Back In The Day: V-Rag Classic Track

Ah, the day we either love to hate or love to love, Valentine's is all about the L-Word. So, if you've got a boy or girl, or something in between, treat them right... And if you're single like the rest of us, get drunk and swear at anyone that looks vaguely happy. This week's classic track should get you inspired, one of my all-time favourites: "Dr. Love" by First Choice. Just one kiss from his lips is like taking Vitamin C, you can't imagine what my doctor does to me...


"Dr. Love" - First Choice

V-WEB: Our Weekly Obsession (Feb. 11/10)

The boys of OutTV's Don't Quit Your Gay Job have been with us since day one, when we first profiled them. In fact, V-Rag was the first to bring you an exclusive look at the premiere season! From drag queen to dominatrix to city bus driver to stripper, Rob Easton and Sean Horlor gave us a peak at the jobs we either covet or curse. A breakout hit here in Canada, they're back for a second season, set to be bigger and better than the last. In the spirit of the season, OutTV will be airing the first two episodes of the new series on Feb. 15th ("Curling") and Feb. 22nd ("Hockey"). This is a true local original, and be sure to keep your eyes out for a feature on Season 2 in the upcoming March issue of V-Rag. Also read all about Rob's Wasted Thoughts, a V-Rag regular column as well as Sean's Up Your Alley blog on the xtra.ca website. Go Team Rob & Sean!

BASH'd Exclusive

We've always known that musical theatre is a little bit... well... gay. And we've always been very aware of the homophobic undertones of mainstream rap and hip-hop. So mashing the two genres together is obvious, really. Right? At least that's how Nathan Cuckow and Chris Caddock, the creators and stars of BASH'd!: A Gay Rap Opera, see it. V-Rag got a chance to catch up with Cuckow (T-BAG) and Caddock (Feminem) to find out about the genesis of this one of-a-kind play, a welcome addition to this year's Cultural Olympiad lineup.

BEING BASH'D
Interview by Cole Johnston

How did BASH'd come about (or should I say come out)?

BASH’d! was created after a gay rap performance (featuring Feminem and T BAG) at Edmonton's Loud 'n Queer Cabaret. Chris and I had such a good time creating and performing a track called “Grab That Ass” with our gay rap alter-egos, we immediately knew we wanted to expand on the concept, and use Feminem and T BAG to narrate a full length show. BASH’d! was inspired by the “equal marriage debate” in Canada, and was created shortly after. The Premier of Alberta at the time, Ralph Klein, was threatening to use the not-withstanding clause, which would have effectively denied gay Albertans the right to marry their spouses. Ralph was using a lot of militaristic language, saying stuff like “we’ll use every weapon in our arsenal” to fight this attack on the definition of marriage, whipping his conservative fan base up into a frenzy. There was a rise in hate crimes in the province. We have straight friends who were gay bashed. It didn’t matter if the people being attacked were gay or not, just as long as someone was getting beat up for being queer. We were interested in exploring this political climate, and the effects gay bashings have on the gay community, gay relationships, and gay families.

BASH'd has been doing the theatre circuit for a few years now, is this your first time bringing it to Vancouver?

Yes. We played Victoria last March and we’re very excited to play Vancouver.

You both have an impressive history on Alberta's theatre scene, how did the two of you meet?

Chris and I became friends when I came to Edmonton to perform in a show at the Edmonton Fringe Festival. We have very similar attitudes when it comes to theatre, art, film, books, etc and quickly became friends. We originally collaborated as writer/performers on a play entitled 3…2…1 which we toured to Ottawa’s Magnetic North Theatre Festival and to the Yukon. And we created BASH’d! shortly after.

Gay rappers have been more and more recognized in mainstream music lately, do you guys feel like Canadian pioneers in this movement?

No, BASH’d! is a hip hop musical and Feminem and TBAG are just characters. We tell the story in rhyme with dope beats but we aren’t real rappers. If we in any way can help gain public awareness to gay rappers and the gay rap movement, that is great. But we are hardly pioneers. We recommend people check out the queer documentary Pick Up The Mic.

