Iowa Gay Marriages Set To Start April 24
Wisconsin’s Next Door Neighbor Becomes First Midwest State To Offer Marriage Equality
By Mike Fitzpatrick
Des Moines - Thanks to a unanimous Supreme Court ruling here April 3, gay marriages are now legal in Wisconsin’s southwest neighbor Iowa and are set to begin on or about April 24. In it’s landmark ruling, the high court unanimously upheld a lower-court ruling that rejected a state law restricting marriage to a union between a man and woman. By law, the court’s ruling takes effect in three weeks.
    Following the announcement of the ruling in Iowa, hundreds cheered, waved rainbow flags and shed tears of joy at rallies in seven cities. “Corn-fed and Ready to Wed!” read one man’s sign at a gathering at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. In downtown Des Moines, Mayor Frank Cownie joined about 300 people gathered beneath rainbow flags to celebrate.
  Marriage equality proponents in Wisconsin feel the Iowa ruling will only help move forward the current domestic partner initiative in Governor Jim Doyle’s proposed 2009-10 budget now being discussed in public comment sessions being held around the Badger state. “The unanimous decision in Iowa recognizes the importance of allowing someone in a caring, committed relationship to care for and be responsible for their partner,” Fair Wisconsin Executive Director said in an email to supporters. “While our state constitution prohibits same-sex marriage in Wisconsin, Wisconsinites overwhelmingly share a commitment to fairness and decency for all couples.  That is why we strongly support the domestic partnerships that are part of Governor Doyle’s budget.”
  Carlson later told WISC-TV’s Andy Choi that the Iowa ruling wouldn’t do much to change Wisconsin’s constitutional amendment banning gay marriage any time soon. “It would take several years for us to get this amendment repealed, even if we started on it today,” Carlson said.
  Wisconsin’s leading gay marriage opponent - Julaine Appling of the Wisconsin Family Council - characterized the Iowa ruling as “judicial activism.”
  In its ruling upholding the August 2007 decision by a judge who found that a state law limiting marriage to a man and a woman violates the constitutional rights of equal protection, the high court wrote that Iowa lawmakers had “excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification.”
  “To issue any other decision,” the seven justices said, “would be an abdication of our constitutional duty.”
  Iowa has a history of being in the forefront on social issues. It was among the first states to legalize interracial marriage and to allow married women to own property. It was also the first state to admit a woman to the bar to practice law and was a leader in school desegregation.
  However, Iowa Republicans and so-called “family” groups hope to limit the impact of the decision by enacting residency requirements for marriage so that gay and lesbian couples from across the country could not travel to Iowa to wed. Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa) urged the the state’s lawmakers to do so, claiming that he feared without residency requirements Iowa would “become the gay marriage mecca.”
  The Iowa ruling was one of two positive news items for gay marriage equality proponents April 3. In Vermont, the  House of Representatives also passed a measure that would allow same-sex couples to wed, on a 94-52 roll call vote, just shy of the two-thirds majority needed to override a promised veto by Governor Jim Douglas. Gay marriage supporters hoped to convince a few Vermont legislators to switch when it comes to the override vote, which could be taken as soon as April 7, after Quest’s printing deadline for this issue.
  Unlike what happened in California last year, the impact of the Iowa ruling is expected to be not only wide-ranging, but long-lasting. The county attorney who defended the law said he would not seek a rehearing. The only recourse for opponents appeared to be a constitutional amendment, which couldn’t get on the ballot until 2012 at the earliest.
  Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Democrat, said state lawmakers were unlikely to consider gay marriage legislation in this legislative session, which is currently set to end within weeks. Gronstal also told the Associated Press that he’s “not inclined” to propose a constitutional amendment during next year’s session either.
  Without a vote by the Legislature this year or next, the soonest gay marriage could be repealed would be 2014. Just as in Wisconsin, amendments to Iowa’s constitution must be passed by the House and Senate in two consecutive general assemblies, which each last two years, and then approved by a simple majority of voters during a general election.
  However, should same-sex marriage opponents in Iowa succeed in promoting a constitutional amendment banning gay unions, the issue could become central to the early part of the 2012 Presidential primary season, with Iowa’s first in the nation  presidential caucuses. Mindful of that fact, “socially conservative” GOP presidential hopefuls were quick with a quip on the Iow ruling.
  2008 GOP Iowa Caucus winner Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee characterized the ruling as “disappointing.” “All Iowans should have a say in this matter, not a handful of legislative judges. This issue is too important to not be made by the people of Iowa,” Huckabee said. “It is my hope that the Legislature will take the necessary steps to properly resolve this matter.”
  Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, also considering a run in 2012, and notorious for flip-flopping on the gay marriage issue, also responded to the ruling. “I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman and the definition of marriage should be left to the people and not to activist courts,” Romney said.

