BY CANDY PARKER

If asked to describe comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer in just one word, some may go with “ground-breaking.” This would, of course, be accurate. After all, Westenhoefer was the first openly lesbian comic to host her own HBO Comedy Special (1994) and to appear on the “Late Show with David Letterman” (2003). But that one word could never do her justice.

Self-deprecating. Raw. Hilarious. Legendary. Unpredictable. Candid. (That last one is by her own admission — I found it on her website.) All these and more could also be used to describe Westenhoefer, who is brazenly honest, outspoken and spontaneous in her comedy.

Westenhoefer began her stand-up career on a dare and she carries that same risk-taking attitude with her every time she takes the stage. With countless hours of material honed over a  career spanning more than two decades and a penchant for spilling the beans about whatever is currently happening in her life at the moment, Westenhoefer offers up a unique comedy set adventure every time she takes the stage.

Westenhoefer will soon be appearing with fellow veteran comic Jennie McNulty at two benefit performances for the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns. The first performance will be Saturday, May 17, at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, California. Tickets are available through www.brownpapertickets.com. The second show will be held Sunday, May 18, at Peace United Church of Christ in Santa Cruz, California. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketriver.com. VIP tickets are available at each event and include a meet and greet with both comedians and priority seating.

I managed to catch up with Westenhoefer long enough to get her to answer our Fast 5 questions this week.

1. What are you most looking forward to in 2014?

Touring with Miley Cyrus. It’s not official yet, but a girl can dream.

2. Phone call or text?

Please, I beg you, text!

3. What would be your best piece of relationship advice?

Each partner should have full access to the other person’s phone, email, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts. (We’re pretty sure there’s a great story behind Westenhoefer’s answer on this one, but we maintain a strict five-question policy, so there was no chance for follow up.)

4. What’s the last movie you went to the theater to see?

“Despicable Me 2” with one million toddlers.

5. If you could have one super power, what would you want it to be and why?

To fly, both for the fun of it and to give the big finger to the airlines that rule my life.

Be sure to check out Westenhoefer’s website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Fast 5 with comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Most of the world was introduced to comedian Erin Foley back in 2000 when she appeared in the iconic Cameron Crowe film “Almost Famous.” My first introduction, however, came seven years later via a Queer Queens of Qomedy show in 2oo7 in which she shared the stage with Poppy Champlin and Jessica Kirson.

Since that time, I’ve become a huge fan of Foley’s intelligent brand of comedy, had the opportunity to film an interview with her and earned a healthy respect for her pool volleyball skills having witnessed her “take no prisoners,” ultra-competitive approach to guarding the net. Trust me, while you may want to be front and center at one of her shows, you do not want to be on the opposite side of a volleyball net when Foley’s in the pool.

(Most) kidding aside, Foley is an accomplished actress and comedian, having appeared on “Chelsea Lately,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” NBC’s “Go On” and debuting on “Conan” last fall.

A New York native now living in Los Angeles, Foley can be regularly seen at the Gotham Comedy Club, Caroline’s on Broadway, The Improv, The Laugh Factory and Stand Up New York. She’s currently touring to promote her new comedy CD “Lady with Pockets” available on iTunes and hosts a weekly podcast called “Sports Without Balls.” (Sadly, she’s a Yankees fan, though we find common ground in our mutual love of the New York football Giants.)

Fresh off an appearance at the Gay Games in Cleveland and in between her “Lady with Pockets” tour gigs, Foley found time to join our Fast 5 club.

1. What’s the last book you read?

A short story collection of Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

2. If you could host a dinner party and invite any five people — past or present — to attend who would be on that guest list?

Carol Burnett, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Derek Jeter, Martina Navratilova and Harriet Tubman.

3. Beach or mountains?

Beach

4. Which celebrity would render you totally star struck if you were to meet him/her?

If it was possible, Lucille Ball.

5. Do you have a hidden talent? Do tell!

I’m a really good dancer. Jazz hands and everything.

Be sure to check out Foley’s website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Velvet Ibiza is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year and taking the festivities to the next level — one for the books!

Happening May 7 – 12, 2019 in idyllic Ibiza, Spain, Velvet Ibiza, the all-inclusive 5-day/5-night party, has, in only a few years’ time, become a holy ground for queer women who continue to descend on the pine-covered isle to enjoy one the most life changing and bonding experience.

The all-inclusive nature of the event (tickets include 5 nights in bungalow, all 3 meals, day and night activities & parties, transportation from airport to resort, and all drinks t’il 11pm) creates a safe and unique environment that imparts a palpable sense of belonging – a real “family” event.

No need to venture anywhere, the party is literally on your doorsteps as De Mesmaeker rents out the entire resort. Having everything in one place is key for the event producer who strives to create a great community vibe allowing people to organically connect.

