May 6th, 2009

First Annual Philadelphia GLBT Arts Festival Features Over 20 Performances

First Annual Philadelphia GLBT Arts Festival

Features Over 20 Performances

May 28-June 1, 2009

Traverse Arts Project announces the premiere Philadelphia GLBT Arts festival, featuring over 20 performances presented by a wide range of artists – singers, actors, musicians, dancers, filmmakers and performance artists.

Featured performers and ensembles from across North America include:

  • Elspeth Kincaid – an internationally-acclaimed award-winning mezzo soprano, accompanied by Laurent Phillipe, with performances by organist Desiree Hines and the Philadelphia Freedom Band.
  • Brian Wilbur Grundstrom – a classically-trained musician and composer for film, orchestra, piano, and voice. Grundstrom has been honored with numerous awards and has performed his works at the Kennedy Center.
  • Obscene – The U.S. premiere of an experimental theater production by Canadian playwright Ian Mozden. This riveting drama explores the issues of gender identity in honest and sometimes graphic scenes. (This performance is recommended for adults 18 and older).
  • Unity in Harmony – A professional chorus with singers from across the country, conducted by Luke Frasier, a graduate student at Ohio University’s School of Music.
  • Three Twelve – a Philadelphia-based openly gay Christian music group.

The Philadelphia GLBT Arts Festival is the brainchild of Desiree Hines. A classical organist and African-American male-to-female transsexual, Hines decided to create the festival after experiencing years of discrimination from religious and educational institutions, which ultimately left her homeless for nearly a year in Chicago. Now working as an organist at various churches and venues in the Philadelphia area, Hines wants this festival to engage the community in social change through the arts and offer career development opportunities for emerging GLBT artists.

“Traverse Arts Project is thrilled with the level of talent that will be presented at the first annual festival, says Hines, TAP Project Coordinator, GLBT Arts Festival. “All of the artists have extensive training from some of the finest schools training arts professionals, and each performer will address the issues affecting the GLBT community through artistic expression.”

Performances will be held at First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street, and Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 North Broad Street. Tickets will be available online starting late April through the TAP box office, www.traversetheater.org. Tickets for each performance are $15 per person, $10 for students and seniors. An all festival pass, which includes admission to all festival events, will be available for purchase as well.

Traverse Arts Project (TAP) is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit arts organization supporting theatrical expression as not only a form of celebration but also as a catalyst for change. TAP seeks opportunities to spark thought, start conversations, and promote cross-cultural and cross-generational dialogue.


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May 6th, 2009

Keys of Life

A local trans musician went through hell to get here.

By Catherine Caperello
Add Comment Add Comment | Comments: 1 | Posted Apr. 28, 2009

Organ donor: Desiree Hines gives back to the LGBT community in her work with the Traverse Arts Project.

Vivacious 29-year-old Desiree Hines has a laugh that fills the First Unitarian Church just as grandly as the pipe organ she plays there. As part-time music associate, her hands move across three tiers of keyboards, her feet work pedals and when she pulls out the stoppers, the great hall explodes with sound.

As a transsexual African-American female organist, Hines has encountered her fair share of discrimination in a field dominated by white men. But along her rough road she’s developed a commitment to visibility. The director of the Traverse Arts Project (TAP)’s upcoming LGBT festival, Hines sat down to talk with PW about her long journey.

What made you decide to become an organist?

“I was about 15 and I turned on the TV and there’s this woman playing this beautiful, majestic pipe organ. She had these glittery clothes and glittery organ-playing shoes and big blond hair. At the end of the program she goes, ‘My name is Diane Bish and you’ve been watching The Joy of Music.’ That’s when I had a divine calling to me saying, ‘This is the instrument for you.’”

When did you first know you wanted to change genders?

“I dealt with gender issues all my life. I remember telling my mother, ‘I feel like I’m a girl and not a boy.’ My mother felt it was something she saw a long time ago. At Mississippi College, I would periodically dress as Desiree. One day [the chair of the music department] told me I had been seen off campus dressed as a woman. He asked if I needed to go to the counseling center. I guess with it being a Southern Baptist school, they wanted me to get counseling. That’s when I knew it was time to go. “

How did you end up at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash.?