World & National News:

Sweden Becomes 7th Nation To Allow Gay Marriage
Stockholm - By an overwhelming 226 to 22 vote April 1, the Swedish parliament recognized the right of same sex couples to marry in that nation. The new law permits gay and lesbian couples to wed in either a civil or religious ceremony, though individual churches can opt out. The law will take effect May 1.
  Sweden was one of the first countries to give gay couples legal “partnership” rights, in the mid-1990s, and allowed them to adopt children from 2002.
  Sweden joins the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Spain, South Africa and Norway in providing same-sex couples full marriage equality.

Bisexuals, Transgendered Persons Sought For Online Surveys
Lexington - A study of the positive aspects of being a bisexual identified individual is seeking participants to answer a short survey. The study is being conducted by Ellen D.B. Riggle, PhD, and Sharon S. Rostosky, PhD,
at the University of Kentucky.
  Self-identified bisexual persons, aged 18 or older with internet access,  are asked to obtain more information about the study and to participate by taking the survey at: www.coe.uky.edu/surveyor/?Survey=RBS2009. Self-identified transgendered persons over 18 with internet access can find their survey information at: www.coe.uky.edu/surveyor/?Survey=RTS2009
  The purpose of this study is to document the positive aspects and strengths that bisexuals and transgendered persons perceive as associated with their respective self-identification.  The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. More information can also be found at: www.PrismResearch.org

State News:

FORGE To Produce Hate Crime Survivors’ Manual
Milwaukee - Milwaukee’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) residents who are survivors of hate crimes, domestic violence, sexual assault, or other crimes will soon have a comprehensive guide to services designed to help them recover and heal from their physical and emotional injuries.
  FORGE, Wisconsin’s largest transgender organization, is one of only 23 agencies nationwide selected to receive special HOPE II (Helping Outreach Programs to Expand) funding from the federal government’s Office for Victims of Crime.  HOPE II is designed to “create, expand, or improve victim services through faith-based and/or community-based organizations serving under served crime victims in high-crime urban areas.”
  FORGE will produce the “Guide for Milwaukee LGBT Crime Victims,” which will include annotated listings of the primary victim service agencies in the greater Milwaukee area, including their hours of service, eligibility criteria, and intake process.  Listings will also note where services are available only to victims of one gender, and will provide a unique rating system designed to indicate the level of effort the agency has given to becoming aware of and responsive to the specific needs of its LGBT clients.
  The Guide will also include short, reader-friendly articles on topics such as why LGBT people don’t ask for help (and why we should); how to be your own best advocate; how to screen potential therapists; survivors’ tips for safer dating; safety planning; healing from a trauma; how to support a victimized friend; and common homophobic and trans-phobic power-and-control tactics used by intimate partner abusers.  FORGE expects to have the Guide ready for dissemination at Milwaukee’s PrideFest in June..
  The project also provides for the development of a curriculum on the unique needs of LGBT victims of crime.  This training will be offered to professionals who work with crime victims during July and August 2009; if you are interested in being informed of the dates when they are set, please call 414-559-2123 or send an email to info@forge-forward.org
  FORGE needs volunteers to help compile and disseminate the “Guide.”  If you may be interested in helping, please call 414-559-2123 or send an email to info@forge-forward.org
  FORGE has been serving transgender, LGBT and other under served victims of crime since the establishment of its Sexual Violence Project in 2004.  Among the services FORGE offers to crime victims are: a peer-support listserv, monthly Writing to Heal workshops, and a web-based clearinghouse of materials, housed at www.forge-forward.org/transviolence.

