Oh those press releases, they do pile up in Out There's old in-box! This week, we let the publicists do the talking as we re-print, (almost) verbatim and minimally edited, some of the more interesting releases we've received this week. The truly dum-dum ones: those, we save for another week!
1. Fans of the immortal divos-in-tutus troupe the Trocks will want to know about a new film opening this Friday, Dec. 15, in Landmark Theatres.
"Exploring universal themes of identity, dreams and family, 'Rebels on Pointe' is the first-ever documentary film celebrating the world-famous Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. The notorious all-male, drag ballet-company was founded over 40 years ago in New York City on the heels of the Stonewall riots, and has a passionate cult following around the world.
"The film juxtaposes intimate behind-the-scenes access, rich archives and history, engaging character-driven stories, and dance performances shot in North America, Europe and Japan. 'Rebels on Pointe' is a creative blend of gender-bending artistic expression, diversity, passion and purpose. It's a story that ultimately proves that a ballerina is not only a woman dancing - but an act of revolution in a tutu." Bravi!
2. News about a DVD/Blu-ray release of uncommon gay-history interest: "On June 24, 1973, an arsonist set fire to the Up Stairs Lounge, a gay bar located on the edge of the French Quarter in New Orleans. The fire ultimately killed 32 people and severely injured countless others. It permanently altered lives and was the root of many lifelong struggles.
"With exclusive on-camera interviews from survivors, witnesses and friends and families of victims, and a fresh perspective incorporating long-lost artifacts, newsreel footage and photographs that haven't been seen in decades, 'Upstairs Inferno' vividly examines this oft-forgotten story and is considered the most comprehensive and authoritative film about the tragedy and its aftermath."
Both viewing formats include bonus features including "Behind-the-Scenes: The Making of Upstairs Inferno" and a "Present-Day Tour of the Up Stairs Lounge." More info on the film narrated by Christopher Rice and directed by Robert L. Camina can be found at upstairsinferno.com.
3. "The Beatles' first demonstration single for Parlophone, 'Love Me Do,' has been officially confirmed as sold through Discogs music marketplace for $14,757, breaking a Discogs sales record for a 7" single. Released on Oct. 5, 1962, this is one of only 250 issued with Paul McCartney's name incorrectly spelled McArtney in the writing credit. The single was purchased through Discogs nearly 55 years to the day of release, having sold on Oct. 9, 2017." Oh, those fab songwriters Paul McArtney and John L. Eminem!
4. "Quickening" is a disc on the Navona Records label featuring composer Robert Hugill's songs set to texts by English and Welsh poets, performed by talented young British artists Johnny Herford (baritone), Anna Huntley (mezzo-soprano), Rosalind Ventris (viola) and William Vann (piano).
"The disc includes a setting of Rowan Williams' powerful poem 'Winterreise: for Gillian Rose, 9 December 1995,' as well as a sequence of Christina Rosetti's poems on the theme of renewal; poems by A.E. Housman that explore love that transcends the love of comrades; and poems by the poet and composer Ivor Gurney."
As for the gay stuff: "Hugill chooses four poems in which Housman makes veiled references about his unrequited love for Moses Jackson, and turns them into a cycle describing their relationship." All of OT's love songs are novelty records.
5. Bay Area Rainbow Symphony [BARS], with Cyrus Ginwala, guest conductor, performs music of Shostakovich (Symphony No. 5), Prokofiev (Piano Concerto No. 3, with Roger Woodward, piano) and Copland ("Outdoor Overture"), on Sat., Dec. 16, at 8 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. Taube Atrium Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave., 4th floor, SF. The concert is part of BARS' LGBTQ Composer and Performing Artist Series, which strives to redefine perceptions of LGBTQ music and increase awareness of the beauty, talents, and accomplishments of fellow LGBTQ individuals and groups. Info: www.bars-sf.org.
6. Finally, here's our pick for the outstanding newspaper correction of the week, found in The New York Times on Sun., Dec. 3, 2107: "An article last Sunday about Fiona the hippo misstated the weight of Bibi, Fiona's mother. She weighs about 3,300 pounds, not 8,000 pounds. The article also referred imprecisely to the care Fiona received at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital during a bout of dehydration. She was cared for by nurses, not doctors." By some very heavy nurses.
(Left to right:) Dancers Robert Carter, Philip Martin-Nielson, Chase Johnsey, Laszlo Major and Chris Ouelette in the Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo documentary "Rebels on Pointe." Photo: Courtesy Icarus Films