“I didn’t have very much money, and I told [university organist/asst. professor of music] Jim Holloway, ‘I can get a plane ticket, but I don’t know if I have enough money to get a hotel or anything.’ He said, ‘My wife and I have a big house in Washington. Don’t worry about food, don’t worry about a place to stay. Let’s get you up here to audition.’ We had that connection both being from the South, both being from very struggling homes.”

How did you tell him you wanted to live as a woman?

“Jim knew that I had a preference for men, but I didn’t tell him I was trans and had been dealing with gender-identity issues. So the PLU faculty person for the GLBT group initiated the conversation and Jim said the thing would be preparing the campus for my being the first transsexual student to actually live at PLU. He took initiative and we got in touch with housing and made certain arrangements.”

Did you ever get to work with Jim?

“No. I remember very vividly the morning of May 17th. I was at home in Mississippi cooking my mother breakfast. It was 9:47 in the morning. The phone rang and Mama picked it up. It was Dr. Paulson from PLU and I was very giddy, very happy—oh, they’re calling from PLU! I heard Mama go, “Oh no, oh no, oh no.” She closes her eyes and tears start coming out. [I take the phone and they tell me] the day before a gunman had come onto campus and shot Jim. And I’m just like running around the house with the phone. And I sit down and I just say, ‘Dr. Paulson, is Jim dead?’ She said yes, and I threw the phone—you know, the typical African-American reaction of death to people that they love. I had lost a brother, I had lost sister and I had now lost Jim.”

Was it hard to go to PLU without Jim advocating for you?

“The director of housing at PLU was a wonderful man and he rallied to have me housed in traditional female dorms though I had not undergone sex reassignment surgery. But about a week before school he says, ‘Well, I have some bad news. If you’re going to live in the dorms, you have to live in a male wing or we have to put you in South Hall,” which was apartment-style living. It inflated [my cost of living] tremendously. Not only was I dealing with bereavement of Jim’s death but I got about six weeks into the semester and I had absolutely no money. I had no job. I had no food. I had nothing. I went to the counseling center at the school and just had a nervous breakdown. [But] the student life office had a program where they could loan students emergency money. That provided a good buffer. I had a good bit of friends—if they had a 20-meal-a-week plan, they’d say, ‘Here, two swipes—one for Desiree.’”

How did you progress with your gender transition?

“The staff who ran the medical center created an agreement with a doctor in Seattle. I would go once a semester for major checkups and the school health clinic gave me my hormone shots, prescriptions for my pills and took my hormone levels. Student insurance paid for it so they were very supportive. But the [VP of student life] told me in a meeting, ‘We understand you would like to live in a traditional dorm, but this is what’s best for everyone,’ which translates to: Other people don’t want you there.”

Is that why you left?

“In order to get a degree in music, depending on your competence, you have to be in an ensemble. I was told that because I didn’t have my surgery yet, I couldn’t be in the women’s chorus. I left that meeting, went to a practice room, got my scores and I couldn’t even practice. I failed my jury that semester. It was just too much. I started looking at places that were nonsectarian with organ programs. I auditioned for Chicago College of Performing Arts, got in and went to Chicago. But I owed PLU money [so I couldn’t matriculate]. I secured a very small job with a conservative firm and they terminated me—I think it had come back in that my birth sex was male. Finally the money just got so little, I didn’t have any place to go, and it hit me: Desiree, you’re homeless. I contacted an agency that worked with GLBT people of color in Chicago. They found me a transitional housing program for young adults. I told someone this past weekend that I must really love being an organist if I’ve gone through this hell and high water to get here.”

And now that you’re in the profession, are things easier?

