December 1996 The Incredibly True Adventure of 2 Girls in Love. (New Line Home Video, Rated“ R, 94 minutes, $19.95) Reviewed by Carolyn Ashby Reviews: A Holiday Gift-Giver's Guide The small orchestra is excellent, and balances nicely with the chorus. Robert Barney, director of the chorus, also arranged several of the pieces. The eighty member chorus sings nicely, although the tenors are often flat, especially in Charpentier's “Magnificat.” “Still, Still, Still," a German carol, is especially gentle and beautiful. Another enjoyable selection is “Who Will Buy,” performed by an eight member ensemble with finesse and professionalism. Less successful, and occasionally overdone, are the Christmas medleys. Perhaps the audience and the director like these schmaltzy, loud outbursts, but this reviewer enjoys a bit more polish and subtlety in choral singing. The requisite Hanukah song, which gives the CD its title, comes complete with loud clapping and the occasional “Hey!” Unfortunately, it seems out ofplace in this selection of mostly Christian music. Let’s be honest folks, adding one non—Christian se- lection does not create a diverse body of work. However, if you‘re looking for a nice selection of Christmas songs, and also want to support our community, this is one CD you may wish to buy for of Gay Sex" (whose narrator resembles a cross between Mr. Spock and Dr. Ruth) and the more informative than entertaining "My First Time" (wherein gay youth talk about discovering sex) show them borrowing from the inventory of the British company Prowler Video. Accordingly, you're bound to hear terms like "stiffie" and "bunghole" in thick and often muddled British ac- cents, along with discussions of recent Parliamen- tary rulings. Not my cup of Earl Grey, thank you. For a free catalog or ordering information, con- tact Alluvial at (800) 959-9843 or check out their Web Site at http://www.alluvial.com. A chance encounter at an out—of-the—way gas station sets in mo- tion this uproariously funny, tenderly true romance between sheltered and privileged Evie and mathematically challenged, working class baby dyke Randy. The ensuing adventure is everything you ever wished your first love had been — and every nightmare in which anything that could have gone wrong did. “The Incredibly True Adventure of 2 Girls in Love” is a movie for everyone: for those of you out there who loved cheesy eighties teeny- V bopper movies butwho really wish that you (not that guy) could have gotten the girl; for anyone who craves a vicarious return to the often (melo—)dramatic, awkward, and anxious but headily sweet days of teenage life and love; and especially for all of us who have been longing for a pure and simple, true and silly, honest and crazy look at all the little laughs of first lesbian love. “Freedom, Merriment, and Joy” by the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus. On CD. Reviewed by Tom Aloisi The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus has released its second CD, "Freedom, Merriment and Joy," a col- lection of songs recorded live at the New England Conservatory in December of 1995. The record- Gay Olympian: The Life and Death of Dr. Tom Waddell. ‘ By Dick Schaap and Tom Waddell; published by Alfred Knopf, $23.00 hardcover. 1 Reviewed by Bruce Johnson Tom Waddell was a truly remarkable man. He is probably best known not only for his competition in the decathlon at the 1968 Olym- pic Games in Mexico City, but also for his organization of the first Gay Games, held in 1982. Prior to the 1968 Olympics, he was an outstanding athlete at Spring College and starred in football, gymnas- tics, and track. While at college, he courted women despite his teen- . age realization that he might be homosexual. Additionally, Tom Waddell was a top-notch military and civilian doctor specializing in infectious diseases. He excelled in the fine arts as a painter, dancer, and photographer. Moreover, he was a prominent leader in the gay community. Following Gay Games I, he married Sara Lewinstein, a lesbian who was a professional bowler as well as a proficient softball and racquetball player. She shared Tom’s enthusi- asm for sports, as well as his dreams of parenthood. Together they had a daughter, Jessica, in 1983. By the mid-70’s, Waddell was openly gay, having had to hide his sexuality during competition in the Olympic games. He then entered a period of dangerous promiscuity, which he later believed contrib- uted to his developing AIDS in 1985. Two years later he died, just shy of age fifty. ' Dick Schaap, a premier television reporter, weaves Waddell’s life story with excerpts from a journal Waddell wrote for his daughter. Facing many of the same pressures we still face in society, Tom wanted very much for his daughter to know what he was like and what he had accomplished. I could find absolutely no fault with this book, one of the best I have ever read. The narration held an excellent balance between Waddell’s relationships and the many undertaking in his life. I am thoroughly convinced that few of us could ever match Waddell’s many accomplishments. His zest for living and his unflag- ging courage are certainly traits to be emulated. To anyone in the gay community who enjoys sports, especially the Olympics, this book is a “must read.” But don't take my word for it. Just read the