle featuring a workshop presented by local drag kings, a rousing game of Sex Trivia, and a drag show to top it all off.

In March they've got Transgender Day of Visibility with the divine Laverne Cox of “Orange Is The New Black," pretty much everybody's favorite new TV show of 2013. Quite an impressive get considering that Ms. Cox is currently one of the most prominent transgender advocates in the country!

Then in April there's the Queer Symposium and the Day of Noise & Resource Fair (my personal fave event) and that's followed by Rainbow Graduation in May, a celebration of graduating GLBT students "as they begin their next adventures in life." How awesome is that? 

Valentine's Gay: Romance in the Rockies & Valentine’s Week in Gunnison-Crested Butte

Couples and singles looking for romance can find it during Valentine’s week and throughout the winter in the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley.  With Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday and adjacent to President’s Day Weekend, there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy a long, romantic weekend in the Colorado Rockies.

Things to Do in Denver When You're Gay: Photography and Dessert!

Jesse of Jesse Hernandez Photography invites you to his new show this Friday, January 24 at Crave Dessert Bar & Lounge.

"Come check out some of my recent works while enjoying some savory food and libations ...," says Jesse. "If you haven't been to Crave, you are in for a treat, plus you will get to see it before they expand into their pizzeria next door. I thank you for all the love and support throughout this new adventure that began in 2012 and I hope you can make it out this night to continue your support of my passion!"

 

Denver to Host World Premiere of Dixie Longate's New Show!

Dixie Longate, America’s favorite Tupperware lady, launches the World Premiere of her new show Never Wear A Tube Top While Riding a Mechanical Bull (and 16 Other Things I Learned While I Was Drinking Last Thursday) here in the Mile High City at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.


Put on your cowboy boots and walk into her favorite honkytonk as she shares lessons learned after a hard night of drinking. What do a jeweled crown, a cardboard cutout of Julie Andrews and a box of moon pies have in common? Spend the night with Dixie and find out as she swaps her Tupperware bowls for a mechanical bull. 

“Three things that work perfect together: Denver, honkytonks and ME! I couldn't think of a better place to launch my new show. When DCPA said yea, I almost had to put down my drink from excitement,” says Dixie. “Clutching my legs into the sides of a mechanical bull and riding it for dear life is even more challenging in the Mile High city. It's like a late Christmas present to both you and me.”

Check Out The Wildest, Wackiest Events in Colorado!

From a “Run Like a Headless Chicken” 5k race and a fruitcake toss, to a festival fully dedicated to bacon and coffin races, 2014 in Colorado gives plenty of opportunity to have fun and get a little wacky at events and festivals all year long. Below is a sampling of ways to let your hair down this year throughout the state.

40th Annual Cowboy Downhill, Steamboat Springs (January 20, 2014) – Over 100 ProRodeo cowboys from the National Western Stock Show will be headed to Steamboat to compete at the 40th Annual Cowboy Downhill on January 20. This unique ski rodeo will contain a full day of skiing for the cowboys to see if they are as good on skis as they are on a horse. After the race, enjoy a free concert as part of the Bud Light Rocks the Boat Concert Series.

Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival, Leadville (February 28-March 2, 2014) - Ski joring is a timed competition where a skier is pulled down a snowy road by a horse and rider. The racecourse features gates, jumps and rings. Penalties are assessed by missing gates or jumps, and by missing or dropping any of the rings. A children’s parade, Nordic and winter mountain bike races are just some of the activities happening during the event.

Frozen Dead Guy Days, Nederland (March 7-9, 2014) – October isn’t the only time of year to get spooky when March offers the Frozen Dead Guy Days. This festival celebrates Grandpa Bredo, a man who in 1989 was frozen after he died in Norway and ended up in the hills above Nederland where his daughter was located. He has remained there ever since and has become an international legend. Hearse parade floats, coffin race teams and costume polar plunging make this a not to be missed wacky event.

Flauschink, Crested Butte (April 2-6, 2014) – End the ski season and welcome spring on April 2-6 at the 46th Annual Flauschink. A historical slide show, coronation ball, polka dancing and a ski-slope salute to the king and queen (longtime residents loved by the locals) of Flauschink are all part of this wacky event. Meet previous Flauschink royalty or see the past and present royalty during the Flauschink parade!

