Tuesday, 29 May 2018
Thursday, 24 May 2018
Adam Rippon Talks Finding His Gay Power, Fetish-Inspired Costumes
Being yourself can take you places. If you’re Adam Rippon, born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, it can take you all the way to Pyeongchang, South Korea, where the 28-year-old set fire to the ice last February, becoming the first openly gay male athlete to win a medal — a bronze — for Team USA in a Winter Olympics.
Rippon’s mere existence as a brazenly gay global inspiration with a tongue as sharp as the blades on his skates is notable. Writer Peter Moskowitz recently celebrated Rippon in a piece for Splinter titled “The Faggy Magic of Adam Rippon.” And at a Stars on Ice show in Detroit, Michigan, in April, Rippon garnered by far the most enthusiastic response, winning applause from tween girls, a squadron of proud queers, and suburban moms, alike. Reese Witherspoon loves him. So does Elmo. And like any good mother, Sally Field tried to set him up with her gay son.
Rippon would make his Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) debut a couple weeks after our call, slaying a Vogue-fortified cha-cha to RuPaul’s “Sissy That Walk.” I caught up with the phenom via phone as he put on his face inside the locker room of a Rhode Island arena (a Stars on Ice stop). Rippon opened up about how booze kills his wit game and what he tells guys on Tinder who want a second chance, all the while, being his irresistible self.
WATCH:
[Editor’s Note: This issue of Hotspots went to the printer before ABC’s live DWTS finale, so as you may know, Adam Rippon and his partner Jenna Johnson won the Mirrorball Trophy]
I want to give you a phone hug and say thanks for giving this 35-year-old man a new level of realness to aspire to.
I’m hugging you back.
You stood next to Britney Spears at the GLAAD Media Awards recently for a pic. I hear she liked the way you smelled.
Yes, she did. I congratulated her on her award, and she was like, “You smell really nice,” and I was like, “Thank you so much, ’cause that’s so important to me.”
Your fellow gay Olympian, [freestyle skier] Gus Kenworthy, kissed you on stage that night. How exactly would you describe your relationship with Gus at this point?
Umm [laughs], so, I mean, we’re just friends, obviously. His boyfriend was backstage laughing at him, and so he was just trying to be funny. Gus is a nut.
But you’re so close. And both of you being gay Olympians, it seems you’ve really bonded.
Oh, absolutely. We’re just like brothers — brothers who kiss, I guess. But no, I love him. He’s so nice, and we’re very good friends.
What was it like competing against Tonya Harding on Dancing with the Stars?
It’s not a super big deal, but I think she’s got a lot going on, so I’m just gonna let her do her own thing, probably. Probably best.
Team Tonya or Team Nancy?
Well, I mean, Tonya tried to kill someone, so I’m Team Nancy, probably.
What did you think of I, Tonya?
I loved it. I thought Margot Robbie [who played Harding] was great. Amazing.
Who would you cast as Adam in I, Adam?
Well, Margot did so well. So, maybe Margot Robbie?
Who inspires your on-ice style?
The skating world inspires it a little bit, and then… you’re gonna know that I’m trashy. I look at like, um, sex stuff and stuff people wear — harnesses and stuff — and the design is quite amazing. I bring [stuff] to my costume designer, and we make them more appropriate for a competition.
For a PG audience?
Yes. Actually, it’s not for that audience. But I make it for them.
That harness you wore to the Oscars in March: Where is it?
It’s in [fashion designer] Jeremy Scott’s office. The suit was by Moschino, so it was from Jeremy’s office and he lent it to me. I’m obsessed with Jeremy. He’s amazing.
Do you get to keep these costumes?
I keep my own costumes. Because, like, I bought them, outright. But the Oscars outfit was for the runway — so, from the red carpet back to the office.
Hard to give that up. So many opportunities to wear something like that.
I know! Like to a wedding. The grocery store.
Were you a sassy kid?
