Cover of the Chainsaw Kittens, "Dorothy's Last Fling" by Boys' Entrance

This was our opener at ABSOLUTE Fringe, 1-30-11. Bad sound quality, nice visuals.

Covergirl, Tim Cain on Gay Chicago Magazine

http://www.gaychicagomagazine.com
Wow, it is finally out. I love the pictures by Sukie De La Croix that they chose. Gregg Shapiro did a great job with the interview. Imagine that, it took me 36 years in the biz to get a cover. Ok, it ain't Rolling Stone, but I am clearly on my way. LOL.

Thanks to Gay Chicago Magazine for their coverage of ABSOLUTE Fringe, and to Gregg and Sukie to their contribution to the success of the show.

ABSOLUTE Fringe- this Sunday

I am crowning! The baby known as ABSOLUTE Fringe is coming down the chute, and there is no stopping it. There are so many questions. What color are it's eyes? What color hair will it have? Will it be a healthy baby? Giving birth is a BITCH!

I have been in labor since November. Doing the holidays while pregnant is tough. It was all I could do to shop, let alone cook for the family. Then as so often happens, we got a dog before the baby came. What was I thinking? Maybe it was for the best. Buddy kept me centered when chaos was raging all around me.

Above all, I have faith "that which is right is unfolding". ABSOLUTE Fringe, honey, you go out there and make mama proud.

Gay Chicago Shoot

Watch for the Jan. 25th issue of Gay Chicago. Yours truly will grace THE COVER! The subject of the article is my ABSOLUTE Fringe show. Sukie De La Croix was the photographer, and he was accompanied to the Elbo Room Chicago by Gregg Shapiro who interviewed me for the article. We had a hoot.

We have been friends for years. Gregg was the first journalist to encourage my music in Boys' Entrance. He has written many reviews of Boys' Entrance through the years. He has been an advocate for the band, and I am deeply grateful to him for his support.

Sukie has been a friend for many years as well. He is one of the great raconteurs of the Chicago music/gay scene. Not only is he a gifted writer, but he is also a great photographer. We had so much fun camping it up at the Elbo Room last week. At one point I was doing some fabulous pose, and Sukie said, "Oh yeah, that's it. I don't know how you are doing this?" And I responded, "I haven't been watching America's Top Model" all these years for nothing". To which Greg, (that bitch) quipped, "That's America's Bottom Model!" We all fell out. It was like that all afternoon.

I can't wait to see what fringy photo graces the cover, and the accompanying article.

Thanks Sukie and Gregg!

Duo Again

Well, Mike Ferro and I are once again a duo for the next Boys' Entrance show. Both Brett Basil and our newest professed member, Lisa Lisak have dropped away.

So it is back to Mike and I to carry on. It seems we are fated thus. But the great pleasure of the situation is getting to know Mike better and better. We have played together in this band for 17 years, and until last year, I didn't feel I knew Mike at all. I don't know if is me or him that has changed, but I like the man I am getting to know. He is still reserved, but he is warm and deeply familiar, and like an old friend- I guess that is exactly what he is to me. He is steady, and solid. He has always been there, and he doesn't react when I am less than politic in my direction. He just allows me to be me and now I too am allowing him to be him. (As if I have a choice.)

I love Mike. He is like a brother to me. I love his partner Stuart too.
I am very fortunate to have know them both for so long.

Happy Holidays? I hope so.

Hi Everyone. I am hoping this blog finds you in good spirits and enjoying the season. It has been so snowy and cold in Illinois this year. It seems there is little question that it will be a white Christmas this year. It hasn't even turned black and slushy on the roadsides. I don't know why. Usually that mars all the loveliness. Not so this year. OMG, it is a Christmas Miracle! La Milagros!!!

I have a lot to share, so I will just get to it...

First of all, I am now the Co-organizer of an on-line group called Queer Music Fans http://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Queer-Music/?__force_urlname=1#initialized
It is a large group of lesbians, gays, and trans people who are all about music. Not only is it a great way to network, but it is a great way to commune with like-minded peps. I am really enjoying learning about other bands, musician, and fans of queer music.

This dovetails nicely into my newest project, ABSOLUTE Fringe- a monthly LGBT music festival.


The show began simply as a contact by the Elbo Room after I posted a press kit on Reverb Nation and sent out queries for shows. Brian Bender, the GM of The Elbo Room is a VERY COOL straight ally who has booked many LGBT acts at the club over time. He was interested in booking Boys' Entrance. I went to meet with Brian and check out the club- which is VERY COOL, and has two stages, a small upstairs stage for acoustic acts, and a larger stage downstairs for bands. I went to the meeting with an agenda. I wanted to know if The Elbo Room would like to do a gay night, one where I would program the whole night? Brian was into the idea. He would make the club available Sunday-Thursday, the night of my choice. I could charge whatever I wanted. He would start by handing over the club for 3 months.

