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Brand spankin’ new and old ‘Pony’ favorites, a ‘JunKtion’ of stuff to do this weekend

alley hector — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:20:50 +0000

Sword and Fern's Mt. Saint Helen's Necklace and Same Dream Necklace

Um, so gee, we’re late this week. I hope that doesn’t mean you missed the 2nd installment of the new queer night Cafeteria at my local Vendetta last night. I sure didn’t. While I didn’t see any lunch trays (get on it boys! Atmosphere!) I saw plenty of crunk gays getting down on that tiny dancefloor. The music was a great mix of oldies, 90s, and today…but mixed way more elegantly than an adult contemporary radio station.

But hey neighbors…can we please keep the patio open just one more hour? As soon as everyone arrives just before 11 the doors shut and it becomes a familiar oven. Someone really needs to develop the technology to harness the energy greated from the body heat of club kids. It’ll be cleaner than coal. I promise.

Friday (Tonight)

Backyard Mythology! sword+fern’s 2 year anniversary celebration – Isn’t it enough to provide Portland with a hipster femme’s handmade, sustainable jewelery wet dream for two years running? Not for Emily Baker. She has to have a big backyard bash to celebrate.

There’s too much good stuff to list everything but I’m talkin’ keg, sale, hugs and skater girls…But what I’m most excited about are Portland’s most promising newbies ethereal indie-art-rockers The Lovers. I’m sooo excited for their upcoming album Dark Light hitting in October. You can check out their first single “Figure 8″ below.

JunKtion kick-off party – Another one of my neighborhood bars, aptly named the Local Lounge (3536 NE Martin Luther King) has recently been bought by some gaymos and they’re ready to start having some gaymo parties.

Organizer and bartender Kat Roberts is super excited for their first time…and she doesn’t promise to be gentle. What she does promise is the so cheap it’s practically free $2 special 2 for 1 admission, the drink of summer 2010, sweet tea vodka and lemonade, to be on special and the smashing sounds of DJs Free Range (Kelly) and Brodeya (Deya).

They say don’t be scared but I might be a little…in a good way.

Saturday

Kings for a Cause - This will be a bittersweet evening for sure as COG presents the E Room’s last ever drag show. Portland’s only lesbian bar is slowing winding down to its eventual death. So we might as well celebrate while we still can with draglicious acrobatics and big personalities such as Mr. Gay Pride XIII Ryval Theology, Tigresa Leona, Ms. Gay Pride IX Exstacy Inferno, Pheonix Da Hottie and more.

A benefit for CoG and for the Lesbian and Gay Task Force the entry is an absolutely reasonable $3, but I encourage you to give more. You can have one less drink right? Right? But no one will be turned away, so even the brokest of us can enjoy performative gender mayhem.

Nicky Click

Blow Pony - Good god I’m ready to ride the pony again. The club night that needs no introduction is sure to have a fantastic summer send off, even if I’m not ready to watch it go. But it’ll still have the big outdoor dance floor, which is my absolute favorite, and the sweet sounds of Nicky Click and CJ and the Dolls. Plus rumor has it that occasional contributor and Urban Adventurer Diana Edwards might be joining regular go go dancers Heatherette and Kaj-Anne Pepper in taking it off for the crowd…but this time legitimately…

A weekend of ‘Possibilities’, skanks, Dirtbags, Hercules, and the Whole Wide World…and Mikey likes it!

alley hector — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:26 +0000

Hercules and Love Affair's Andy Butler (left) and Kim Ann Foxman getting frisky before the show

Thursday

nomy lamm and the Whole Wide World with Tender Forever and Timmy Straw – A vague description to be sure, but an audience collaborative performance featuring nomy lamm? I wouldn’t dare miss it. This fat, disabled, queer activist has one of the most amazing voices I’ve ever heard and an avant garde art sensibility like a hard candy coated version of Marina Abramovic. And that hipper-than-thou not really off-the-beaten path Disjecta location (8371 N Interstate) is a perfect venue. Sprinkle in the sweet and melancholy croonings of Tender Forever and the local electro flavor of Timmy Straw and you got yourself a show that would rival…well…

Hercules and Love Affair at the Hawthorne Theater - How could there even be any competition for this? Neo-electro-disco finely crafted with haunting vocals and danceable beats, unmatchable style and hotness for the girls, boys and everything in between should mean a packed house. And believe me, since it’s been about a decade since I have seen nomy lamm, and a lifetime since I’ve seen HLA, it’s going to be a really tough decision. Oh and did I mention I named the self-titled Hercules & Love Affair debut the best album of 2008? Either way I intend to try to cool off afterword at…

Dirtbag – Oh my but there was a little drama concerning a review of the inaugural DB at its new Know headquarters (2026 NE Alberta), but that’s just all the more reason to check out this working class, new wave/electropop dance party. It’s DIY but with brand new equipment (um, DJ that is) with a small sweaty dance floor and hot bois bearing spray bottles to cool you down. Damn, this Thursday is gonna be a scorcher!

CLIT Fest – Indulge your need for the punk rock and check out the full writeup.

