Where's the Beef? Bearracuda Denver Beef Ball

Join 100s of guys at Bearracuda Denver Beef Ball this September 4. Enjoy sexy dancers, DJ Matt Consola, lots of lasers and lots and lots of men. Advance tickets for fully vaxxed people now available at Bearracuda.com/Denver. Sponsored by MileHighGayGuy.

Do You Want To Reach Denver's Gay Community? Advertise With Denver's Best Gay Blog!

Do you want to advertise to Denver’s gay community? Of course you do, it’s the 7th largest in the United States! And the best way to reach them is with MileHighGayGuy – Colorado’s Best Gay Blog.
 
Just click the Advertising page or email sales@milehighgayguy.com to get started today.

Wrabel & Duncan Laurence Go “back to back” On New Track + ‘these words are all for you’ LP

 

Wrabel drops “back to back”, a track of heart-aching realism that finds the celebrated songwriter/artist volleying verses with Dutch sensation Duncan Laurence as they recount the aftermath of a couple’s quarrel. Watch "back to back" video.

Written alongside Kurtis McKenize (formerly The Arcade), Léon, and Jon Mills, the song finds two individuals laying back to back in bed, internally spiraling through questions of heartbreak, self-worth, and the disconnection between them. It’s earnest songwriting at its finest, and Wrabel & Duncan’s performances (especially together on the star-bound chorus) are masterclasses in emotive vocal delivery.

It’s the latest cut off Wrabel’s much-anticipated debut full-length album, ‘these words are all for you’, which will drop on Sept. 24 via Big Gay Records/Nettwerk. The album will usher into the world the next chapter from one of modern music’s most celebrated, versatile, powerhouse songwriters and rising artists.

Of the track’s inspiration, Wrabel said “In relationships, it’s wild to me how sometimes the smallest things can cause the biggest rifts. I’ve often heard it said ‘never go to bed angry.’ Whether it’s anger or sadness or something from the past bubbling up to the surface, it’s a terrible feeling. Even while sharing the same bed, you can feel a thousand miles apart. But the hope is that all it takes is a nudge, a turn, even a single word to reconnect and close the gap.”

He added that “this song was written with such special people - Léon and Kurtis McKenize (formerly The Arcade) -- it’s been one of the most special songs to me since the days we wrote it. Getting to record and release this with Duncan is a dream come true. I’m such a fan and admirer of his work; how much heart he puts into his music, the emotion he pours out. It’s truly an honor to have this song together.”

“I’m so happy I got the chance to work with Wrabel and to be a part of his album,” said Duncan Laurence. “Ever since I started writing my own songs I’ve always listened to his music. His style of music is so honest and emotional. Just like our duet ‘back to back.’ Thanks Wrabel, never stop being who you are.”

The release follows fellow album pre-release tracks “good” (which had Billboard proclaiming “Wrabel has made it clear that he knows how to write uplifting ballads. "Good," is certainly no exception”) and “nothing but the love” (which Paper debuted), as well as the announcement of a short, intimate run of live dates, the nothing but the piano tour, which includes a stop at NYC’s Le Poisson Rouge and an album release show at LA’s The Regent Theater this late summer/early fall.

Lakewood Cultural Center and Performance Now Theatre Company co-present The Drowsy Chaperone

The Lakewood Cultural Center kicks off its LCC Presents 2021-2022 season with the hilarious musical comedy "The Drowsy Chaperone," co-presented by Performance Now Theatre Company, Sept. 10-26. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $20 and are available at 303-987-7845, Lakewood.org/LCCPresents or the Lakewood Cultural Center Box Office, 470 S. Allison Parkway.

 

“The Drowsy Chaperone” is a loving send-up of the Jazz Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another. It is the winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, and hailed as “the perfect Broadway musical" by New York Magazine. The catchy rhythms, nonstop humor and charming characters bring a welcome reprieve after a dreary year without live theater.

 

With the houselights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical. The recording brings the characters to life, and “The Drowsy Chaperone” begins as the man in the chair looks on. Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theater producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided suitor and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight.

 

The cast includes Bernie Cardell as Man in Chair, Nancy Begley as The Drowsy Chaperone, Emma Maxfield as Janet Van de Graaff, Andy Sievers as Robert Martin, Jeffrey Parker as Adolpho, Jennifer Burnett as Mrs. Tottendale, Brian Trampler as Underling, Kevin Schwartz as Mr. Feldzieg, Adrianne Hampton as Kitty, Andrew Bates as George, Kris Graves and Tim Campbell as Gangsters 1 & 2, and Brekken Baker as Trix. The ensemble includes Lindsay Blackman, Bethany Luhrs, Adam Luhrs, Rebecca Dean, Gennifer Grahnquist, Abby Herron, Riley Homes, Martin James, Justin Milner, Jessica Strong, Aaron Szindler and Will Treat. 