I spoke with Scott Free, and Mitch Marlow. Both gave me invaluable advice. Scott told me he thought it would be a great event for the community. "There has never been anything like it- 6 queer acts in one night." Mitch counseled me on the business aspects of the deal. I worked it all out with Brian. He couldn't have been more supportive or helpful.

The response from the community has been amazing. LGBT musicians from as far away as Florida are signing up to perform! The local music community has been so supportive.
For me, this is an opportunity to give back. I am opening the first show on January 30th, 2011 with one of my most fundamental musical influences performing. Kristin Lems is the prototypical Feminist, singer/songwriter. I first met Kristin in 1974, I think. She used to perform in coffee houses and restaurants around Champaign/Urbana. I don't know how many times I heard her perform "Mammary Glands"! But there is great depth in her repertoire. "Awards include the "Woman of Illinois Repute" of the Illinois Women's Agenda, the President's Award of Illinois NOW, the Humanist Heroine Award of the American Humanist Association, the Freethought Heroine Award of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, and the Founder's Award of the Women in the Arts Foundation, for founding the National Women's Music Festival. Kristin is also a former Fulbright Scholar." She is the REAL DEAL, and I am so honored that she has agreed to be the first performer on an ABSOLUTE Fringe stage.

Also gracing the ABSOLUTE Fringe Acoustic Lounge stage is my friend Brett Alan Basil in an acoustic presentation of his PINK SHEEP music. Brett is a super talented singer/songwriter, who is also a member of Boys' Entrance. This is the first time Mr. Sheep has presented his Pink Sheep material on stage- and we are very lucky to have him.

Finally, Shoes For Mabel well bring there complex "jazz, angst, and folk," hybrid to the Acoustic Lounge stage. Carrie Lydon and company are fine musicians and I am certain their fans will enjoy hearing them in this setting.

Meanwhile downstairs on the Subterranean Electric Stage, we will proudly welcome Mr. Scott Free and the Scott Free Trio. Scott is the recent recipient of the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame Award- and having him on our stage as the first of many electric performers is in itself a treasure. Thank you Scott for getting us off to a good start.

The second group on the Subterranean Electric Stage are the inimitable, Joans. The Joans bring together New Wave, camp, and theatre in a heady, perfumed cloud. ABSOLUTE Fringe is all about the show, and the Joans bring it honey!

Last up is my own band, Boys' Entrance. This will be our first show incorporating both original rhythm guitarist for B.E.- Mike Ferro and Brett Alan Basil. We may even have more musicians in the act by then. Who knows. Every Boys' Entrance show is different.

I have the February show booked, and am only one act shy of completing the March line-up as well. I will be announcing those shows in the coming weeks. Join up with the Queer Music Fans group, support Queer Music, and come out for all the wonderful music at ABSOLUTE Fringe!

1# of Fillet Mignon and a baked potato

1 pound of Fillet Mignon and a baked potato.

Sounds like the makings of a good meal. The fillet was prepared just the way he likes it, (if he had ever had it before), bloody rare. It was wrapped in bacon, and had that delicious striping that adds to the flavor. The baked potato was an Idaho baker. It was of a moderate size, and slathered with butter. It was tender, buttery, and soaked up the blood from the prime meat as was the intent.

Both, the Fillet Mignon (with its bacon wrap) and the fluffy, white potato, were cut into small, bite-sized slices, and mixed together with care. After all, this was his last, and perhaps best meal of his life.

Would there be dessert? Yes, if he could manage it. A bit of Butter Pecan ice cream would be offered, and likely lapped from the bowl with gusto. On any other night, it would be unthinkable, but not tonight. This is, after all, his last night on Earth.

We wanted this to be a special meal for a special friend, our dog, Scooby. We found out this morning that he has cancer. His prostate is greatly enlarged. It is interfering with his urination, and more. His sleep is interrupted hourly as he struggles to make it out the door to relieve himself again, and again. He is chiper, even played with his ball today in the sunshine on his lawn.

Today, we agreed to release Scooby tomorrow, before his existence becomes a kind of torture- before we wonder if we were selfish. Today we chose to be good stewards of our friend, and care more for him than ourselves.

I learned this lesson many years ago, while I lived with Kharma, my brown tabby who reached the ripe age of 19. She truly had a lovely, and loving life, but her death was a prolonged and painful one. She died of a tumor in her brain. In the week before I finally relented to my own painful lesson, she suffered without need. I just didn't understand why she pressed her head against the walls and floor boards, writhing. I did learn from my stupidity, and know now that it is my responsibility to be vigilant to the condition of my loved ones.

My heart is heavy. I am tearing up. I don't know how I will do this again. I know I must though. This is the compact we have with these spirit-guides, these creatures who love us. We must be vigilant and love them enough to release them when it is time. The word "compact" started the tears again. That contract is tacit. They cling to our sides and comfort us when all others fall away- all humans desert us. They are faithful. I MUST be as well.

Scooby, you are loved, and will be missed with my whole being. I hope to see you on the other side, my friend.

Love, your buddy, Tim