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Wednesday 26 March 2014

Up & Coming LGBT Music: Re-Wyne

by Lauren W

We really enjoy listening to new, lesser known artists here at All Things Lesbian, and this time we've got something exciting for you.

Meet Re-Wyne, a female rap artist from Brooklyn, NY.


If you're a fan of Iggy Azalea but wish she was a little more raw instead of polished and frankly ridiculous, this is the girl for you.

The best thing about Re-Wyne is that she's actually the real deal. No gimmicks like Nicki Minaj, just raw talent to match fellow-Brooklynite, Lil' Kim. What more could you want?!

My personal favourites are Anti-Violence and the more explicit Hoes on my Strap (hmm, we wonder what that's supposed to mean...)

You can listen to Re-Wyne at https://soundcloud.com/re-wyne - totally free!

Don't miss this. She's going places.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rewyne.legacy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/re_wyne

Monday 24 March 2014

LGBT Band Antigone Rising Announces NEW EP

ANTIGONE RISING 
ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF BRAND NEW EP:

“WHISKEY & WINE, VOLUME 1” OUT MARCH 25


“That Was The Whiskey” Gets “Best Country Song” Nomination
at The 13th Annual Independent Music Awards.

Album Release Party April 11 at Mercury Lounge NYC


NEW YORK, NY - Antigone Rising, the New York based all-female-boot-stompin'-alt-country-rock band, has announced the release of TWO brand new EPs, 'Whiskey & Wine - Volume 1" and "Whiskey & Wine - Volume 2”.

"Whiskey & Wine - Volume 1” is set to drop March 25, 2014, on iTunes and the band’s official website and features the singles “Everything Changes”. “That Was The Whiskey”, “Call Me Crazy”, “Magnolia On The Breeze” and “Get To You”. Volume 1 will be followed later this year by "Whiskey & Wine - Volume 2," due out October 28, 2014.

The fab four comprised of Nini Camps (lead singer), Dena Tauriello (drums) and founding sisters Kristen Henderson (bass/vocals) and Cathy Henderson (guitar/vocals), are  showing no sign of slowing down!


Starting on March 25, 2014, the band will begin a never ending cycle, one song at a time, releasing a music video, followed by an acoustic or alternate mix version. The goal is to provide audiences a variety of online content from video interviews to blog posts all year long. Treating each song as a single, the band will dedicate 6 to 8 weeks on the individual promotion of each of the five songs featured on 'Whiskey & Wine Volume 1', and will keep the cycle going all through Fall when 'Whiskey & Wine Volume 2,' gets its Fall release. 

Exploding into the spotlight in 2005, Antigone Rising became the first band on Starbuck’s Hear Music (Lava Records) selling over 150,000 copies of their debut LP. After releasing the 2011 album "23 Red" to great success, touring with acts such as The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, The Allman Brothers Band, The Bangles and Rob Thomas, and traveling to the Middle East, spending time in Israel and the West Bank as cultural ambassadors for the United States Embassy, Antigone Rising introduced last summer its latest single (and accompanying music video), "That Was The Whiskey”. 



The infectiously catchy tune received praise from critics as a foot stompin' mash up, perfectly blending the band's ability to rock with their gift for writing undeniably catchy songs. The video for the single premiered on CMT.com, trending in the top 10 (Watch the YouTube video: http://youtu.be/VA11MDYhd24)

Co-written with Nashville songwriter Lori McKenna (Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Hunter Hayes) "That Was The Whiskey” has just been nominated in the "Country Song" Category in The 13th Annual Independent Music Awards.

The girls have already been turning up everywhere from the pages of Curve Magazine, Billboard, Out Magazine, Buzzfeed, AfterEllen and the Huffington Post to appearances on The Today Show and The Tonight Show, among others. More recently, Kristen Ellis-Henderson garnered much media attention when she and her wife, business executive Sarah Kate Ellis (who was recently appointed president and CEO of GLAAD), were featured on the cover of TIME Magazine's groundbreaking April 8,2013 Marriage Equality issue 

Having dazzled audiences across the globe and invaded our iPods, Antigone Rising has never been more primed to take the musical world by storm!

TOUR DATES:

April 2 Charleston, SC Barn Jam
April 3 Charlotte, NC Double Door
April 4 Atlanta, GA Eddie’s Attic
April 5 Nashville, TN Douglas Corner
April 11 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
April 19 Washington, DC Jammin Java
April 26 Londonderry, NH Tupelo Hall
June 8 Maplewood, NJ North Jersey Pride Festival
July 12 Hartford, CT Riverfest
October 25 Stanhope, NJ The Stanhope House

Saturday 22 March 2014

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW w/ Lesbian Rock Goddesses ANTIGONE RISING

by Lauren W

PHOTO CREDIT: LESLIE VAN STELTEN

That's right, I had the absolute privilege of interviewing this kick-ass band this week! 