CherryArts Announces Collaboration with Denver Chalk Art Festival at CCAF

CherryArts and the Denver Chalk Art Festival will collaborate at the 2021 Cherry Creek Arts Festival, where more than 100 artists will create temporary chalk artworks on Sunday, Sept. 5 and Monday, Sept. 6 at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center (CCSC) in the northwest parking lot near University Boulevard and 1st Avenue.

 

The Denver Chalk Art Festival started in 2003 and has historically occurred during June on the streets of Larimer Square. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Festival took place in driveways and on sidewalks around Denver. CherryArts and the Denver Chalk Art Festival have collaborated previously on outreach programs; this year, chalk festival artists will showcase their work at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. This includes many artists who have participated for more than a decade, three madonnari (professional chalk artists) and artists who are new to the event. 

 

“We’ve been waiting to hit the Denver streets again since June of 2019. Watching the joy this craft brings to attendees - and the camaraderie of the artist community coming together - has been sorely missed.” said Michel Rieger, Denver Chalk Art Festival artist director. "Collaborating with CherryArts is a perfect match. We look forward to bringing Denver's most colorful event back through the long-standing tradition of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.” 

 

“CherryArts’ mission is to provide access to art experiences and support art education in Colorado. As part of that mission, we have a long history of collaborating with arts organizations to further activate the Cherry Creek Arts Festival site, bringing unique and treasured activations to enhance the event,” said Tara Brickell, CherryArts executive director. “Having the magic of the Denver Chalk Arts Festival onsite this year is an excellent complement to the 220 visual artists booths, allowing visitors to see art and artists in action.”

Olympic Rugby Player Izzy Cerullo Shares Her Experiences as an LGBTQ+ Athlete in “It Gets Better” Docu-Series

 

This latest episode of Passion. Power. Performance. -- the new digital docu-series from It Gets Better Project in partnership with Procter & Gamble -- features Brazilian-American Rugby player Izzy Cerullo as she prepares for the Olympic Games in Tokyo representing her parents’ home country of Brasil. In her video, she shares how she felt during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, when she was surprised by her wife with a public marriage proposal on the Rugby field, and how this has impacted LGBTQ+ youth.

The four episode docu-series shares inspirational stories behind proud LGBTQ+ athletes who are out and training for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The digital series premiered during this year’s It Gets Better: A Digital Pride Experience event which streamed live on the organization’s YouTube Channel on June 23rd and 24th (timestamp: 2:21:00). The global audience of the It Gets Better Project received a glimpse into the lives of LGBTQ+ athletes who won’t let setbacks keep them from achieving their dreams.

Izzy shares, “Being LGBTQ+ in sports means that I don’t have to hide a part of my identity to do what I love and represent my country. I can be my whole self and put one hundred percent of my effort, determination, and courage into the team’s effort on the rugby pitch, instead of holding a part of myself back. Being open about my identity also makes a statement that sport should be for everyone, and I will keep fighting for this inclusion to be a reality everywhere.

Being able to speak to LGBTQ+ youth as a proud, out, adult athlete gives me the opportunity to help someone have an easier time than I did getting to where I am. By being visible and open about who I am and about my love for my wife, all while showing my dedication to rugby and acceptance within this sport, is a way to be an example that I didn’t have growing up, and one that would have made a huge difference in me accepting and loving myself and feeling proud to be who I am. I feel honored, humbled, and so proud to help spread the message that you belong, and you don’t have to hide a part of yourself to do what you love.”

For nearly a decade, the It Gets Better Project has upheld a mission to uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe through storytelling and community building. Throughout “Passion. Power. Performance.” the organization will also amplify the stories of Team USA paralympic basketball player Courtney Ryan, UK based swimmer Michael Gunning, and USA BMX freestyle rider Chelsea Wolfe.

Provincetown Mandates Indoor Masks to Keep Visitors Safe and Businesses Open for Summer

The town of Provincetown has put into effect an indoor mask mandate following an outbreak of new COVID-19 cases that began during the July Fourth holiday weekend, effective immediately.