What are your favourite homo hip-hop tracks?

We’re fans of hip hop and enjoy socially conscious rappers like Sage Francis, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Aesop Rock, Missy Elliot, Public Enemy, The Gift of Gab, Knaan, MF DOOM, The Roots, etc.

It's clear you guys are serious about hip-hop, not just out for laughs. Do you have the street cred to go along with the critical acclaim now?

Hehe. Are you wondering if we’ve ever been shot or done time in the slammer? In both cases, the answer is no. Chris and I are trained actors, and fans of hip hop and we’ve done our best to execute our rhymes and play our characters to the best of our abilities.

This is pretty dark subject matter for a comedy, are there some people who just don't "get it"?

Sure. Not everyone is going to like everything. I will say that BASH’d! isn’t just a comedy. It’s also a drama and part tragedy. I would say it’s mostly a gay love story, and a celebration of love and of the gay community.

What message are you trying to convey with this project?

I want people to have the most engaging experience possible. I believe the key to doing that is first and foremost, by entertaining them. If people are entertained, they open themselves up to the characters journey. I believe that the best experiences in film and in theatre and in art come from emotionally connected storytelling. There are lots of themes that run through BASH’d! but I wouldn’t say the show has a singular “message”. Audiences may watch the show and be connected to the theme of “violence begetting violence”, or they may leave inspired to be more political in the interest of human rights, or maybe they’ll just enjoy the music, the jokes, and Chris’s pink John Deere ball-cap. We wanted to explore the effects gay bashings have on the gay community, gay relationships, and gay families, and what happens when a political climate encourages this discrimination. BASH’d! can be seen as political theatre, a plea for equal rights, or it can just be seen as an entertaining celebration of love with a tragic twist. Our aim is for people to have both experiences. What an audience wishes to take away from our show, is up to them.

Do you think the political atmosphere has changed much since BASH'd debuted?

Yes and no. It seems in the case of all civil rights movements, it’s 3 steps forward 2 steps back. But hopefully in time we’ll see a more substantial change. I have faith in the younger generations who don’t have as much baggage when it comes to sexuality as our repressed religious elders.

BASH'd: A Gay Rap Opera
at the Cultch, 1895 Venables Street

Tuesday, 2/16/2010 at 8:00 pm
Wednesday, 2/17/2010 at 8:00 pm
Thursday, 2/18/2010 at 8:00 pm
Friday, 2/19/2010 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, 2/20/2010 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm

Caesar Exclusive

Caesar is one of gay porn's all-time royalty. After a quick rise to fame in the late '90s and throughout the last decade, he retired from the industry to pursue fitness and body building. I'm sure most internet-addicted guys will recognize his... erm... face. We got a chance to talk dirty with the muscular sex symbol. How much do we love this job??

CAESAR: FIRST MAN OF PORN
Interview by Cole Johnston

When did you first become interested in the porn industry as a career?

I guess it was in the back of my mind during my teens. When I got out of the US Marine Corps in 1996, I was approached by Chi Chi LaRue and the rest is history.

Looking back on your career, any highlights or regrets?

Probably lots of regrets but I don't focus on those. I met a lot of cool people, made some life-long friends, had lots of kinky sex and I make a pretty decent living with the name I built up.

You're still one of the most recognizable faces in gay porn. Are you often recognized in public?

Sometimes. If I'm in a gay area I am recognized often. The airport seems to be a common place to be recognized too.

What's the craziest thing a fan's ever done or asked?

I'd have to go with cruising my house when I still lived in West Hollywood and the ones that ask to marry me or be my boyfriend when they've never actually met me in person... that's pretty crazy!

Do you watch your own videos? Or have any favourite adult films?

Not into watching myself in the professional vids but do enjoy making home videos just for personal use... those can be pretty hot.

Favourite porn?

I always enjoyed the Falcon classics...Manhandler being one that sticks out.

You have a history of competitive body building and your website now features workout and training tips. Is fitness your current career direction?