Tulip Fairy & Elf Parade, Boulder (April 27, 2014) – Dress up and get ready to use your imagination at the Tulip Fairy & Elf Parade on April 27. Dress the little girls up like fairies or the little boys up as elves to watch the other stars of the event become tulips blooming along Pearl Street.

Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, Fruita (May 16-17, 2014) – In honor of the brave, young rooster who survived his destiny of becoming dinner, the town of Fruita will host the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival May 16-17. To celebrate Mike, there will be a Chicken Dance Contest, a Car Show, a “Run Like a Headless Chicken” 5k and more.

Oh Heck Yeah, Denver (June 7-July 26, 2014) – The brand new Oh Heck Yeah event will transform Champa Street, from 16th Street Mall to 14th Street, every Thursday and Saturday, from June 7 through July 26 into an arcade. LED screens and projections will be used throughout the Theater District for vintage, interactive games to play with those passing by.

Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour, Keystone (June 21-22, 2014) – For those who can’t get enough bacon, Keystone is the place to be June 21-22 for the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour. Sample the best of Iowa and Colorado bacon, and find out everything there is to know about bacon education in order to receive an All About Bacon Diploma. This year, the festival has added Colorado’s Biggest Bacon Bloody Mary Bar.

Cruise-a-Thong, Pagosa Springs (July 12-13, 2014) – For those who wouldn’t consider themselves a hardcore athlete but still love to compete, the Cruise-a-Thong takes place in Pagosa Springs. The event starts out on July 12 in Town Park with the Average Joe Race. The triathlon race starts out on cruiser bikes, then continues on foot over the Pagosa Springs River Walk, while wearing thongs (flip-flops), and ends with tubing down the San Juan River. Continue the event on the 13th with the “Hair of the Dog” disc-golf tournament.

Tour de Fat, Fort Collins (August 30, 2014) - Colorado’s own New Belgium Brewery brings their annual Tour de Fat festival to their hometown of Fort Collins on August 30. To properly kick-start the festival, Tour de Fat begins with a giant bicycle parade where bike decorations and costumes are encouraged. For the rest of the afternoon, stages heat up with world-class acts and bikes, music, dancing and a lot of good beer can be enjoyed by all.

Emma Crawford Coffin Races, Manitou Springs (October 25, 2014) - Legend has it that 19th-century local Emma Crawford was buried on Red Mountain. But when her coffin was found after a storm sent her remains racing down the mountain in 1929, there was no body to be found, causing many to believe she still haunts the mountain. The legend continues on October 25 when 50 different teams compete in the Emma Crawford Coffin Races in Manitou Springs. Costumed pallbearers push creatively decorated coffins on wheels through the streets for the race.

2014 Gay Games: Team Colorado Pep Rally Party January 2 at Hamburger Mary's!

The 2014 Gay Games, presented by the Cleveland Foundation, will be holding the Team Colorado Pep Rally Party on Thursday, January 2, 2014, from 6-9pm at Hamburger Mary’s. Everybody is invited to join Team Colorado’s efforts to inform, excite and register participants for the 2014 Gay Games.

The ninth quadrennial Gay Games is one of the biggest sports and cultural festivals in the world, expecting more than 10,000 people from more than 65 countries. The Gay Games was founded on the principles of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best™ and is open to everybody regardless of sexual orientation, gender, transgender status, religion, nationality, political convictions, age, physical condition or athletic ability.

Started in 1982, the Gay Games happen every four years around the world. Paris will host the 2018 Gay Games. In 2014, the Gay Games will feature more than 30 recreational and competitive sports, as well as cultural activities, band and choral events.

The Team Colorado Pep Rally Party will have information on all sports at the Gay Games, how to participate, registration discounts, team captain incentive program, scholarship application information, accommodations and travel planning. The party features BOGO drink specials, fun games and more. Free Gay Games t-shirts will go to on-site registrants on a first-come, first-served basis.

Beary Happy New Year: Bearracuda Denver New Year's Eve at The Hall!

Bearracuda is back in Denver for New Year's Eve at The Hall (across the alley from Tracks). Featuring music from DJs John LePage and Matt Consola, the party starts at 8pm and offers $2 domestic beer and $2 Trojka Vodks shots from 8pm-10pm. Advance tix are $10 and available by clicking here.

Sponsored by Scruff and MileHighGayGuy.com, Bearracuda is the largest attended bear dance party in the United States! 