Friday

Bent - We know it. We love it. It’s the Nopo party. And, according to Craigslist it is also the place for femme skanks. But don’t worry, KP encouraged skanks of every flavor this week.

An Evening with ASNB (All Summer No Bummer) – And if you need a skank break just head down the pike a stretch for a similar party with pizza. Though the space is bigger I’m guessing this one will be a bit more low key. Maybe this is the place for bathroom breaks. I’m guessing there will be plenty of overlap. (Is that a skanky thing to say?)

Girls Night Out at the Comedy Spot – Comedy is really comin’ up in this town lately and, apparently, so is Salem. Go get ‘em gay capitalers.

Saturday

A Night of Possibilities lead up to Not Enough! Fest – Sometimes I almost think Portland does have enough queer culture, arts, and events, and then I realize there’s lots I’m missing out on. Sometimes all we need to go from same ol’ party to truly innovative art happenings is to get some collaborative motivation. This party aims to do just that. So let’s connect artistically and see where it takes us. That’s not a pickup line I swear…

'The Real L Word's Mikey Koffman

Bearracuda PDX, and benefit for Sam Storicks – Recently passed DJ Sam Storicks left a gaping hole in our community. This was his party and in that way the night might be a mournful one. But Sam loved eccentricity and fun and I hope, instead, this night will be a celebration of his wonderful life and contributions to the bear and queer communities.

Pharmacy – With my new lack of healthcare, playing doctor at Red Cap might be my best chance and dulling the pain. A visit from former Portland resident DJ Automaton can’t hurt either.

Meet the Real L Word’s Mikey – Let’s have good memories of the E Room. I mean, Mikey likes it! And this fashion maven reality star lesbo will be partying it up with the old school crew. Maybe we can have a conversation about haircuts? PDX is full of awesome dyke hairdressers. And if you can’t make it out late she’ll be at Dingo’s (4612 SE Hawthorne) from 4-7 in the afternoon. (And so will we! Watch out for an interview with Mikey next week!)

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C.L.I.T. Fest PDX brings the punk rock/DIY weekend

alley hector — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:45:33 +0000

Palo Verde's Lauren K Newman (left) and Terrica Kleinknecht

C.L.I.T. Fest (Combating Latent Inequality Together) is a DIY punk fest with music, workshops, discussions, a flea market and picnicking organized to address sexism, homophobia, and transphobia in punk and to celebrate the strengths and potential of our community.

And it’s a big community. The lineup includes a vast array of local and international bands (I think about 25…and 1 is from Sweden) including Palo Verde featuring the guitar god(des), long hair-swinging, riffs of Lauren K Newman, who is at once frightening and awe-inspiring.

There’s plenty more loud music that only true underground followers are sure to know, but even more exciting is the addition of workshops, a flea market, and a sunny park lunch to this all ages event. On one hand holding the conference at far flung venues around town sounds a bit inconvenient, it can also bring together punks who may not normally venture farther than their neighborhood borders. Thursday’s show, for example, is deep in SE at the grindzebo (1804 SE Franklin St) fueling your rock attitude with vegan/veggie-friendly BBQ.

Friday and Saturday we’re back up to my hood, the N/NE border with shows at the Waterheater (750 N Fremont), this time with beer, wine and food carts. Both days also have workshops, the 2 sexy ones being my favorites. I think I’d need an advanced degree in masturbation and sex toys but I’m always happy to be surprised by new information, or help out those that need the practice.

Saturday scratches the shopping itch with a punkass swap meet. Bring your homemade goods, records, mix tapes, art and other stuff to sell/trade. Portland’s a creative place. I’m sure there will be some gems.

Sunday moves even farther north up to Farragut Park (Vancouver Ave at Farragut) for an afternoon release. I’m not sure if you can ever call hardcore relaxing music but it’s as close to jazz in the park as the punks are likely to get. And in true gay Portland style it’s a potluck. Make it vegan-friendly if you can, but if you can’t bring bacon covered dates and they’ll go faster than any other dish.

For a full schedule and additional info visit http://clitfestpdx.wordpress.com/

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Things to do this weekend: Booty Edition

alley hector — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:19:34 +0000

Just some of the super hot go go dancers, Chase Bender, Chance McKinsey, & Storm Titley, appearing at Queer Cornucopia

Looks like we are all finally recovered from Pride, because the weekends are back. There’s more than enough to keep you busy but the most exciting reunion of this week (cuz, yeah, there’s more comin’ up) is the return of Puppet and Stormy‘s Booty: Queer as Ye Be. But the past ain’t all the weekend, or Friday for that matter, have to offer. There’s foam, punchy go go dancers, and bar hopping unicorns.

Friday

Queer Cornucopia – The trannies and chasers are out in full force to hock their sexy wares in benefit of Tuff Luck and Original Plumbing and yet the best part is that it’s low pressure donation. Savory Pink‘s Sophia St James wanted the community to be able to “support TL and OP in a matter that they are comfortable [with]…” But you’ll want to contribute to these hotties as they dole out either kisses or punches. That’s right, it’s a very naughty “kissing” booth they’ve got goin’ on here and I have got to figure out a way to get back and forth from the south to the north.

