Meet Kevin Richberg, he’s a well educated and traveled 32 year old from a small town in New York. For his latest adventure he’s embarking on a 30 day (driving?) tour of the US and hopes to set up a date in each city along his way. To make that happen he set up an appropriately named website http://www.30dates30days30cities.com.
Kevin’s site includes a short bio, photos from past adventures, and a map (Denver is sandwiched between “southwest Nebraska” and Laramie in his itinerary).
If you’re interested in helping show Kevin a good time in Denver the first step would be to submit a “proposal” as he’s calling it. His tentative start date for the trip is October 1st.
This is a monthly event and this month’s is tonight, woo!
Wednesday, August 18
Begins PROMPTLY at 7-9PM
ELEMENT Studio/950 Logan Street
Heart circle is one of the central traditions of created by the radical faerie community. Faeries come together in a circle to speak from the heart, and to listen to one another through our hearts. Usually a talisman of some kind (a talking stick, a shawl, a day-glo bubble wand) is used to identify the faerie who is speaking—as long as that faerie holds the talisman, that faerie speaks, without interruption or feedback, and everyone else listens, with as much attention and compassion as we can muster. In some heart circles the talisman is passed around the circle and each faerie has that opportunity to speak or to pass the talisman. In other circles when one faerie is done speaking, any other faerie may ask for it. Either way, passing the talisman is an intimate exchange, often accompanied by a hug or a sign of gratitude.
Speaking from the heart is difficult to define, but we know when we’re doing it, and when we’re not. The quality of a heart circle comes as much (or more) from the listening as from the speaking. Many of us have had some or our most deeply emotional, healing, transformative experiences in heart circle. A heart circle can go on for a long time. It’s generally okay to join the circle in progress (between speakers, as the talisman is passed), to take a break, or to leave entirely, although the reason they go on so long is that they’re so wonderful nobody wants to leave.
Please join ELEMENT as we host an EMBRACE Heart Circle. Space is limited, so please call or email your decision to participate. 720-382-5900 ext 10 or email: michael@thedenverelement.com.
ELEMENT is excited to host a new ongoing gay men’s figure drawing session in our studio space for all levels of artists! Our friend and Boulder artist, Tyler Alpern, is bringing his popular drawing group to Denver. Here’s your chance to draw a live model (or models), along with other gay men in our studio. More info below:
Gay Men’s Male Figure Drawing Session*
Tuesday, August 24th @ 7:00PM – 10:00PM
950 Logan Street, Garden Level – Denver
*(no instruction; studio time with a model in various timed poses.) RSVP required as space is limited. Please follow the link below for more information such as supplies needed, model donation fee, and the link to RSVP:
And here we go with out curated selection of things happening this weekend roundabouts Denver:
Of course the AIDS Walk is all day Saturday, but I already did a huge post on that right below this one.
The Mile High Music Festival is Saturday and Sunday at The Dick (aka Dick’s Sporting Goods Park). Highlights include Keane, Phoenix, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews Band, Weezer, Ozomatli and Bassnectar. More info like tickets and such right here.
Sunday morning 10am-noon ELEMENT is hosting a local Mary Kay rep who will be talking about their products and doing free mini facials and hand scrubs. Brunch food and (non-alcoholic) drink will be served. RSVP is required so please contact: clint@thedenverelement.com to let us know you’ll be coming. There’s also a facebook event listing here with a few more details.
Lastly, I was at Boyztown earlier in the week and the MC would not stop yammering about some fundraiser they were having this Sunday for CAP and the Matthew Shepard Foundation. So I looked up their ad in the current issue of gayzette and it actually looks pretty cool, here’s the relevant info:
Many a Denver homo will have a very busy Satuday since that’s when the annual AIDS Walk takes place in Cheesman Park and there’s a zillion ways to participate. Here’s their official schedule with my commentary in italics:
7:30 a.m. Registration Begins
8:00 a.m. Vendors Open
8:30 a.m. Warm Up
9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony
9:30 a.m. Run Kickoff (this is a competitive 5k and qualifying event for the Bolder Boulder)
9:35 a.m. Walk step off following last runner (same course as the 5K but it’s a “fun walk”)
9:45 a.m. Beer Garden Opens (what? just beer? LOL)
9:45 a.m. Food Vendors Open
9:45 a.m. Entertainment Begins
10:00 a.m. Volleyball Tournament Begins (see below for registration)
10:25 a.m. Runner Awards Ceremony
11:30 a.m. Diva Dash Fun Run Kicks Off (this sounds HILARIOUS, minimum 3″ heels and you must cross the finish line with at least one shoe still intact, rules here)
2:00 p.m. Event Ends
Oh and there’s an after par-tay at Tracks that evening, here’s the flyer from Tracks’ website:
There’s a bunch of ways to participate so have your pick. You can still register to do the actual run/walk online here, or how about volunteering by signing up here, or if you can’t attend but still want to support the cause donate here and of course there’s the volleyball tournament (teams of 4, each person is $25) which you would click here for.