“The organ is primarily associated with Caucasian houses of worship, and is predominantly played by Caucasian men. Being unique in the field as African-American and open and out as a transwoman has its hurdles. It’s almost as though the pot calls the kettle black because most of those Caucasian men are gay and they’re closeted. I run into them sometimes when I’m having drinks at Knock or Bump and it’s a very insular community and they’re not very friendly. The younger generation, we have a much lighter sense of being. The fact that we can be proud and be out and say, ‘If this church doesn’t want to hire me, fuck you, I’ll find someone that will.’ There have been hurdles to jump through, but someone’s got to so other people won’t have them.”


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February 24th, 2009

PHILLY CHIT CHAT COVERS THE RED CARPET PARTY

Monday, February 23, 2009

OSCAR PARTY PHOTOS PHILADELPHIA Traverse Theater and Philadelphia Style Magazine

Last year I don’t recall one Oscar viewing party in Philadelphia, this year our cup runneth over and I was invited to at least four, I had planned to go to three of them but as time was limited I made it to two and am glad to share them with you today. I set out on this journey with cousin Jess, Andrew and my MikeThe first event we went to supported a new theater in Philadelphia called Traverse Arts Project (TAP) TThe festival goal is to promote the careers and visibility of independent, emerging and moderately established artists that identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender, or Queer. Almost 6 months ago I met a beautiful women named Desiree who told me about the Traverse Theater and how they were planning to have an Oscar party and if I could come out and cover it. I was excited as I recalled the years gone by party at the Franklin Institute and how I never went to them, and often watched the show alone at home or at my sister’s Tracy.

Then Desiree offered me an “Inkind” sponsorship with I wrote about the event beforehand, well that was a done deal I really believed in this event and planned to cover it so it was extra icing on the cake to get a sponsorship title which entailed me being listed in the booklet, mentioned on the website and Desiree even thanked me in public with the rest of the sponsors. That was kinda exciting to me, and of course will help drive peeps to my sight to check out the events around town, and my coverage. The event was held at the Ethical Center on Rittenhouse Square. An impressive diverse crowd came out which was awesome. In this economy it’s brave that a theater organization is willing to take a chance to do something creative, as well as creating a specific kinda of entertainment.
Checking out the scene was Doug Levering (who’s looking forward to Philly Beer Week) and Del Val Legacy Fund Treasurer, Josh Womer sporting a stylish hat. Looks good and not everyone can pull off that look. Me personally round head, made to look rounder with a hat like this.
A Trio of Style worthy of any red carpet. Christine Fisher, butterflies in hairband, Colleen Corcoran and smokin’ jacket Randall Woodruff
Shawn O’Shea, Tricia Bitetto, Sonja Washington, Roni and Jim Downey and Kimya Jackson
Jackie Siscone and model/actress Samantha Laurito
Mark Cunningham, Ken Tatters(?) sorry can’t read your writing, Leigh Simpson Stephanie M (‘Cause she doesn’t like to give her last name and I respect that)
Terese Balzereit, Director of International Marketing PA Tourism Office, Mark Beyerle and Steve Crain

Development director of PhilaCinefest (The Philadelphia CineFest, which is being organized and presented by TLA Entertainment Group, will run from March 26th to April 8th.), TD Hines and James Duggan publisher of QueerTimesSteve McCann of PhillyGayCalendar.com does the Red Carpet Duties
Just as I was about to run out to the next event the Gift Bags made their way downstairs. Thanks as always to all the sponsors including Ettore, Rain Organics, PhillyChitChat, PhillyGayCalendar, BuckMonkey, DJ K-Tell and Organic Rain Vodka. If you love reading PhillyChitChat and you have a few bucks to spare, I would love it if at some point you could donate a few dollars to this new project. The creators are a nice bunch, and I have never seen such an amazing effort to throw a fundraiser to kick off a dream these folks really believe in and I do too. Thanks http://www.traversetheater.org/festival/

Posted by HughE Dillon at Monday, February 23, 2009


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February 6th, 2009

Queer Times Weekley on the Red Carpet Party

Thom Cardwell

What It Looks Like From Here
Thom Cardwell

copyright 2009

Red Carpet PartyThere’s nothing like a red carpet event and there’s no other annual event that commands a red carpet more that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ 81st Oscar Night, 8 p.m., February 22.