Booty – A full fledged history of pirate debauchery, Booty was the queer king of Thursday nights for nearly 4 years before Puppet left us for the other gay mecca. It’s always dirty, sweaty fun, but this time it could come with some cold, hard cash if you know how to swing the junk in your trunk. That’s right, midnight brings a Booty Bounce contest that could net you a Benjamin.

PDX.FM Unicorn Pub Crawl – It’s too bad radio DJ Emily Gibson isn’t a VJ instead cuz the girl’s a butch hottie. And y’all will get to know that if you’re dedicated to the combo of liquor and glitter that PDX.FM’s queer contingent put together. Each location will have a competition including Unicorn Break Dancing, the Glitter Grab, and the Straight Line Gallop. Any night with Gibson is fun, but this is a theme of the gods.

Traffic Jam Friday – That lesbian classic the E Room has a lot of competition these days but sometimes you just want an old school hookup. With red, yellow and green wristbands that tell you when to stop and go, this is the place to do it.

Saturday

Portland Grizzlies yard sale – Get your shop on while being both philanthropic and ecologically sound. Besides, there’s prolly some really cheap cool ass shit. And it’s softball dude, how gay is that!

Q Poetry Night with Elena Rose – It’s ain’t all wine, women and song, sometimes we want a little culture with our queerness. And an open mic gives your hipster spoken-word spittin’ ass the opportunity to share the stage with the real talent.

THEESatisfaction plays their first PDX show Sunday

Ring My Bella: a 70s Disco Inferno – If you know me you know that I hate to miss anything good. But what I hate that I’ve missed more than anything? The 70s. I may not have the body type for those high waisted fashions but damn did they know how to party in my mama’s day. I’ve heard those stories girl. So here’s to hoping this party is more than just a silly excuse to disco but instead exudes the real raunch of that decade of debauchery.

Gaycation – Holocene is still the Homoscene. Let’s keep it that way.

Foam party at Red Cap – You know I love both the ’70s and the ‘moscene but I don’t think I’ll be able to resist the cheap thrill that something as simple as skimpy swim suits and soap can provide. A friend and I were just wishing for this clean up dirtiness. So come slip and slide all over me girl…I’m down.

Sunday

THEE Satisfaction, SistaFist with Rafael Vigilantics, Cloudy October, Lamar Leroy – Dudes, this awesome hip hop show almost flew under my radar. And damn, THEE Satisfaction‘s awesome mix if hip hop, electro and old school is close enough to PDX that I have no idea why I haven’t heard more about them. And as for SistaFist they belong squarely to us, so don’t miss out.

While you were out…post Portland Gay Pride news roundup!

perrywinkle — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:03:57 +0000

We are still working on processing the last, epic Pride weekend. We had so much fun! Thank you for everyone who came out and supported us. In the meantime, while we get our act together, here is a little summary of what you missed while you were out. Have other news you’d like to share? Post it!

BUTT Magazine Towels!

The Blue Parrot is dead. Long live the Blue Parrot.

KGW.com makes video of gay pride parade after ignoring us for the rest of the year, view it here. KATU does the same, pretty much, check it here. And this is the coverage by OregonLive, which includes sentiments such as “This shows the world that gay people are people too,”. O RLY? We need a parade to prove that? Gee.

365gay.com reports Portland is top “gay family city”! That’s more like it. I dig the photo of the cruise! Read it here.

365gay.com/AP reports that Obama is “inching towards a gay agenda”.

McChrystal Aide calls dinner with French minister “Fucking Gay”, could lose career – that was smart move, wasn’t it? Not really.

Former “Mr Gay UK” faces rape charges – and not just one.

Dutch music festival swaps Snoop Dogg for gay-hating Beenie Man, in order to be more “family friendly”, then realizes mistake and pulls him again a few hours later. Oops. Still won’t admit they’re doing it because he wants to kill gays by setting them on fire.

Heading somewhere where the weather is actually nice? (Oh, you’re leaving Portland?) Need a beach towel? Check out the one offered by BUTT magazine.

Autostraddle runs a beachwear guide for butches, bois, genderqueers, androgynous and otherwise not feminine folks who have boobs. Not that you’ll be needing this if you stay in Oregon.

Heading to SF like we are?? Check out Bilerico’s guide to SF wildlife, which is pretty funny.

CNN takes a look at gay dads, while the American Family Association condemns President Barack Obama’s tribute to them. Gobama.

Giant Gayrage sale redux!

alley hector — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:44:29 +0000

I’m not the worst furniture and stuff who but I do like nice things for cheap. Scouring garage and estate sales can be fun when you find that treasure but can also be a nightmare of broken children’s toys and crap you can’t pay to give away. Wading through the drek to find one tiny gem can be an all day affair. Not so at last year’s Gay-rage sale, happening again this year at Vendetta (4306 N Williams).

There are few crappy items when the gays decide it’s time to upgrade. Instead you’ll find a patio full of vintage furniture, hand screen-printed graphic tees for a dollar, and weird velvet art. Last year I scored a perfectly fitted pink cowboy shirt, and that 50s desk lamp only narrowly escaped my grasp. And towards the end, everything left is reduced by half. HALF YO!