I don’t think I realized how sassy I was till I was at the Olympics and people were like, “Ahahaha, you’re so sassy.” And I was, “Ahahaha… you think so?” And they’re like, “Oh yeah, you’re, like, sassy.” And I was like, “I just thought I was fresh?” And they’re like, “No, you’re sassy.” Oh. OK.
Who inspires your sassiness?
The person who inspires me to be sassy is my mom.
So it’s in the blood.
[Laughs.] Yeah, it’s definitely in the blood. It’s something I can’t control.
Born this way.
Born this way, for sure. Genetics.
Your future: What’s off the table? Where do you draw the line?
Like, I’m not gonna do porn. That’s drawing the line, I guess. I don’t think I would do a reality show — I mean, I did Dancing with the Stars. That’s a reality show. I’m not gonna do, like, Big Brother or anything.
You’re getting a lot of offers. What percentage are you turning down?
I’m talking a little bit to everybody. But honestly, my schedule’s so crazy right now, I barely even know where I am.
The media loves getting you drunk.
Here’s the thing: I don’t drink a lot. Barely anything. And so everyone’s like, “Haha, come on the show and just have drinks!” And I’m like, “OK.” So, I’ll have a little bit, but I feel like I’m way funnier not drunk. I’m not as sharp, I’m not as witty; I’m not myself when I’m drunk. I mean, I like to be in the moment. If I’m in the moment, I can focus, and then I can be quick and witty.
You’ve been on this wild ride: the Olympics, Stars on Ice, Dancing with the Stars. How will you spend a day off when you finally get one?
Um, probably napping.
The whole day?
The whole day.
You have a new man, Jussi-Pekka Kajaala. He’s very good-looking.
I do. He’s super cute, but more than that, he’s super nice and funny.
Before you met, what criteria did you have for a boyfriend?
I really wasn’t looking for anybody. I was on Tinder just for fun. If you’ve ever been on Tinder, you know how you swipe left and right, and it basically turns into this game?
Oh yeah. It’s like the new Hot or Not.
It’s absolutely that. My criteria for a good boyfriend would be somebody who has passion. Passion is super important to me because, no matter what you do, if you have passion for it, then that’s kind of what life is all about — that you have passion for something. [Laughs.]
I’m being so serious. Usually when I get asked this question, I’m like, “a job, goes to the gym” — which is also important.
How many people on Tinder believed you were really Adam Rippon?
Nobody gave a shit that I was Adam Rippon. But I can tell you that everyone I ever matched with who ghosted on me has messaged me since the Olympics. My favorite is, “Oh, it’s been a while. How ya doing?” And I’m like, “Bye.”
You give them more than they deserve, honestly.
Usually I don’t answer.
Do you expect there will be a day when an openly gay figure skater can just be a figure skater?
Yeah. And I hope there’s a day that an openly gay Olympian will just be an Olympian. But I think right now it’s important to share your story.
For me, it’s not being gay that I share; I share my coming out. It’s not like, “Oh, I’m gay and I’m powerful” — which is, like, so true. It was [during] my coming out experience when I started to really own who I was and that’s where I found a lot of power. I was always me, but I didn’t always own it. And when I owned it, that’s when I found I was my strongest.
Have you had any particularly moving exchanges with young queer fans?
Yes. There’ve been many. I’ve run into a few young people who told me they tried to kill themselves at one point, which is incredibly hard to hear, especially from really young kids.
It’s bizarre to be thanked for just being who you are, and for someone to tell you that you really helped them, it’s incredibly humbling. I was not expecting that kind of response after the Olympics.
Do you feel pressure to act or be a certain way because of that?
No more than the way that I’ve been acting.
Good. To end, which Golden Girl are you?
Probably Blanche. Isn’t everyone Blanche? And I’m a little — OK, I’m mostly Dorothy.
It’s the snark.