Cream City’s Cadenas Receives State Award
Milwaukee - The Association of Women in Communications has awarded Cream City Foundation executive director Maria Cadenas its Leadership in Change Business Award. The award honors an organization or its leader that champions equality issues for women and through its policies ad programs, enables women to advance.
  “I am honored and humbled by this recognition,” Cadenas said in accepting the honor.  “I have a lot of thanks to give, including to the wonderful young women who helped through our internship program and whose time and talent allow us to accomplish so much.   And of course, thanks also to the Cream City Foundation’s Board Members, and women donors who are paving the way to ensure we create a fair and respectful community for all.”
  Cadenas is the current executive director of the Cream City Foundation(CCF), which works for social change on behalf of gay and transgender communities in southeastern Wisconsin.  Under her leadership CCF launched the Gay Neighbor Media Campaign (GayNeighbor.org). Cadenas also sits on the national board of Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues and co-hosts the “Female Focus” radio show on WMSE 91.7 FM. The show promotes women singers and musicians, including local bands. 
  Cadenas was formerly the Associate Director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin and a former consultant for Accenture. She has served on the board of Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee and Lesbian Alliance.
  A graduate of Beloit College, Cadenas is currently pursuing her MBA from Alverno College.
  The Association for Women in Communications is a Wisconsin professional organization that champions the advancement of women across all communications disciplines by recognizing excellence, promoting leadership and positioning its members at the forefront of the evolving communications era.

Schmooze Seminar On Tap For QShare
Milwaukee - “No Schmooze? You Lose! - Network Your Way to Success!” is the  topic of a Noon networking seminar sponsored by the QShare Business Network on Wednesday, April 15 at the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center,  703 S 2nd St. here.
  Featured speaker will be Paul Wesselmann of Stone Soup Seminars. Wesselmann makes his home in Madison, where he operates his speaking and training company. Each Monday morning, Paul distributes an inspirational email, Ripples, that offers inspiration and practical motivation to over 20,000 subscribers around the country. Paul holds degrees in psychology and higher education and in addition to his work on several college campuses, his adventures include having been a support group facilitator, volunteer coordinator, radio talk show host, and college mascot. Wesselman’s talk will offer how-to tips for successful networking.
  Cost for the event is $15 for QShare members, $20 for non-members. Registration for the event is needed and available online at: www.qsharebusiness.org.
  The seminar comes just three weeks after QShare’s successful networking mixer March 25 at 2, the popular new lounge next to the Art Bar. A scene from the mixer is featured on the cover of this issue of Quest.
  Next month QShare will celebrate its first anniversary. Founded as a project of the Cream City Foundation (CCF) in 2008, QShare is an opportunity for community members to become more involved in philanthropy and connect with others who support southeastern Wisconsin’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community. QShare was developed to enable participants to network with each other, give together, and multiply the community impact of our giving.
  QShare affords professionals in Milwaukee and southeast Wisconsin the opportunity to network and support professionals and business owners who believe in a respectful and fair community, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Membership benefits include listing in the QShare website, member e-newsletter, discount ads on Quest, combined advertising opportunities, and use of the QShare logo.  Members’ businesses are also used to host monthly networking and skill building events ensure we succeed in our chosen careers while upholding our values
  But even more importantly, QShare has a built-in community benefit, where the dues are used to provide an annual gift to a local LGBT program, as selected by the membership.  This not only helps support values of fairness, but provides community visibility for the program and its members. Since QShare is an initiative of CCF, membership dues are 100% tax deductible.  
  Membership is $25 per month, payable in an optional yearly payment of $300. To learn more about the group or to join, visit QShare online at: www.qsharebusiness.org.

