Carl Sagan, host of the original 1980 Cosmos series, said we are made of star stuff, because our atoms were created billions of years ago inside a star. Sagan's words are echoed by Neil deGrasse Tyson, the director of New York's Hayden Planetarium who hosts the new Cosmos.
Tyson's enthusiasm for science is infectious. And he holds his ground. When creationists demanded equal time on Cosmos, he said, "You don't talk about the spherical Earth with NASA, and then say let's give equal time to the flat Earthers. Plus, science is not there for you to cherry pick."
The creation/evolution dispute is one of the fake controversies stoked by fundamentalists who are threatened by intellectual freedom and know nothing about the scientific method. Ignoring the fact that the overwhelming consensus of scientists is against them, they press school boards to "teach the controversy." They perversely regard science as weak because it lacks their dogmatic and brittle certainty. Tyson counters, "My view is that if your philosophy is not unsettled daily then you are blind to all the universe has to offer."
Few outside the right-wingers' hothouse are fooled by their propaganda. In his March 21 Michigan marriage ruling, U.S. District Judge Bernard A. Friedman rejected as "not worthy of serious consideration" widely criticized testimony by junk scientist Mark Regnerus suggesting that children raised by gay parents suffer as a result. Our coming nationwide victory on marriage equality will be another milestone in a long struggle against religious coercion and obscurantism.
The frontier spirit is part of America's soul. We were born, after all, in revolution. In the long run, fear of change is no match for the power and possibility of discovery. Americans lately have been witnessing gay families' joy on the steps of courthouses, and they are warming to it.
Years ago, I stood in the Manassas Battlefield on a wintry night to view a comet with my friend and fellow activist Barrett Brick, who died last September. The comet's tail stretched across half the sky, and the Pleiades star cluster rose behind the bare branches of a tree.
Words fail at such a moment, as when sitting alone in a cathedral, awed by its commanding silence. It reminds us that we are small and the universe is great. The vault of heaven, and its exploration, provokes not emptiness but wonder.
Religious bullies often equate lack of religion with nihilism. Tyson pokes them when he says, "The more I learn about the universe, the less convinced I am that there's any sort of benevolent force that has anything to do with it, at all." Barrett, by contrast, often led services at Congregation Bet Mishpachah. But he was no bully. His drashim (Torah lessons) were invariably graceful, erudite and persuasively connected to current challenges.
Faith can be used to inspire rather than control, just as American Exceptionalism can be seen as an obligation to lead and not merely an entitlement to boss. You may prefer neither. Religiosity, like patriotism, lends itself to misuse. But given its gravitational pull, one gains greater leverage by guiding it in a more benign direction than trying to stop it.
Tyson celebrates the cross-pollination of the sciences, and the way discoveries lead to unforeseen benefits decades later. The inventor of the laser, for example, was not thinking of barcode readers. In a similar fashion, the lived reality of social changes can dispel fears, as our fellow citizens at long last recognize the love that makes gay families.
With or without faith, all of us on this "pale blue dot," as Sagan called Earth, can be uplifted by a recognition that, as Tyson puts it, "We are in the universe and the universe is in us."
Richard J. Rosendall is a writer and activist. He can be reached at rrosendall@starpower.net.
...more"People think it's karaoke, but it's not karaoke," Regie Cabico says about the weekly variety show he runs at Black Fox Lounge. "You really do need to know your song, you need to know what you're singing." In fact, La-Ti-Do isn't just cabaret, either. In addition to higher-quality singing than most impromptu karaoke, Cabico and his co-host DonMike Mendoza also select storytellers who offer spoken-word poetry and comedy.
Regie
(Photo by Les Talusan)
The performance-art mix at La-Ti-Do is a reflection of both Cabico's and Mendoza's experiences trying to make it in the world of theater in New York and D.C. "There are no parts for gay Filipino guys," Cabico says frankly. So, with La-Ti-Do the two created their own venue with the consent of Black Fox Lounge co-owner Russwin Francisco, also a gay Filipino. "By default it's almost like an Asian theater company," Cabico says.