From the pool parties, sports tournaments, club nights and now the infamous duck race to the top female DJs from Europe and America dropping the sickest beats, and live music from Sarah Bettens, the openly gay artists artist best known as the smoky voice of Belgian nineties rock band K’s Choice, Velvet Ibiza has it all!
www.velvetibiza.es

1. Do you have any phobias? (please enumerate with embarrassing details)
As a child I had a phobia of ducks. I was chased by several and was scared by the quacking noise they made! Over time I got better and turned fear into fun with our now legendary duck race! Velvet IBIZA has become known for it’s cute ducks we throw in the pool and the lucky girls who jump in and grab a duck can keep the duck or find themselves with a “golden duck” where they’ll win a free trip to Velvet Ibiza next year! It’s one of the funniest moments of the weekend with 1 giant duck in the pool and hundreds of little ducks up for grabs.

2. What song can you not get enough of right now?
A song that’s on my mind for a while now: Calvin Harris, Promises – not a recent song, but so damn good.

3. Which celebrity would render you totally star struck if you were to meet him/her?
That has to be Angelina Jolie. A cliche but I would be very shy and probably speechless. Timeless beauty.

4. What would be your best piece of relationship advice?
The best relationship advice and the most difficult: Stay yourself and don’t expect your partner to change for you.

5. If you could wake up tomorrow with one talent or skill you don’t presently have, what would you want that to be?
I am absolutely a zero when it comes to drawning or painting. … In my next life I would love to be a famous painter!

The post Fast 5 with Carine De Mesmaeker first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Julia also produces her own comedy show, KILLER UNICORNS that is a nationally recognized show. It was JUST written up in VULTURE and has been running for three consecutive years now.

1. Do you have any phobias? (please enumerate with embarrassing details)
Fear of heights (i was dropped on my head by the cheerleaders on my squad).

2. What song can you not get enough of right now?
Not Ready to Make Nice: by The Dixie Chicks

3. Which celebrity would render you totally star struck if you were to meet him/her?
Bill Hader & Kristen Wiig

4. What would be your best piece of relationship advice?
SLOW down! it doesn’t work until you’re ready.

5. If you could wake up tomorrow with one talent or skill you don’t presently have, what would you want that to be?
A skill I want would be able to read better. I have a reading comprehension disorder and I get sad that reading can be so challenging at times.

The post Fast 5 with comedian Julia Pels first appeared on Lesbian.com.

What would be your best piece of relationship advice?
My two favorite sentiments expressed about love are, “Love is the condition when someone else’s happiness is more important than your own.” And “In a good relationship, both people should feel like they got the better deal.” Those are my litmus tests for whether I’m with the right person. Luckily, I feel both are true for me and my partner.

If you could wake up tomorrow with one talent or skill you don’t presently have, what would you want that to be?
I’ve always wanted to finish my studies in French which I, regrettably, abandoned in college. This way, if comedy doesn’t work out in the states, I could move to France and become the lesbian Jerry Lewis.

Do you have any phobias? (please enumerate with embarrassing details)
The woman I’m dating was straight up until she met me. So, I’m a bit phobic about our strap-on. I want her to like it, but I don’t want her to like it TOO much. One time we were using it and she was getting really into it; Her dirty talk got so graphic that it actually made me paranoid. I stopped abruptly and was like, “You DO realize this isn’t a real penis right?!” After that, I couldn’t continue because I totally lost my erection.

Name five people, living or dead, who you would love to have at a dinner party.
That would have to be an eclectic group of my all-time favorite powerhouse female performers: Doris Day, Judy Garland, Sandra Bernhard, Emma Thompson, and my longtime teacher and mentor, Broadway legend Betty Buckley. The most important question is, what would I wear?!? I would need to find the right look that said, “I’m obsessed with you, but not a stalker.”

Jessica Inserra is an LA-based stand-up comedian whose irreverent humor explores, among other things, themes from her life as a gay woman growing up in a colorful New York Italian family. Jessica recently commemorated 25 years of being out, having burst through the closet doors at the tender age of 14. Now she can be seen performing her unique brand of brash, edgy comedy at The Comedy Store, as well as other venues in and around Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Seattle. Originally from New York City, Jessica is a classically trained actress and singer who began her creative education as a child in Manhattan’s Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre. She went on to attended Laguardia High School for Performing Arts, and continued her training at prestigious arts institutions such as Stella Adler, T. Schreiber Studio, and The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She is currently working on her own one hour stand-up special entitled, Jessica Inserra, Pretty Gay.