Better yet, forget having to be an early bird. This party goes from 3pm to dusk, so plenty of time to sleep through the hangover before you start again. Because yes, you can also shop with beer in hand.

With over 10 vendors of taste organizers claim you’d be a fool to miss this and I agree with them.

Growl for Beartown 15

alley hector — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:00:20 +0000

Last year's Beartown 14. Photo by Stephen Cassell

Can you believe that Portland has been celebrating fuzzy, round, gay men for more than half my life now? That’s right, 2010 ushers in the 15th Annual Beartown from this Thursday the 10th through Sunday the 13th at the Jupiter Hotel (800 E Burnside).

Once again, the schedule is ridiculously exhausting. Whether you’re hot tubbing, cigar smoking, or dancing in your underwear, you’ll be doing it with other friendly beasts. And boy howdy, how exciting will be be to see a bunch if hairy dudes descend on Hawthorne’s shopping district?

Of course one of the biggest events will be the Release the Beast Dance Party with tag-team DJ’s Sam Storicks (of Bearracuda Portland) and DJ BradPDX (Crush Bar, “Tilt-A-Whirl” 2009) as well as returning host(ess) Foxxy Bernadette. And if you’ve still got growl in your soul left for Pride weekend, absolutely head over to Branx for Bearracuda.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. A complete schedule for Beartown is below. And if you’re not convinced, check out photos from last year’s Beartown.

Included in Full Package
Open to the Public/Possible Extra Cost or Cover Charge (See Event Descriptions for cost info)
BearTown 15 Pass Holders Only

Thursday

Early-Bear Registration Sign-in 6pm-9pm @Eagle Portland
Meet ‘n’ Grrreet 7pm-11pm @Eagle Portland

Friday

Registration Sign-in 10am-8pm @Jupiter Hotel
Bear Den Hospitality Suite 10am-5pm / 11pm-2am @Jupiter Hotel
Shopping Invasion on Hawthorne Blvd 10am-2pm
Cheers, Cheese & Chocolates Wine Tasting 1:30pm-4pm @Jupiter Hotel
Bear Soup Hot Tub Party 2pm-4pm @Portland Tub & Tan
Shed the Shirt Happy Hour & T-Shirt Exchange 5pm-7pm @Crush
Smoke-Out Cigar Social 7pm-9:30pm @Jupiter Hotel
Unleashed UnderBear Dance Party 9pm-12m @CC Slaughters

Saturday

Registration Sign-in 10am-4pm @Jupiter Hotel
Bear Den Hospitality Suite 11:30am-5pm / Midnight-3am @Jupiter Hotel
Meet the Contestants Continental Brunch 9am-11am @Jupiter Hotel
Beauty & the Beast Bingo with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence 11:30am-3pm @Jupiter Hotel
Animal Instincts – Bears at the Bathhouse 2pm-5pm @Steam Portland
Cocktail Hour 5:30pm-6:30pm @Red Lion Inn
Banquet Dinner 6:30pm-7:30pm @Red Lion Inn
Mr. Oregon Bear and Mr. Oregon Cub Contest 7:30pm-9:30pm @Red Lion Inn
Release the Beast Dance Party 9pm-2am @Jupiter Hotel

Sunday

Bear Den Hospitality Suite 9am-11am @Jupiter Hotel
Brunch Cruise on the Willamette River 11:30am-3:30pm on board the Willamette Star
Hugs ‘n’ Tugs Farewell Bear-B-Que 5pm-8pm @Eagle Portland

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Stuff you should go out and do: Picks for a gay gay weekend in May

alley hector — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:23:12 +0000

Besides basking in the sun you might also wanna check out:

Tonight

Dirty Queer – As if you didn’t have enough spring fever already goin’ on here’s some more words to get you riled up.

Bent - Low brow dancin’ in the dark and smoochin’ in the corner. Get it.

Saturday

Alberta Art Hop – Not necessarily a gay event, the art hop will satisfy your summer desire for local food, entertainment, and shopping.

Level Zero and SMYRC’s Queer Youth Prom – Queer Prom single DJ, hot drag queens, free food and fun contests. what else do you need for (underage) fun? Oh yeah, maybe a perfectly “keep Portland weird” steampunk theme. So get ready to don your monocle and bust out some old-fashioned fun.

Kaki King – Called by some to be the guitar goddess of the new millenium Kaki King also has a sweetly charming voice and the ladies downright love her.

Gaycation – Like, the most popular and long running night for (mostly) the ladies. Duh.

Sunday

Portland Queer Porn Nights – You might be hard pressed to want to take yourself inside for this beautiful weekend but if inside contains sweaty queers huddled together to enjoy some sex on the screen it might be worth it. You can always go frolic in the warm night air afterword.