A native of the Baltimore area, Cabico earned a theater degree from New York University and lived in the nation's theater capital for nearly two decades forging his own path as a spoken-word artist and teacher. A few years after moving to D.C. he teamed up with Busboys & Poets to start a queer open-mike event that he co-hosts with Danielle Evennou. Held the first Sunday of the month at the 5th and K Streets NW location, Sparkle was developed to be "a safe space for queer poets."
"I would say that within the last five years I've nurtured a lot of spoken-word poets," says Cabico of his work with Busboys & Poets, but also with the annual poetry festivals Split This Rock and Capturing Fire. These days he's also trying to expand opportunities for spoken-word poets in the realm of theater by pushing theater's boundaries, chiefly as the director of New Form Development at No Rules Theatre Company.
"I think slam poetry is an American art form just like jazz," says Cabico. "It's our political theater."
La-Ti-Do is every Monday at Black Fox Lounge, 1723 Connecticut Ave. NW, and costs $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Call 202-483-1723 or visit blackfoxlounge.com. The next Sparkle is Sunday, April 6, at 8 p.m., Busboys & Poets, 1025 5th St. NW. Admission is $5. Call 202-789-2227 or visit busboysandpoets.com.
...moreAlthough people often call Donizetti's rom-com The Elixir of Love a good opera for the uninitiated, director Stephen Lawless's production requires a caveat: Remember that old-fashioned thing called patience? Bring some.
For although it all eventually begins to fizz and crackle at an entertaining clip, the first few scenes vacillate between forced and tentative, like a fuse that can't quite decide whether to stay lit. Whether it's the dull whiffs of musical theater in the bustling villagers, the slightly confusing introduction of the young women Adina and her maid Giannetta who both look like potential love-interests for the swoony hero Nemorino, or the slow arrival of the visual wit, it's a flattish start. With this kind of entree, it's safe to say that those not used to waiting for their gratifications (i.e. anyone who doesn't need glasses to read their iPhone) may break a sweat.
''The Elixir of Love''
(Photo by Scott Suchman)
But briefed beforehand, not just on patience but also on the challenges and quirks of mounting comic confections written for antiquarian audiences, there is much to surprise and delight a first-timer. And not least because, once things get going, Lawless and his cast work hard and successfully to give this quaint frolic a sense of contemporary humor.
Set in a barn big enough to store hay as well as serve as the village social center, this is not a ''wow'' of a set, but it's certainly gentle on the eye. And, although slightly bland, it does frame the action tightly; which is no bad thing for an opera that is small on plot but big on charm and cheer. Contrasting nicely is lighting designer Joan Sullivan-Genthe's open sky in the big beyond, which, like much in this production, becomes more and more interesting as the day (and our evening) goes on.
Within this little universe, the plot is accessibly simple with the ''rom'' being country bumpkin Nemorino's passion for the socially superior Adina, who serves as a fine example of the flirt who doesn't know what she's got till it's gone. The ''com'' comes in the form of snake-oil salesman progenitor Doctor Dulcamara who convinces Nemorino that a few swigs of the Doctor's love potion will win him the heart of Adina forever. Add the bumptious Sergeant Belcore who is determined to get a ring on Adina's finger first, and in typical comic-opera style things go all wrong until they go all right.
A big plus for newbies here is Ailyn Perez's souped-up Adina who offers just enough modern-girl charisma to overcome – and at times, make the most of – a significant bustle and a ubiquitous hankie. Though Adina teeters on the edge of full-blown brat, Perez saves her with some nicely played nuance: She's young and foolhardy, not nasty. With a soprano that is richly sweet, technically accomplished, and capable of the kind of rafter-splitting notes that will thrill, she delivers some serious start power.