Queer “Die-in” at UW Madison April 14
Madison - The Queer Student Alliance (QSA), a UW campus-based activist group, is staging a “die-in” in which students and community members will lie down on the ground in silence pretending to be dead to visually represent LGBT victims of hate.  It reflects the deaths of this community by hate crimes and suicide and the lingering emotional damage they and their allies suffer.QSA seeks to inspire the allies in the Madison community by staging this die-in to reach out and help those in our community.
  The event will be from 11:00am - 2:00pm Tuesday April 14th. The die-in will occur at two locations: on one half of Bascom Hill and in the Library Mall courtyard. Die-in educational volunteers will hand out flyers on statistics of hate crimes and suicide rates in the LGBT community.  Volunteers who would be willing to lay with QSA members as die-in victims - on tarps if it’s wet - are needed. If interested in participating, please email Sky at: Angelusfatali@hotmail.com.

Pride Alive Booth Registration Packets Available
Green Bay - Now is the time of year to start looking forward to the summer months, and that means this year’s Pride Alive festival.  Pride Alive will be held on Saturday, July 11 at Joannes Park in Green Bay. Agencies, organizations and vendors who had a booth at last year’s Pride Alive recently received booth registration forms via email. Groups who wish to request a booth application packet may do so by filling out the form on the “Contact Us” page on the Pride Alive website at: www.newpride.org.
 Because of the expansion of entertainment and other acts at this year’s festival, organizers have had to limit the amount of booth space available at the park. Early return of registration forms is strongly encouraged, event through the deadline is June 10.  Questions about having a booth at Pride Alive should be directed to Andrea at: 920-562-3830.
  For a complete listing of this year’s events, check out the completely revamped Pride Alive website at: www.newpride.org.

Milwaukee LGBT Community Center Receives $20K Grant
Milwaukee - The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Wisconsin Aids Fund, has awarded the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center a grant of $20,000 for the Project Q Holistic HIV Prevention Program.
  The Project Q-Holistic HIV Prevention Program targets a significantly under served population that is over represented in diagnosed HIV cases: LGBT youth, particularly youth of color. The program works to increase knowledge and change attitudes to empower at risk youth with the tools they need in order to make healthier choices for themselves. 
  The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is a family of over 1,000 individual charitable funds, each created by donors to serve the charitable causes of their choice.  Grants from these funds serve people throughout Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties and beyond.  Started in 1915, the Foundation is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the world.
  For more information on the Project Q-Holistic HIV Prevention Program, please contact Jay Botsford, Youth Program Coordinator, at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center by calling 414-271-2656.

R & B Legend Etta James To Close PrideFest Weekend
Milwaukee - Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee R & B legend Etta James, probably best known for her classic song, “At Last” will be the closing headline act at this year’s PrideFest. James will take to the Miller Main stage on Sunday, June 14, at 7 PM, along with The Roots Band. James has won four Grammys in her six decade career and also has been inducted twice to the Grammy Hall of Fame. The singer also has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  The 71 year-old singer got her start in 1954 when she recorded  “The Wallflower, (Dance With Me Henry)” for Modern Records. The recording eventually hit #1 on the rhythm and blues charts in 1955, and led to a national tour with Little Richard. In 1960, James signed with Chess Records, releasing songs on the company’s Argo and Cadet labels. Though her signature song “At Last” topped the R & B charts in 1961, its failed to make the Top 40 pop charts. Over the next eighteen years, James scored several pop smashes including “Fool That I Am,” “Pushover” and her top 10 1968 smash “Tell Mama.” James’ Chess years were recounted in the 2008 film “Cadillac Records,” featuring music sensation Beyoncé portraying the singer.
  After several years recording for Island and Elektra records,  in 1992 James signed with Private Music and released a tribute album to Billie Holiday which earned her a Grammy in 1993 for Best Jazz Vocal. James continues to record and release an eclectic mix of jazz and blues for the label.
  Accompanying James will be the Roots Band, a Grammy winning hip-hop band based out of Philadelphia. They are currently seen nightly as the house band on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” The group was one of the first acts to back rappers with a live band. Their major hit - 1999’s collaboration with Erykah Badu “You Got Me” - put them on the map. The Roots have toured and worked with a wide variety of musicians. They backed rapper Jay-Z for his “Unplugged” concert in 2001 and his “Reasonable Doubt” anniversary show in 2006. The =band has also toured with with Dave Matthews.
  Performing as the special guest of the evening, will be Canadian club music diva and actress Deborah Cox. For nearly eight years, her 1998 song “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” held the record for longest-running number one single on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart (14 weeks), and garnered Cox a 1999 Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year. She has achieved nine number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, including “Absolutely Not,” which gained wider popularity in the gay community with its use in season three of Queer As Folk.
  The Sunday night headliner in the Dance Pavilion will be Swedish Pop sensation September. Her hits “Cry for You” and “Can’t Get Over” have torn up the dance charts from Norway to the UK to the US. September is flying in from Europe for an exclusive PrideFest performance.
  Other headliners for the 2009 PrideFest weekend include Cyndi Lauper on June 12th at 8 PM, and Brandy on June 13th at 9 PM. With this year’s headliner line-up in place PrideFest is set to once again energize the shores of Milwaukee’s lakefront with one of the nation’s most dynamic celebrations of LGBT culture and community.
  Those attending PrideFest from out of town now can take advantage of special low rates with PrideFest’s 2009 newly-announced official host hotel, the Double Tree Hotel Milwaukee City Center. For more information on PrideFest - including schedules, entertainment, ticket purchasing, and information on how to become part of the volunteer team -  visit the festival’s website at: www.pridefest.com.