Our own gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer community of the Philadelphia region will celebrate a brand new glamorous event with “The Red Carpet Party,” a “friend raiser” and benefit for Traverse Arts Project and its new Philadelphia GLBT Artists Festival to be launched, May 28-June 1.


So, in 2009, let the party begin!  That’s the attitude that host Desiree Hines (and Festival Coordinator of Philadelphia GLBT Artists Festival) has about the spectacular event that she has been planning with her troop of volunteers. First, she landed the central, upscale location, The Ethical Society Building in Rittenhouse Square. Next, she started soliciting sponsors like Specialty Group, LLC, and Rain Vodka.


Not surprisingly, her enthusiasm, dedication and passion are catchy; she next got City Paper to sign on as a media sponsor. Soon she had Franzia Wines, QUEERtimes, BUCKmonkey (yours truly) and ZipCar as more sponsors. As of this writing, she’s certain (and confident and determined enough) to have added even more sponsors to the benefit evening of glitz, glamour and celebrity (“We’re all stars,” she proclaims.)


For catering, Hines has obtained executive chef Amanda MacWilliams, former Grill Chef at the former Striped Bass Restaurant who created a lavish gourmet buffet. “The food, well, it’ll be amazing with the menu that MacWilliams is creating for the gala evening,” Hines said.


Red Carpet PartyThe evening’s festivities will include for all guests a Red Carpet interview at 7:45pm with Tony Lankford’s DOWNTOWN: The Actors Lounge and a personalized Red Carpet Photo produced by Lui Photography to take as a keepsake.


Following their Red Carpet time invited guests will join Traverse Arts Project in the Assembly Hall and Auditorium to enjoy viewing the awards ceremony while being treated to an open bar of Rain Vodka Cocktails, Franzia Wine, and Beer, a large selection of hors d’oeuvres and desserts, and entertainment by DJ K-Tell.


“We have the entire first and second floors, and one of the side rooms at the Ethical Society for this event. SO, we can actually get a good crowd of 200 to 300 guests,” she said.


Hines said that festive attire will be the order of the day, from Black Tie Formal to Blue Jeans Chic. “This will allow anyone with a great sense of style to feel welcomed to the party,” she encouraged, “Be creative and spread the joy and fun.”

During the evening, there will be a few “choice” door prizes to give away, including a deluxe salon gift package, worth of a few hundred dollars, and a hotel package of three days/two nights at the sponsor hotel, Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Center City.


For ticket deals, Hines is partnering with CityPaper and QUEERtimes about offering special offers such as buy two for $75 and single tickets at $40. Regular advance tickets costs $50 per person; $75 per person at the door.


Proceeds of the Red Carpet Party will benefit Philadelphia GLBT Artists Festival and the nonprofit Traverse Arts Project.


For information or ticket purchases, visit traversetheater.org/oscar.htm

(This event is not an officially sanctioned AMPAS event)

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January 22nd, 2009

Nominees for the 81st Academy Awards

Nominees for the 81st Academy Awards
Nominees for the 81st Academy Awards

Performance by an actor in a leading role

* Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
* Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
* Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
* Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
* Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

* Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
* Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
* Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
* Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
* Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)

Performance by an actress in a leading role

* Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
* Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
* Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
* Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
* Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

* Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
* Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
* Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
* Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
* Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

Best animated feature film of the year

* “Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
* “Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton

Achievement in art direction

* “Changeling” (Universal), Art Direction: James J. Murakami, Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt, Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Peter Lando
* “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Art Direction: Michael Carlin, Set Decoration: Rebecca Alleway
* “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Art Direction: Kristi Zea, Set Decoration: Debra Schutt

Achievement in cinematography

* “Changeling” (Universal), Tom Stern
* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Claudio Miranda
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Wally Pfister
* “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Chris Menges and Roger Deakins
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Anthony Dod Mantle

