Brain Drain

By Lucas Hudson

Christmas is a time for sore cuticles, raw from fingernails clawing at red clearance stickers, and laughable attempts by parents to convince suspicious toddlers that presents are delivered by an obese cookie-obsessed, chimney-dwelling septuagenarian; but most importantly, Christmas is a time when bright young professionals come back to the family roost after planting roots in different cities. But for locally-born, preening professionals, why is the Christmas trip back to mom’s house via airplane instead of automobile? Comparatively speaking, does St. Louis truly suffer from a "brain drain" epidemic, or is the potential problem an exaggerated local myth reinforced by our well-documented racial problems, yearly crime rankings, historic population loss and the 17th time we’ve asked a coastal transplant: "So, why are you here?"

Meet Jeffrey Carter: The New Artistic Director of the Gateway Men’s Chorus

By: Joan Lipkin

It’s a big deal when a new artistic director comes to town. When the artistic director is Dr. Jeffrey Richard Carter and joins the Gateway Men’s Chorus, now in its 22nd season, it’s a very big deal. Carter’s considerable credentials include a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Kansas, and a Master of Arts degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Central Missouri.

TWILIGHT 

By: Lee Rice

Although it is thoroughly engaging and entertaining throughout, "Twilight" suffers from both the weight of its source material, and a few laughable moments of unintentional hilarity sprinkled throughout.

At noon on Nov. 15, while city workers hurriedly decorated Kiener Plaza with holiday lights and erected Christmas trees along Market Street, a chorus of chants and cheers took flight on the autumnal air as St. Louis once more was filled with the melodies of social justice.

More than 1,400 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) and straight allied activists from throughout the region braved the cold and damp afternoon to protest the recent passage of Proposition 8 in California on the steps of the Old Courthouse downtown.

All pertinent information can be found at Show Me No Hate. I hope to see many of you there.

Peter Cabrera-Nguyen, Ph.D. student at Washington University is leading the local effort to protest the Mormon Church, which Cabrera-Nguyen claims bankrolled the successful effort to pass Proposition 8 in California, which bans gay marriage in the state.  The church's tax-exempt status makes their financial contributions towards banning gay marriage controversial, and could threaten said status.

ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO

Lee Rice

            Over the years, I’ve learned not to trust the MPAA.

            There have been children’s films with decidedly adult content, and it seems that some films are rated far more harshly than they deserve.

            “Zack and Miri” is the final nail in the coffin, and for the life of me, I can’t see how this movie didn’t receive at least an NC-17.

Miss Gay America 2009

By: Colin Murphy

Senior Writer

      The Show-Me State provided the jewel in the crown at the final night of the 37th annual Miss Gay America (MGA) pageant held in St. Louis as three former Miss Gay Missouri’s were chosen to compete in the top ten, including a triumphant Victoria DePaula from Kansas City, who clinched the coveted national title.

     MGA, the oldest and most celebrated female impersonation pageant of its kind was held at the Millennium Hotel downtown Oct. 8-12, 2008. Sometimes called “the boys pageant,” MGA requires all of its contestants remain male in every sense. Hence, no hormones or surgical augmentation is allowed below the neck.

Pride St. Louis is hosting a benefit drag show tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 22. Enterntainment will be provided by Tabbi Katt (Miss Gay St. Louis) and Madison Elise (Queen of Pride). The night will also feature a "Drag... You're It" competition--where you can pay to have your friends perform in drag.

Once a holiday for candy-bar scamming kids comically unprepared to live up to the “trick” part of the hallowed “trick-or-treat” bargain, Halloween has burgeoned into a retail juggernaut, only trailing Christmas for generating retail sales. In addition, Halloween is the third largest party day behind New Year’s Eve and Superbowl Sunday.