It is the snark.
source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2018/05/24/adam-rippon-talks-finding-his-gay-power-fetish-inspired-costumes/
Your Indispensable Guide to Everything Happening During Gay Disney
GayDayS: The Event That Started It All
GayDayS is the event that started it all 28 years ago, when thousands of queers descended on Walt Disney World on the first Saturday in June, decked out in red shirts for visibility.
Today, that one Saturday has grown into almost a full week of events, and many find GayDayS provides the ideal home base for all their Orlando shenanigans. The cocktail-fortified pool parties at the host hotel run from 10am to the wee hours every day, GayDayS practically sets the itinerary for the entire gay gaggle’s migration from theme park to theme park, and diversity is built right into a program that features twice-a-day bear pool parties, pageants (drag and leather), bingo, diva impersonators, and a massive LGBT expo.
Host Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld (10100 International Dr, Orlando)
Welcome & Information Booth
Main Lobby. Tue 11am–6pm, Wed 10am–8pm, Thu–Sat 9am–9pm, Sun 9am–5pm.
GayDayS ambassadors will greet you and answer any questions you may have. Don’t leave without your free GayDayS 2018 Welcome Bag.
Ticket & Merchandise Center
Caribbean Ballroom. Tue Noon–6pm, Wed 11am–6pm, Thu 10am–7pm, Fri–Sat 9am–7pm, Sun 9am–5pm.
The place to buy tickets and exclusive merch, including the #RedShirtDays official GayDayS 2018 red shirt. Purchase individual tickets and pool-party bands or spring for a Platinum Pass ($500) or 3-, 4-, or 5-Day Pool Party Passes ($105–$200, $70–$140 in advance). For advance tix and host hotel information: GayDays.com.
GayDays Expo
Off Main Lobby. Thu 11am–7pm, Fri–Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 10am–4pm.
Businesses from all over the world showcase a variety of goods and services. Your host, Harmony Breeze, Miss GayDayS 2014, keeps the giveaways and free-prize raffles coming.
Those Legendary Pool Parties
Free for hotel guests. Tix (except Wednesday): Daytime $25 advance/$35 at event; Evening $35/$45.
Wednesday, May 30
Main Bayou Pool
Daytime: 12pm–5pm. $10/$15. DJ Sean Michael.
Evening: 5pm–3am. $15/$20. DJ Chris Tavi (5–10), DJ Rob Moore (10–3).
Thursday, May 31
Main Bayou Pool: Thirsty Thursday
Daytime: 10am–5pm. DJ Aracely Manterola (10–4), DJ Sean Michael (4–5).
Evening: 5pm–3am. DJ Sean Michael (5–10), DJ Chris Adams (10–3).
Bear Bayou Pool
Daytime: 10am–5pm. DJ Chris Tavi (10–4), DJ Mike James (4–5).
Evening: 5pm–2am. DJ Mike James (5–10), DJ DeGiacinto (10–2).
Friday, June 1
Main Bayou Pool: Splash!
Daytime: 10am–5pm. DJ Chomper (10–4), DJ Cajjmere Wray (4–5).
Evening: 5pm–3am. DJ Cajjmere Wray (5–10), DJ DeGiacinto (10–3).
Bear Bayou Pool: Kona Luau
Daytime: 10am–5pm. DJ Robert Scott (10–4), DJ Barney Philly (4–5).
Evening: 5pm–2am. DJ Barney Philly (5–10), Pumpkin Spice (10–2).
Saturday, June 2
Main Bayou Pool: Glow Pop
Daytime: 10am–5pm. DJ Sushiman (10–4), DJ Cindel (4–5).
Evening: 5pm–3am. DJ Cindel (5–10), DJ Chi Chi LaRue (10–3).
Bear Bayou Pool
Daytime: 10am–5pm. DJ Sinna-G (10–4), DJ Chomper (4–5).
Evening: 5pm–2am. DJ Chomper (5–10), DJ Aracely Manterola (10–2).