Infamous “Naked Boys Singing!” Returns To Milwaukee In June
Milwaukee - The Milwaukee Gay Arts Center (MGAC) has announced that tickets will go on sale April 10 for the Cream City return the risque, cutting-edge and lawsuit-provoking off-Broadway musical revue “Naked Boys Singing!” There will be two performances of “Naked Boys Singing!” at  Milwaukee’s historic Turner Hall Ballroom on Friday and Saturday, June 19-20. Proceeds from the performances will be used to cover the losses incurred by MGAC during the 2005 legal skirmish that received international media attention.
  In August, 2005, a scheduled Milwaukee run of “Naked Boys Singing!” was shut down by the Milwaukee Police Department’s vice squad as the city investigated MGAC’s right to stage a theatrical performance involving nudity. Following a brief legal battle that involved the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin, the non-profit group received permission to re-open the show under Milwaukee Licensing Ordinance 83-1 Section 2, citing that no theater license is required for a charitable organization. The MGAC later sued the city in November 2008, seeking damages incurred by the delay in the 2005 production.
  Despite the controversy that resulted upon the show’s debut in Milwaukee in 2005, “Naked Boys Singing!” remains a light-hearted musical revue with six cast members, featuring such numbers as “Perky Little Porn Star” and “The Bliss of a Briss.”
  The MGAC wish to thank Naked Boys Singing! New York and the William Morris Agency for generously donating the rights to perform the show, and Joseph Pabst for his support. The June 19 and 20 performances have will follow just a week after Milwaukee’s annual PrideFest celebration, set for June 12-14.
  Tickets will go on sale at Noon on Friday, April 10 online at: www.turnerhallballroom.org. Prime seats are $45 each and general seats are $35. A limited number of $500 VIP seats also will be available at the Pabst and Riverside box offices, as will any remaining tickets still available on the nights of the performances.