2014 Gay Games: Team Colorado Pep Rally Party Coming Up January 2!

The 2014 Gay Games, presented by the Cleveland Foundation, will be holding the Team Colorado Pep Rally Party on Thursday, January 2, 2014, from 6-9pm at Hamburger Mary’s. Everybody is invited to join Team Colorado’s efforts to inform, excite and register participants for the 2014 Gay Games.

The ninth quadrennial Gay Games is one of the biggest sports and cultural festivals in the world, expecting more than 10,000 people from more than 65 countries.  The Gay Games was founded on the principles of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best™ and is open to everybody regardless of sexual orientation, gender, transgender status, religion, nationality, political convictions, age, physical condition or athletic ability.

Started in 1982, the Gay Games happen every four years around the world. Paris will host the 2018 Gay Games. In 2014, the Gay Games will feature more than 30 recreational and competitive sports, as well as cultural activities, band and choral events.

The Team Colorado Pep Rally Party will have information on all sports at the Gay Games, how to participate, registration discounts, team captain incentive program, scholarship application information, accommodations and travel planning. The party features BOGO drink specials, fun games and more. Free Gay Games t-shirts will go to on-site registrants on a first-come, first-served basis.

Denver ELEMENT and Tracks Join Forces for The Red Party

The Denver ELEMENT and Tracks Nightclub are partnering to throw The Red Party this Friday, December 13.

Conceived as a dance party to celebrate how far the gay community has come in the fight

against AIDS, the fabulous DJ Nina Flowers will be providing the music for The Red Party and you will be providing the positive energy and your very finest ropa de color rojo (that means you should wear red clothes).

“We’ve made some really great advances but the epidemic is not yet over,” said ELEMENT’s Steve D’ascoli. “Red Party is a celebration for everybody to come out and show their support and celebrate how much we’ve accomplished. And all the funds raised will go to Denver ELEMENT and our programs.”

Part of The Mile High Council on Behavioral Health, Denver ELEMENT provides programs and services for Denver-based men who love men. Denver Pique is a social group for 18-24 year olds, Positive Impact is an intervention for gay, HIV-positive injection drug users, and Mile High Recovery Project is a substance abuse treatment program for gay men.

6 Gay Bars & Parties to Check Out This Weekend: All-Male Revue, Celebration of Life, Karaoke, Roller Skating, and More!

Boyztown: Still rockin' the All-Male Revue (left) six nights a week including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10pm-1:45am. Bring them dolla bills and make it rain!

Charlie's: On Friday, November 15 from 6-8pm, Charlie's will be holding a Celebration of Life for Bryan McKay (right), a great friend of Denver's gay community.

Compound: Offering up an $8 Beer Bust every Saturday and Sunday from 6-10pm.

Hamburger Mary's: On Saturday, join your hostess Venus Sexton as she serves up some of the best Karaoke in town! Over 300,000 songs to choose from including the latest hits and all the classics. Always a great time, come enjoy delicious food and $4 Svedka cocktails all night long!

Tracks: Tonight, Reeewind and Roll presents Hell on Wheels (below) at EXDO at Tracks. Rock and roll around the skating rink to the hip hop beats of the '90s. Doors open at 9pm and admission is $10. 

X-Bar: Saturday is Game Day at X-Bar with Beer Pong, Giant Jenga, Flip Cup, Corn Hole and more including a BOGO Happy Hour from 3-8pm. Afterwards, you can dance your face off with two DJs and two dance floors starting at 8pm.

TGIF: Your Weekend Guide to Denver's Best Gay Bars & Parties!

Here's what's happening this weekend at Denver's gay bars and parties. From very happy hours and beer busts to food drives and horoscope parties, there's something for everybody this weekend.

Friday: 

The Compound Basix - It's Badboy Friday with cutie-pie DJ Tony Alonso (above). Drink specials include $4 Jeagerbombz and Jeager Spice and $5 Swedka drinks.

Denver Eagle - $12 gets you unlimited beer and cocktails from 4-8pm six days a week (Tuesday-Sunday).
 
Li'l Devils - Lil Devil's has a new Happy Hour situation going on seven days a week. 
 
Saturday:

Barker Lounge -This Saturday's Beer Bust takes place from 4-8pm and benefits Horizon House, a non-profit hospice that has been serving Denver's LGBT community for over 20 years. 

Tracks - Saturday is for Scorpios at the Tracks Zodiac Party. Come in between 9-10pm to get two-for-one Absolut Cocktails and pay no cover. If you're a Scorpio, you get in free plus three friends and you get three free drinks!