Sunday, June 3
Main Bayou Pool: Tea Time
Daytime: 10am–5pm. Pumpkin Spice (10–4), DJ Dani Toro (4–5).
Evening: 5pm–3am. DJ Dani Toro (5–10), DJ Joe Ross (10–3).
Bear Bayou Pool
Daytime: 10am–5pm. DJ Sinna-G (10–4), DJ CChris Adams (4–5).
Evening: 5pm–2am. DJ Chris Adams (5–10), DJ Barney Philly (10–2).
Extra-Special GayDayS Events
The Voodoo Showroom is located inside the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld (10100 International Dr).
TUESDAY, MAY 29
Official GayDayS Kick-off Party
6:30pm–10pm. Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show (8267 International Dr). $10 advance/$20, VIP $50/$75.
Hosted by Coco Montrese of RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars 2 and Steve Erics, GayDayS Creative Director of Entertainment.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30
GayDayS Fabulous Drag Bingo!
7:15pm–9:15pm. Voodoo Showroom. $15 advance/$25.
An exciting evening of bingo filled with high-energy performances and DIVA-rated prizes. Hosted by Voodoo Queen Roxy Brooks, who promises special guest appearances.
THURSDAY, MAY 31
Taste of GayDayS
6pm–10pm. Voodoo Showroom. $40 advance/$50.
Sample nibbly bits from local restaurants as you sip delightful beverages and enjoy live entertainment and the musical stylings of DJ Lu-S.
FRIDAY, JUNE 1
Miss GayDayS Pageant
7:15pm–10pm. Voodoo Showroom. $25 advance/$35 at door/$45 runway seating/$275 VIP table.
Who will have you under their special GayDayS spell in 2018? Watch these queens bewitch and beguile until only one remains!
SATURDAY, JUNE 2
GayDayS XXX Porn Bingo
1pm–3pm. Voodoo Showroom. $25 advance/$35.
Play some of the most exhilarating bingo ever in the exxxtremely fine company of Chi Chi LaRue and adult film stars Seth Santoro, Woody Fox, and Wesley Woods.
ICONS at GayDayS
7:30pm–9pm. Voodoo Showroom. $20 advance/$30.
Central Florida’s Diamond Divas — Summer Holiday, Twila Holiday, Viktoria D. Sommers, Dede Taylor, and Cherilyn Matthews — present ICONS, a high-energy illusion production that pays tribute to legends including Whitney, Cher, Bette, Barbra, Rihanna, Adele and more.
SUNDAY, JUNE 3
Mr. GayDayS Leather Competition
2:30pm–5pm. Voodoo Showroom. $25 advance/$35.
Who will succeed Chip Wegner, Mr. GayDayS Leather 2017? Back for a second year, this event is an educational and entertaining afternoon of men and leather you won’t want to miss.
Your Theme Park Itinerary
THURSDAY, MAY 31
9am–9pm. Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom
A zoological theme park covering 580 acres. Check out the all-new Rivers of Light and Pandora: The World of Avatar. Go on a safari, meet your favorite film characters, and thrill to the rides.
9am–6pm. SeaWorld
Enjoy live shows, free concerts, and, of course, up-close encounters with animals. Rollercoaster fiends should be sure to check out Mako.
FRIDAY, JUNE 1
9am–9:30pm. Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios
You’re a star, baby! Check out the all-new Star Wars Launch Bay as well as classic attractions like Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage and The Tower of Terror.
9am–10pm. Islands of Adventure.
A park full of thrills and ways to cool down. Ride the all-new Skull Island: Reign of Kong, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, or visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
SATURDAY, JUNE 2
9am–10pm. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
From Thunder Mountain to Space Mountain, this park continues to thrill guests young and old. Check out new attractions and shows: Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, The Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train, and Muppets Present: Great Moments in American History. The spellbinding finale is the all-new fireworks show, Happily Ever After.
9am–9pm. Universal Studios Florida.