Check out the interview below to find out more about Antigone Rising!


All Things Lesbian: Describe your music in no more than 10 words for those who haven't heard you (yet!).

Antigone Rising: Boot stompin' americana-southern-rock-n-roll with harmonies and guitar riffs.  

ATL: You've opened for a bunch of super famous bands. Who do you consider to be your biggest influences in music?

AR: Our biggest influences are The Beatles, The Allmans, The Stones, The Indigo Girls, The Carpenters and great female singer songwriters like Rosanne Cash, Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin and Mary Chapin Carpenter. In that order. Not really. But close to that order. 

ATL: We read somewhere that you performed in Israel a while back, to show how music can unify and bring people together. What was that like? Would you be interested in doing it again?

AR: Traveling and performing in Israel and the West Bank was a life highlight for the band. We got as much from the experience as we gave. We traveled as cultural ambassadors for the United States and we'd go back again in a heart beat if asked. 

ATL: Where is your favourite place to perform? (i.e. a favourite city, a favourite venue, etc.)

AR: Eddie's Attic in Decatur, GA has become a favorite tour stop. The Bitter End in New York City is like our home field. Most recently, Jammin' Java in Vienna, VA just outside of DC has become a favorite as well. And Northampton, MA at the Iron Horse has been a longtime favorite venue for us.  

ATL: Tell us about any upcoming tours/gigs you have coming up.

AR: We will be on the road for much of April - we're headed down south with a great singer songwriter, Hannah Thomas. And we're looking forward to getting further west later in the year. 

ATL: Where do you stand on the 'celebrities coming out' debate? Do you think more well-known people (musicians, actors, politicians) should come out to show solidarity and set an example, or do you feel it is more down to personal choice?

AR: I think both things. It's certainly a personal choice, but I believe it's extremely important that public figures come out. Ultimately, it's a personal decision, though, and not one for any of us to judge. I believe that as much as I believe it's important to come out. 

ATL: Do you feel it's easy being out as a musician?

AR: I never thought about it. So yes, it must be easy! 

ATL:  Here's your chance for a shameless plug. Why should people buy your newest album?

Well, we work hard and care about what we do. And I think we made a really great EP that I am proud of. The songs are pretty catchy and relatable, and my bandmates rock, if I do say so myself. And I'll even offer a money back guarantee. But don't quote me on that....!

Thursday 20 March 2014

LESBIAN APP 'DATTCH' REVIEW: Red Head or Sky Diving? There’s an App for That!

by Bo Sellers

I've been online dating since I was 15 (my mom met my step-dad in a chat-room on AOL in 1997 so it’s never been weird for me) and have tried every website and app imaginable.  Recently single, and ready to flirt, I got totes excited when I heard of a new lesbian app sweeping North America.  



DATTCH, originating in the UK, offers yet another outlet for gay and bi ladies alike to filter through eligible-prospects in hopes of finding true love’s first kiss. You can privately connect your profile to Facebook, or make an independent account linked to your email. After making a profile, and posting a half-naked pic, in hopes of attracting a suitable rebound solution to my throbbing heart, I began my trolling.  

The aesthetically-appealing app offers two columns of women on the home-page, making it easy to rifle through the ones that speak to your poonahnah versus the ones better suited for a drunken make-out sesh in a dark dive bar. See a hottie you want to remember? Add her to your wishlist.

The application also offers a fun tab where you can read a blog that caters to various LGBT topics. My favorite feature has to be the “Would You?” tab, as in, “Would you rather message this red head, or would you rather drink a margarita?” “Would you rather learn more about blondie? or would you rather go for a hike?” I learned a lot about myself on this tab.

In summary, that I’d pretty much rather do anything than send out a message platonically conversing with a random chick, that will probably end after a flakey ‘hello’ ‘hi’ ‘you’re pretty’ ‘kthanksbye.’  Nonetheless, it was a fun game to play with about as much emotional investment necessary to choose what you want for breakfast.


The app is easy to navigate and is a fabulous time-killer while your quinoa is simmering. While I feel it has definite potential to create some impactful love connections state-side, the selection ladies is quite limited for now, so there’s only one way to solve that problem, download it.  Seriously.  I need someone to chat to about my failed relationships while I watch trashy TV and paint my nails.

Friday 14 March 2014

The L Word's LAUREL HOLLOMAN (Tina) To Appear at Dinah Shore 2014!