Jessica will be appearing live at The World Famous Comedy Store this coming Friday, March 8th at 7PM. For more information on Jessica’s future performances, follow her on Instagram @jessinserra

The post Fast 5 with comedian Jessica Inserra first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Liz Baxter is readying to screen her short film “Female Connection” at Moving Parts Film Festival (Hollywood’s International Social Justice Film Festival) in September, Outflix Film Festival (Memphis, TN) Sept 7 -13; as well as the Florence Queer Festival (Oct 2-7) in Italy and the Barcelona International LGBTQ Film Festival (Oct 18-28).

Baxter who solely funded the short, was inspired by a similar personal experience.

Liz, an out lesbian, and Kylie (played by Tennile Goosic), a questioning heterosexual, are neighbors. When they first meet, there is an undeniable attraction between them. Their chemistry is immediately apparent even to Kylie’s boyfriend Matt. The two girls fall in love and Matt is soon out of the picture. But despite all their passion, Kylie continually pulls away, fighting the reality that she is in love with a woman. In the end, Kylie’s fear of disappointing her family is too great and she leaves Liz. Now, she must live with heartache of true love lost.

Directed by Adrienne Levy and written by Baxter, “Female Connection” exposes the idea that when you give into fear, all is lost. The track “Stay a Little Longer” by Lost Boy Crow carries the entire short film adding palpable emotions in showing the heartbreak on both sides of the story.

Liz Baxter wanted to create something that showed a different angle to the typical “straight girl falls for gay girl” story.

The trailblazing Indianapolis native wants to change mentalities when it comes to visibility. Her hope is that this short film is just one more piece of relatable LGBTQ content out there that might reach someone who needs to feel understood.

1. Do you have any phobias? (please enumerate with embarrassing details)
I have a phobia of accidentally yelling out something loud and inappropriate during a quiet moment in a crowded room. Sometimes it’s a work setting, funeral, comedy show, or other entertainment setting. I will think “what would happen if I just yelled out XYZ (insert random or inappropriate and childish comment)?” And I always feel a slight urge to do it!! Haha…I am not sure if this is an actual phobia or if I am just an odd one. Or both.

2. What song can you not get enough of right now?
“Breathe” by Jax Jones and Ina Wrolsen. Go to spotify now…you’re welcome. I tend to like upbeat/dance music. The kind you can car dance to in traffic (I spend a lot of time in the car). I am not one to sing along but I will definitely dance.

3. Which celebrity would render you totally star struck if you were to meet him/her?
Kate McKinnon – I have a legit crush on her. I feel like I could hold it together and act like a normal human around most celebs, but I used to think that one day I could actually date Kate. I think I would be afraid that she would KNOW and I would be so embarrassed. Awkward times.

4. What would be your best piece of relationship advice?
Just because you don’t understand why your partner feels a certain way doesn’t mean that it isn’t ok or valid for them to feel that way. They still need your kindness even if you are frustrated because you don’t “get it.” Sometimes you won’t “get it” because one scenario can be two totally different experiences for each person. We all could work on being more gentle in relationships I think.

5. If you could wake up tomorrow with one talent or skill you don’t presently have, what would you want that to be?
I would be able to speak every language fluently! Can you imagine being able to go anywhere in the world and be able to communicate with the locals and experience the culture?! I love traveling so this would be a dream! Also, talk about a resume builder and job security!

Follow Liz at: @lizbinla

The post Fast 5 with Liz Baxter first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Filmed on the gorgeous Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, “With a Kiss I Die” tells the story of Juliet Capulet (of Shakespearean fame) who is plucked from death and turned into a vampire. She is forced to live all eternity without her sweet Romeo. Now, 800 years later, Juliet meets a young woman who captures her heart again. But Juliet’s new family, headed by a blood-thirsty patriarch, disapproves of the pairing. Juliet must once again choose between love and family obligations, terrified that repeating her past mistakes will lead to even more tragedy.

Directed by Ronnie Khalil under his Clownfish Productions marquee, the film stars Ella Kweku (Juliet Capulet) and newcomer Paige Emerson (Farryn), as well as top Greek actors from stage and screen George Kopsidas (Amaltheo) and Iaonnis Papazisis (cousin).

Watch the trailer.

Do you have any phobias? (please enumerate with embarrassing details)
I didn’t know until last year that I had a phobia. I was eating sushi with my cousin and we started talking about how some textures of fish creep us out. Julie has a background in psychology (working as a therapist) and she informed me that I might have Trypophobia. As soon as I looked it up, I knew I had it. This is going to sound dumb, but it’s the fear of irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps. It doesn’t sound creepy, BUT IT IS. I dare you to Google it and try not to cringe at pictures.

What song can you not get enough of right now?
I recently discovered La forêt by Lescop and I can’t get it out of my head! It makes me feel like I’m living in a movie and I would recommend it while driving fast.

Which celebrity would render you totally star struck if you were to meet him/her?
I LOVE Benedict Cumberbatch. When I meet him I’ll probably faint into his strong arms and we’ll ride into the sunset. After I regain consciousness, of course.

