The Gay Agenda

Monday, December 8: Tonight at The Guggenheim's "Conversations with Contemporary Photographers," Catherine Opie and Gregory Crewdson discuss America's suburbs and the role of their social dynamics in staged and documentary photography. Crewdson is known for his elaborately staged surrealistic scenes of American suburbia and Opie for her frank and intricate examination of individual and community identity. This evenings chat will appeal to fervent admirers of either artist or newcomers eager to catch a glimpse of American suburbs through two different iconic lenses. The talk begins at 6:30 PM EST with ticket information available through The Guggenheims website.

Tuesday, December 9: When it comes to Fallout Boy lead singer Pete Wentz, we think mostly of the recent fathers prolific music career, his business spin-offs, and his much-discussed sexual ambiguity (see Outs cover story on Wentz for more details there). Tonight, Wentz will showcase his artistic talent of the paint-and-canvas variety as he opens his exhibit "Without You Im Just Me," a collaboration with Gym Class Heroes Travis McCoy at Gallery Nineteen Eighty Eight in Los Angeles. A public reception will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 PM PST. Meanwhile, East Coasters should check out a group that sings to a different tune: the New York City Gay Mens Chorus. Tonight the troupe will perform Celebrate Me Home: A Holiday Spectacular at Carnegie Hall, with guest appearances from the cast of Broadway's [title of show]. In addition to traditional favorites, the ensemble will perform new holiday songs from the Basque country, South Africa, and Cuba. Snatch up tickets for the 8:00 PM EST show through Carnegie Hall before its too late.

Wednesday, December 10: Get ready for a showcase of three talented (and out) musicians up and down the East Coast this week. The Rock the Folk OUT! Tour, featuring Stewart Lewis , Jake Walden, and Tom Goss, takes the Eastern seaboard by storm, with a stop tonight at All Asia in Cambridge, Mass. This lineup reminds us that gay musical talent is just as fresh in the coffee house as it is on a house track. The artists styles range from piano-driven ballads to toe-tapping melodies that together offer a real aural treat. Head to Advocat to see tour dates for other cities.

Thursday, December 11: If youve ever wanted to catch up with Karen Walkers diminutive nemesis from Will & Grace, tonights your night in Los Angeles. Leslie Jordan, the actor who played Beverly Leslie and went toe-to-toe for laughs against Megan Mullally in the hit comedy series, performs at The Renberg Theatre in Hollywood. In My Trip Down the Pink Carpet (the title of the show and Jordans latest book), the Emmy-winning comedian serves up funny bone-busting material spanning his career, from his LA arrival to his recurring role on Will & Grace. Tickets for the 8:00 PM PST show are available through the LA Gay & Lesbian Centers website. For another slightly devilish delight, check out new music from Shoshana Bean, most famous for playing the role of Elphaba in Wicked. The star's just-released debut, Superhero, boasts catchy, soulful R&B grooves that may surprise even her Broadway fans.

Friday, December 12: Academy Award winners Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman star in Doubt, in major theaters today. Set in a Catholic school in the Bronx in 1964, the film follows Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Streep), who accuses the schools charismatic priest Father Flynn (Hoffman) of molesting a student, the schools first black pupil. The problem? Beauvier has no proof. And the ensuing battle of wits between the iron-fisted nun and her target threatens to tear the community apart at a time when political change has already disrupted its delicate balance. Catch the official trailer here.

Saturday, December 13: If youre in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or the surrounding area, catch Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, The Veronicas, and Fallout Boy all at one spot: the Y100 Jingle Ball at Bank Atlantic Center. Warning: Its one of those shows where youll be competing against hordes of overly zealous thirteen-year-olds, so prep those vocal chords. (And do yourself a favor and opt for the pricier seats.) The show begins at 7:30 PM EST. You can grab tickets through Ticketmaster.

Sunday, December 14: Bloc Party, the British indie band that released their third studio album, Intimacy, in August, hits up Tempe, Arizonas Marquee Theatre tonight as part of a limited West Coast engagement. Front man Kele Okerekes sexuality has moved front and center as the band has grown in popularity, with some lyrics tackling boy-on-boy attraction: The song I Still Remember deals with physical longing between two (straight) schoolboys. Check out the track Talons from the latest album and grab tickets for tonights performance (at 6:30 PM MST) by heading to The Marquee Theatre website.