Go behind the scenes — or beyond the screen — and leap right into the action of your favorite movies. Battle alongside Optimus Prime and Bumblebee in Transformers: The Ride—3D, take The Simpsons Ride through Springfield, and join Gru and his Minions at Minion Mayhem!
SUNDAY, JUNE 3
9am–9pm. Walt Disney World’s EPCOT
Enjoy the exciting rides of Future World; Test Track and Mission: Space, and the newly re-imagined Soarin’! Or just drink your way around the globe at the World Showcase.
9am–5pm. Discovery Cove
Get your wetsuit ready… and dive into paradise! Discovery Cove offers an intimate, resort-style experience. Interact with dolphins, snorkel with rays, and feed exotic birds. Or just take it easy, grab a bite, and lounge by the tropical river.
One Magical Weekend: The Circuit Experience
If GayDayS, with its emphasis on hitting the parks and hanging by the pool, is the beating heart of Gay Disney week in Orlando, One Magical Weekend (OMW) is the quintessential circuit-party experience transplanted into Walt Disney World itself. The location has its perks, including shuttles to all events and bus service to all the Walt Disney World Resorts theme parks.
Like GayDayS, OMW has its own host hotel and daily pool parties, of course, as well as a Gay Biz Expo. But the event’s calling cards are its round-the-clock schedule and its showpiece mega-parties. OMW owns the late, late time slot with its nightly Cadabra after-hours parties, and #Riptide, an EDM-scored hijacking of Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Waterpark, takes the pool party experience to its logical — and spectacular — extreme.
OMW Home Base
Host Hotel
B Resort & Spa (1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd, Lake Buena Vista)
Gay Biz Expo
B Resort & Spa. Fri–Sat 11am–6pm, Sun 11am–2pm.
If shopping is on your One Magical Weekend agenda, don’t miss the Gay Biz Expo & Welcome Center where you can purchase tickets to all of your OMW events for the weekend.
Welcome & Ticket Center
Inside the Gay Biz Expo. For advance tix and host hotel information: OneMagicalWeekend.com.
The Therapy Pool Parties
B Resort & Spa (1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd, Lake Buena Vista). Weekend Pass: $70.
Friday, June 1
WE Party: Carnaval
Noon–7pm. $26.
DJs Erik Armiliato and Louis Tham
Saturday, June 2
WE Party: Pink
Noon–8pm. $26.
DJs Edil Hernandez and Tommy Love
Sunday, June 3
SANDIA
Noon–10pm. $26.
DJs JB Burgos, Ben Baker, and Guy Scheiman
OMW’s Main Events
Friday, June 1
#Riptide
8pm–2am. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Waterpark. $101/$212 VIP.
DJs Grind and Toy Armada
For its signature event, OMW takes over the entire 52-acre waterpark so that 6,000 guests can dance under the stars. This year the Crush ’n’ Gusher water-coaster stays open all night, and you can board the Miss Adventure Falls treasure raft — the longest ride in the history of the Disney waterparks — if you feel the need to get away from it all.
Saturday, June 2
RED Volume III: #STRUT
9pm–2am. House of Blues at Disney Springs. $71/$142 VIP.
DJs Ivan Gomez and Nacho Chapado
The dress code is red, and strut is the attitude. What more do you need to know?
Cadabra After Hours
Old Town — Sun on the Beach Nightclub (5770 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee). Weekend Pass: $191.
Friday night, June 1
2am–8am. $71.
DJ Alyson Calagna
Saturday night, June 2
2am–8am, $71.
DJ Alex Acosta
Sunday night, June 3
Midnight–6am. $71.
DJs Paulo and Alex Ramos
The Best of the Rest: Orlando’s Finest
We’ve dedicated a lot of ink to two major gay events that helicopter into Mousetown (fabulously!) for one week a year, but Orlando is an LGBT hotspot with a vibrant scene all year ’round. When the rainbow hordes descend on the city each June, local bars and clubs are fully committed to the celebration. They step right up with their own nightly extravaganzas. Here are just a few of this year’s top offerings, where you can get a taste of the authentic (monorail-free!) Orlando.