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Queer Agenda video podcast episode #3 featuring She Bop sex toy store

alley hector — Tue, 11 May 2010 23:56:35 +0000

She Bop co-owners and founders Jeneen Doumitt and Evy Cowan

The vodcast hasn’t forgotten about you! Queer Agenda is back this month with an episode dedicated entirely to newly opened women-centric sex toy shoppe She Bop (909 N Beech). Co-owner Evy Cowan leads us through some of the store’s most popular items including vibrators that thrum to your dance club beat (Blow Pony watch out), double dildos that engage the kegels, and beautifully blown glass pieces that are great for temperature play. And though perhaps less sexually useful, but just as entertaining, is the selection of vibes of yore. I do so love a history of sex.

We open up this month with a brand new Oregon AIDS/STD hotline commercial.

Stay tuned for next month’s food episode featuring Tuff Luck and The deli.

Queer Agenda Episode Three from wolf and owl productions on Vimeo.

Sewing/Clothing Performance Art at Fat Fancy

alley hector — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:16:48 +0000

Sewing Rebellion

The lovlies over at Fat Fancy are thrilled to host artist and professor, Frau Fiber, doing a performance in front of the store (1013 SW Morrison) tomorrow Friday March 26th.

Frau Fiber will construct a “Columbia” style jacket, in her size, made out of plastic bags, on a bicycle powered sewing machine! The project is part of the Gestures of Resistance exhibition at Museum of Contemporary Craft Portland.

Frau Fiber will need volunteers to pedal the sewing machine. Come on down to help power the machine, or just to check it out and shop. The event will go down from 11:30-5:30.

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ADIDAS bans lesbians and gays from reclaiming their shoes

perrywinkle — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:47:18 +0000

No shoes for you, Supergay! Click for full screenshot

Shoe giant and Portland/Beaverton local ADIDAS, who currently hold a market share of 33% for athletic shoes, have banned gay terminology from their mi ADIDAS shoe customization service that allows shoe junkies such Alley Hector and myself to customize their latest kicks.
Words like “gay”, “lesbian”, “faggot” and “dyke” are banned – along with “homo”, and ethnic slurs.

While playing around with the mi ADIDAS website today, I noticed it’s embroidery feature that allows users to add custom text to different parts of the shoe. Thinking that my buddy Supergay has been talking about getting some new boots, I tried entering the term “Supergay” – only to be informed that “profanity” had been detected and my embroidery was not allowed.

Bemused, I tried a bunch of other terms: Gay, homo, lesbian, lesbo, dyke, faggot as well as some sex slang like “rimjob” and ethnic slurs. Nope, all banned.

Why is ADIDAS worried about what people will put on their $150 sneakers? Surely you won’t cough up the dough if you can’t own wearing “gay rimjob” on your kicks.

More importantly – isn’t this a limitation, in some way, of free speech? Who says which terms I can reclaim, and when? How is a mulit-nat-corp controlling my identity by limiting what people can stick on their shoes?

Looks like Supergay won’t be flying along in customized embroidered kicks this summer – although I found one term that wasn’t banned: “Queer”. Oh, and “stupid”.

See for yourself here.

Queer Agenda video podcast episode 2 with Fat Fancy and Rai Villanueva

alley hector — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:17:13 +0000

Queer Agenda vodcast #2 is a little late folks but all the more timely, perhaps, as the big blokes get a clothing swap this Thursday, so too, can the plus sized ladies have a store their very own when we visit the girls at Fat Fancy.

We also check in with local queer aerosol artist Rai Villanueva as she prepares for her shows up now at Tiger Bar (317 Northwest Broadway) and the Diesel Store (30 Northwest 12th Ave).

It’s a bit more lighthearted than episode #1 in honor of making it through the winter with beautiful happy sunshine days like today. (And good god, am I dorky in this. I won’t be offended if you laugh…)

If you are interested in having your business, band, or you are an artist and want to be featured, or if you are interested in hosting the show, please email alley@qpdx.com.

Husky boys clothing swap and Bear Bowl

alley hector — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:00:52 +0000

You wouldn't believe how tough it is to find pictures of famous fashionable fat men...

This month’s video podcast features plus size fashion shop Fat Fancy and the trend is quickly taking hold of the Rose City. But men, dykes, and masculine identified individuals of all sorts are also getting into the fashion game. And though there is some men’s duds at the FF plus sized gentlemen still have few options besides the big and tall section of the Men’s Warehouse.

This Thursday begins concocting the remedy with the Husky Clothing Swap / Bear Bowl at Interstate Lanes (6049 North Interstate Ave) starting at 6:30pm.

Studs swap duds: Husky masculine clothing exchange for plus-sized butches, bois, studs, genderqueers, ftms, bears, burly women and dandies. Smaller sizes section, too!

Come spruce up your wardrobe for free! Please save up and bring any clean clothes, accessories, and shoes you’d like to share.

And: Come bowl with some bears! All are welcome to come party it up! *PLEASE BRING CASH FOR BOWLING & RAFFLE!* And possibly air hockey.

It is a great ecologically and economically refreshing way to expand your wardrobe and there are bound to be some hotties checking out more than threads. Even better bowling and raffle raise funds for NoLose.org and juicy raffle prizes from sponsors include gift certificates from Vergnetti’s Coffee & Catering, Diesel Femme Masculine Flavor, Big Boxers/Size Queen Clothing, Fat Fancy, Monstre Sacré, Butch Voices, and artwork by Shane Leland and Helen Amirian!