Wrangler - Resident DJs Craig C. and DJ Brent are back with SWEET and they're doing a food drive for the Denver Colorado AIDS Project Food Bank. Bring three canned food items and get one free house drink or domestic draft. 


Sunday:
X-Bar - Dance your brunch off for Sunday Funday starting at noon with $7 Svedka Buckets and $5 Pink Lemonade Buckets. Then it's Beer Bust from 4-8pm.

Things to Do in Denver When You're Gay: 7th Annual Boo and Brew on Colfax Avenue

The Bluebird District hosts the 7th annual Boo and Brew on Saturday, October 26 from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m., allowing Colfax denizens to enjoy the tricks and treats of their favorite local haunts.

Octobearfest 2013 - Gay Author's Panel: Goldilocks and Papa Bear by Dan Stone

Goldilocks and Papa Bear
By Dan Stone
I watch the city shrinking in the glass
glance by glance, my hands on the wheel
as I hurtle toward our cabin in the woods.

I imagine that you’re sprawled out on your bed
stretching out toward all four corners
and I’m tempted to unzip my pants
right here and now to see if I can get
a rise out of some trucker barreling by.

I’m itching with the need to shed this suit
like cracked and peeling skin that I’ve outgrown
to roll myself into a ball and then unfurl
and wonder how I stayed out of the woods
so long when creatures like you roam its trails
and warm its cozy caverns.

I can feel myself begin to swell and ooze
I know you love the way I bloom for you
as you lie there with your grizzly grin,
your bare toes wiggling and your belly rising
like some dusty mountain I must climb;

already I can feel the hunger and the thirst.
If I roll down these windows I will hear
the wolves begin to howl--it means
I’m almost home—my mouth starts to foam--
almost time to feed this wild new appetite.

In the days ahead, I’ll need no bread or water,
while I’m feasting on your stores of fat;
The logs will blaze unnoticed on the fire
and when you close around me like a fur-lined cape
I’ll cling to you until you feel my footprints
on your sturdy flanks

and all that anyone will hear for miles around
are my blond squeals
and your bodacious growls. 


As part of Octobearfest 2013, Bob Murphy of the Front Range Bears will be hosting a panel of local gay authors including Dan Stone, Jerry Wheeler, David-Matthew Barnes, Sean Eads, George Seaton and Sam Gallegos. There will be readings and a Q&A session with the audience and books will be available for purchase so bring some cash money, honey, and support your local gay authors!

Dan Stone’s first novel, The Rest of Our Lives, was published by Lethe Press in June 2009 and was a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award. His first collection of poetry, Tricky Serum: An Elixir of Poems, was published by Lethe Press in June 2011. Writing as Lukas Hand, his Lambda Literary Award-nominated collection of short fiction, Coming To: A Collection of Erotic and Other Epiphanies was published by Lethe Press in March 2012. 

Octobearfest 2013 - Gay Author's Panel: Excerpt of Jerry Wheeler's 'Snapshots'

As part of Octobearfest 2013, Bob Murphy of the Front Range Bears will be hosting a panel of local gay authors including Jerry Wheeler, Dan Stone, David-Matthew Barnes, Sean Eads, George Seaton and Sam Gallegos. There will be readings and a Q&A session with the audience and books will be available for purchase so bring some cash money, honey, and support your local gay authors!

Jerry Wheeler

The following is an excerpt from Jerry Wheeler's short story 'Snapshots' from the book Strawberries and Other Erotic Fruits:

“Get him up,” Benny demanded.

The nurse behind the desk smiled bureaucratically as she patted her hair into place. “That’s not a very good idea, Mr. Hoffman,” she replied. “Mr. Santini has had a difficult night. His breathing was …”

“I don’t care how his breathing was. I want him up.”

“That’s not in the best interests of the patient, Mr. Hoffman. Besides, it’s morning shift change.”

He put the scrapbook he was carrying on the counter and folded his hands over it slowly and deliberately. He did not smile as he leaned in closer. “I am your patient’s husband, and I pay top dollar for his care here at Morningside Heights. I did not build that wing off to your left because I had no idea what to do with my money,” he continued. “I did it so I could walk in here whenever I want and see my husband – cleaned, dressed and in his wheelchair. I suggest you find an aide to accomplish that.”