Altar Boyz At The Marcus Center April 15-26
Milwaukee – Altar Boyz, an award-winning and totally original new musical is 90 minutes of pure delight that’s suitable for all ages and will have the whole family laughing and singing along in Vogel Hall. Don’t miss this special two-week engagement April 15-26.
  Full of sharp parody, sinfully spectacular dancing, and irreverent humor, this spoof about a heavenly guy-group is adored by audiences and critics alike. With an extraordinary mix of side-splitting songs convincing enough to be played on MTV, uncontrollable laughs and lighthearted fun, this award-winning and totally original new musical is 90 minutes of pure delight that’s suitable for all ages and will have the whole family laughing and singing along.
  Altar Boyz is a musical-comedy spoof about a fictitious Christian boy-band on the last night of their national “Raise the Praise” tour. The Boyz - five ultra-talented heartthrobs from Ohio - are lead singer Matthew (the pretty-boy hunk and leader of the pack), Mark (a sensitive young man with a deep faith in Cher), Luke (a bad-boy with an “interest” in communion wine), Juan (a hot-blooded crooner with a passion for pretty girls) and Abraham (a nice Jewish boy, who’s not quite sure how he ended up here...though his mother would sure like to know).
  As they perform their signature hits featuring lyrics like “Girl, You Make Me Wanna Wait” and “Jesus Called Me On My Cell Phone,” soul-wrenching secrets come tumbling out with hilarious results. The Boyz begin to question their faith in each other, and learn if fate is really holding them together or if it’s just their extra-firm hair gel.
  With their sweet harmonies, sinfully spectacular dancing and an unnerving sense of fashion, the Altar Boyz are destined to rock the masses! A musical for the entire family, Altar Boyz is 90 minutes of pure fun and the winner of the 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical.
  Tickets for Altar Boyz are on sale now and start at $36 depending upon performance time. All prices include applicable facility fees, however, additional charges may apply. Tickets may be purchased at the Marcus Center Box Office at 414-273-7206 or online at: www.MarcusCenter.org.
  Performance dates are April 15 -26 at Vogel Hall in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 123 East State Street, Milwaukee. Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 4 and 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. There is also a matinee performance on Wednesday, April 22 at 2 PM.

Oscar Wilde’s “Salome” At Off The Wall April 16-26
Milwaukee - Oscar Wilde’s scandalous and erotically charged poetic drama “Salome” gets a rare staging by Off the Wall Theatre in April.
  Censored for a number of years after it was written, the verse play explores obsession and loss of emotional and sexual control through the retelling of the Princess Salome’s demand for the head of John the Baptist as a reward for her performing the Dance of the Seven Veils.
  Wilde fills the play with homoerotic imagery and  lush purple language, so heady at times as to create a fantasy or even science-fiction feeling. The characters, clothed in next to nothing, move as in a dream play, as they explore their twisted feelings in an exotic Biblical landscape.  The Prophet may be coming to save us, but the old Gods of Carnal lust and Desire still rule King Herod’s domain. Wine becomes blood, music the sounds of copulation, and human love, animal lust.
  Even the palace guards are caught up in the insane spiral of desire. King Herod has murdered his brother and married his brother’s wife. But it is Salome, his step-daughter whom he craves. Salome gets everything she wants, almost. She can turn every head in the court, but not the head of the strange prisoner kept in the well, who says he is the Prophet of the Lord. Soldiers commit suicide for love of the Princess Salome, but she only wants what she cannot have.
  When John the Baptist or Iokanaan as he is named in the play, rejects her, she is determined to get revenge on him. she uses her step-father’s infatuation with her to win the Head of John the Baptist. Woven into this tale of insane obsession is a tender love story between a palace Page and a Captain of the Guard.
  Director Dale Gutzman and Set-Designer David Roper have created an “other-world” exotic landscape for this unusual production. Actors move in a stylized manner, often in slow motion. Their bodies twist and undulate on an insanely steeply raked set or grovel in a sand pit. Words hang in the air like swords paused before descent to lop off a head. The production is filled with Middle Eastern music and is half sung, half danced. Gutzman has tried to create a totally new and unusual theatre experience for the audience. 
  Playing Salome is Off the Wall Theatre company member, Liz Mistele. Gutzman changed his season to do this production especially for her. She brings an erotic electricity to the stage that often captivates the audience.
  David Flores, a Milwaukee favorite, plays King Herod and Marilyn White his wife, Herodias. Nate Press plays Iokanaan, and young Tyson Monroe plays the innocent Page  in love with Captain of the Guard, Jeremy Welter. Thomas Welcenbach plays the executioner, Lawrence Lukasavage, a Cappadocian prisoner, and Michael Davis a Jewish scholar.
  Gifted local actor Karl Miller and James Feeley play the two guards who observe and comment on the chaotic action of the lust driven court.  Also in the cast are Kurtis Witzlsteiner and Sandee Lewis.
  Be prepared for a sensual and exotic theatre experience  punctuated by amazingly beautiful language. Oscar Wilde’s “Salome” plays Thursday through Sunday April 16-19, and the following weekend April 24-26 at Off the Wall Theatre, 127 E. Wells St.
     Tickets are $20-$26 and may be reserved by calling 414-327-3552 or by visiting the company’s website online at: www.offthewalltheatre.com.  