H&M is finally going to peddle its gay wares in our gay city

alley hector — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:38:02 +0000

Jimmy Choos, made famous by 'Sex and the City' typically cost between $175 and $1,095 at high-end retailers were sold for $50 to $200 at H&M.

In news that is the gayest not technically gay gossip, Euro hipster fashionista-for-less giant H&M is finally coming to Portland. It’s slated for Pioneer Place coming this summer.

Our broke but fashionable local audience has been foaming at the mouth for our own store for years now as we’ve watched it break into random markets like suburban western Massachusetts, or open 12 stores in 4 square feet of expensive NYC space.

The chain, which plans to add 225 stores this year, operates more than 1,700 stores with apparel for men, women, teens and children in 33 countries.

Much like its Swedish housewares counterpart, H&M is a destination retailer that attracts excited shoppers who’ll spend the night in a sleeping bag in line before a grand opening. The company called its Seattle store opening one of the largest, but on its Web site said that the Pasadena, Calif., grand opening garnered the overnight party scene.

That’s the weird thing about H&M. Before you have one, you drool over it, make it a tourist destination in every city, and perhaps even sell some extras back to Buffalo Exchange where they mark them up to prices twice as much as you originally paid for them. Once your city gets one, however, it spreads like a cancer. Suddenly everyone is wearing that hoodie that no other person on the west coast had.

I have been waiting for so long for H&M to come to our city, thinking our market was so perfect it was absurd. But perhaps they were right to take it slow. Portlanders are fickle. Will it no longer be cool once it’s here?

Nah, I’ll still love it, just as I still love Ikea even though we no longer have to take homo field trips to Seattle. But it will be just a little easier, a little more trite, and make our thrift store finds even more special. Fashionista hipsters will just have to work a little harder. Now why couldn’t you make it happen before Christmas? Next!

New woman-centric sex toy store She Bop opens its naughty and nice arms to the community

alley hector — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:05:42 +0000

Co-owners Jeneen Doumitt and Evy Cowan

Even in a bad economy people usually continue to drink and to have sex. Just as bars as full as they ever were, so too can a burgeoning sex toy shop thrive in the downturn.

At least that is the hope of Evy Cowan and Jeneen Doumitt, two long time friends, who just opened, She Bop, an adult boutique specializing in non-toxic body safe toys, books, DVDs and gifts for women. The bright and airy store, open 7 days a week from 11 to 7, set just off Mississippi Ave (909 N Beech) is a friendly and close in alternative to the fantastic, but out of the way It’s My Pleasure.

When asked why they opened She Bop Doumitt answers, “Good Vibrations in San Francisco changed my life and we want to see that happen for others as well. Portland deserves choices when it comes to shopping for quality sex toys…Our goal is to educate, while offering a fun, safe and comfortable environment for women and their partners and where everyone is welcome.”

The product selection is and Cowan and Doumitt are knowledgeable and excited to explain all the nuances of fun items such as the Club Vibe, which jiggles your naughty bits in time to the music, or unique and beautiful dildos made out of surgical steel, wood, ceramic, glass or silicon. And though the shop is dedicated to making women and queer people feel comfortable there are plenty of toys for the boys, including locally made kits for reproducing your own member in a host of different substances.

She Bop also strives to be as “green” as possible, fitting into one of Portland’s environmentally conscience ideals. The store plans to host classes and workshops on sexuality, organize fundraisers and events to benefit local non-profits, such as domestic violence shelters and organizations promoting safe sex. Just down the street from the Q Center, Doutmitt hopes She Bop will work with them in the future.

Indeed, queer resources are an essential part of She Bop’s mission. They are currently in the process of expanding their literature related to transitioning and there are all kinds of educational videos currently for sale, and soon for rent. Of course, there’s also just good old porn, which is highly anticipated as it will be the only place in town you can rent underground queer gems such as Pink and White Productions’ Crashpad series.

Portland is most definitely ready to get some from She Bop. And what better place to holiday shop for your sweetie?

Just a small portion of the colorful selection

“Tuff Luck” coffee shop to perk up In Other Words

perrywinkle — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:24:14 +0000

In Other Words will soon be featuring a coffee shop!

Hot and fresh -

News has it that a new coffee shop will be opening inside In Other Words, everyone’s favourite feminist bookstore! It’l be called “Tuff Luck” and serve coffee and other hot drinks and coffee related, well, products. Not much info is forthcoming yet, but they are planning on holding events to garner funds to pay for licensing. Fantastic idea, details TBA. Check this space or contact IOW for more info.

Fat Fancy’s Grand Opening and Hairspray dance party

alley hector — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:53:56 +0000

For two years Fat Fancy resale fashions for the plus sized set, has labored on weekends out of a basement in Northeast Portland. And though the space was small, deals abounded and you didn’t want to miss any weekend it was open. But now you can rest a little easier because the ladies behind it all have secured a permanent shop space downtown, and it opens this Saturday.

At 7pm this Saturday the 5th, customers are invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony and sneak peek of the store located at 1013 SW Morrison, downtown.

