The Gay Agenda

Monday, December 1: Events nationwide commemorate the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day today. Los Angelenos can view an evolution of the AIDS epidemic at UCLAs exhibit AIDS and the Moving Image, which will continuously stream talk shows, documentaries, and feature films on the topic of AIDS on monitors across the universitys Powell Library. In New York City, POZ magazine hosts its Bacharach to the Future event to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Dozens of stage actors are scheduled to appear, including Katie Adams (Wicked), Gerard Canonico (Spring Awakening), Billy Porter (Angels in America, Jesus Christ Superstar), and Julie Reiber (Wicked, Rent). Tickets for the 7:30 PM EST show are available through Telecharge. For general information on World AIDS Day, visit The World AIDS Campaign. Tuesday, December 2: President-Elect Obamas cabinet members arent the only big-ticket items that have been leaking out over the past couple of weeks. Britney Spears suffered a similar fate when her newest album, Circus, was shared online in advance of todays scheduled release. Apart from Womanizer, the first radio edit already in heavy rotation, there are a number of tracks that will be hitting your local dance floor. One of our favorites is Phonography, which boasts an extremely contagious -- and totally dance-worthy -- beat. Download the album and rock out to Britneys heavily anticipated comeback. Fingers crossed on that one. Wednesday, December 3: If youve ever prayed for an excuse to indulge your chocolate craving, AIDS Foundation of Chicago is here to help. The organizations annual World of Chocolate benefit features savory chocolate treats from more than 30 Windy City chocolatiers, restaurants, and caterers with elaborate (and edible) chocolate displays to boot. The deliciously decadent event takes place from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM CST tonight. If youd rather be holed up in a Colorado lodge with hot chocolate, hot toddies, and maybe a hot Todd, then weve got the place for you sort of. Trinity Place Shelter, an organization that serves the needs of homeless LGBTQ youth in New York City, is holding a benefit at Aspen Lounge. The Trinity Angel event takes place tonight from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST and will include a raffle with prizes from Dior and MAC, among others. Visit the Trinity Place Shelter site for more information and to donate. Thursday, December 4: If youre a gay man who got through The Vagina Monologues, its time to treat yourself to David Del Tredicis selection of classical songs known collectively as My Favorite Penis Poems, which premieres tonight at Symphony Space. The show will feature six sexually charged arrangements, which Del Tredici has called some of his best songwriting. The Pulitzer Prizewinning composer, who has been commissioned by nearly every American and European orchestral ensemble, will be joined on stage by soprano Melissa Fogarty, tenor Robert Frankenberry, and a string quartet. The works were composed between 1998 and 2001, but no venue has agreed to perform the provocative program until now. The show begins at 7:30 PM EST and tickets are available through Symphony Space.Friday, December 5: Finally in theaters is Ciao, the eagerly awaited drama from writer and director Yen Tan.Ciao brings together two complete strangers through the unexpected death of a mutual acquaintance. Jeff (Adam Neal Smith), a close friend who is charged with sorting through Marks belongings after his untimely passing, stumbles across flirtatious e-mail correspondence with Andrea (Alessandro Calza), an internet designer from Italy. Discovering that Andrea is scheduled to arrive for a visit just three days after Marks passing, Jeff meets the Italian at the airport to break the news in person. Over the course of 72 hours, Jeff and Andrea develop a hot and heavy attraction based on shared affection for a man whom they each knew in extremely different ways. As evidenced by the trailer, this is definitely one hot ticket. Saturday, December 6: The second-most popular water-cooler discussion from the Beijing Olympics was the Opening Ceremonies (the first was obviously Michael Phelpss ridiculously ripped body). Shen Wei is the groundbreaking artist who served as the lead choreographer for the Olympic event, bringing one of the most memorable dance performances to life and to the world. The Chinese-born Brooklyn transplant is launching Connect Transfer II, another unique synthesis of music, dance, and performance art that will roll out nationwide in 2009. Dancers decked out in multicolored paint will transform a stage-floor canvas into living art, all to music performed by Stephen Gosling and the FLUX Quarter. After each performance a section of the canvas will be up for grabs during a silent auction. Grab tickets for this afternoons 2:00 PM EST matinee or the 8:00 PM show. Sunday, December 7: Theres no better time to take an intimate look into the life of political activist Harvey Milk, and theres no better place to do that than the San Francisco Public Library, which currently hosts the exhibit Harvey: Milk Private Life/Public Life. The stunning collection includes childhood pictures, love letters, candid snapshots, and political papers, as well as photographs taken by Milk of his friends and lovers. It was donated by Elva Smith, the mother of Milks partner Scott Smith, following Smiths death in 1995. Check out the museums Gay and Lesbian Center homepage for the exact location and more information on the exhibit, which runs through January 10.