What would be your best piece of relationship advice?
My best piece of relationship advice would be to practice healthy communication. If you feel a certain way about something, say it in a respectful way. Express kindness in everything you do and talk.

If you could wake up tomorrow with one talent or skill you don’t presently have, what would you want that to be?
I would love to be able to speak Italian fluently. I can understand it because I grew up listening to it (most of my family is from Italy), but I’d love to speak it fluently. I also have this fantasy that if I can speak it, Italian restaurants will have to give me free food.

The post Fast 5 with Paige Emerson first appeared on Lesbian.com.

CHOKE tells the story of a successful MMA champion who hides her refugee identity from her small American town, and the world. Sara and her family are Muslim refugees who’ve escaped the vicious war in Syria and flee to the Unites States, where she fights for a new life in the brutal sport of mix martial arts. Directed by Sundance 2017 Filmmaker Rolla Selbak, it stars Jessica Damouni (Salam), Allison King (Baby Driver) and Victor Davila aka “master VIC” (MMA fighter & commentator for the UFC).

1. Do you have any phobias? (Please enumerate with embarrassing details.)
I’m mortified of flying. I look around and I’m like “Um, isn’t anyone else freaking out about this? Really? Am I the only one who thinks sitting in a chair 40,000 feet in the air strapped in by a thin little belt is insane? Really??”

2. What song can you not get enough of right now?
The Drake Scorpion album in its entirety. Don’t at me.

3. Which celebrity would render you totally star struck if you were to meet him/her?
Queen Bey! I legit almost fainted in my seat at her concert last year.

4. What would be your best piece of relationship advice?
Always get extra fries. Even if she says she’s not hungry.

5. If you could wake up tomorrow with one talent or skill you don’t presently have, what would you want that to be?
To perform magic, David Blaine style.

Learn more about Rolla and Choke.

The post Fast 5 with Rolla Selbak first appeared on Lesbian.com.

A film director, author, and poet, Strangeway creates from the margins of gender, orientation, and circumstance. Her stories ride the shoulders of the misunderstood anti-hero, exploring the crash zones between society and self, the physical and the existential.

Ji Strangeway: Film Director, Author, Poet

Strangeway embraces the female-centric coming-of-age genre. Her LGBTQ short film Nune draws on the sacred bond of first love. Her unique cinematic style also emerges in her written work, Red as Blue. This hybrid-graphic novel introduces YA readers to a unique cross-genre aesthetic. As noted by AfterEllen, it’s “an addictive, eclectic fusion of styles and identity that blazes a brand-new path for storytelling.”

Learn more about Ji on her website JiStrangeway.com.

What song can you not get enough of right now?
“I Dare You” by The xx

If they started offering free trips to the moon tomorrow, would you go?
No. But I’ll accept Venus.

Early bird or night owl?
Night.

If you could have one superpower, what would you want it to be and why?
To do things on the computer by just using my mind. Keyboards and computers are not fast enough for me.

Finish this sentence. “I think the key to being happy is…”
Contentment and acceptance.

The post Fast 5 with Ji Strangeway first appeared on Lesbian.com.

1. Do you have any phobias?
Oh yes! I’m terrified of the dark and even though I know that as a grown woman that’s insane, but I can’t help it! I’m also afraid of any water mass other than a nicely painted pool, or my bathtub, insects, with a dash of claustrophobia. Yes, you may laugh, but that’s how it is.

2. What song can you not get enough of right now?
I’m an old school girl so “The Winner takes it all” from ABBA and “Try Me” by Donna Summer never get old. Add a dash of “I’ll be seeing you” by Billie Holiday and we’re good!

3. Which celebrity would render you totally star struck if you were to meet him/her?
If I opened a door and Maggie Smith was standing there, I would probably giggle like a school girl, or Meryl, or OPRAH!

4. What would be your best piece of relationship advice?
Well, my advice may not bring happiness, but it brings truth: go for what you need. Sometimes you need a warm body and sometimes you need respect. Know which one is more important to you at that moment and go after that. Life doesn’t have room for regret, so if you do something that doesn’t work for you, learn from it and don’t do it again. That is what wisdom is. But don’t be too wise, because then you won’t have any fun. Balance wins in the end.

5. If you could wake up tomorrow with one talent or skill you don’t presently have, what would you want that to be?
If I could have one skill tomorrow, it would be to have a photographic memory. If I could have a talent, real or not, it would be the ability to affect people’s thoughts by looking at them. I would really enjoy that trait. Well, you didn’t say it had to be real!

Currently, Pooya stars in the new web series, “Grosse Misconduct.”

The post Fast 5 with Pooya Mohseni first appeared on Lesbian.com.