We hope you will love our new location as much as we do! There is a SmartPark located kitty-corner on SW 10th. It’s on the Red and Blue Max and Streetcar lines. Just a few blocks from all bus lines. 2 spots up from Ray’s Ragtime. A block from the Central Library. A few blocks from Powell’s and Pioneer Square!

The grand opening is followed by a 1950s/60s soul themed dance party called Hairspray, featuring the skilled turntables of DJs Beyonda, Shannon, and Carnitas. Carlee and Annie highly encourage themed outfits and high teased hair as you convene at Worksound (820 SE Alder) from 9pm till late.

Siren Nation Festival returns this weekend

alley hector — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:36:03 +0000

The Lovers play Friday night at Someday Lounge

The Siren Nation Festival is a celebration of woman-fueled art, music, film, and knowledge. If that sounds like a lot, it is. Beginning with a kick off festival this Thursday the 5th at Olympic Mills Building (107 SE Washington). This free, all ages event from 6-10pm will feature the DJ talents of DJ Safi and DJ Tender and some spontaneous performance art throughout the night. “The Journey” is Siren Nation’s annual fine arts exhibit. Through a variety of media “The Journey” expresses, both the overall journey of women and the personal journey of over 50 Portland Artists.

The fest continues Friday and Saturday at the Someday Lounge (125 NW 5th) with two great rock shows. Friday night gives us Grey Anne, Star Anna, Emily Wells and my new local favorite Lovers. Saturday has an equally interesting line-up of The I’s, Y La Bamba, Tender Forever, Sallie Ford and The Sound Outside.

Saturday afternoon should also be an interesting Siren Nation experience when the fest becomes one of film at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy). The five flicks, screening from noon-5:30 are all documentaries directed by women and showcasing female pioneers in politics, performance, poetry and partisanship.

12:00 p.m. Pasty Mink: Ahead of the Majority (57 minutes)
1:10 p.m. Ferron: Girl on a Road (73 minutes)
2:40 p.m. Ridin’ & Rhymin’ (57 minutes)
3:50 p.m. Storm Large Video “Eight Miles Wide” (5 minutes)
Left Lane: On the Road with Folk Poet Alix Olson (93 minutes)

SN’s Sunday lineup ends on a calmer, craft and knowledge based note with a craft fair market and free workshops at the McMenamins Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd). Ranging from handmade fashion to mixed media art to tarot readings this marketplace is surely a refreshing shift to the unique and genuine lady-centric business. Especially eye-catching is the digital artwork of Kalina Torino and the creative and cute crochet designs of Lever & Lace.

There are 4 sessions of workshops, 11:00 am – 12:15 pm, 12:30 pm – 1:45 pm, 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm and 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm. Highlights include electronic music making, documentary filmmaking, tribal belly dancing with Gypsy Caravan, food fermentation and making duct tape wallets.

Pornapalooza porn exchange

alley hector — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:52:57 +0000

Pornapalooza

It’s a bit last minute but you were just gonna be at home with your porno mags anyway right? Well instead, head on down to the Dirty Duck (439 NW 3rd Ave) tonight at 9pm to exchange your tired and worn pages for brand spankin’ new stuff.

Join Portland’s outrageous “sisters of sin” and bring your old porn videos, DVDs, and magazines for a “swap meat” style porn exchange! Free porn for every attendee! And Safe Sex materials demonstrated by the girls in the habits!

* Get a FREE Voodoo Doughnut with ANY beverage purchase (including coffee and milk!)
* Enjoy Retro Disco music and Tawdry Toons on TV.
* No cover charge.

While I am delighted by this idea, and would gladly pick up some mighty man porn, I have a feeling there won’t be much queer lady or FTM focused material. There isn’t much to be had. But it would be great if we could expand this idea to the lady-communities.

There are a precious few pornos out there (such as the Crash Pad series and Sugar High Glitter City among others) and while you can purchase them at places like It’s My Pleasure or order them online, there are not rental options for these underground gems.

So shall we start a lending library ladies?

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Pride 2009 in review

alley hector — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:09:10 +0000

Sam Adams' bike contingent at Pride 2009

Now that we are all finally recovered from our hangovers it’s time to reflect on the weekend. It was a wild success that saw the gorgeous Miss Sabel Scities win Portland’s Drag Race, 115 floats, thousands of attendees, very few protesters and about a million parties.

Below are my weekend highlights but we really want to hear yours, so comment below!

Thursday night began with some fabulous performances during the 14th Annual Gender Bender at the E Room. The reality that many folks had no idea it had been going on so long just goes to show that Portland’s queer community, as big and amazing as it is, can also be quite divided. This event showed that we shouldn’t remain insular in our distinct quadrants of town, because it’s so much better to come together! But, that also made plenty of room for drama, and I even heard that a fight broke out. Ouch.

Friday night was probably my busiest. I pre-functioned in 2 locations before shaking it on stage at Gaycation.

Then I surrupticiously slipped out to head up to the not quite public but still incredibly packed Pink Party. I ran into lots of folks at fabulously gender-mixed soiree including new qPDX blogger Stephen Cassell. Apparently, my drunken “Hey!” carries, as my sweetie was able to hear it at the other end of the crowded back yard.