Visitors to the quintessential New England resort town at the tip of Cape Cod are now required to wear masks indoors when visiting hotels, restaurants and bars when not eating or drinking, and inside shops and indoor entertainment venues.



While Massachusetts is currently the second most vaccinated state in the country, Provincetown draws visitors from throughout the U.S. and Canada. The recent outbreak in Provincetown is a result of the Delta variant as well as the slowing national vaccination rate. The new indoor mask mandate was adopted to keep local residents, employees and visitors safe this summer, while allowing business to remain open.

“The good news for our community is that the number of cases has stabilized and Provincetown’s positivity rate is down,” said Town Manager Alex Morse. “The daily positivity rate has declined from 15% to 5.9%, a sign that the outbreak is slowing here. That fact is, Provincetown is unfortunately experiencing a situation that other destinations will be experiencing in the coming weeks. We’ve simply had to deal with it earlier. The measure is intended as a proactive step to ensure the town remains open and safe for residents and visitors alike.”

The Provincetown Select Board and Board of Health adopted the mandate effective immediately during an emergency meeting on Sunday evening. The boards voted to allow Morse the power to impose further restrictions or to ease restrictions, based on health data from the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment (BCDHE) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).

Morse added that the mask mandate will be reduced to an advisory if there is a test positivity rate below 3% for at least five days and will be lifted if the rate drops below 1% for at least five days.

There is no mandate requiring masks to be worn outdoors. That includes Commercial Street, the town’s vibrant main street, as well as the beaches, the Cape Cod National Seashore, bike paths and al fresco dining venues. Many of Provincetown’s colorful entertainment venues have pivoted to offer outdoor shows.

“Provincetown continues to be the most welcoming, safe and inclusive community on the planet,” said Anthony Fuccillo, Director of Tourism for the Town of Provincetown. “Wearing a mask indoors again is a small ask in the scheme of things. Everyone who visits or lives and works in Provincetown deserves to feel safe and healthy while enjoying this extraordinary place.”

For more information on the Mask Mandate, please visit Provincetown-Ma.Gov. 

Saro - Boy Tears

 

L.A. artist Saro releases his new single “Boy Tears” via Tragic Fashion Records. The track written by Saro, Jesse Saint John (Britney Spears, Kim Petras, Charlie XCX) and David Burris (Mothica, Slayyyter) who also produced is stepped in dark, frenetic, electronic beats with Saro’s signature, falsetto riding delicately on top. “This song is about an insatiable hunger for what flows from a guy’s eyes when they’re in fear, duress or deep sadness. We wanted this song to feel like an industrial, underground dance party in Gotham at 4 am, but make it queer” he says about the track.

“Boy Tears” follows the release of kick off single, “Daddy I Love Him”. Saro teamed up with long-time collaborator, Dave Burris for the album, who was joined by Neek for writing and production on “Daddy I Love Him”. The electronic-dipped pop gem set against confessional lyrics released on Tragic Fashion Records. “A lot my early work was lyrically and melodically dark but during the pandemic I needed an outlet for light. I think this song shows a more carefree side of me. “Daddy I Love Him” is a nod to my coming out story. At a certain point I realized that if someone didn’t accept me for my true self, they didn’t deserve me in their life, “ says Saro.

Hulu's "Love, Victor" Renewed for Season 3

The fan-favorite Hulu Original series “Love, Victor” will return for a third season!

Following the events of the beloved film “Love, Simon,” “Love, Victor” tells the story of Victor Salazar (Michael Cimino) - a new student at Creekwood High who has just moved with his family from rural Texas to Atlanta. On top of all the usual high school pressures of making friends and fitting in, Victor is still figuring out his sexuality - a tricky subject in his religious family. Reaching out to Simon for advice, Victor slowly but surely learns to be his authentic self and to trust the message from the film - that everyone deserves a great love story.

Join Lambda Literary at the Writer's Retreat Reading Series!

Lambda Literary invites you to join them at the 2021 Writer's Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices Reading Series, sponsored by Books Are Magic. This is the first time in Writer's Retreat history when the tradition of evening faculty and fellow readings will be shared with the larger, beyond-the-retreat-space community.

Whether in public or private, the Writer's Retreat Reading Series centers and celebrates the powerful and necessary writing of both emerged and emerging LGBTQIA+ literary artists. Each Reading Series event includes ASL interpretation and is closed captioned.

Do You Want To Reach Denver's Gay Community? Advertise With Denver's Best Gay Blog!

Do you want to advertise to Denver’s gay community? Of course you do, it’s the 7th largest in the United States! And the best way to reach them is with MileHighGayGuy – Colorado’s Best Gay Blog.
 
