According to the title track is “a self-empowering song in which Miley asserts that she has to stay true to herself in relationships, and it is sure to become an anthem among her legions of fans around the world.”

We here at the magazine love the video, and is sad that we actually like it better (!!) than Christina’s new video – What do you think?

It’s a very naughty video, and I’m not sure I’m digging Christina’s new image. I know she has to come out with guns blazing, because while she was on hiatus having her baby – and being a mom and all – a girl named Lady Gaga came on the scene and completely took over the world. In order for Christina to stay relevant against the likes of Gaga, she’s having to be more outrageous – more over-the-top, and I for one am not a fan.

When Lady Gaga released the video for Bad Romance, it was breathtaking… such a brilliant video. The video for Not Myself Tonight didn’t leave me with the same feeling.

Yep…we’re nodding our heads in agreement. Wonder how Britney’s going to combat the Gaga world domination? After all, she is the one who passed on “Telephone” which Gaga had written just for Britney…wow.

Proceeds from this very special concert will benefit Basic Rights Oregon along with Portland’s Q Center via The Oregon Bears’ annual festival, BearTown 15. For more information about Elton John, his life and charity work, go to www.eltonjohn.com. This is a 21 years of age and over event. Register and buy tickets here

Skarsgard explains in his article that he originally had little interest in being involved with a show about vampires; but after hearing Alan Ball was doing it, he shot and sent an audtion tape immediatly. From Details:

“The audition was actually for the part of Bill Compton, which went to Stephen Moyer. “Alex wasn’t quite right for Bill,” recalls Ball, “but I remember that he was giant and also beautiful. So when it came time to cast Eric, I thought of him.”

We think Eric suites him much better! Each cover sports the title, “Sex, Blood and Rock’n'Roll” which pretty much sums up the attraction of the hit show. We’ll be making regular updates for all of our TRUE Blood readers, so look for upcoming promos and new Season 3 surprises!

What does season three have for us? Well, for one, they have added the first gay vampire couple, Mississippi King Russell Edgington (Denis O’Hare) and the “intensely beautiful” Talbot (Theo Alexander.) Another juicy tidbit is that Layfayette’s character finally gets a love interest: Jesus Velasquez (Kevin Alejandro) – what they won’t say is if Jesus is a vampire or not. When asked if his character is human or vamp, he stated that even he doesn’t know, revealing, “They’re really good at keeping it secret from everyone. I think it’s kind-of cool not knowing.”

Another supernatural they have added is the werewolf. Enter a werewolf named Hollis who just happens to won the werewolf bar that Sookie and werewolf Alicide Herveaux wind up in their hunt for Bill. Executive producer Allan Ball says of Alicide and Sookie’s chemistry, “It’s not like either one of them is looking for romance. But they’re thrown into several intense situations. It’s hard not to bond on a deeper level.”

Adding even more to the mystery and cast of season three is the introduction of Crystal Norris; described as a 20-something, barefoot, wears a sundress and has an electric connection with Jason Stackhouse, (Ryan Kwanten) and from the books, we know becomes his new love interest. Tara has an “Eggs” replacement, Franklin Mott, a vampire.

So…what about the other characters? Our favorite female vamp, Pam has been upgraded to series regular rather than guest appearances. Of course Eric has also been upgraded and plays a much bigger role in season three. Shapeshifter numbers have increased too, Sam’s brother Tommy (Marshall Allman) in addition to Sam’s mother and father. Lafayette’s mother is introduced, played by the amazing Alfre Woodard.

Season three is looking to be a knock-out and will be serving up a delicious plate of super-natural decadence! June 13 can’t come soon enough! We’ll be adding HBO to our cable bill this summer, how about you?

Friday January 1.15.10:  Enjoy Portland night life with us as we celebrate everything red neck, white trash, and worthy of Jerry Springer at Red Cap’s 2nd annual TRASH party.  Located on 1035 SW Stark Street, the party starts at 10pm and last till 3am.  Be sure to wear your wifebeater t-shirts and trucker baseball caps.  Showers are optional.  DJ Adam West spins the beats, and there will be a “Jagerbooty” rump shaking contest for two big bills.

Saturday January 1.16.10:  Team Portland Tennis will be hosting a dinner party for all current and interested members from 7-10pm.  Keg will be provided.  Fundraising raffle for Dunlop racquet and a dinner for two at The Resort at the Mountain in Welches.  Come see what the organization has in store for it upcoming season.  For more information contact Carla Ikehara at teamportlandtennis@yahoo.com.