Stonewall
741 W Church St, Orlando
Saturday, June 2
Amor
Doors 9pm, show @ midnight. 21+, valet parking.
Stonewall’s weekly upscale Latin extravaganza gets supercharged on the weekend’s biggest night. The midnight show features a bevy of local divas — Nouba Soleil, Lisa Lane, Rochelle Mon Cheri, Angelica Sanchez, Yeisa, and Aaliyah Valentino — plus a very special appearance by the one-and-only Puerto Rican bombshell, Iris Chacón.
Southern Nights
375 S Bumby Ave, Orlando
Thursday, May 31
Southern Nights goes all in on drag for its Days of Gays long weekend, and kicking things off a day early are Axel Andrews, Roxxxy Andrews, Kai’ja Adonis, and MR MS Adrien.
Friday, June 1
It’s Kitana Gemini’s birthday, so you know you better show up with a gift! Helping Kitana get the party started: Roxxxy Andrews, Maya Andrews, Tasha Long, Sassy Devine, and Tasha Royale Sherrington.
Saturday, June 2
On the busiest night of the weekend, Baby Blue and Ivy Les Vixens somehow managed to snag the stage all for themselves. Is it a victory of quality over quantity? You be the judge.
Parliament House
410 N Orange Blossom Tr, Orlando.
Thursday, May 31
PI@PH
8pm–3am. Free before 11.
Miami favorite DJ Kidd Madonny kicks off the weekend at this legendary Orlando entertainment complex. You can also expect performances by Michelle du Soleil and The Minx and Company, a Latin Diva Revue, and a countdown at midnight. Meanwhile, down in in the Footlight Theater, Orlando’s Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence present A Night of Perpetual Comedy at 10pm — that’s all the improve you can eat for $15.
Friday, June 1
8pm–3am. $15 advance/$20 door/$40 VIP.
Get there early tonight because RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Alaska Thunderfuck is in the house for an a-live performance. Kidd Madonny is back on the wheels of steel once more, this time with an assist from resident DJs Scott Robert and Brianna.
Saturday, June 2
8pm–3am. $20 advance/$30 door/$50 VIP.
How did you get here? Nobody’s supposed to be here! Nobody except the inimitable Deborah Cox, that is. Deb will be performing her greatest hits. Will she wear her hair in a ponytail? I’s guess… absolutely not! Meanwhile, it’s Brianna back on the decks, as is Kidd Madonny, who must have taken a room for the weekend.
Sunday, June 3
8pm–3am. Free before 6pm/$20 after/$50 VIP.
It’s a foam party tonight, so maybe don’t wear your best shoes. Only problem is, there’s also a Drag Race Season 10 trifecta tonight: Aquaria, The Vixen, and Miz Cracker will all be in da hizzouse. And you know at least one of them is gonna read you for that sad, second-string footwear. Brianna and Madonny supply the tunes.
source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2018/05/24/your-indispensable-guide-to-everything-happening-during-gay-disney/
Deep Inside Hollywood: Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan Getting Dolled Up for Life Size 2?
Obviously you all remember that time in the year 2000 when Lindsay Lohan was a child star and she was in that TV movie called Life Size, which is the one where little Lindsay’s Barbie-esque toy doll comes to life — as Tyra Banks. It was so good. And because it was so good, media mogul Tyra Banks has decided that things can only get gooder and now there’s going to be a Life Size 2.
We need this.
Tyra’s producing it. The world is quivering in anticipation. And Tyra needs Lindsay. Ms. Banks is talking about the project out in public and more or less confirming that it’s happening with the now-grown Lindsay, which may mean Lohan is in negotiations and very close to signing. Or it could also just be one of those SoulCycle things about putting your intention into the universe and manifesting the reality. (Listen, I have no idea what those words mean, either, but they sound productive.)