Just click the Advertising page or email sales@milehighgayguy.com to get started today.

Where's the Beef? Bearracuda Denver Beef Ball

Join 100s of guys at Bearracuda Denver Beef Ball this September 4. Enjoy sexy dancers, DJ Matt Consola, lots of lasers and lots and lots of men. Advance tickets for fully vaxxed people now available at Bearracuda.com/Denver. Sponsored by MileHighGayGuy.

Former Olympics Contender Michael Gunning Discusses Being a Gay & Black Competitive Swimmer in “It Gets Better” Docu-Series: Passion. Power. Performance.

 

The most recent episode of Passion. Power. Performance. -- the new digital docu-series from It Gets Better Project in partnership with Procter & Gamble -- features former Olympic hopeful Michael Gunning, who recently had his Olympic dreams derailed by failing to qualify for the 2021 Olympics Games in Tokyo. In his video for the series, Gunning, who is from the UK, but was set to represent his father’s home country of Jamaica in the Olympics, discusses the experiences and challenges he has faced as a gay and black competitive swimmer.

The four-episode docu-series shares inspirational stories behind proud LGBTQ+ athletes who are out and training for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The digital series premiered during this year’s It Gets Better: A Digital Pride Experience event which streamed live on the organization’s YouTube Channel on June 23rd and 24th (timestamp: 2:21:00). The global audience of the It Gets Better Project received a glimpse into the lives of LGBTQ+ athletes who won’t let setbacks keep them from achieving their dreams.

Michael shares, "I feel very privileged that I can live everyday doing the sport I love, whilst being so open about my sexuality. It's a great feeling, and I'm glad I can be that positive change across diversity and inclusion in professional sports. I'm so proud to take on the role of a positive role model in sport as I never had that when I was growing up. No one looked like me or acted like me, and I suppressed my true self for a long time, so I hope I can act as that beacon of hope to many young LGBTQ+ people in sport."

For nearly a decade, the It Gets Better Project has upheld a mission to uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe through storytelling and community building. Throughout “Passion. Power. Performance.” the organization will also amplify the stories of Team USA paralympic basketball player Courtney Ryan, Brazil rugby player Izzy Cerullo, and USA BMX freestyle rider Chelsea Wolfe.

OUT on VOD: Big House

Mark your calendars for the VOD release of BIG HOUSE on Tuesday, August 17, courtesy of Gravitas Ventures.

Written and directed by Jack Lawrence Mayer and starring Chicago-native Ellie Reed ("Girlboss" "I Think You Should Leave", BIG HOUSE is the story of two sisters, two boyfriends, and one simple birthday weekend getaway. Or it would have been if not for the threesome, the love affair, the unexpected arrival of a fiancé, and the ensuing ridiculous dinner role play charade everyone is forced to participate in just to keep from getting caught.

Cork indie rockers, Rowan, share gritty "One Of These Days" single + video

 

Rising Cork trio, Rowan, share their sophomore EP Everybody Talks, today via their new label home, LA’s Beverly Martel. This week they also shared their grittiest and the deepest single for last, "One Of These Days." The new release comes with an equally moving black and white music video. Pounding drums hold the foundation as the bright treble of the band's guitars build the song higher and higher, only to come down into a honey-soaked bridge, where frontman Dylan Howe's vocals mix with sweeter guitar melodies. Right after, a guitar solo takes the wheel, and the song thumps on.

On the track, Howe says, "One Of These Days is a song about the desire for vengeance after a relationship breaks down. 'One of these days I'll get her back' is sung from the perspective of revenge rather than longing. It's ambiguity is tied in with the contrast of 'Smile' and 'Cry' in the chorus. The bittersweet emotions of anger and love are contrasted with imagery such as death and infancy and Robert Emmet's love for Ireland, in which he faced the gallows for."

On the video, he adds, "The video for "One Of These Days" is a snapshot of a grittier Ireland. Touching on addiction, substance abuse and dealing with one's inner turmoil. One person's normality is another person's insanity. The video is a comment on how we perceive the outsiders of society, and how isolated they can be because of the collective view on them."

The new single follows the previous release, "Nothing’s Gonna Change," an addictive, shimmering indie anthem, laced with soaring melodies and call-and-response guitars. Accompanied by a new music video that shows the band playing live, there's an intimacy and quirkiness to being invited into their practice space for a private show. The first single and title track, "Everybody Talks," is also out now with a music video.