LAUREL HOLLOMAN 
JOINS CLUB SKIRTS DINAH SHORE WEEKEND’S CELEBRATION OF THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE L WORD


ICONIC CAST MEM7BERS KATE MOENNIG (SHANE), LEISHA HAILEY (ALICE) AND LAUREL HOLLOMAN (TINA) EXCLUSIVELY REUNITE AT THE DINAH’S "L WORD POOL PARTY” PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH SHOWTIME

PALM SPRINGS, CA – Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend has just announced the addition of Laurel Holloman to its celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the L Word’s TV premiere.

Holloman, better known as Tina Kennard, will be joining her former co-stars Kate Moennig (Shane McCutcheon) and Leisha Hailey (Alice Pieszecki) for an exclusive cast member reunion at the Dinah’s “L Word Pool Party” presented in association with Showtime.

The L Word actress and accomplished painter will be showing and selling her prints of a series entitled “Written on the Body”, poolside at the Palm Springs Hilton Hotel, all day, Saturday, April 5 during the L Word Pool Party and Sunday April 6 during the “Wet & Wild Pool Party”.

Holloman’s appearance at the Dinah will mark her second exclusive private showing for Club Skirts, something she wanted to give to her fans and art lovers for their continuous support. Dinah attendees will be able to purchase posters of her pieces and meet with The L Word star that will be on hand to personally sign each copy.

We all remember the famous episode in Season One that saw Shane, Alice, Jenny, and Dana embark on an eventful road trip to The Dinah. Not only did we found out about Bette and Tina’s first kiss, were privy to a few comical moments between the gang, got introduced to weird Tonya, but most importantly we also were given for the first time ever on national TV an exclusive preview of what the legendary Dinah Shore weekend was all about.

Now a decade later, Club Skirts and SHOWTIME are proudly commemorating the nostalgia of a memorable era in lesbian culture that celebrated out loud our “girls in tight dresses who drag with mustaches” with three of its most beloved characters!



Holloman began her film career with her breakout role as Randy Dean in The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love. She has appeared in many independent and feature films including Boogie Nights and Tumbleweeds. Most recently she had an 18 episode stint on TeenNick's Gigantic, which co-starred Meryl Streep's daughter Grace Gummer. But it was her iconic role as Tina Kennard opposite Jennifer Beals (aka Bette Porter) on The L Word that not only earned her a Golden Satellite Award as Best Actress in a Drama series, but also captured our hearts and forever got her the undivided attention of millions of lesbians around the world.  

After acting for 20 years, she successfully made the transition to the art world solidifying her reputation as an established abstract expressionism artist known for using intense colors and mural-sized canvases. 

Since the launch of her studio, LaurelHollomanStudio.net, Holloman's artistic career has naturally evolved from painting for charities, to solo exhibits in Europe. After hosting her first two solo art shows “Coeur Libre” and “Free Falling” in Paris, France, and Venice, Italy, respectively, she recently presented her new exhibition of large scale murals called "All The World Inside” at the sumptuous “Palazzo Italia” in Berlin, Germany. 



One of her greatest acknowledgement in the art world came in June 2013 when she was invited to exhibit her painting, "Swell," in the 55th“Biennale”, the prestigious international arts festival held in Venice, Italy. In addition, in 2012  “Let Me Fall” sold for a record 125,000 Euros - a breaking price point record for female painters.

A true Renaissance woman, Holloman is at once a talented actress, exquisite painter and devoted mother to her two daughters Lola and Nala.  And before hopping on her next flight to Europe for another exhibition of her spectacular portfolio, she will be at The Dinah in Palm Springs, CA, autographing posters of her  “Written on the Body” artwork for fans to add to their L Word memorabilia collection!



"Holloman's paintings take us elsewhere, and at the end of the day, this is what art is all about" - Lea Mattarella, art critic La Repubblica

“Holloman has created an oeuvre that distances itself from all attempts at facile art categorization.  Her paintings are timeless, neither backward looking nor asserting a renewal of any specific theoretical concept of what painting ought to achieve.”   - Gesine Borcherdt, review from ALL THE WORLD INSIDE, Berlin, Germany

Wednesday 12 March 2014

EDITORIAL: Letting Go: 3 Scenarios Where Love Just Ain’t Enough

by Bo Sellers

Sometimes I meet people who instantly speak to my soul.  It’s this exact scenario that led me to discover I actually prefer women. I love being in love and I love loving. Everyone you meet has a unique purpose for coming in to your life, but on your quest for true love, how do you recognize what it is? What kind of love are you genuinely feeling towards this person? Lover? Friend? Soulmate?  

