Queer Intro
Welcome to the Gay in the Bay Blog! I am Josie, a queer writer and videographer that loves to document what I see around me. This started out as a writing blog but has grown to include events that more people should know about.
This post is for the week of April 23 - 29.
Do you have a live event that needs filming? I’m a videographer! Please check out the Sweeney Media on your way to the About > Contact page. I look forward to working with you.
Writing
Writing has been great in spite of getting a fake interview. I’ve written nearly 10k words in the past week or so. Which is great progress! Last week’s post about power in names was very apt, as I I was swindled out of time by a Multi Level Marketing scheme (what used to be called a pyramid scheme) called Maplewood Marketing. I have been in desperate search of a job for a while now, and they are preying on folks in this exact situation.
SPLLIT Band Live Show
To keep things more pleasant I’d like to switch focus and talk about seeing bands for a moment. There was a band that I met in Memphis, right before I moved out to Oakland, CA. They are currently on tour out West. I had the pleasure of watching them perform live at Thee Stork Club in Oakland. I got to catch up with them and even learned of some more Bay Area bands (below in Pop Culture) that are amazing.
I’ve never been much of a live show type of person. There’s something different about live events when you know the group, though. Please consider giving SPLLIT a listen, as well as the other bands I have linked down below.
Safe Spaces, a series
Last week I mentioned bar names and what power they have. I wanted to continue that discussion, as I am a proponent of names that unify and even signify a community. Because of my experiences, I focus on the LGBT Community bars and, in more recent times, cafes.
Bar names of yore are often cheeky or from an inside joke, among other reasons. They start out as snippets of phrases born from discussions between a few individuals. This grows into a need to create a safe space for others in similar situations. In decades past these safe spaces began as bars, as the focus was on adults. It has been difficult enough to create a gay bar, but even more so for women bars.
The term Safe Space feels like a buzzword started less than a decade ago. But it’s merely a modern form of word play meant for those that actually need to take a break from the attacks they deal with. Everybody needs to have a third home where everybody knows your name, and smiles when you show up simply because you are the shining beacon of light that you are. Families and homes can be treacherous just like school or work. You may be in the closet for reasons only known to you; and that means you need an outlet where you can find people with similar positive values.
I have begun collecting a list of women/lesbian bar names that have largely closed for one reason or another. I have plans on including these names in Project Madison Flame to put these now-missing bar names on a pedestal.
News
Round Robin News
While there has been plenty of shocking news, pearl-clutch-worthy, there will primarily be a shift toward music. Erin Reed has many reports going on, with the Texas Senate going through the toughest legislation. But let’s not forget that political attacks on Trans kids is very problematic. And we can’t forget the attacks on Montana Representative Zooey Zephyr — which, I have to confess my bias, she has a pretty badass name.
Sweet Dreams has a Heart Breaking Origin
We all have dreams. Many of them are on the forefront of the hit wonder Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics. Seershamusic on Instagram does a lovely job of covering the story behind Sweet Dreams. This song isn’t just an ultimate ear worm, it’s the culmination of heart break and music combining. Thankfully she has many more reels on Instagram, because I can’t get enough! Link in headline.
Chumbawamba were a buncha Punks!
Chumbawamba was pretty damn punk. They found a unique way to enact politically charged activism. Is there a documentary about bands like this? I would love to watch a documentary about activism through music. I love finding music history where money was raised for good causes. If you, like me, get knocked down, use music like this (or SPLLIT) to get back up again. Thank me later. Link in headline.
Fatnasmic’s Maleficent Catches Fire
Earth Day seemed to be put on halt this year. Maleficent’s dragon form in a show called Fantasmic had a malfunction that caused quite a stir when she caught on fire. The fire started at Disney Land in Anaheim, CA. Multiple videos will be linked here, as these points of view show a bit of what went on. Though to be clear, the cause has not been disclosed by Disney.
Here is the first video I came across. And the second, showing how bad the fire and smoke became as guests were shown the exit. The staff at Disney Land should get a raise for assuring the safety of park guests.
Another user posted this video to show how the show is meant to be viewed. But let’s take a moment to pay more attention to the mouth of the dragon. The pyrotechnic faces at a downward angle, similar to the anatomy of a snake. So it begs the question: how did this occur?
Let’s end this by showing comedian Youth Pastor Ryan and his news-breaking take on Mickey’s power. So which is scarier, Maleficent catching on fire or Mickey’s power?
Pop Culture
Each week I include media that I’ve enjoyed. If you’re a creator of any kind, please email me to be included in this list. I love discovering new artists; from singer-songwriters to upcoming directors, and beyond.
Sam McPherson invites his neighbor on his tour.
SPLLIT (Baton Rouge, LA)
Public Interest Band (Oakland, CA) released their newest album earlier this month!
Fake Fruit is another Bay Area-based band that you need to check out!
Numb Little Bug, by Em Beihold