If you saw Lohan on Wendy Williams’ couch not long ago, it’s clear she’s in a good place and ready to be enjoyed as an actor again, so maybe we all just need to chant to the universe a little louder.
The Pain and Glory of Almodóvar
In 2019 the world of cinema will get lucky again, because that’s when legendary Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar drops his next movie. Here’s everything we know so far.
It’s about a filmmaker whose past choices come back to haunt his present day life as he works on a new project. It’s called Dolor y Gloria (“Pain and Glory”) and it will star his longtime muse Penélope Cruz (Broken Embraces) and his other longtime muse, Antonia Banderas, an actor who goes all the way back to 1982 with Almodóvar and the film Labyrinth of Passion. Even the supporting cast is vintage Almodóvar, with Spanish actresses Kiti Manver from Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and Julieta Serrano, who goes back even further than Banderas, to 1980’s Pepi, Luci, Bom y Otras Chicas del Montón.
Will it be a comedy? A drama? Both? We don’t care, we’re just ready for the calendar to flip.
Romeo San Vicente stans for Lohan.
source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2018/05/24/deep-inside-hollywood-lindsay-lohan/
Gay Games Deadline to Register is Fast Approaching
Some like Paris in the springtime. But you may prefer it in the summer — especially this summer, when The City of Light (et L’Amour!) plays host to Gay Games 10 from August 4 to 12.
Held every four years, the Gay Games are the world’s largest sporting and cultural event open to all. Paris 2018 will welcome more than 10,000 participants from over 80 countries to take part in 36 sports, 14 cultural events, conferences, and festivities, all under the Gay Games guiding principles: Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best.
Sports on offer run the gamut: from swimming, diving, track and field, judo, and bowling, to team sports including basketball, softball, beach volleyball, rugby, and football (by which they mean “soccer”), to a couple of winter sports (figure skating and ice hockey), and even local favorites pétanque and roller derby. (OK. OK. I made that last part up. While it is part of the Games, roller derby is not un thang français.)
There’s even an event called Urban Dance Workshop, a series of three noncompetitive classes highlighting styles such as voguing, waacking, hype, locking, and hip hop. And one workshop is specifically adapted for an audience with disabilities — which reminds me: Gay Games welcomes everyone to participate in their own way. Registration is open to all people from 18 to 99 years old, without discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation, ethnicity or disabilities, and also without any selection requirements.
What do the Games discriminate against? Tardiness.
So, if you want to participate in a sport —or perform in cultural offerings such as ballet, chorus, orchestra, or cheerleading (Gimme a C! For Culture.) — you must visit the Paris 2018 website and register by June 30. (By mid-May almost 8,900 had already signed up!) Registration is €205 plus a specific fee for each sport or cultural offering. Those are generally in the €20 to €60 range (sailing tops out at €285). And the site will tell you not only the fees, but also how many spots are left for participants in each sport or cultural activity (golf is already filled).
If you don’t want to jock out or rock out, but do plan to be one of the 300,000 spectators descending on Paris for the Games, there is no deadline: Attendance at almost all sporting events is free. But there are entrance fees for the ceremonies, parties, and some performances during the Games.
Which means: If you want tickets for the opening ceremonies at Jean Bouin Stadium (site of Stade Français rugby matches; perhaps you’ve seen the calendars?), the after-party at Le Grand Palais featuring Israeli DJ Offer Nissim, the women’s party, or any of the choral and orchestral concerts, dance performances, or other limited-capacity events, get thee to the website. Now!
At press time, only 160 tickets were left for Pink Flamingo, the over-the-top, costumed aquatic show that serves as the grand finale to the aquatics competition and has become a Gay Games centerpiece. And that is one wet bird you really do not want to miss, hunties!
To register, purchase tix, or get more info: paris2018.com.
source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2018/05/24/gay-games-deadline-to-register-is-fast-approaching/