Achievement in costume design

* “Australia” (20th Century Fox), Catherine Martin
* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Jacqueline West
* “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Michael O’Connor
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Glicker
* “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Albert Wolsky

Achievement in directing

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
* “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
* “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle

Best documentary feature

* “The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)” (Cinema Guild), A Pandinlao Films Production, Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath
* “Encounters at the End of the World” (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment), A Creative Differences Production, Werner Herzog and Henry Kaiser
* “The Garden” A Black Valley Films Production, Scott Hamilton Kennedy
* “Man on Wire” (Magnolia Pictures), A Wall to Wall Production, James Marsh and Simon Chinn
* “Trouble the Water” (Zeitgeist Films), An Elsewhere Films Production, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal

Best documentary short subject

* “The Conscience of Nhem En” A Farallon Films Production, Steven Okazaki
* “The Final Inch” A Vermilion Films Production, Irene Taylor Brodsky and Tom Grant
* “Smile Pinki” A Principe Production, Megan Mylan
* “The Witness – From the Balcony of Room 306” A Rock Paper Scissors Production, Adam Pertofsky and Margaret Hyde

Achievement in film editing

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lee Smith
* “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Elliot Graham
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Chris Dickens

Best foreign language film of the year

* “The Baader Meinhof Complex” A Constantin Film Production, Germany
* “The Class” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Haut et Court Production, France
* “Departures” (Regent Releasing), A Departures Film Partners Production, Japan
* “Revanche” (Janus Films), A Prisma Film/Fernseh Production, Austria
* “Waltz with Bashir” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Bridgit Folman Film Gang Production, Israel

Achievement in makeup

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Greg Cannom
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O’Sullivan
* “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (Universal), Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Alexandre Desplat
* “Defiance” (Paramount Vantage), James Newton Howard
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Elfman
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A.R. Rahman
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Thomas Newman

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

* “Down to Earth” from “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyric by Peter Gabriel
* “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Gulzar
* “O Saya” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam

Best motion picture of the year

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), A Kennedy/Marshall Production, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
* “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), A Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Working Title Production, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Eric Fellner, Producers
* “Milk” (Focus Features), A Groundswell and Jinks/Cohen Company Production, Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, Producers
* “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), A Mirage Enterprises and Neunte Babelsberg Film GmbH Production, Nominees to be determined
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A Celador Films Production, Christian Colson, Producer

Best animated short film

* “La Maison en Petits Cubes” A Robot Communications Production, Kunio Kato
* “Lavatory – Lovestory” A Melnitsa Animation Studio and CTB Film Company Production, Konstantin Bronzit
* “Oktapodi” (Talantis Films), A Gobelins, L’école de l’image Production, Emud Mokhberi and Thierry Marchand
* “Presto” (Walt Disney), A Pixar Animation Studios Production, Doug Sweetland
* “This Way Up” A Nexus Production, Alan Smith and Adam Foulkes

Best live action short film

* “Auf der Strecke (On the Line)” (Hamburg Shortfilmagency), An Academy of Media Arts Cologne Production, Reto Caffi
* “Manon on the Asphalt” (La Luna Productions), A La Luna Production, Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont
* “New Boy” (Network Ireland Television), A Zanzibar Films Production, Steph Green and Tamara Anghie
* “The Pig” An M & M Production, Tivi Magnusson and Dorte Høgh
* “Spielzeugland (Toyland)” A Mephisto Film Production, Jochen Alexander Freydank

Achievement in sound editing

* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Richard King
* “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), Frank Eulner and Christopher Boyes
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Tom Sayers
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood
* “Wanted” (Universal), Wylie Stateman

Achievement in sound mixing

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Mark Weingarten
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Ben Burtt
* “Wanted” (Universal), Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño and Petr Forejt

Achievement in visual effects

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber and Paul Franklin
* “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick and Shane Mahan

Adapted screenplay

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Screenplay by Eric Roth, Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
* “Doubt” (Miramax), Written by John Patrick Shanley
* “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Screenplay by Peter Morgan
* “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Hare
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

