Baltimore native, out musician, activist, and even a bit of a mystic, Sonia Rutstein, better known to her fans and followers as SONiA of disappear fear, has a musical gift for everyone. The new 12-song CD compilation Love Out Loud (soniadisappearfear.com) collects some of her queerest and most uplifting songs resulting in the perfect soundtrack for your 2020 Pride observances. Drawing on selections spanning almost 25 years, including solo work as well as those recorded with her sister Cindy (from disappear fear’s early days), the album is as much a musical history lesson as it is a celebration of the […]
Remembering A Quiet Persistent Hero – Terrence McNally
Some heroes wear capes. Others march, protest, or pass legislation. Still others work to change people’s hearts and minds. Terrence McNally was the latter. He believed that the theatre’s most important function was to create community and bridge rifts between people caused by differences in gender, race, religion and in particular, sexual orientation and HIV status, and dedicated his life to that work. In an address to members of the League of American Theatres and Producers he said, “I think theatre teaches us who we are, what our society is, where we are going. I don’t think theatre can solve […]
Queer Queens of Qomedy Return to Baltimore
Hear Ye! Queer Ye! The Queer Queens of Qomedy are making a return visit to Baltimore this month. Returning by popular demand to Magooby’s Joke House on Sunday, March 22nd at 5 pm, this high octane, high caliber show returns with a lesbian triple threat. The always delightfully hilarious Poppy Champlin will be joined by Louisiana-native Jen Kober, and Washington, DC / Silver Spring-native Paris Sashay. These humorous comediennes recently chatted with Baltimore OUTloud about their upcoming performance. Frankie Kujawa: What can audiences expect from this performance of Queer Queens of Qomedy? Jen Kober: Expect big laughs! These comedians are […]
In the Driver Seat with Monster Jams Joe Urie
Growing up with a sports background, Joe Urie never thought that one day his childhood dream of driving in Monster Jam would come true. Running from February 28th to March 1st at the Royal Farms Arena, Monster Jam is a live motorsport event series begun in 1992 with the main attraction being the racing and freestyle competitions by monster trucks. Baltimore OUTloud recently sat down with Missouri-native Joe Urie to discuss what audiences can expect at this years event. Frankie Kujawa: Have you always been a competitive, adrenaline-seeking type of person? Joe Urie: As a child, I never had an […]
Keeping it Real with Real Housewife of New Jersey’s Dolores Catania
Mother Teresa once said, “It’s not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do that counts. Life isn’t worth living, unless it’s lived for other people.” Amidst the dramatic twists and turns facing the cast members in the upcoming tenth season of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” there is a beacon of light that shines bright. That gleaming, glittering light is the heart of gold that resides inside of housewife Dolores Catania. Speaking exclusively to Baltimore OUTloud, Catania recently chatted about the upcoming season, her spectacular new look, her philanthropy, and finally […]
Watch That Man
Katonah native Ben Mandelker is a funny guy. The Dartmouth College alum moved to Los Angeles a few years ago to be a comedy writer. He’s not the first and he won’t be the last. His is a familiar story of starts and stops, highs and lows. Fortunately for Mandelker, he met fellow funny man Ronnie Karam, and their shared affection for “The Real Housewives” and all things Bravo led them to create the popular podcast “Watch What Crappens.” The title of the podcast, a nod to Andy Cohen’s “Watch What Happens: Live” recap and call-in show, has been well-received, […]
Martha, My Dear
Few disco divas can make the claim that Martha Wash can. Early in her performance career, Martha Wash sang backing vocals for the one and only gay disco icon Sylvester. Paired up with Izora Armstead as Two Tons O’Fun, Wash and Armstead can be heard singing on the classic Sylvester tune “Dance (Disco Heat),” among other numbers. Wash and Armstead also achieved superstar status with their massive 1982 hit single “It’s Raining Men,” performing as the Weather Girls. Wash made news in the late 1980s and early 90s when unscrupulous music producers and musical acts, including Black Box and C+C […]
Girls Scout An interview with Kristin Chenoweth
Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth could potentially have a Grammy Award in her sights with her new album For the Girls (Concord). On her most contemporary pop-oriented studio album in nearly ten years, Chenoweth pays tribute to several of her musical icons including Judy Garland, Eydie Gorme, Barbra Streisand, Patsy Cline, Linda Ronstadt, and Dolly Parton. Parton herself joins Chenoweth on a roof-raising rendition of the Dixie diva’s “I Will Always Love You.” Other guests joining Chenoweth on the album include Jennifer Hudson, Reba McEntire, and Ariana Grande. A longtime friend and supporter of the LGBTQ community, Chenoweth […]
Good as Gold
Nashville-based queer singer/songwriter Becca Mancari is an artist you must hear and one who’s name you should remember. Her 2017 debut album Good Woman, which received high praise from music journalist Ann Powers, landed at number 19 on Rolling Stone’s “40 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2017” list, as well as Brooklyn Vegan’s assemblage of “Five Overlooked Albums of 2017”. In addition to her acclaimed solo work, Mancari has also performed as one third of the trio Bermuda Triangle with Brittany Howard and Jesse Lafser. With a new album completed (and being shopped around to labels), Mancari is embarking […]
B Best
What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the words, “Tin roof, rusted!”? If you answered “Love Shack” by the B-52s then pat yourself on the back. That 1989 single, the biggest hit of the B-52’s career, finally earned the group the widespread mainstream attention it justly deserved. It was also considered a comeback for the band from Athens, Georgia, following the devastating loss of co-founding member Ricky Wilson. Those in the know who had been following the B-52s since the band’s self-titled 1979 debut album (featuring the single “Rock Lobster”) were free to gloat as their friends […]