ALL DOLLED UP: Anderson's "Dress Up" is one of many featured in his concept show "Only Dick, No Jane" currently on display at the W Midtown Hotel

This year’s Pride celebration began not with a bang but a statement Wednesday night with a conceptual art exhibit at the W Atlanta -Midtown Hotel. The show entitled Only Dick, No Jane is a series of works by artist Larry Anderson that explores the labels and stigmas projected on gay men through light and somewhat humorous concepts.

As host of the event, W Midtown provided attendees with Asian inspired hor devours, progressive music via the house DJ and Pride-tini’s, a cosmopolitan-based martini drink made with Skyy Passion Fruit vodka, X-Rated liqueur and cranberry juice.

Anderson, who teaches art classes at SCAD in Atlanta compiled this series to inspire candid dialog about prejudices which he eludes to in his show introductory statement as “redefining the argument.”

“To redefine the argument is to take sex out of the equation and just have us be people,” explains Anderson. “The whole religious right thing is over the sex issue and that’s such a small part of our lives. When we’re young its not any part of our lives, its about desire.”

In his works, Anderson positions Dick, a primary character in the Fun with Dick and Jane reading development books of the ’30s in several translations of well known homophobic slurs.

Only Dick, No Jane is on display in the W Atlanta-Midtown Hotel mezzanine throughout Pride weekend, Fri. October 30 through Sun. November 1.

(photos by Edward Adams and Lisa Baxter)

In recognition of his tireless efforts on behalf of Atlanta’s children, filmmaker Libby Spears has dedicated her latest documentary Playground to the memory of the late Fulton County Judge, Sanford “Sunny” Jones. The film premieres as part of a memorial benefit hosted by the Juvenile Justice Fund honoring Jones on Tuesday, October 20th at the Woodruff Arts Center. The event benefits the Center to End Adolescent Sexual Exploitation (CEASE) and Angela’s House, an organization that provides home care services to households with medically fragile children. Jones, who served as Fulton County Juvenile Court judge was killed in small plane crash in Alabama earlier this year.

Playground sheds light on child sex trafficking taking place in the United States. The film profiles former victims and provides a candid look at the legal and social systems that fails to adequately respond to the crisis. Playground was produced by actor/director George Clooney, writer/actor Grant Heslov and director Steven Soderbergh, the team behind the Oscar-nominated film Good Night and Good Luck.

Judge Jones helped to create the Juvenile Justice Fund in Atlanta in 2001. The fund provides constructive alternatives to youth detention and programs to reduce the number of children returning to unsafe, abusive and destructive homes.

Memorial Benefit for Judge Sanford Jones. Tuesday, October 20, 2009 – 6:00pm. Woodruff Arts Center Symphony Hall. 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309. General admission $25, premiere and VIP pre-reception $125. Tickets can be purchased online at www.woodruffcentertickets.org or by phone, 404-733-5000.

Well its Fourth of July and Pride weekend in Atlanta and what better way to celebrate it than to discuss civil liberties. Sure, you’re probably thinking the old addage of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” but today the focus in on something a bit more specific – the right to worship and the apparent lack thereof.

In this episode I speak with Pastor Troy Sanders and Rev. Dr. Kathy Martin of Preach2me.com on the messages in todays churches including the “don’t ask, don’t tell” homosexual policy in the Black church. Sanders and Brown also chime in on the growth of prosperity ministries. This week we feature a track from Levphonic’s upcoming release Urban Jungle which I’ve decided to name, Smooth Mofo.

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Recently, Alejandro and I hung out and chatted with Melissa Wolf who’s known to most as the infamous “Mansion Madam” of the exclusive Sugarloaf Country Club in Gwinnett County. The former erotic dancer and Penthouse centerfold is facing multiple charges including racqueteering and prostitution to name a few.

Melissa invited us to check out her million-dollar crib to talk. In return, we gave her the opportunity to explain her side of the story as it has been presented in the local press and several adult web sites.

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Links:
Melissa Wolf’s official website: Learn more about the ‘madam’ and check out some of her…uh…wares or (under)wears.
Department 13: Melissa makes her B-screen debut in Boobie Trap. Check the site out for trailers and other great sleeze scream flicks.
The Erotic Review: It all started here folks. Check out the forum posts and see what’s really going on.

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Ed talks with former FBI investigation specialist, Eric O’Neill (pictured left) and director/writer, Billy Ray (pictured right) about the capture of FBI Special Agent, Robert Hanssen (2001) featured in the upcoming film, Breach. Plus Alejandro shares his views on a few subjects.

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Links:
Breach Official Movie Website: Chronicling the pursuit and capture of this infamous FBI case.
The FBI web site: Find out what they had to say in their own words, including declassified documents about their investigation and what lead to his capture.
CNN’s Special Report: Ted’s people did a great job covering this case. Check out what they have on the case and the inner-workings of Robert Hanssen.

Ed interviews John Dau, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, who is featured in the upcoming documentary God Grew Tired of Us. Alejandro has this week’s cover story updates (including Carlton Hargro’s Fantasia user-generated interview)

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Links:
God Grew Tired of Us Official Website: learn more about the Lost Boys of Sudan and about relief efforts.
International Rescue Committee: The organization which provide refuge and relocation for the lost boys
Direct Change: John is the new Director for Sudanese efforts. Find out more about the organization, their projects and how you can help.

In this episode of EL Bacon (like the nickname), Ed sits down with writer, director, Nick Cassavetes to discuss his views on movie making and his new feature film “Alpha Dog” starring Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone and Justin Timberlake. Alejandro give us a heads up on what going on at the Loaf.

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Links:
Alpha Dog official movie web site: Yeah, yeah it’s got JT in it. He’s bringing sexy back…to crime.
Court TV’s crimelibrary: It’s practically criminal if you don’t find this archive of devious transgressions entertaining.
Internet Movie Database (IMDB): A co-worker thought Nick was a “tall drink of water.” Aside from that, he’s a talented writer and director. Read more about him and his projects on his IMDB profile page.

Aaron and Ed have a candid discussion with Lucy Hamlet and Thembi Nyandeni from the hit musical Umoja The Spirit Of Togetherness.
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Ed and Aaron speak candidly about race and race relations with Gerald Boyd of the National Coalition Building Institute.
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Ed and Aaron take questions to the street and answer listener’s questions.
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Finally, we find out what Aaron likes. Ed discusses his tempered dislike of NASA along with a few other things. We also find out the power of the bleep button…’nuff said.
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Ed and Aaron discuss issues and sports for people with disabilities with Karin Korb and Maria Portgee of BlazeSports America.
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George W, The Supreme Court and why can’t they sell tennis shoes recorded at Taco Mac in Downtown Decatur, GA.
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FEMA, George W. Bush, the Supreme Court, and a visit from the Tequila Fairy, all from F.R.O.G.S. Cantina in beautiful Midtown Atlanta.
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Ed and Aaron talk about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
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Ed and Aaron discuss what they’ll be doing this weekend, along with what’s in the paper this week. Pardon Ed’s profanity!
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Ed and Aaron discuss the price of gas, bands on reunion tours, what happened to the dinosaurs, and how bacon is our future.
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