Original screenplay

* “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Courtney Hunt
* “Happy-Go-Lucky” (Miramax), Written by Mike Leigh
* “In Bruges” (Focus Features), Written by Martin McDonagh
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Written by Dustin Lance Black
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Original story by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter

Host:
TAP: Traverse Arts Project
Type:
Party – Cocktail Party
Network:
Philadelphia, PA
Time and PlaceStart Time:
Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 8:00pm
End Time:
Monday, February 23, 2009 at 12:00am
Location:
The Ethical Society Building
Street:
1906 Rittenhouse Square
City/Town:
Philadelphia, PA

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Contact InfoEmail:
tdh@traversetheater.org
Description
The Red Carpet Party
An Oscar (R) Viewing Party

Join Us for a Pre-Party As well! Place TBA!

TICKET PRICE INCLUDES OPEN BAR—GOURMET FOOD SELECTION!

Sponsored in part by:
Specialty-USA
Rain Vodka
The Wine Groups
Cuisine by Chef Amanda MacWilliams, Former Grill Chef, Striped Bass Restaurant

Large Scale Oscar(R) Ceremony Projection . Two Floors of Fun . Cocktails . Special Guest Hosts February 22, 2009 8:00 PM until the Best Picture Award!

ATTIRE: Black Tie to Blue Jeans
Oscar (R) Broadcast begins at 8PM

The Ethical Society Building
1906 South Rittenhouse Square

TICKET PRICES:
$50 (Advance Purchase at www.PartyTicketsOnline.com)
$75 At Door

COLLEGE STUDENTS
$30.00 At the door

Ticket Price Includes:
Personalized Red Carpet Photo—-Champagne Greeting—-Gourmet Food Selection
—Coat Check—-Large Scale Projection—-DJ Entertainment & More!!!

This Event is not Sponsored or Affiliated with The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences


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December 16th, 2008

Philadelphia GLBT Artists Festival starts calls for submissions

Philadelphia GLBT Artists Festival starts calls for submissions from Artists all over the United States, and even Canada! To date, we have had a very talented young woman who is an Operatic Mezzo Soprano, a wonderful Photographer, and a Choral Conductor from Indiana express interest in being a part of the festival by presenting a full length program. The choral conductor actually wishes to work with festival coordinator Desiree Hines to develop a chorus of people from around the country.

We are also pleased to announce a Festival Ally Artist. A Unitarian Universalist Music Director  has expressed an interest in bringing some of her Choir members to participate in the festival.

We are very excited to make these announcements. Continue to check back for more!


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December 13th, 2008

Planning for the Philadelphia GLBT Artists Festival, presented by TAP, is well under way!

Planning for the Philadelphia GLBT Artists Festival, presented by TAP, is well under way!

We are very excited to announce many things!

-The festival has expanded its mission to include artists from all over North America

-”Specialty” thanks to Specialty Solutions Group and Mark Beyerle.Specialty Solutions has stepped up to offer a very generous gesture to plan the Red Carpet Party Fundraiser. They have also generously offered to provide the “specialty” cocktail for the evening, and to assist with logistics planning of the Festival. We are greatly appreciative of Mark Beyerle’s company and his tremendous talents.

-TAP Artistic Director Mark Dahl and Festival Coordinator Desiree Hines make a great team when talking with CityPaper Advertising Director Sharon MacWilliams to discuss the potential relationship with CityPaper as a media sponsor. Sharon brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. We are so grateful to her and CityPaper for the invitation to visit the idea of a relationship.

-It is a pleasure to announce the formation of the TAP Festival Action Committee. In addition to TAP Artistic Director Mark Dahl and Festival Coordinator, The committee will include:

Christina Richter, former director of development for Siloam Wellness Center will serve as the Grant Writer.

