Ben Nelson
Stories (52/0)
- Top Story - June 2022
This Queer Artist Demands to Be Seen and HeardTop Story - June 2022
Talia Keys’ trademark fire and brimstone stage presence is an amalgam of her journey, identity, and musical influences. Growing up, she and her brother were raised by a single mother in Utah. Her dad struggled with addiction and his battles forced Talia to grow up sooner than typical kids her age. Still, she was gifted with a big imagination and whether she was pretending to be Michael Jordan or impersonating Elvis Presley, Talia could entertain herself for hours. She began piano lessons at age 9, drums at 11, guitar at 16 and mandolin at 22. Music was always very prevalent throughout her youth, beginning with The Beatles and turning to Bob Marley in middle school. Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, and Talking Heads were some of the other artists that played a big role in her musical development. She even had a Kris Kross phase (and yes, she wore her clothes backwards for a time). It opened Talia up to rap and hip hop and she became a huge fan of Tribe Called Quest, The Fugees and Blackalicious.
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Interview
May is Masturbation Month
The flowers won’t be the only things blooming this May. May begins Masturbation Month. Yes, you read that correctly. The first national recognition day was held on May 7, 1995, in honor of Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, who had been fired in 1994 by President Bill Clinton for suggesting masturbation be part of the sex education curriculum for students. In 2005, the annual Masturbation Day officially moved to May 28 but in recent years, it has been celebrated the entire month of May.
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Pride
FIU's Chaplin School Offers Students Hands-on Experience in Event Design and Production
This semester, Factory360 and Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management forged a partnership of the first ever experiential incubator between a university and an experiential agency.
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Education
These Drag Queens Are Being Called the Next David Guetta!
Kali Forni-Kate and Sabrina Babyslut met five years ago, performing in a Britney Spears tribute show in Melbourne. They knew right from the start that they had loads in common. They shared a passion for musical theatre, came from similar socio-economic backgrounds, and began their individual adventures in drag young - right out of high school!
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Beat
This show is like the People’s Choice Awards, but super gay, and with way more drag queens
“We have so much to celebrate this year,” says Dan Tracer, Editor in Chief of the popular LGBTQ entertainment news site, Queerty.com. Earlier this month, they hosted their 10th anniversary Queerties award show in Los Angeles. It will begin streaming on Revry and YouTube this Wednesday. “The LGBTQ community made significant strides in pop culture that will have a lasting impact on the next generation of queer youth.”
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Pride
This LGBTQ Podcast is Still Making Moves
Francisco and Brendan (better known to listeners as Franny and Brenda) had only hung out with each other casually before starting the Move, I’m Gay podcast in February, 2020. Originally, it was intended to be a show about their love of Britney Spears and dislike for Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, however, the show has grown beyond their expectations. It has also gained a large following who tune in weekly to listen to the comical comradery between its two seemingly polar-opposite hosts. While Franny dishes on the latest entertainment dirt, and maybe belts out a Top 40 hit or two, Brenda references obscure gay historical facts.
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Pride
The ZCrave Online Fashion Juggernaut Goes Beyond Digital in 2022
Hila Shtork Zigdon insists she is not a fashionista. “I have never liked fashion,” the founder of the popular online retailer, ZCrave, reveals. The store known for its high-class designer items at affordable prices exploded on the style scene last year, attracting celebs like Ciara, Christina Milian, Hollywood actress Bella Thorne, and millions of adoring chic women on a budget. “I love design and I enjoy pairing garments in ways that tell stories,” Hila continues. She sees herself as a visual artist and views clothing as a canvas from which women can share the stories that drive them: their dreams, passions and achievements.
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Styled
Kim Petras and Todrick Hall Headline a New Year’s Eve “Queer-chella” Party
Kim Petras will ring in 2022 in Miami when she headlines Dreamland, a multi-event LGBTQ+ experience. Joining her will be Sofi Tukker, Purple Disco Machine, and Todrick Hall, all performing at various parties over the weekend.
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Beat
Broadway's Queer Community Shines in Musical Album, Place & Time
Musical theater is often called "so gay", and while EllaRose Chary and Brandon James Gwinn, the writing team behind the 2021 Richard Rodgers Award winning musical, TL;DR Thelma Louise; Dyke Remix, believe it to be true, they argue it's not very "queer."
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Pride
'The Browns' Adds Unique Twist to The Family Sitcom
The Browns, the hilarious television series that began as two-minute comedic sketches on Instagram, is back for a second season on OUT TV and Amazon Prime, with new episodes airing Fridays. Starring drag duo Tammie Brown and Kelly Mantle — Brown as a semi-retired singer and homemaker and Mantle as her delightfully dipsomaniac manager and best friend — The Browns re-imagines the family sitcom in a way that is strange, vulgar, and deliciously outrageous. “I grew up on shows like Step by Step, Full House, and Family Matters,” says the series’ creator John Mark (who also plays the role of Brown’s son). “I wanted to make a show that implemented traditional 90’s family sitcom tropes into a queer space.”
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Pride
What Happens When Two Broadway Stars Collide on a Country Tune? "You'll See"
The second single from Brandon James Gwinn’s BULLIT album is a duet with Alexa Green, who played Glinda the Good Witch in the Broadway production of Wicked. Written by Gwinn and co-produced with M.P. Kuo, "You'll See" is a pop country crossover track, in the vein of Shania Twain and Lady A, and follows Gwinn’s previous release, “Cristal Conners.”
By Ben Nelson3 years ago in Beat