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Peter Paige stopped by the Connection at his website to talk about his "amazing, exhausting, wonderful, awful, at times very difficult summer." Sadly, a couple of people who were very close to Peter passed away this summer (his manager and his grandmother). However, to balance out the loss, he says, is the birth of his very first feature film, formerly titled DONUT HOLE, but currently titled SAY UNCLE. Peter says, "The film - which stars Kathy Najimy, Melanie Lynskey, Lisa Edelstein, Anthony Clark, Gabrielle Union, and myself - was shot over three weeks in late may in Portland, Oregon. I am as proud of it as of anything I have ever accomplished. I've never worked harder, but, man, was it worth it. Look for the film in a theatre near you sometime next year. We're back in Toronto now, shooting season five of QAF. It's great to be back, amongst our tremendous crew, beside my good friends, playing Emmett once again. We're cooking up some good misadventures for you... I spent last weekend in Dallas, helping to raise one million dollars for the human rights campaign and other local Dallas charities. It was a terrific event, incredibly moving, well-organized, and well-produced. Everyone involved should be very impressed with themselves..." Read Peter's entire message at his website.
As Tuesday's presidential election nears, a series of high-profile rallies are scheduled for this weekend, and the QAF actors are doing what they can to get people out voting. In western Pennsylvania, Michelle Clunie and Scott Lowell will attend an "Out The Vote" rally in Squirrel Hill to support Kerry and pro-gay candidates. Start time is 1:30 p.m. at A Pleasant Present, 2301 Murray Avenue. Peter Paige and Robert Gant will participate in two get-out-the-vote rallies as well, in South Florida, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today (Saturday) at Georgie's Alibi, 2266 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday at Hamburger Mary's, 2449 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors. Buses will be available at both places to take people to early voting centers.'Queer As Folk' cast comes out for Kerry, by Jason Michael is a more complete account of the comments made to the gay press by Clunie, Gant and Lowell during the national conference call. Here's an excerpt -- a quote from Robert Gant: "There's this odd apathy, I think, among gay people, which is odd because we are such a disenfranchised group," he said. "I think it's in part due to the fact that our gay youth are maybe overly focused on social lives, we are very focused on careers and whatnot and yet we forget that it's because of the granting of our rights or what hangs in the balance that we're able to enjoy these things. I think part of why we were less inclined to participate, why we may be apathetic, and I think I had been for quite a long period in my life, is that I didn't feel included. I didn't feel like I was a citizen in the same way that everyone was a citizen and I still don't feel that I am from a rights perspective, and yet I realize that at some point that rather than deciding to opt out because I didn't feel a member of the club, I've had to make a conscious choice to opt in. And so what this is about is not just convincing people who they should vote for, what we're really into now is getting bodies to the polls." Read the full story Aaron Woodley reports on his news page that Rhinoceros Eyes will screen at the Adelaide Film Festival, Australia, February 18th - March 3rd, 2005, and will open commercially in five theatres across Miami on November 5th, 2004. If you're in the Miami area, look for it in a theatre near you! The tentative premiere date for Season 5 on Showtime is now May 22, 2005. As always, this date is subject to change.Carlo Rota (Gardner Vance) recently passed along a message to his fans, saying he is doing well and has been busy with work and home life. Things have been a bit crazy the last six months, Carlo says, "with projects that never got off the ground, and ones that did fly a bit but unfortunately, not very far. Otherwise I will report that I am well and still trying to find a new harbor as an actor. Please pass along huge embraces to any and all fans that still remember my name (Carlo who?)." Carlo also mentiond that he had some computer problems and is rebuilding his database. Hopefully he will have some time to stop by his message board soon and post a personal hello to everyone. Patrick Antosh is still busy answering questions on his message forum, even with Season 5 underway and this being his busiest time of year. Here are a couple of comments he shared with the fans: "At the beginning of each season I schedule a shopping trip, one on one with each of the cast memebers. This year Peter's was the most thorough, Randy's was the most rewarding. Shopping with Sharon is always the best, because she always insists we stop early and have a good heart to heart, catching up on what we did over the break. Then I, and a full time shopper pick up things as we shoot. Sometimes we have more fittings and sometimes