Khandi M. of G and G Entertainment-a marketing and business consultant with an interest in developing relationships between audiences and GLBT Artists in the Hip Hop and R/B Scene

Ellen Fleurov, President and Founder of  Crossroads Traveling Exhibitions and Former director of the California Center for the Arts in San Diego

Carrie Gorn, Independant Marketing and Public Relations Consultant

Mark Beyerle, Lead Consultant with Specialty Solutions-USA (Specialty Tours and Specialty Events)

Sharon MacWilliams, Senior Adversing Director, CityPaper

The Festival is well under way!

—————————
Artists Nationwide start to learn about the Philadelphia GLBT Artists festival and become interested. Already, there have been at least 15 Artists express an interest in participitation. Among them is a Rising Star in the Opera world, and a young Choral Conductor with an interest in forming a GLBT Chorus drawing upon national resources.


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November 4th, 2008

Tappy Hour Monday November 10, 2008 6pm Upstairs at Tavern on Camac!

Contact Info
Phone:
2158371729
Email:
info@traversetheater.org

Description

Join the TAP crew for our monthly happy hour event! Tavern on Camac hosts Plays by Third Graders Directed by Allison Heishman.

Doors open at 6pm. Showtime 7PM Runtime aprox. 20 minutes.

$2 Domestics, $2 off all other cocktails and $4 Sauza Margarita’s.

Cover: $5 Suggested donation.


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October 29th, 2008

TAP PRESENTS SPINE-CHILLING HALLOWEEN SHOWING OF CLASSIC HORROR FILM NOSFERATU ACCOMPANIED BY CLASSICAL ORGANIST AT THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA

SPINE-CHILLING HALLOWEEN SHOWING OF CLASSIC HORROR FILM NOSFERATU ACCOMPANIED BY CLASSICAL ORGANIST AT THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA

Nosferatu : Movie Screening Accompanied by Live Pipe Organ

Thursday October 30, 2008                       8 p.m. & Midnight

The First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia 2125 Chestnut Street

Price Type
Screening Time

Click here For More information on Nosferatu

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2008,

AT 8 PM & MIDNIGHT

A spine-chilling Halloween showing of Nosferatu, one of the best-known horror film classics, accompanied by local Philadelphia Classical Organist T. Desiree Hines improvises a spooky score on the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia’s magnificent pipe organ. The screening takes place on Thursday, October 30, 2008 with two showings at 8 p.m. and Midnight. Tickets are priced at $8 and are available at Traversetheater.org or at the event box office.

Nosferatu, the groundbreaking 1922 silent film directed by F.W. Murnau, is one of the earliest, most terrifying and artistically acclaimed films in the horror genre. Setting the film in the Neo-Gothic First Unitarian Church proves to set the spooky scene for a Halloween lovers dream. The First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia is Located at 2125 chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Organist T. Desiree Hines is a Transexual African American Classical Organist in a field where there are under 30 African American Female Organists worldwide. She accompanied the 1922 silent Nosferatu in 2001 on the internationally acclaimed Paul Fritts Organ at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA while studying under Susan Ferre”. Desiree studied in New York City with Award-winning Organ Improvisation specialist Justin Bischof, winner of the American Guild of Organists 2000 Competition in Organ Improvisation. Hines makes a strong personal connection with the audience, making the “King of Instruments” accessible to all patrons of the arts. She has performed in 5 of the countries largest cities, and on two of the countries most prestigious Concert Hall Organs, most recently at The Kimmel Center’s 2008 Solstice Celebration on the renowned Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ.

In addition to improvising, Hines will feature excerpts of standard and popular virtuoso Organ repertoire, such as the famous Suite Gothique of Boellmann, the Variations on a Noel by Dupre, and Bach’s beloved Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. All proceeds from the event will benefit TAP (Traverse Arts Project) for their May 2009 first annual Philadelphia GLBT Artists Festival. TAP is a registered Non profit Organization based in the city of Philadelphia.