Yes, it's my true passion and I'm working on a total finess-based website now and I do personal training here in Las Vegas.

Winter Olympics are this month here in Vancouver! Any events you'll be watching?

I've never been a real big winter guy. I'm a big baby when it comes to the cold so I never got too involved with the Winter Olympics but I do like the Speed Skating quite a bit.

You're very disciplined as a body builder and trainer. Do you have any vices?

Reeses Peanut Butter Cups are my weakness and I am an avid supporter of legalized Marijuana!

You seem to have dabbled in every career; dance, fitness, and porn. Is there anything you're still passionate to try out?

I think I'm going to concentrate on fitness/bodybuilding for now. I want to increase my education and continue to grow as a trainer. Still doing the adult stuff but not as hardcore these days.

Does that mean you're coming out of porn retirement? What can we expect from you in the future?

Only time can tell... it just has to be the right project. Something new and creative without being silly. Stay tuned!

www.caesarworld.com

Back In The Day: V-Rag Classic Track

I stumbled upon this little gem of a video when I was looking up this week's V-Rag Classic Track, "I'm Alive" by Stretch 'n' Vern. Remember when pleather and faux fur were what all the club kids were wearing? Admit it, you still have something embarrassing in your closet from the mid '90s when Electric Circus was Queen of MuchMusic and we called the internet the worldwide web. Well, tonight is the night to don those outfits and party like it's 1996 again, with DRAGonFire, a classic House of Venus party at Honey Lounge in Gastown. Hope to see you all there... dancing EXACTLY like this!


"I'm Alive" - Stretch 'n' Vern (Electric Circus 1996)

V-WEB: Our Weekly Obsession (Feb. 4/10)

OK, as if this picture isn't enough to become obsessed over, amazingly the personality behind it is even more astounding! If you don't already know who Little Boots is, where have you been for the last year?? The ex-lead singer of Brit-pop group Dead Disco (a.k.a. Victoria Hesketh) dropped the electro-pop masterpiece Hands in 2009. Since then, she's been called the British Lady GaGa, the next Kate Bush and the biggest artist to watch in 2010. It's easy to see why, with pure pop brilliance like the single "Remedy" mixed with her undeniable talent and beauty. Can you tell we're obsessed yet? Check out the videos and pretend that you're not already on Team Boots. Especially with the way she rocks out on that Tenori-on and Stylophone! She'll be coming our way March 5th at Venue and V-Rag will be there squealing along.


little boots - remedy
Uploaded by project485. - Classic TV and last night's shows, online.


Little Boots: "Meddle" for PlayGround
Uploaded by playgroundmag. - Explore more music videos.

February: The GOLD Edition

After much anticipation, discussion, controversy and excitement, the Winter Olympics are taking over our fair city this month. And love them or hate them, they are definitely bringing a high calibre of talent to Vancouver! Not only will we see the best athletes in the world, but also the best in art, music and theatre. So, in the spirit of the season, we got to catch up with some of the brightest stars headlining the Cultural Olympiad, as well as other cool events around the city. We're super excited to feature one of my favourite Canadian exports Chromeo and chat with them about their upcoming gigs in Vancouver and Whistler. Fellow Canadian musical genius Gonzales will be playing with Feist during the Cultural Olympiad and takes some time out for V-Rag. Speaking of geniuses, Vancouver art legend Paul Wong explains his Olympic installations, and Calgary-based theatre sensation BASH'd rap about their gay hip-hop musical. Rob Easton sits down with Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Tewksbury this month to discuss the lack of gay athletes in the Games, and porn legend-cum-fitness guru Caesar gets grilled by me. What a job! On a more indie tip, DFA recording artists YACHT and Canadian folk heroes Woodpigeon give us a taste of the huge amount of non-Olympic activities happening this month. All that plus the triumphant return of Joan-E's Rag in this month's issue of V-Rag, available today! Be sure to check back throughout February for exclusive content, extended interviews, music, videos and contests right here on the Official V-Blog.