Named by Newsweek as “One of the Top Young Women to Watch for in the New Century,” Michele Serros is the author of Chicana Falsa and other stories of Death, Identity and Oxnard, How to be a Chicana Role Model, Honey Blonde Chica, and her newest young adult novel, ¡Scandalosa!

Serros has written for the Los Angeles Times, Ms. Magazine, CosmoGirl, and The Washington Post and contributes satirical commentaries regularly for National Public Radio (Latino USA, Morning Edition, Weekend All Things Considered, Anthem, Along for the Ride, and The California Report). An award-winning spoken word artist, she has read her poems to stadium crowds for Lollapalooza, recorded Selected Stories from Chicana Falsa for Mercury Records, and was selected by the Poetry Society of America to have her poetry placed on MTA buses throughout Los Angeles County.

In recent years of film making there has been a surge of movies appearing on the market about queer topics thanks in part to companies like Here! and TLA.  Some of these movies have even become blockbusters of entertainment and culturally significant.  Brokeback Mountain for example.  Even rental companies are providing accessibility to titles online and their physical locations—I was surprised to see a large easily accessible selection available at Hollywood Video at 21^st and Burnside.  In all of these cinematic pieces few touch on the experience of a queer athlete.

Granted you can find Greg Louganis’ story of Breaking the Surface and the softball classic Broken Hearts Club, but where are the movies addressing victories of queer jocks among heterosexual counter parts outside of the sport of cheerleading?  Not saying a gay identity is not important to cheerleading success.  Since there are few films in sports with the GLBTQ voice we turn to the abundance of other jock films to be inspired and entertained. 

Argue as you may that lessons to be learned from any sports film are universal and sexual identity should not be an issue is only half true.  As we all identify with different labels like “athletic”, “straight” and/or “queer” each are tenants we stand upon in building a positive self identity for ourselves to achieve success not only in sport but other areas of life. Queer jocks desire more presence on film—as with other areas of media—in all play fields arenas.  Enough of being on the soap box though.

Id Magazine’s newest issue available online and in print (within the week) has the theme of film.  Review of the long list of popular sports themed movies three solid categories emerge:   1) out of place coach inspires a team to victory and personal lessons of triumph; 2) creating your own path of success in the world though athletics often dancing along the way; and 3) women who can kick butt in a male dominant world inside and out of the boxing ring.  Dancing is culturally connected to queers—don’t forget about our influence with disco and having the best clubs to go to—so let’s look at the lessons from such movies.

Editor’s note:  As contributor Matthew Free is completing the hours of watching high stepping action for this review of sports films we would like to hear about your favorite sports films and their significance to you as an athlete.  Come back August 18^th for this story wrap up.

Heather Acs

On Friday, Aug. 7, Miracle Theatre Group is pleased to host “Tragic Magic”, an evening with three different solo performance artists from New York City — Heather Ács, Glenn Marla and Silas Howard — sharing three separate, but complementary excerpts of new works. The performance begins at 8 p.m. at the Milagro Theatre (525 SE Stark St., Portland). Tickets are $12 from 503-236-7253 or at the Milagro Theatre website or the PDX Ticket Network box office at the Hollywood Theatre daily 1-9 p.m.

Presented By:
Heather Ács, Glenn Marla and Silas Howard

Notorious New York City downtown performance artists Heather Ács, Glenn Marla, and Silas Howard of Tribe 8 present an evening of new solo works, traversing through a multi-media world of string theory, face masturbation and loopholes in the American dream. Through ruminations on desire, shame and loss, this motley crew invites audiences into a non-linear landscape scattered with fragmented mothers, MILF-y therapists and the mysterious figure of Mr. Hollywood, asking What is the price of letting go, selling out, or breaking up with your own body?

“Tragic Magic was so good it hurt ….Thank goodness I brought moist towelettes!” — Justin Bond

Heather Ács’ piece what the brain forgets and the heart denies, the body remembers… explores illness, death, grieving and loss refracted through working class Appalachian and Mexican cultural imagery, creating a nonlinear world layered with movement, soundscape, video and storytelling. In this multi-media solo performance piece, time and testimonies loop and break apart, sparrows descend, tortillas and tears sizzle on the comal, a river flows with dirt and glitter, and 60s girl groups croon cotton candy lyrics while dust gathers in an empty house.

Glenn Marla

Silas Howard of Tribe 8