For more information on Nosferatu, TAP, and The PGLBT Artists Festival go to Traversetheater.org or contact T. Desiree Hines at 917.257.6451 or tdhjat@gmail.com

The History and Significance of Silent Movies with Organ Accompaniment in Philadelphia

by T. Desiree Hines

In the early 1900′s, films were called “moving pictures”. They were always silent. There usually a Pianist that accompanied the film to give the audience emotional cues that went along with what was  on the screen. With motion pictures becoming more popular, there became the building of elaborate and beautiful Movie Palaces in the Art Deco Style. With the grand size of the palaces, the only way to fill the rooms with enough sound was to employ an orchestra. Thus, there had to be a very large Orchestra to play the scores. However, many theater owners found that the expense of paying a large orchestra was entirely too much.

During the time that these elaborate Movie Palaces became grand in scale, Pipe Organ builders were also experiencing the “Golden Age” of Organ building, with thousands of instruments being placed into Churches, Concert Halls, Civic Halls and Academic Auditoriums. The Greater Philadelphia region  was at the  forefront of activity, with the building of the Wanamaker Organ, and the Atlantic City Convention Hall Organ. Both are known as being the two largest Organs in the world: Atlantic City, and Wanamakers, respectively. Organbuilders were building instruments with a sound output to equal the power and size of an orchestra that could play large symphonies of composers like Wagner and Berlioz. These became known as Symphonic Organs. In Philadelphia, we have two gems of that era with the Wanamaker Organ and the Curtis Sesquicentennial Organ at the University of Pennsylvania’s Irvine Auditorium.

These Organbuilders quickly started to market their instruments to the owners of the large Movie Palaces, which were sometimes called “Cathedrals of Motion Pictures” because of their size and ornate and breathtaking decor.  They knew that the Orchestras were too expensive. While Organs always have been the most expensive instruments to build, the owner only had to make one investment every 50-75 years when purchasing an Organ.

From that came the partnership of Robert Hope-Jones and Rudolph Wurlitzer which resulted in a uniquely American instrument-the Theater Organ. These instruments were equipped with fun and interesting sound features, in addition to the standard mechanisms expected on a Pipe Organ. Drums, Car Horns,. Bird Chirps, Traps.Cymbal Crashes…all elements of the Orchestra ere incorporated into a Theater Organ allowing one player to do what 100 or more could do.

While the Movies were popular, the theaters actually gave the starring roles to the Organist that was accompanying the movie! Well known schools of Music, such as Eastman and Chicago Musical College started programs for training Theater Organists in addition to those that prepared concert and church organists. People went to see the movie, but only when the movie was being accompanied by an Organist that would create an amazing atmosphere for their enjoyment. Sadly, the invention of “Talkies” in 1927, which put sound in movies led to the end of producing theater organs between 1928 and 1930. While production ended, interest tin the theater organ was still there, except in Philadelphia.


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October 10th, 2008

TAP to reach out to GLBT community at Outfest, Sunday, October 12, 2008 Noon to 7 p.m. in the heart of the Gayborhood

Philadelphia’s TAP (Travers Arts Project) will have a booth on the streets promoting their fall line up of events and generating interest in the first Annual Philadelphia GLBT Artists Fest to be held in Spring 2009.

The booth will feature gifts from Absolut Vodka whose green initiative perfectly aligns with TAP’s mission of carbon Zero productions. The booth will feature give aways’s and raffles including a pair of Tickets to The Wilma Theater’s latest production of Rock N Roll by Tony Nominated Playwright Tom Stoppard.

In addition to the give aways, TAP will be selling raffle tickets  for a chance to win premium parquet seats to The Cadillac Broadway Series shows, Legally Blonde and Ain’t misbehaving.

Festival Founder and TAP Project Coordinator T. Desiree Hines said, “We are looking to generate interest in the festival as well as attract local GLBT Artists who need a forum to present their work.  Thought the festival is in the early planning stages there has been great momentum from the community so far. I look forward to meeting more of the community while celebrating how great it is to be part of the GLBT community.”

The Philadelphia GLBT Artists fest will take place in Center City Philadelphia from May 28 – 31, 2009.

More information about the festival can be obtained at Traversetheater.org or by contacting info@traversetheater.org

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