The nurse sighed and picked up the phone as Benny paced, scraping his fingernails over the textured surface of his scrapbook as if brushing a snare drum. She spoke curtly into the phone and placed it back with exaggerated care in its cradle, throwing an annoyed glance at him. “I just sent Odessa down there.”

“Isn’t Carlos around?”

“No, he won’t be in for fifteen minutes or so.” “We don’t really like Odessa,” Benny said with a frown as he turned and strode toward his wing.

Things to do in Denver When You're Gay: Denver Arts Week

The 7th Annual Denver Arts Week, November 1-9, presents over 300 events at galleries, museums and cultural organizations throughout the metro area. For a complete calendar of events, go to www.DenverArtsWeek.com.

Save the Date for The Alexander Foundation's Fall Event!

Join The Alexander Foundation on Friday, November 15 for 'Tapas and Tequila' as they celebrate another year of generous support from the community.

The Alexander Foundation provides financial assistance to LGBT community of Colorado.
With your continued support, the Foundation's fundraising efforts from this and future events will ensure that they can continue transforming the lives of thousands of LGBT individuals here in Colorado.

A Passion for Fashion: The 2013 Gino Velardi Fashion Show

By Drew Wilson

Named "Denver's Best Fashion Designer" at the Denver Style Expo, Gino Velardi is one of the stars of Denver's burgeoning fashion scene.  

 But Velardi's designing dreams nearly came to an end when he recently suffered a stroke followed by a brain aneurysm and a bout with colon cancer (he is now in remission). 

While Velardi is doing better now health-wise, we all know health care isn't cheap and so the Denver-based, self-taught fashion designer is hosting a fashion show Thursday, October 3 to raise money for his medical expenses.  

The 2013 Gino Velardi Fashion Show will feature a show of over 75 looks with 25 models, a retrospective display of Gino Velardi fashions in the reception area, a live photo shoot, fabulous music by Rockstar Aaron, and free food at Exdo Event Center. 

I had a chance recently to chat with the exuberant artist about the upcoming show, Denver's fashion scene, and being Denver's "Best Fashion Designer."

So Gino, how does it feel to be Denver’s Best Fashion Designer?
According to the Denver Style Expo? It feels great! I get so many awards, you see. This and that, an Oscar here and there. (laughs)

Fashion is such a difficult and competitive business. To what do you attribute your success as a fashion designer?
It’s funny, I’ve just been doing it so long. I’ve just been sticking it out here in Denver and I love being part of the art and fashion scene. I know and work with so many different people and I speak at schools like AI and Emily Griffiths; I think a lot of it is just that I’ve been in the game for so many years.

How many years we talking?  
Oh, really? You want to count years? (laughs) I would say professionally about 10 years but I started off doing costuming and styling for little shows before that. It just kind of happened and I realized I had a talent for it. 

Growing up my parents' goal for me was to become a trial lawyer but that wasn’t for me. I was always in the art scene but I didn’t really want to be a designer until a friend of mine who owned a gallery she said she wanted to put me on the bill to show a few outfits at a

show she was doing. I was like 'no thanks' but she was like 'it’s already done'. So I ran out that day to a pawn shop and bought a sewing machine and went to a fabric store and created six outfits. They were horrendous. Awful. But it gave me the bug and I’ve done hundreds of shows since then. I paid my dues at bars and little galleries and at this point in my life I’m at a level where we’re having large shows - 70 outfits, 25 models, two salons are working with me on this because it’s such a big show. I’m one hundred percent self-taught but I decided if I was gonna do it I was gonna do it all the way. 

That's such an excellent life lesson. I think people sometimes overlook the fact that we don't start out as experts at anything. We have to work and learn and evolve and we have to create our share of not-so-great stuff ...
A lot of it! A lot of bad, really terrible stuff! But then you eventually make it to the other side of the fence.

For those who aren't familiar with you works, how would you describe your aesthetic as well as the looks we'll be seeing at the 2013 Gino Velardi Fashion Show?
Well, usually I’m known for my cocktail dresses and evening gowns, high fashion stuff. But this particular show I wanted to start with more casual, ready-to-wear stuff; separate pieces, which I really don’t do a lot of. Back in the day I’d always go with a theme but now I just focus on the clothes and selling well-made, tailored clothes. 

But one thing I always have to have is sexiness. I want women to feel sexy. And if they feel sexy already, they could feel sexier. Nothing trashy, though. I always design with my sister, mother, and grandmother in mind. They could all wear something of mine. 

