Advertisements In which I highlight a byte of queer Berlin One more Pride post to round out the month, the subject being something I simultaneously know quite a bit and hardly anything about—the city I’ve lived in for very nearly two years. Nollendorfplatz—“Nolle” or “Nolli” for short—is a neighborhood I passed through on the daysContinue reading “A Brief History of Nollendorfplatz”
Category Archives: History
‘The Beatle-Making Prince of Pop’
Advertisements In which I celebrate an essential queer Virgo Guys, gals, and nonbinary pals. May I introduce to you the one, the only, the Julius Caesar of his era—Brian Epstein. I’d originally planned this post for September because his birthday is the day before mine. After all, it’s high time the rest of you acceptedContinue reading “‘The Beatle-Making Prince of Pop’”
Brunette on Blonde on Blonde
Advertisements In which I record the stats So amidst all the Pet Sounds ballyhoo I forgot that I should also commemorate the 55th anniversary of the release of the album I literally just called my favorite of Dylan’s. Which happens to be today. Among other reasons (its sense of humor, its drum parts), it’s myContinue reading “Brunette on Blonde on Blonde”
Happy birthday, Bob!
Advertisements In which I count a love minus zero On Monday the greatest lyrical poet of his generation turned 80. I’m going to eschew songwriter, although (or perhaps because) plenty call him that unhesitatingly—many artists of that generation, male and female, produced songs and/or albums that could justify their bid for the title. But hisContinue reading “Happy birthday, Bob!”
Why TURNSTILES Made Billy Joel Great
Advertisements In which I say goodbye to Hollywood Today marks the 45th anniversary of the release of Billy Joel’s fourth studio album. This boils down to convenience; it simply gives me a chronological excuse to talk about something I’ve wanted to talk about for some time now. Mostly because I don’t hear anyone else doingContinue reading “Why TURNSTILES Made Billy Joel Great”
The Artist, Not the Art
Advertisements In which I reassert an opinion A short while ago I read a collection of stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the ones he sold to magazines to make extra money (read: stay afloat) between novels.“Bernice Bobs Her Hair,” “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” etc. Most wereContinue reading “The Artist, Not the Art”
Youthful Optimism?
Advertisements In which I wonder who makes the future Hey all. I’ve been thinking a lot lately—no doubt since the murder of George Floyd late last spring, renewed this week after Derek Chauvin was convicted of that murder on three charges, and while my home country happens to be in the midst of possibly itsContinue reading “Youthful Optimism?”
Happy Birthday, Selena
Advertisements In which I reflect on a life I learned a lot about just in time CW: gun violence This is just to say that Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the intersectional voice of an underrepresented generation, would have turned fifty years old today. While, as the “Queen of Tejano Music,” she might not be thought of inContinue reading “Happy Birthday, Selena”
The Wilsonian Institute
Advertisements In which some old, old feelings meet new context Maybe it was the gummi bears. When I sat down with a bag of Haribo Goldbären to Love & Mercy, the biopic covering (in)famous periods in the life of Brian Wilson and the career of The Beach Boys, I thought about how this piece ofContinue reading “The Wilsonian Institute”
Who Was Leni Riefenstahl Really?
Advertisements In which I step out onto a limb So I’m trying something a little different this International Women’s Day. I thought I’d explore the life of a woman who came from the country I am living in and learning about. And, since women are such marvelously nuanced creatures, I chose a woman who wieldedContinue reading “Who Was Leni Riefenstahl Really?”