Avenue Q At Fox Cities PAC In May
Appleton - The national touring company presentation of Avenue Q will have a one week run at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center here May 5-10. Avenue Q is Broadway’s smash-hit 2004 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. A hilarious show full of heart and hummable tunes, Avenue Q is about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. Called “one of the funniest shows you’re ever likely to see” by Entertainment Weekly, Avenue Q features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story in a smart, risqué and downright entertaining way. The New Yorker calls it “subversive and uproarious!”
  Avenue Q is the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He soon discovers that the only neighborhood in his price range is Avenue Q; still, the neighbors seem nice. There’s Brian the out-of-work comedian and his therapist fianceé Christmas Eve; Nicky the good-hearted slacker and his roommate Rod - a Republican investment banker who seems to have some sort of secret; an Internet addict called Trekkie Monster; and a very cute kindergarten teaching assistant named Kate. And would you believe the building’s superintendent is Gary Coleman? (Yes, that Gary Coleman.) Together, Princeton and his newfound friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.
  Adults love Avenue Q, but they seem a little fuzzy on whether it’s appropriate for kids.  Avenue Q is great for teenagers 16 and up because it’s about real life. It likely is not be appropriate for young children because Avenue Q addresses issues like sex, drinking, and surfing the web for porn. Avenue Q does contain full puppet nudity. Parents should use their discretion based on the maturity level of their children.
  Performances of Avenue Q will be nightly (except Sunday) at 7:30 PM. Matinees are set for Saturday, May 9 at 2 PM and Sunday, May 10 at 1:30 PM. Sunday evening’s performance will begin at 6:30 PM. Tickets for Avenue Q range from $35 to $60 per person and may be reserved by calling the PAC box office at:
920-30-3760, by fax at: 920-730-3755 or by email at: info@foxcitiespac.com. Tickets may also be purchased online by visiting the PAC website at: www.foxcitiespac.com.

Gay Film Fest Moves To October
Milwaukee - Organizers have announced that the 22nd Annual Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival will take place in October 15-25, 2009 at the Oriental and UWM Union Theatres.
  “Patrons have requested some space between their summer’s end and the start of the festival,” festival director Carl Bogner told Quest. “Also, perched later in the semester, the Festival will be able to work more effectively with our campus partners. It is hard to share films and filmmakers with students when the Festival lands the first week of school.”
  With the move to October, the Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festiva also is now part of a nationwide celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual,and transgender film, with the 31 days of October containing the most LGBT film
festivals of any month of the year.
 Film buffs are encouraged to sign up for email alerts by writing to: lgbtfilm@uwm.edu, joining the Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival group on Facebook or calling Polly Morris at: 414-229-6771. More information also is available online at: www.arts.uwm.edu/lgbtfilm.

Rain-Bo-Luck Potluck Set For April 12
Madison - The Rain-Bo-Luck all ages LGBT community potluck dinner will be held at OutReach, 600 Williamson St. on Sunday, April 12 from 5:30-8:30 PM.
  OutThere, Outreach’s 18 to 24 year old program, is sponsoring the community potluck.This is an all ages event, and everyone is welcome.  Bring a dish to share if possible, otherwise just bring yourself. Join us for good food, conversation and fun. For more information, call 608-255-8582 or e-mail at: outtheremadisonwi@gmail.com. For more information about the youth group, visit OutThere online at: www.outtheremadison.org.