Rockstar Aaron

My other inspiration is music. It gets me moving creatively, gets me off my butt and sewing.

What’s the music that's inspiring you these days?
Oh, I’m kind of old school. I like Donna Summer. Or a new group would be Hercules and Love Affair. Just whatever puts me into the mood. Different songs inspire different parts of the show. I also have a lot of musician and DJ friends and they also inspire me.

Speaking of DJs, Rockstar Aaron is doing the music right? He's great!
Yeah! He’s a great guy and an amazing DJ. He’s gonna get the place rocking, I’m sure! 

And how are you feeling, health wise?
I'm feeling good and trying to always focus on the positive and keep busy focusing on working and shows and whatever is coming up next!

Over the last five or so years Denver’s fashion scene seems to really have exploded… Yes! When I started nobody was doing anything. But at this point it’s like, wow, there are so many up and coming designers. And not only that but we all have a separate client base and point of view. So much variety. It’s awesome to see it. But it is a hard business. Some come up and do a few shows and you never hear from them again but others really stick it out. I think Denver’s really coming up in the fashion scene. I’m a Denver native so I really try to support it. We all know each other and support each other.

I know Project Runway was recently holding auditions. Is that something you would ever consider or have interest in?
Actually, I’ve done it twice before and each time I made it all the way to the end. Physicals, psychological tests, I had to send in baby pictures. All that. But right at the very, very end they had to discard a couple of people and I was unfortunately one of them. But they’ve been in contact since then. 


Interesting! Finally, what's your message for readers of MileHighGayGuy and why should they come out to the show?
Support the talent and the scene in Denver. Support the Denver arts and fashion scene. There’s so much to see and do and it’s a hard industry, especially in Denver. So many people think they have to move to New York to make it but I support Denver. Oh, and another wonderful cause to support is Red Ball, I've been a part of Red Ball for the last two years and will be doing it this year as well in December. It's by CAP and it's an awesome event for a wonderful cause!

Click here for tickets to the 2013 Gino Velardi Fashion Show or for more information.

Margaret Cho: The Hardest Working Woman in Show Business Brings Her New Tour to Denver!

By Drew Wilson

Margaret Cho returns to Denver with her new Mother Tour on October 18 at the Paramount Theater. In addition to the tour, Cho is also currently starring in the new season of Drop Dead Diva as Terri Lee as well as a new web-series called In Transition where she plays a woman recently released from prison. But wait, there's more! The hardest working woman in show bidness also has a podcast called Monsters of Talk and in her spare time serves as the go-to guest-host on The View. 

I had a chance to chat with Ms. Cho recently and we talked about all of the above in addition to much, much more.

Drew: Hey Margaret, you've got a ton of stuff going on so let's just run right on down the list. The new season of Drop Dead Diva started not too long ago, are you still enjoying that gig after all this time?

Margaret: Yeah, it’s been about five seasons and it’s very cool to be able to go back and play a character after all this time. You really learn who this person is and it’s very interesting.

What do you find interesting about your character?

I think she’s interestingly different, she’s fun and strong. I personally have never worked in an office but I feel like I have worked vicariously through her. She’s cool she’s really like the boss of everybody. She controls everything and calls the shots even though she’s not the boss she is a boss!

You're also doing a web-series called 'In Transition'. What can you tell me about that? 

It's something I wanted to do with all my friends. I wanted to do this thing where it was easy and I could just hang out with people I enjoy and don’t get to see enough. A lot of them are from The Cho Show,which was my reality show years ago on VH1, and we just kind of made the series so we could have fun together and also it’s funny and cool.

It's also kind of timely with this Orange Is The New Black, prison-chic kind of moment in entertainment. Are you watching that?

I haven’t seen it but I loved the book. I’m saving it and planning to watch the whole season all at once. I actually prefer to watch TV like that and I think a lot of people do it nowadays. We just wait and watch the whole thing at one time, which is fun.

Just hang up the Do Not Disturb sign and disappear for a weekend?

Yeah! So cool.

I just found out that you have a podcast and I happen to be in the market for some new podcasts to listen to. I will be subscribing directly after this interview.

Oh good! It’s really great, it's called Monsters of Talk and it's all different people we interview. Recently we had Lady Bunny and Exene Cervenka. We went to a furry convention which was cool. It runs the gamut of entertainment and social stuff and people I run across. My co-host Jim Short it really funny. So we just go everywhere and interview really cool people.