new peices arrive on the set the day of the shoot. It's kind of like Christams." "I get scripts a little earlier than the cast and a few guidelines but never anything concrete. Last year I took Jack Weatherall on a shopping spree for his character only to have him die in the next episode!! Had I known, I wouldn't have put Debbie in the "I can't see dead people" T-shirt in the episode before he died. She was wearing it when she was talking to him in the diner!! How ironic." Patrick recently celebrated his 39th birthday... you can see photos of him with the cast members in the NEWS section of his website. Thea Gill makes a guest appearance as "Celine" in this Friday's episode of Andromeda: "When Goes Around", October 29th on the SciFi channel. You may be able to catch it a week later on other networks like the WB, Fox and Chicago's WGN. Check local listings for airtimes. The DailyCamera.com reports that director Rob Reiner, actress Christine Lahti and actor Randy Harrison rallied supporters of Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry at the Boulder County Courthouse Saturday, telling them to turn out and vote. And they did, joining the line already formed outside the courthouse. While the event, sponsored by the University of Colorado College of Democrats and the Boulder League of Pissed Off Voters, stressed the importance of voting this election, speakers also talked about the importance of women voting as well as the gay-lesbian community. Harrison, who plays the character 'Justin' on Showtime's "Queer as Folk," stressed gay and lesbian rights. Their rights, he said, will be heard only through talking to friends and voting. "By us being here today, it is enlivening everyone and making them aware of what is going on," Harrison said. "We want everyone to do all they can," he said. Harrison said he is confident that people would see the rally and be encouraged to get out and vote. [full story]More news outlets are reporting on the QAF cast members travelling to Ohio, Maine, Pennsylvania and Florida in the next two weeks to convince gay voters to visit the polls. In a conference call held for gay journalists, on October 19th by the Kerry campaign, openly gay cast member Robert Gant (who plays Ben) along with Michelle Clunie (Melanie) and Scott Lowell (Ted) were refreshingly candid about their views about the president. "Bush is playing God with our lives," Michelle Clunie said. "I don't think I'd be able to sleep at night if I didn't do something." Actor Robert Gant said he has been going to Ohio to confront the "odd apathy among gay people" and underscore that the next president will appoint possibly three Supreme Court Justices. "Being hung-over is no excuse not to vote," Gant said. "If you don’t vote, you don’t get your gay card."
The tentative date for the Season 5 premiere is 365gay.com has more on the Kerry tour. "For me the most important thing in this election is the appointment of Supreme Court judges," said Bobby Gant. "I believe we are going to get every one of our rights through the court." With a number of vacancies expected to come in the following four years the next president will have a lasting effect on the future of the court. "This isn't about getting people to vote for Kerry, that's preaching to the choir. This is about getting people to the polls. Saying you were hung over from being at the bars the night before just doesn't cut it." [read more]Bev over at the Harris Hideaway tells us that Harris Allan's band, Square 9, did a benefit concert for Breast Cancer ("Music for the Cure" organization) on October 9th. It was held at the Gleneagle Community Centre in West Vancouver, and Harris will be providing pictures of the event that will be posted in the photos thread shortly.Randy Harrison and Michelle Clunie are kicking off a mini tour of QAF cast members in support of John Kerry and Ken Salazar, this Saturday, October 23, in Colorado. The pair will be at Boulder's Pearl Street Mall-County Building from noon until 2pm for a Queer the Vote Rally! Meet Randy and Michelle in person and vote early. Then, from 3pm to 6pm, Randy and Michelle will be at JRs (777 E. 17 Ave) for a Queer the Vote Party! hosted by Tim Gill. Join the group for a shuttle to the early voting place or bring your absentee ballot and then join the party. Come early and you can even have a free drink as thanks for participating. For more information, visit the CafeVivid website. Bobby Gant, Scott Lowell and Peter Paige will also be participating in potential upcoming stops (NM, PA, FL). Stay tuned for confirmation of these events/guests. Queer as Folk secured its third consecutive win this year for best Series Storyline at the 20th Shine (Sexual Health in Entertainment) Awards in Los Angeles this past Saturday. As reported earlier, Harris Allan was on hand to represent the show and the HIV/AIDS storyline in which he participated.Pictures of Hal Sparks with fellow celebs Eric McCormack, Nia Vardalos and Deborah Gibson are posted at wireimage.com, from the 20th Annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles and VIP Brunch at The Abbey owned by David Cooley.