Did you get a yellow ballot envelope in the mail a week or so ago? Today is election day so if you haven’t already voted then get yourself to a service center and drop that shizz off today before 7pm. DenverVotes.org can help you find the nearest drop off location here.
Lots of good guys are aware of more common STD/STIs but did you know syphilis has been making the rounds in Denver? ELEMENT is hosting a community conversation about syphilis this Thursday Aug 12th where you can learn how to protect yourself, your partners and why it’s not really that scary. Here’s the main details from the official ELEMENT event listing:
Thursday, August 12, 7-9PM
ELEMENT Studio, 950 Logan Street, Garden Level
Hosted by ELEMENT and EMBRACE
Engage in our community conversation. We want men who are sexually active and use the Internet to hook up (however, all gay and bi men are welcome to attend). In an open and nonjudgmental environment, we will explore what messages are needed to educate ourselves about our sexual health and how to get the word out in the community. Additionally, we will discuss how each of us can educate and support the sexual health of our own social networks.
Got questions?
Feel free to contact Deryk at EMBRACE: 303-997-2818.
Dinner will be served (please let us know if you have any specific dietary needs).
Please RSVP to Deryk at 303-997-2818 or deryk@sageriver.com.
Lastly, if you’re curious why there was no blog update yesterday? I took the day off and went on a little downhill mountain biking adventure with some of my homo friends. Here’s a little 3 minute video I made of our trip:
Yes, TODAY (Wednesday), now get your protesting shoes on!
Now what’s the deal with this federal challenge again?
After Prop 8 was passed activists challenged it with the CA Supreme Court but didn’t have any success so now they’re challenging it in federal court on the basis that it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution (a federal argument). Regardless of the ruling it will probably be appealed and work it’s way up the federal court system over the next few years, possibly as far as the US Supreme Court.
When will the ruling come down?
Sometime between 1 and 3 pm Pacific Time the court will e-file a copy of the full decision on it’s website here.
If the ruling is favorable will gays be able to start get married again immediately in CA?
Very very unlikely. The anti-gay side has already filed a “stay” asking the judge to prevent his anticipated ruling from taking effect since they plan on appealing the decision to a higher court.
What’s happening locally here in Denver?
A good old fashioned sidewalk protest and possible rally/speeches on the west steps of the Capitol.
6-7pm tonight
Along Lincoln between 14th and Colfax, see the map below. Facebook event listing here.
What about my friends who live in other cities?
Blogger Rex Wockner is maintaining and constantly updating a list of protest info for cities across the US here.
Finally, here’s a photo of Denver’s protest last time a verdict on Prop 8 came down from the state supreme court last year:
Focus on the Family has cut its workforce by nearly half since 2002.
Friday’s layoff of 110 workers reduced its staff to 750. Over the past two years, Focus has let go 385 employees. Eight years ago it had 1,400 on the payroll.
“The economy continues to be in recession,” said Focus spokesman Gary Schneeberger, explaining the latest cuts. “And people who have given in the past are having financial difficulties of their own.”
While most of the positions eliminated Friday were in service departments, more than 15 managerial jobs, including two senior executive positions, were also axed, Schneeberger said.
NOAA is forcasting temps around 90 and scattered thunderstorms all weekend so do with that as you will:
Friday night at the Esquire Theater (6th and Downing) is a midnight screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show. More info on Landmark’s website here.
Saturday the Denver Wildfire (gay rugby team) is having a fundraiser car wash at The Eagle in their tighty-whiteys. Awesome. The money benefits the team and helps cover expenses like travel, league dues, match fees and their recruitment camp, PLUS 10% is going to a LGBT charity to be announced. The Connexion event invite also mentions a raffle and underwear contest but doesn’t give a specific time, however the car wash itself runs from 12:30 – 5pm on Saturday at The Eagle.