Margaret, how is it you’ve got like 25 jobs and some people ain't got any? Seriously, I know a lot of people who are unemployed or underemployed and it seems like you are someone with some serious insight into how to find work. How do you do it?

I think the key is to start doing a job before you get paid for doing it. Find out what you really love doing. I spent a little bit of time doing comedy before I got paid for it and then when I got paid for it became a different thing. But I think with anything, there’s an investment in time where you have to make it more about the journey and the work and then generally you get compensated after. It can’t be like; oh, I want to be rich. I don’t think it ever works that way. It’s more like deciding 'I want to do this particular job' and then finding out all the ways you can do it. And then just do it.

I know you were lobbying for one of the recently vacated seats on The View. I would have loved to see you nab a permanent spot!

You know nothing is ever for sure and I’m definitely their temp at the moment. I’m kind of on call for that. It’s a great thing, to go on that show. I say that I wanted to be on it so much that I dressed up as Catwoman like Sean Young years ago when she wanted to be in Batman. It was funny. It’s a really great thing to be able to do it whenever they ask me. I’d love that job permanently.

The Mother Tour comes to Denver October 18. Speaking on behalf of longtime fans, is there anything left that we haven’t heard about your mother?

I think that there’s a lot of things left to joke about with her. There’s also a lot to do with my own kind of struggles with aging and my own idea about how old I am and how everybody kind of looks at me as a mother figure. 

There’s a period when you’re a woman in your 40s that everybody assumes you’re a mom and that’s kind of an identity for me as well. 

I have people who call me 'mother' as well so there are a lot of different meanings to the name.

As a longtime LGBT advocate and member of the community, what are your thoughts all of the recent changes and gains in terms of LGBT rights?

I don’t know exactly because it’s just so different all over. I live in Georgia sometimes and I travel all over and I wonder what does it all means for some of the more conservative states. I’m waiting to see how it plays out. I don’t understand exactly how something like marriage is going to work since it’s not legal everywhere. It’s definitely exciting. I’m curious about how it’s going to affect everybody, federal or state-to-state, what does it all mean? It’s an exciting time.

I’ve talked to you many times over the years and what always strikes me is how different your public persona is from your personality in these interviews. You're so bombastic on stage but kind of quiet and soft-spoken in person and in interviews as opposed to, say Kathy Griffin or Joe Rogan who seem, and I could be wrong, the same onstage as they do in their personal lives. Do you see yourself in those terms?

I definitely know that I’ve had to develop a stronger presence as a performer. When I started comedy I was so young and it seemed to be an insurmountable thing. Succeeding at comedy seemed like such a big task that I had to, um, be a sort of like, very strong, very forceful performer. It’s not that I act different, it’s just sort of that being on stage requires that iron will a bit. You just get very strong and unrelenting. I don’t know if it’s a different persona or anything, I’m not sure.

I posted on my Facebook that I was going to be interviewing you and I asked my friends if they had any questions they wanted to ask you. Author Michael Thomas Ford wanted me to ask you if

you think the platypus is an example of intelligent design or a failure of Coco Chanels’ warning to remove one accessory before leaving the house.

(Laughs) Well, intelligent design is not so intelligent all the time so it would probably be answer 'B', Coco Chanel.

And finally, what message do you have for readers of MileHighGayGuy and why should they come see the Mother Tour?

Well, I haven’t been there much recently so this will be exciting for me to come back and hang out. Also, your lungs are stronger than most because of all that altitude so I think that you’ve all got to come out and really laugh it up and show off that lung power. I think that would be amazing.

Margaret Cho’s new standup comedy show MOTHER is a complicated and completely original take on sex, queer politics, drugs, guns, identity and madness, proving time and time again, boundaries uncrossed are meaningless. Nothing is sacred, least of all, this MOTHER. Click here for tickets.

Travel: Colorado's Authentic Old West Ghost Towns

Colorado is home to 150 recorded town sites and many more abandoned or ghost towns with storied pasts of mining riches, rowdy saloons and outlaw showdowns. Walk these main streets and imagine the former hustle and bustle of these towns in their heyday during Colorado’s mining boom frenzy in the late 1800s. Below is a sampling of some of Colorado’s best-preserved and most accessible ghost towns for modern-day visitors to take a step back in time and a peek at the Old West.