Looks like the rumors about Rosie on QAF are true. Gail shister, Inquirer columnist, writes "O'Donnell on 'Queer as Folk'? Not as gay as it sounds," an article published at philly.com today: "It's not easy being Ted" is an article published in the Sydney Star Observer. Myles Wearring writes, "Actor Scott Lowell, who plays Ted on US TV series Queer As Folk, was amazed to hear there’s a debate in Sydney about whether there’s a link between crystal meth use and the rise in HIV. 'I think a big reason AIDS is back on the rise is because of this drug. I can’t see how you can’t see the connection,'" he tells the SSO. Later in the article, he writes, "Lowell said it’s no coincidence the gay scene depicted in QAF, which is actually set in Pittsburgh, is reminiscent of Sydney’s scene. The first few episodes of the show were directed by Sydney-based Russell Mulcahy, who helped create the look and feel of the whole series. 'So Australia was very much a part of the initial Queer As Folk look.' Now a week into filming series five, Lowell admitted he’s surprised by the show’s longevity. 'You would’ve thought someone would’ve gotten wise by now and thrown us off the air, but no we’re still here,' he said. [Read the full article]" Focusing on Something Positive," the Robert Gant fan site, has moved. A few changes have been made to the site, and new pictures have been added. Visit the new page at http://www.squidge.org/gantfans/.IndieWIRE.com has some background info on Gale Harold's new film, "The Unseen" (in which Michelle Clunie also stars), and a connection to Phillip Bloch, who was recently photographed with QAF costume designer Patrick Antosh and Michelle Clunie at Toronto's Fashion Week. Here's an excerpt from the indieWIRE article: For filmmakers, inspiration can come in unlikely ways. In the case of writer/director Lisa France (known for her debut film, "Anne B. Real," which was nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards), it happened through a chance meeting with Hollywood stylist Phillip Bloch. "He had this movie idea," France recalls. "So we talked about a couple of plots and I got along great with him and the film came along through that." The two came together on an idea loosely based on the racially charged 1965 film "A Patch of Blue" in which Sidney Poitier befriends a blind white girl played by Shelley Winters. Intrigued in telling a story about "someone who's blind and knows about racism but has never seen it," says France, "The Unseen" follows Roy (Steve Harris from TV's "The Practice") and Harold (Gale Harold from TV's "Queer as Folk"), two interracial friends who reconnect after having not spoken for years (Bloch, who's also on board as producer, plays Roy's blind younger brother). Set in Atlanta, Georgia, France knew from the beginning she wanted to place the story in the south. "I think the location is a character as racism is not only born but at least in the south still alive, so doing it in Georgia was important." Shot in 20 days last June, DP Jim Hunter shot the film on HD and it was cut by editor Noel Dowd. Composer Dean Parker is currently finishing the score. The film also stars Catherine Dent (TV's "The Shield") and Judah Friedlander ("American Splendor"). France plans to submit the film to Sundance. Click here to see a photo of Gale as "Harold" in the Unseen.Hal Sparks will make an appearance on the CBS drama Dr. Vegas (Fridays at 10pm), which stars Rob Lowe and Joe Pantoliano in a drama about a physician who takes a gamble when he leaves behind the world of emergency medicine to become the in-house doctor at a high-end, popular casino in Las Vegas. Sparks will play himself on the episode which airs October 22. As reported previously, Hal will be participating in the APLA AIDS walk this Sunday, October 17th. On Saturday, October 23, Bobby Gant, Peter Paige, and Sharon Gless will make an appearance at this year's Black Tie dinner being held at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Dallas, Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth Black Tie Dinner is a nonprofit organization, that raises funds for gay and lesbian supportive organizations through a premier event of empowerment, education and entertainment in partnership with the community. This year, Showtime Networks will receive the Elizabeth