book and discover the excitement for yourself. Morning Music, 55 minutes, unrated, a Greenwood/Cooper video. The Kama Sutra Of Gay Sex, 55 minutes, unrated. AG/C video. My First‘ Time, 45 minutes, unrated, also a G/C video.. Reviewed by Alex Corey Gay male video company Greenwood/Cooper is at its best when it produces its own material, and "Morning Music" shows them head- ing in the right direction. As a follow-up to their evocative “Exhibi- tion,” “Morning Music” features six music videos judged to be “too hot for MTV.” The segments feature mostly nude buff hairless men (the kind you see all the time here in Vermont...) in various scenarios, from a stunning modern dance set in the desert to a couple seduc- tively strip-teasing in a club. The music, your basic techno club mixes, keeps pulsing along, even if it's not what I’d have on the stereo in the morning. Only one of the segments, featuring a blond hunk, a white horse/man and two flour—powdered cupids, borders on the absurd. Since its inception, Greenwood/Cooper (a division of Alluvial Entertainment) has provided a wide range of alternatives for modern gay men tired of thestandard trade in erotic video. Their videos con- sistently land on Gay Top Ten lists featured in magazines like..the Advocate, and most make for great gifts. Even so, in their efforts to expand their catalog and increase sales, Alluvial has sometimes resorted to reproducing the work of other com- panies. Two other recent releases, the extremely tiresome "Kama Sutra ing quality is excellent, capturing the rich sound oflordan Hall in Boston. the holiday season. V Regular AA MEETINGS: ‘BURLINGTON — Sundays, 5 p.m., Christ Church Presbyterian, Redstone Campus, Uni- versity of Vermont. — Thursdays, 7 p.m., St. Paul’s Cathedral, Cherry Street, Burlington. Call 658-4221. CONCORD (NH) — Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, North Main and Washington Streets. KEENE (NH) — Saturdays, 7-8:30 p.m. Call (603) 357-4300. - MANCHESTER (NH) —- Sundays, 7:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 669 Union St. NASHUA (NH) —— Mondays, 7:30 p.m., Nashua Unitarian Church. BISEXUAL NETWORK OF VERMONT Last Saturday of each month, 6:30 p.m., City Market, Burlington. Call 658-9544 or 865-3062. Discussion group: first Sunday of each month, 4:00 p.m., Outright Vermont offices. For more info, call 849-6638. COLLEGE GROUPS: Middlebury GLBA —— Sundays, 8:00 p.m., Chellis House. tion and/or more details, call 656-0699. GAY GUY GET-TOGETHERS The Gay Guy Get Togethers are currently under renovation For an update, call 254-8263. HIV/AIDS MEETINGS: BRATTLEBORO AREA AIDS PROJECT -— For PLWA, friends, and families. 4th Floor, 67 Main St., Brattleboro. Wednesdays, 12:30- 1:30 p.m. Call Maryann at 254-8263. SUPPORT GROUP FOR HIV+/AIDS WOMEN — Mondays, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Greenfield MA. Call (413) 773-8888. VERMONT CARES —- Support group for gay/bi men living with HIV/AIDS, Mondays, 5:30—7 p.m. Call 863-2437. SUPPORT GROUP FOR AFRICAN- AMERICAN MEN living with HIV/AIDS — Alternate Tuesdays, Call Ayana at 863-2437 for dates, times, and locations. , WASHINGTON COUNTY AREA SUP- PORT GROUP for people living with HIV/ AIDS — Second and fourth Thursdays, 2-3:30 p.m. Call 229-4560 for location and,more info. Support group for family and friends of people living with HIV/AIDS, Thursdays, 5-6:30 p.m. Call 863-8162. UVM GLBA -— Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. For loca— , Meetings HUNTINGTON OPEN WOMEN’S LAND (HOWL) Sunday brunches, ll a.m.—2 p.m. Call 864-5595. KEENE GAY MEN’S SUPPORT GROUP Tuesdays. Unitarian Universalist Church, 69 Washington St. Keene, NH. Call Brian at (800) 639-7903. MYRIAD NETWORK For g/l/b/t’s in the Berkshires. Fridays, 7 p.m., First Congregational Church, Williamstown MA. Write Box 288, Williamstown MA 01267. NETWORK NORTH Cheap Movie Nights, Tuesdays, 6:15 pm. at Wilton Mall Food Court, Wilton NY. Coffee Nights, Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. at Un- common Grounds, Saratoga Springs NY. Coffee Mornings, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. at Un- common Grounds, Saratoga Springs NY. OUTRIGHT VERMONT GLBQ youth groups (under 23). Fridays, 7-9 p.m. Young men’s group (under 23): Wednesdays, 7- 8:30 p.m. Call 800-GLB-CHAT. GLBQ ‘zine publishing group (under 23): First Wednesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. P-FLAG OF CENTRAL VERMONT 3rd Sundays, 1 p.m., 2nd Floor Chapel, Unitarian Universalist Church, Montpelier (use School Street entrance). New contact to be announced. P-FLAG OF CHAMPLAIN VALLEY 2nd Sundays, 2-4 p.m. at the First Methodist Church, Burlington (use the Buell St. street level * entrance). For information, call Lil at 863-4285 or Jeneva at 878-2838. SOCIALALTERNATIVES FOR MEN (SAM) Tuesdays, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. For more info, con- tact Ed at 649-3133 or SMED@valley.net. STRAIGHT SPOUSES OF G/L/B PARTNERS Support group, every third Tuesday at the Unitar- ian Universalist Church in Northampton MA. Call Jane at (413) 625-6033. YOUTH AWARE Support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgen- dered youth in Addison County. First Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m., Ilsley Library»Meeting Room, Middle- bury. For more info, call Hugh at 388-6503. 11'