''The Elixir of Love''
(Photo by Scott Suchman)
Convincingly arduous as Nemorino, (Perez's real-life husband) Stephen Costello brings some nicely defined layers to a character easily made stock. A good physical comic, Costello captures plenty of what's amusing about the smitten Nemorino, but he also brings out just enough inner dignity, resolve and all-around quirkiness to make him more of a match for Adina, despite his hayseed ways. An expressive tenor, Costello brings pathos to his young man, even if he can sometimes ring a little hard on the ears. His rendering of the beautifully somber aria ''Una Furtiva Lagrima'' is appealingly intimate, even if the climatic pauses feel a beat too long. Having recently appeared in a much smaller role in this season's Moby Dick, it's gratifying to see him here, flexing his vocal and acting wings in an entirely different direction.
Bookending the plot with buffo roles, Simon Alberghini as Belcore and Nicola Ulivieri as Dulcamara, both deliver on colorful charisma and make the most of the comedic traditions as well as the more contemporary-feeling visual comedy director Lawless slips in. As the clownish womanizer Belcore, Alberghini has the right attitude despite some singing that is a tad uneven. An unusually good-looking Dulcamara, bass Ulivieri offers a nice gravitas to the rueful humor of the role and sings with a rich and dexterous flair that steals a few scenes. Though her role is small and largely mimed, mention must be made of soprano Shantelle Przybylo, whose Giannetta creates a bright presence and delights with an unexpectedly strong and pretty voice.
Thus, it's an all-around strong ensemble and ultimately it all works and will work for a novice despite the slow start. But, if you're mentoring, plan for a briefing on patience over the pre-performance cocktail or, better yet, tie their wrists to the chair for the first 15 minutes. It's worth it.
Washington National Opera's The Elixir of Love (
) runs to March 29 at Kennedy Center Opera House. Tickets are $25 to $300. Call 202-295-2400 or visit dc-opera.org.
The Missouri Baptist Convention and other marriage equality opponents want to keep same-sex couples from filing joint tax returns.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the Broadway rock musical starring Neil Patrick Harris, has partnered with Hetrick-Martin Institute.
A lesbian attorney and her partner of 14 years are taking aim at Puerto Rico's refusal to recognize the couple's 2004 Massachusetts marriage.
In case you missed last week’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Drag Race Season 6, here is episode number 4 in its entirety. For episode 4 (titled “Shade: The Rusical”, the contestants enter the world of musical theater, perfectly fit for a queen! This episode features guest judges composer Lucian Piane, and Sheryl Lee Ralph (Dream Girls). […]
The post Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6, Episode 4 here [video] appeared first on GaySocialites.com.
With the days getting warmer we will be wearing less clothes and showing more skin, but don’t get too excited yet. Let’s discuss tanning. We all know that laying out in the sun and using tanning beds is bad for your skin and can even be hazardous to your health. I do want to add […]
The post Some tips on self tanning appeared first on GaySocialites.com.
The controversial former leader of the Westboro Church, Fred Phelps Sr., died last week. Â According to his daughter, Margie Phelps, there will be no funeral services held in his memory. Fred Phelps founded the Westboro Church and often used the organization to spread a message of hate for the Lesbian, Gay and Bi-Sexual Community. Phelps […]
The post No funeral for dead Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps [video] appeared first on GaySocialites.com.
There’s much more to Aladdin than its often shirtless male chorus, although that certainly doesn’t hurt. Not that there’s anything incredibly substantial about it â€" this is brisk, lively, even jazzy musical comedy. And, as such, one of the more successful Disney screen-to-stto-stage musical transfers. The setting may be the Middle East, but this version […]
The post Theatre Review: “Aladdin” appeared first on GaySocialites.com.
The duo of John Pizzarelli and Daniel Jobim playing and singing bossa nova are the ultimate in cool. Pizzarelli represents the very height of cabaret’s jazzier side, with profound musical intelligence at work. Jobim is part of a legendary Brazilian musical dynasty: his grandfather was Antonio Carlos Jobim, one of Brazil’s all-time greatest songwriters and […]
The post Cabaret Review: John Pizzarelli (featuring Daniel Jobim) appeared first on GaySocialites.com.
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