By the time to got to Fruitcake, I was pretty much out of luck. DJ Nolita told me I missed everything and then consoled me with a Jell-O shot as the 2 o’clock hour approached. Luckily my friend DJ Freddie Fagula was there like a knight in shining armor to take me home. But first we went to the food carts at SE 12th with the Gossip’s Beth Ditto (a great combination of idol and acquantance of mine), where the party contionued sans alcohol. The fried foods heaven also featured folks that had come from nearby Gaycation such as DJs Mr. Charming and Dreamcatcher.

Speaking of celebs I heard the L Word‘s Leisha Hailey was also seen about town at a dyke party. First I heard that she was supposed to go to the E Room but ditched for Gaycation. But then during her band’s set on Saturday I thought I heard her say Rumpspankers, which would have been Fruitcake. Alas, I never met the gal.

I did, however, see her band Uh Huh Her, perform the next night (here are photos) after just barely catching the incredibly fast moving Dyke March. I’m tired of running people…really.

I had big plans the rest of the night for Get Out, Verb, etc etc but only made it to Blow Pony, which was ridiculously packed but seemed normal to me.

Borg Bjorn underwear model at the Under U 4 Men tent

By the time the big day rolled around I was a wreck, existing on Vitamin Water and donuts. But after a successful parade with Super Gay and a fabulous pink vespa driven by Squid I still didn’t go home.

Waterfront performances by burlesque from far and wide kept me glued to the stage. Kentucky Fried Woman tore of the crowd with her Colonel Sanders debauchery and the Rose City Sirens made us all wanted to get arrested so we could go to the “Queer County Jail.”

Another hit was the live model at the Under U 4 Men tent, where everything was half off. Even I succumbed to the new Borg Bjorn beauties…

And though I promised myself I wouldn’t drink on Sunday I was lured to new bar, Invasion (412 SW 4th Ave), by dollar mimosas and bloody marys. And I wasn’t disappointed. The atomic ranch style furnishings were both stylish and comfortable and the mixed crowd, as well as bartenders were incredibly friendly despite the swanky surroundings. The spaces nooks and crannies also made for lots of exploring, and a great way to meet new people. Just sayin’…

This Weekend: Gay Mart, Pinker Shade of Gay (Sat, not Fri!!), Dolly Parton Hoot Night…

perrywinkle — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:01:32 +0000

It’s getting busy, folks. I know this by the fact that I am expected at 5 different events this Friday! Two are private events, but Pride is definitely heating up. We here at QPDX.com are going to try and cover as much as we can…so before you say “Hey! You didn’t mention/cover/go to/take photos of XYZ” remember there is only two of us (Adina is sadly out of town…).

Friday:

Gay Mart at COG, 5th & Belmont, right here in PDX

Kicking it off (for me, at least), is GayMart this Friday. From their Facebook:

Cog is kicking off Pride month with a Gay Mart featuring all the best queer crafters helping you make June the gayest month of your life. Everything from tutus to handmade binders to affordable art to rainbow crochet cog coasters.

Gay Mart will be taking place at COG, 532 SE Belmont #20, 18:00 – 22:00.

Saturday

Saturday blesses us with the annual DOLLY PARTON HOOT NIGHT, a fantastic fundraiser for local women’s music/art/good things festival SIREN NATION. Featuring the following artists: Jen Bernard, Lara Michell, Susie Blue, Jessica Stiles, Jenny Hoyston, Erin Chambers, Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside, Jean McGowan, Lisa & Her Kin and Rachel Robinson saluting the wonderful Dolly Parton. 9 pm onward, at the mission theatre, 1624 NW Glisan. $12-15.

Also on Sarturday is A PINKER SHADE OF GAY, which has a fan-fucking-tastic lineup of music appearing at Backspace in an effort to support SMYRC, who are still struggling with funding to make their new location happen. The night features the following, also from their Facebook:

A Pinker Shade of Gay, Pride Kickoff Fundraiser for SMYRC

QUEER ARTS! // Pride month kick-off party.

All proceeds will benefit SMYRC (the sexual and gender minority youth resource center).

VISUAL ARTS //a curated queer visual arts show

2 DJ’s
spinning throughout the evening:
DJ L-TRAIN and DJ FEMME-BOMB!

+6 LOCAL BANDS:
Palo Verde
Judy!
play/start
The Redwood Plan (from Seattle)
Magic Johnson
and Minerva

Admission is ALL-AGES sliding scale $3 – $10 No one will be turned away.

Sounds rad! I hope to go and give it an in depth review!

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Pride 2009: Show us what you got!

perrywinkle — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:17:36 +0000

Pride season is definitely starting, and we want your input! Send us your opinions, news, reviews, photos and we’ll publish them on the site.

Have a funny story? Want to review an event? Saw something cool, or something you need to vent about? Email us what you have to perry at qPDX dot com and we will publish your coverage of Pride! Please don’t send us anything offensive, and we probably can’t get away with publishing anything that involves excessive nudity…

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