It's been a long ten years

House to vote on Hate Crimes bill as early as Wednesday April 29th.

After Matthew's death in 1999 I made a commitment to come out of every inch of every closet I had created for myself. Some closets were made for work preservation, some for fear of family abandonment, and some for safety. It's been a long ten years of hard work for me to get to the point where I can live and work in an open and healthy place.

It's taken ten years to get to this vote - I hope that you will join me in calling any representative in D.C. that will hear you not only to vote YES on HR 1913 but to celebrate the opportunity to do something long overdue.

Rep Jim Cooper from Tennessee has signed on as a sponsor of this and he needs to hear from you that he is representing Nashville proudly. CALL Now: 202-225-4311

Don't live in Nashville? Contact your Congressperson now.
You can do this easily by calling 866-346-4611, the House switchboard.

BACKGROUND ON THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT:

1. Expands the existing definition of a "hate crime" to include gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability .

(Under existing law, if someone commits a violent crime against someone which is motivated by the victim's race or religion, then that crime receives a harsher sentence than it would otherwise. HR 1913 simply expands the classes protected by this rule.)

2. Gives federal law enforcement greater leeway and resources to investigate and prosecute hate crimes, in case local law enforcement lacks the resources to, or chooses not to, investigate.

My Favorite Burrito

The Poet's Daffodil

The Poet's Daffodil
Narcissus poeticus recurvus

this blooms in late spring before the iris here in Nashville and I adore them

Hope you enjoyed the 2009 Film Fest notes. My three term on the board of directors is up and after volunteering for the film festival for over a decade, I take my bow and exit stage left.
Now more time for my visual art and TN LGBT politics ...and Shakespeare.

I miss you Brian,Julie,Michael,Kellye and Mandy - thank you -you didn't hear it enough.

Part 8 of the iPhone thumb blog posts from the Nashville Film Festival.
Saw two features today in between the smoozing.
Pouncake has had a lot of buzz and I did enjoy the film and the trip down 1980s music lane. What the synch budget was for that film I don't know but the music supervisor is a brilliant person. Not sure I I would recommend it but will probably watch it again next year through NetFlix. I don't say that like it is bad thing. Let's face it- that's how most movies are seen.
I also saw the feature The Narrows and the performances were stellar. The photography I'm the film was it's own character and I would like to see the images again. There is a lot of energy spent on the mob story but the primary women in the movie made all the Soprano like men look like little boys. Look for this one to get distribution within the next few months.

Part 7 of the iPhone blog posts from the Nashville Film Festival.
Last night after a late start, the TN Film night continued with a second group of shorts from local film makers.
I was particularly happy to see local professional actors employed by Ryan Smith's well made Twilight Zone type short named Devil's Shoestring. I was moved by the emotional Alius Primoris (others first).
However the film most likely to succeed is Johnny Gerhart and Philip Armame's Manhattan Measure.
This film needs to be on POV as soon as possible.
The story if an artist with a vision that was documented and edited so well that I felt that it not only had the story I'm hand but also the uncanny ability to cause action as result of viewing.
Look up these fine TN films and support local artists.
Working art is good art.

Part 6 of the iPhone thumb blog post from the Nashville Film Festival.
Enjoyed conversation today with Bill Ivey about his book Arts Inc.
The concept of a list of cultural rights is an amazing one. If you have read the book make a comment and let's talk about it.

It isn't too late to see Prodigal Sons. Extra screening added for Thursday at 3:45p Make plans to find a way to see this brave story

Part 5 of the iPhone thumb blog posts from The Nashville Film Festival.
Okay so the local jury gave Baby Formula the prize from The Brooks Fund and the Rollins fund for the Arts from the Community Foundation.
This Canadian film was well made but didn't connect with audiences. After years of developing an LGBT audience and a history of excellent screenings, this year fell flat.
I don't think it was about the selection of this film, or the already nationally acclaimed Ask Not also showing this year.
It is clear that the film festival continues to reach out to the LGBT community in Nashville with the same generous sport as other groups in town.
The difference is that we are not reaching back.
Are we just lazy? Do we not seek out opportunities to engage outside of our own fundraisers?
What does it say to film makers throughout our community if we don't support them at our own local film festival?
What are your thoughts on this?