Mix N’ Mingle Game Night Set
Milwaukee - Ready for a friendly game of Sheepshead?  Chess or Scrabble?  Mah Jong or Apples 2 Apples?  The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center invites everyone at The Iron Horse Hotel for a fun night of challenging games Thursday, April 23 at the Iron Horse Hotel, 500 W Florida St.here beginning at 5:30 PM.  Attendees are invited to bring a special, non-gambling game they may wish to play with others.  Hors d’oeuvres and snacks will be provided, and a cash bar is available through Branded, the hotel’s bar.
  Admission for the event is $10 for LGBT Center Members, or $15 for non-members. Valet parking is available for an extra $5.00 fee or parking is free on Florida Street. Mix n’ Mingle guests will congregate in the hotel’s library.
 Attendees are asked to RSVP with payment no later than April 13. To reserve a place or for more information, contact Patrick Price by phone at: 414-292-3065 or by email at: pprice@mkelgbt. org.

Bacon, Eggs and Stock Tips?
Milwaukee - The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center will hold a community breakfast Saturday, April 25 at the center, 315 W Court St., beginning at 9:30 AM. The topic to be discussed during the meal is “The Stock Market. Are You Crazy,” presented by financial representative Kurt Schummer. Kurt’s unique blend of financial common sense and market smarts will help attendees figure out when to jump in the market and when to hoard their cash!  Cost for the catered breakfast is $4 per person. To RSVP or form more information, contact Dave Martin by email at: dmartin@mkelgbt.org.

“Regrets Only!” Moves to MGAC
Milwaukee - RSVP Productions has announced a venue change for their May production of “Regrets Only!”by Paul Rudnick.  The new location will be Milwaukee Gay Arts Center (MGAC), 703 South 2nd Street. Due to the change in venue the production will open one week later than previously announced; and run through the end of May. 
 The opening for “Regrets Only!” now will be Thursday May 14 at 7:30 PM.  Performances will continue on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 May 15-16, 21-22, and 29-30.  In addition to the upcoming play,  RSVP Productions will also perform their 2009-2010 season at the venue.
  “Regrets Only!”by Paul Rudnick originally opened in 2006, and deals with timely topic of gay marriage. The RSVP production is the area’s premiere performance of the play and stars Mark “Dear Ruthie” Hagen. The production also features Gloria Loeding, Sally Marks, Sandra Stark, Colleen Hart, and Jack Haar. 
  “Regrets Only!”is part of RSVP’s planned trilogy of Paul Rudnick plays. Next season RSVP will premiere Paul Rudnick’s new play “The New Century” and also bring back their 2002 production of “Jeffrey,” also by Rudnick. 
  Tickets may be reserved by calling 414-272-5694 or 414-383-3727. For more information   visit the theater company’s website at: www.rsvptheater.com.

Grillo Concert Postponed
Milwaukee - The Jerry Grillo concert benefitting the Cream City Foundation, originally set for Friday, April 17 at the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center, has been postponed.  Grillo has informed Quest that the concert will be rescheduled later this year.

LaCage Celebrates Silver Anniversary April 24
By Michail Takach
In 1984, La Cage opened as a simple corner bar on what was then the southern frontier of Milwaukee’s gay nightlife. After almost endless renovation and reinvention over the past 25 years, the bar has become not an anchor for the LGBT community, but also a regional entertainment destination, and the longest running dance club in the city.
  This spring, La Cage commemorates its 25th anniversary at the corner of 2nd and National - and on Friday, April 24, you’re invited to join the celebration! 
  Save the date for an exciting evening filled with special appearances from guest bartenders, DJs and performers from the bar’s long and storied history. Following an invitation-only VIP party, the bar will open to the public at 10 p.m. with an extra-special Transformations show featuring entertainers from the past 25 years, along with our current cast.  Plan to arrive early -- this event is expected to reach maximum capacity.
  For further information about the anniversary celebration, visit the La Cage website at: www.lacagemke.com or watch for upcoming print and radio advertisements.
  Editor’s Note: Quest will be celebrating La Cage’s long and impactful history with a feature story in our April 23 issue.  We are currently seeking volunteers to share their favorite La Cage memories for the article.   If interested, please contact editor@quest-online.com to schedule an interview.