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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 17, 2004)
december 17.2004 * ju s t ou t CULTURE ......................................' ▼ ......................................... New Queer's Eve Wanna ring in 2005 with a midnight smooch? This is where the out crowd will be partying. by t’s high time to send 2004 packing! Though it was the year our fellow Oregonians voted in a draconian law to try to keep us from marrying, we haven’t given up the fight. With Tom Potter and Sam Adams soon to he in office, 2005 is shaping up to he the year that gay, lesbian, hi and trans Oregonians— and everyone in between— make important strides toward true equality. The queer cultural scene has never been stronger, as these New Year’s Eve events reveal. Whether you’re into all-female, all- male, all-queer or all-kinds, Portland has a party for you. For those in need of a bit of mood uplift as this depressing political year wanes, the Portland Lesbian Choir and Lesbian Community Project have just the thing. The two organizations are teaming up to bring you Celebrate Our City : Where Hoix> Shines in 2005 to help ring in a queer-friendly new year in Portland, even if the national scene looks bleak. The fun starts 8 p.m. at Shenanigan’s, 4575 N. Channel Road. Boogie on the smoke- free dance floor until 1 a.m. to the tracks of DJ Lauren while taking part in the other revel ry: food, party favors, a raffle, a silent auction and, of course, a champagne toast. Rumor has it that special “celebrity” guests will lx* there to remind you why our city is so awesome. Advance tickets are $25 from Music Millenni um, In Other Words and It’s My Pleasure. Admission is $50 at the door. M eg D aly For the hoys, Steam hosts a Blackout party starting at 10 p.m., when the lights go out and glow sticks come on. Sound exciting? Well, it will lx, especially when Rascal Video star L3oug Jefferies gives a midnight shower show to go with the champagne toast. Purported to he the wildest men-only experience in Portland, Steam is the place to he for naughty New Year’s Eve fun. You must he 18 or older and a member to attend. Steam is kxated at 2885 N.E. Sandy Blvd. and online at www.steamportland.com. There will he Wall to Wall Women at the Egyptian Room’s annual hash, where you can eat, drink and he merry from 7 p.m. until 4 a.m. Take your lady by the hand and sing her a karaoke song, swing her around the dance floor, escort her hy the snack table, toast her with champagne at midnight and feed her treats at the 2 a.m. continental breakfast. She’s sure to he yours for another year to come—or at least through New Year’s Day! Advance tickets are a mere $8 from the club or www.theegyptiancluh.com. Admission is $10 at the d»x)r, 3701 S.E. Division St. Hipsters unite to ring in the new year during the first-ever Fir Ball at the Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St. Two levels of fun and mayhem are promised to ensue when White Plot Odyssey takes the stage early on, followed hy gnxtves from DJs Pander, Izm, Evil One and Anjali and the Incredible Kid. This not-queer-only show lasts from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., during which time the curious creatures known as the Fir Girls will slink about in tat toos and fur. A mere $20 in advance from www.dougfirlounge.com or $25 at the dixir. The downtown gay circuit will he partying on this auspicious eve. Start at Darcelle XV, 208 N.W. Third Ave., at 6 p.m. for dinner and the New Year’s Eve Extravaganza: Glitz, Glamour and Comedy 2005 — or come at 8 p.m. for the show only. Tickets are $60 for the dinner/show package and $35 for the show and cocktails only. Call 503-222-5338 to reserve your seat. Stop in around the comer at C .C . Slaughters, 219 N.W. Davis St., for the Platinum Ball 2005 starting at 9 p.m. Admission is $10. Then head up to Scandals, 1038 S.W. Stark St., where DJ Rohh will he spinning and you can enjoy a midnight buffet and cham pagne toast. • The east side will he party central, tix). For another nonsmoking option, check out the gay- owned wine and martini bar Crush at 1412 S.E. Morrison St. No admission, $3 well drinks from 7 to 10 p.m., and a hallixai drop at midnight. Queer burlesque entertainer Sparkleheart hosts NYE at Buektoun starting 9 p.m. at Holocene, 1001 S.E. Morrison St. Admission is $6. The revolutionary drag troupes Uhergay Cabaret and Sissyhoy will perform during Jack's Off the Beansuilk: A Mish-Mash Fairy Bash at Nocturnal, 1800 E. Burnside St. See Page 37 for details. For the dancehall aficionados, Out Dancing has got you covered at Ankeny Street Studio, 975 S.E. Sandy Blvd. Join instructor Daniel Hutchison and his partner, David Wilson, at 9 p.m. for an elegant buffet dinner followed by all your favorite classic dance styles: swing, Latin, ballnxim and country. Twirl under the mirror ball until 1 a.m. while the candlelight twinkles in your partner’s eye. Singles as well as couples are welcome. Sip your sparkling cider at this alcohol-free, smoke-free event that puts the Evening hack in New Year’s. Tickets are $25 from www.outdancing.info or $30 at I the dix>r. It’s all the rage when Darklady hosts a Sfx’akeasy New Year's Eve from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Think sexy flappers, cigarette holders, moving pictures, suits and fedoras, women’s suffrage, Rudolph Valentino, Rudy Vallee, the rise of jazz— and speakeasies. Darklady will be your “whisper sister*’ as you cross the years during this homage to the Prohibition era and the secret world of indulgence that it inspired. The evening features tunes from the 1920s, live music by Edgewalking Blind and Full Brazil, casino games, an “intimate rubitorium" and a kinky S/M play space. This potluck ! event with no-host bar costs $20 to get in if you dress the part (1920s inspired or fetish) or $25 if you’re in street clothes. RSVP to darklady@darklady.com for directions, details and the code word. in 35