Watercolor Postcards from The Nashville Film Festival

A landscape sketch inspired by the documentary Pachamama screened at The Nashville Film Festival 2009

A sketch of Joan the Hippie at The Nashville Film Festival 2009

Part 4 iPhone thumb blog post from The Nashville Film Festival
The film Prodigal Sons screened to a near sold out theater and caused a standing ovation for the film maker present for it's southern screening.
The story of a trans woman on a journey to reconcil her past was well edited and an amazing journey.
More than ever film festivals have become a place for doc film makers to tell stories that may not otherwise be heard.
Try to see this film and other documentaries not just on the big screen but also on Nashville's own DOC Channel and programs like POV On PBS.
What great Doc have you seen lately?

Part 3 of the iPhone blog posts from The Nashville Film Festival.
Just saw the wonderful Bolivia showcase on film called Pachamama.
The word translates "Mother Universe" and of was a great delight of image and culture.
I plan to sketch some landscapes inspired by the film and will post the watercolors here tomorrow.

By the way this is more about the love of life than anything I have viewed in a doc in a long time.

Part 3 of the iPhone thumb blog posts
Just saw the Gonzo Ballet and William Shatner is a delight.
Ben Folds music is an amazing musician and I am going to have to get his album before the weekend is over.
The poetry the movement the music- the entire concept is a completely fresh 21st century artistic moment.

The red carpet at NaFF 2009

The Nashville Film Festival's 2009 40th Anniversary Red Carpet

Part 2 of the iPhone blog posts from the Nashville Film Festival.

I was able to make a series of short films today. I love shorts although it's been way too long since something as brilliant as 10 Rules from
MIchelle Paradise has graced the lgbt short-circuit.
Almost all of the films in the NaFF Lights Camera Out shorts collection this year were from European film makers.
The thing about shorts is too many of them are middle parts of a story instead of a complete thought.
More lesbian film makers need to submit great work to NaFF ... Please!

This is my first iPhone blog post.
Live from the Nashville Film Festival.
Saw the funny fun hetro film named 500 Days of Summer. I enjoyed it quite a bit more than I anticipated. There are a few awkward moments that GLAAD should look at. Once again calling someone "gay" as a type in insult or assuming a women is a lesbian if "she's not that into you". Still the movie had me smiling most of the time and I needed that.
A nice surprise came from avwalk on role by the out lesbian actress voice I've goddess and comedian whoose name completely escapes me.
She plays the security guard in 3wayTV with Jill Bennett.
What is her name?
Great opening night party.
More tomorrow.
Info:
www.NashvilleFilmFestival.org

The Art Files - Katharina Chapuis

“Luminance” at Nashville’s Gallery One

When I saw Katharina Chapuis's Untitled #SQ-TU9 a cool breeze came over me and I was all at once relaxed. It has been a long time since a work has completely centered me and I want to share it with you. See it at the opening April 25th 6-8pm.
Katharina Chapuis says she relies on “direct, sensuous perception and intuition” in creating her luminous, color field paintings on canvas.

"I paint to draw out the compelling interplay between matter and spirit,” says the Zurich, Switzerland native who settled in Boston after graduating from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. “I let the painting exist as such, let it have its own inner life, its own pulsation and vibration. In this way, the painting becomes a luminous veil - empty and abundant at the same time.”

In creating her layered, translucent paintings – each an oil on canvas work with gesso-plaster ground – Chapuis says she aims to create “visually fluid fields in which things shift at the beholder’s inner rhythm.”

“Stripped of any kind of pictorial codes,” says Chapuis, “these spaces are left open for viewers to enter at their own pace without a great deal of direction and so to induce an art experience that is contemplative and experiential."

Chapuis received the Jurors’ Choice award from the Attleboro Arts Museum in Attleboro, Massachusetts in 2006, and her work can be found in collections throughout the U.S. and Switzerland, including the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago; Straumann USA, Andover, MA; Fidelity Investments, Boston; Novartis Institute of Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA; and the Phoenix Building in Atlanta, GA, among others.

Gallery One, located at 5133 Harding Pike, is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and by appointment. For more information about the exhibition call 615-352-3006 or visit http://www.galleryone.biz/.

Nashville Shakespeare Festival Needs Your Spring Donation

Please Donate Today

A Week in Vermont sounds nice - can I get a witness?

Iowa Do!