Birch Equality Award for their groundbreaking LGBT programming. Accepting the award will be openly gay Showtime president Robert Greenblatt. Also on hand to honor Showtime will be Pam Grier and Leisha Hailey, cast members of The L Word, and Blythe Danner.Harris Allan (Hunter) takes part in The Media Project's 20th Anniversary SHINE Awards (Sexual Health IN Entertainment) this Saturday, October 16th at The House of Blues in Los Angeles, along with many other celebrities. The Awards honor nationally and internationally televised programs for accurate and honest portrayals of adolescent sexual health issues. All proceeds from the event will benefit Advocates for Youth's AIDS and comprehensive sexual health programs for adolescents. Columnist Liz Smith reports that Rosie O'Donnell will appear in a three-segment arc on QAF next season. There's no word on who she will be playing. For the full story, visit newsday.com. Today is National Coming Out Day (NCOD)... learn more about it at HRC.org. Visit NCOD pictures of Peter Paige at the State Fair of Texas a few years back.AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and hundreds of supporters, including a host of celebrities, will gather this Sunday, October 10, to honor AIDS Walk originator Craig R. Miller, and mark the 20th year of the AIDS Walk movement. "Making Waves: Commemorating 20 years of the AIDS Walk Movement" will begin at 1:00PM at Hotel Casa Del Mar, 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica CA, 90405. There will be photo and interview opportunities with various participants, including Hal Sparks.Kristine W has gone where no woman has gone before. Her latest single, "Save My Soul," recently became the artist’s eighth consecutive No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart. If it were Madonna, Cher or Janet, you probably wouldn’t have blinked an eye. But the fact that the well-respected Kristine W, not yet a household name, has broken the records of the aforementioned divas is an astonishing accomplishment. In the article from Windy City Times, author Steven M. Housman talks to Kristine and asks how "Some Lovin’" -- a huge hit and a highly entertaining video with the Queer As Folk cast -- came to be. Kristine replies, "Folks at QAF approached my record company and Victor Lee said to me, "You’ve got to hear this song.” I heard it and I loved it. I had so many ideas for it. I was in the studio quite a bit trying to get the right vibe on that song. My sister, who was going through a divorce at the same time, and I were talking every night. I was trying to channel her vibe. I think I got it down, pretty close. It had me a little angry, but the attitude of the song is, I’m gonna make it anyway. It’s a fun song, but there’s a delicate balance because it carries a very heavy message. It was difficult, but I was happy with the results." In a recent QSAT, PlanetOut Entertainment reports that "Manny Lehman's ascent to the top of the DJ world was nothing short of meteoric. Although the New Yorker has been spinning platters for over a decade, his name has only recently been catapulted into the high-altitude realm of superstar DJ royalty." The article goes on to say, "Lehman virgins can get a taste of his distinctive Latin-inspired, energy-infused house with tribal beat sound on the "Queer as Folk Series 2 Soundtrack CD," which contains the best tracks from the show's second season mixed together by Lehman himself. Although it probably won't make him a household name just yet, it's sure to add to the legions of loyal fans who would follow him to the ends of the earth to hear him spin."
The celebration in honor of AIDS Walk founder Craig R. Miller and the AIDS Walk movement will be held on October 10 at Hotel Casa Del Mar, Santa Monica, Calif. Special guests Jamie Lee Curtis, Hal Sparks, and Nia Vardalos will also be supporting the event. For tickets and more information visit www.apla.org or call (213) 201-9255.
Several
In a recent entry on his message board,
Michael MacLennan, the Supervising Producer of Queer As Folk who has also written ten episodes of the series, is working with Julia Keatley of Keatley Films on a new dramatic television series called Godiva's, for CHUM TV. The series will be set in Vancouver's trendy
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