My passion for loving is so intense I develop a bit of a word vomit when it comes to disclosing the “L” word. When I dated men, this was a quick way to weed out the ones incapable of handling my white girl crazy, but with women, my own comfort level has allowed others to break down their walls and go on adventures of the heart with me.


When I’m in love with someone, they’re the first person I think of in the morning, and the last one I think of before I fall asleep, and even in my dreams, they still never leave me. The excitement of such happenstance introductions sets off my over-analytical mind and I begin to rifle through every possible scenario of their impending significance.  

Once the initial intensity winds down, my mind becomes less-clouded and I'm able to better assess someone’s purpose in my life. But sometimes my emotions have landed me into situations where it wasn't until much later than I should have realized it takes more than love to sustain a relationship, or as Patti Smith once sang so honestly, “sometimes love just ain't enough.”  I've experienced three very different, and very real scenarios, where no matter how strongly I found myself loving someone, it could never be.

3.  You have nothing in common, except that you love each other You've met someone. You shared an instant connection and decided to explore your infatuation further. It isn't until you've invested months, or even years in each other you've awoken to the fact, every time you say black, they say white. They’re not TRYING to be difficult. It’s not because they don’t love you. It’s just because, it’s who they are. From religion, to choice in music, to career aspirations, if your major deal-breakers aren't aligning, it’s best to appreciate the time you've shared and move on. While some differences should be celebrated, sacrificing your own passions to support your partners' is not necessary. You deserve to be with someone who encourages you to be the best YOU can be, not the you they’d like you to be.

2.  Mental or Physical Abuse - Love is amazing, but it should never come at the expense of your own well-being. Before dating women, I could more easily recognize abuse from a man, but for some reason I'm having a harder time with women. While I'm learning to draw the line between playful rough-housing and actual harm, I've decided to adapt a new rule of thumb. If something makes me uncomfortable, and I clearly communicate it to my partner, and they continue to engage in the aforementioned behavior, I'm done. No matter HOW much I think I love them. I've also noticed I'm more tolerant of such behaviors when I'm not loving myself as much as I should be. To quote The Perks of Being a Wallflower: “We accept the love we think we deserve.” Remember you deserve the best, simply because you are the best. The best you.

1.  She’s married - This one may seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes things happen and before you know it, you’re caught up in a whirlwind romance that feels more perfect than anything you've experienced before. None of the perfect moments or feelings take away her prior commitment to her family, and your own commitment to yourself and your individual happiness. You told yourself you would never date a married person, but now you’re in deeper than a diver searching for remains of the Titanic, and your love story is even more beautifully tragic than Rose and Jack’s. Yet, you must walk away. For her benefit, for her family’s benefit, and most importantly for your own. Perhaps you’ll meet again, in a different lifetime, but this one is obviously not your shared happily ever after.


Loving someone is a splendid journey, and I would much rather fall in love a 1,000 times than spend my life being afraid of it. Don’t ignore all self-preservation. You control your own happiness, so work on finding a balance between giving love away equal to that which you receive. Lesbian love is the greatest love I've ever experienced, but I'm still learning and discovering new boundaries along the way. I have to remember to keep my intuition clear to the signs that may show I need to let go of the less than perfect idea of love I'm holding on to, to find the love truly meant for me.

Saturday 8 March 2014

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: Which Women Have Inspired YOU?


So here’s the thing, you gays. This Saturday (March 8th) is International Women’s Day. This is probably something you wouldn’t have in your diary – even if you had heard of it – unless you were highly into feminism or ladies, but it should be something we celebrate together more widely.


This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is “Inspiring Change”. For your (hopefully educational) pleasure, I’ve taken the time to compile my top 3 personal favourite ladies who have really changed the course of history, politics, entertainment, and the like. So here goes!


For the entire article, head over to Pink Lobster Dating by clicking HERE!

And don't forget to tell us who YOUR favourite women are in the comments below!


Monday 3 March 2014

The Dinah Shore Weekend Reveals Its BIGGEST LINE-UP EVER!

TEGAN AND SARA, MARY LAMBERT, EVE AND IGGY AZALEA 
HEADLINE THE EPIC CLUB SKIRTS DINAH SHORE WEEKEND 

THE BIGGEST LESBIAN EVENT OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD!

PALM SPRINGS, CA - More than 15,000 women from all over the world are once again expected to gather in Palm Springs, CA, to attend the biggest lesbian event of its kind in the world, Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend -  the original Dinah Shore Weekend - slated for April 2 to April 6, 2014 (www.thedinah.com).

Celebrating this year its milestone 24th Anniversary, The Dinah is a one-of-a-kind destination where women of all ages, interests, ability, relationship status, cultural background and profession come together for one big giant celebration of the community.  A life changing experience offering lesbians the opportunity to express themselves, to be who they truly and gain a tremendous amount of self worth. 

The Dinah is also a unique five-day affair of lesbionic luxury and fun complete with epic pool parties, unique high-profile nightlife events, celebrity appearances, live performances, a famous celebrity Dodgeball game, a film festival, a Celebrity Poker Tournament, philanthropy, the hottest women, the best DJs, and so much more.

Turning this year again the city of Palm Springs into the ultimate entertainment hub, the 2014 Dinah Entertainment Roster delivers an epic slate of Top Ten Billboard headliners that make up one hell of a line up - one of the greatest in The Dinah's history.

Headlining this year is Lesbian cult favorites Tegan and Sara. The pop sensation duo will bring their “Heartthrob” world tour to The Dinah with an exclusive concert on Saturday, April 5 at "The Black Party" at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The twin sisters have been on an unstoppable meteoric rise since the release of their 7th studio album “Heartthrob” and the massive success of their lead single "Closer". Their Dinah performance marks the first time the pop stars perform at an all lesbian event.

Also headlining the "Black Party" is female rap titan Eve. The Grammy-Award winning rapper will perform her slew of music anthems including "Satisfaction," “Who’s That Girl”, "Gangsta Lovin’”, and "Let Me Blow Your Mind". Also set to top the bill at the epic lesbian party is hip-hop’s biggest revelation Iggy Azalea who will take center stage at the iconic "White Party", Friday, April 4 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

The Dinah 2014 will also be rocked with special performances from 2014 Grammy nominee Mary Lambert, the voice behind Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ VMA award-winning pro-equality  “Same Love”; Grammy Award-Winning R&B diva, Evelyn "Champagne" King known for her multi-million selling classic old-school smashes  “Shame” and ”Love Come Down”; Thea Austin, the legendary voice of "Rhythm is a Dancer" by Snap!; and power, pop/punk band and stars of “The Real L Word” Season 3, Hunter Valentine, to name a few.

On the comedy front, “The Dinah Comedy Night” hosted by Suzanne Westenhoefer will be headlined by Fortune Feimster of E! "Chelsea Lately". The loveable Southern comic will be joined by Last Comic Standing alumni, British comic Gina Yashere and stand up’s fastest rising star, Erin Foley.

Returning this year is the “Celebrity Poker Tournament” with all proceeds going to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Celebrities joining the poker tables include Jill Bennett ("Second Shot"), Chef K (ABC "The Taste"), Guinevere Turner ("American Psycho"), Ari Fitz ("MTV The Real World Ex-Plosion"), Gloria Bigelow ("Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious"), Tracy Ryerson ("The Real L Word"), and Brittany Wiener (Bravo "Millionaire Matchmaker") among many others.

Also coming back is The Dinah Film Festival presented by OML, held on Friday, April 4, at 8:00 p.m at the Hilton Hotel. Produced by award-winning filmmaker JD DiSalvatore  (the producer of Shelter, Marine Story and Elena undone, to name a few), the Dinah film Festival will showcase a variety of quality lesbian films including “Little Horribles”  "Nikki & Nora", "Kiss Her I'm Famous", "Dyke Central", and the short film "Secrets & Toys", among others.  

New this year is the "Battle of the DJs" hosted by Dinah's resident DJs Lezlee, Asha, Lisa Pittman, Saratonin and Amara. The competition held over two-days will feature some of the best DJs on the West Coast!

If that wasn’t hot enough, did we mention the exclusive L Word Pool Party

Hosted in association with Showtime, The L Word Pool party will be held on Saturday April 5 at the Hilton Hotel. 

L Word iconic stars, Leisha Hailey and Kate Moennig will, respectively, step back one more time into their famed Alice Pieszecki and Shane McCutcheon shoes for an exclusive meet and greet hosted from 2:30pm to 5:00pm in the grand Ballroom.  As this year marks the 10th Anniversary of the official television debut of The L Word, Club Skirts and SHOWTIME are proudly commemorating the nostalgia of a memorable era in lesbian culture that celebrated out loud our “girls in tight dresses who drag with mustaches”!

The epic five-day world-renown weekend is already making a lot of noise and is well on its way to be the biggest Dinah EVER. 

You'd never seen anything like it yet … this is going to be an unforgettable year!


For all the latest updates, the full Dinah 2014 schedule of events, entertainment line-up, as well as hotel information, tickets and VIP package options please go to: www.TheDinah.com

Follow us on Twitter: @dinahshore
Connect with us on Facebook: Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend