9% 24 | Out in the Mountains | December 1999 A Vocal Minority continued from page 2| that we can promote under- standing on the part of the larg- er society of which we are a part, that what we seek is not special rights, but simple equal rights. To the extent that our group can be a positive force to communicate and educate regarding these matters, we will consider that we have ful- filled an important reason for forming the group to begin with.” Politics aside, this group of men likes to get together and sing and have a fun time. Singing, socializing, and eat- ing good food are all high pri- orities for A Vocal Minority. “A principal motivator for many of us is promoting social interactions within our group,” says Menk. “In rural Vermont, whatever social units can be formed to promote get-togeth- ers for gay people help forge friendships and bonds that would otherwise not exist.” Those bonds have come along nicely here. An atmos- phere of warm friendship exists between these men, and a playful air pervades the church hall as they practice for their holiday concerts in December. Under Tavcar’s professional but gentle guid- ance, they work hard to make the soprano, tenor and bass parts of each selection come together — and with the work done, they break to share a potluck dinner. Some kind of recording is a possibility, albeit not in the near future. The group feels there is still much growth, learning and practicing to do before such an undertaking can be realized. For the present, their goal is simple, says Menk: “We are committed to the creation of a first class choral group of which we, the gay community, can be justly proud.” A Vocal Minority, The Vermont Gay Men’s Chorus has planned a classical pro- gram for “Make a Joyful Noise — A Seasonal Celebration.” Catch these holiday concerts and bear witness to this revealed secret. A Vocal Minority will per- form Saturday December 4 at 8pm at the UU Church in Montpelier, and on Sunday, December 5, at 4pm at the UU Church in St. J0hnsbury.V Pride Benefits Are a Drag! Lad Zeno Raises Cash For ride Day 2000 ince Labor Day, Lady S Zeno has been on a mis- sion. That mission has been to raise money to make Vermont’s GLBT Pride Day 2000 something to remember. Her method to meet the mis- sion has been Bingo! If things keep going as they have for the past two months, Lady Zeno’s efforts could benefit Pride Vermont to the tune of $5,000. At 8:00pm every Tuesday evening at 135 Pearl in Burlington, she steps up to the microphone with her Bingo balls in hand and until midnight (with a break at 9:00pm to watch “Will and Grace”) no one doubts that they aren’t in for a good time. She starts off with the rules. “First rule, I’m always right,” she declares. From there she explains that for just $1 you get to play two cards all night. If you win a game and use the “Zeno Free Spot”, you pay a quarter before you’re declared a winner. And then there’s Zeno’s Stupid Tax. If you ask a question that Zeno thinks you should know the answer to, she fines you a quarter. “What game are we playing?” Quarter. If you shout “Bingo!” and it turns out you don’t have the right spaces filled - quarter. The winner of the first game of the evening is declared the Bingo Queen. The Queen must wear the rainbow-decorated tiara through- out the night and when their win- ning number is called, all players must stand and bow to the Queen. “It’s a very inexpensive evening of entertainment and socializing,” says Bob Bolyard, 135 Pearl’s Tuesday bartender. “Between the dollar for the Bingo, and our dollar drafts and dollar hot dogs, you can have a lot of fun and not spend much money. And help a good cause, too.” “I’m having so much fun,” says Zeno. “Pride Day is always so exciting, but I want it to be big- ger and better - especially for the 35 Lady Zen Photo by Russell Dreher 0 presents a check to Pride Vermont Committee member Tracy Komons. The check represents $1,000 Lady Zeno has raised since Labor Day by hosting Drag Bingo at 135 Pearl in Burlington. year 2000. The people who come to play are just awesome, but I couldn’t do it without the support of Bob and the rest of the great staff at 135 Pearl.” And she has a challenge to announce. “I challenge every drag queen in Vermont to raise at least $500 for Pride Day. If I can do it, so can you!” Pride is Zeno’s main beneficia- ry, but two weeks in October she shified her efforts to raise $240 for the Mary Young Fund.V Miss Beaver Pond To Be Crowned First Time In 25 Years once proud tradition of the small town of Beaver Pond is about to be resur- rected. For years, young girls dreamed of being crowned Miss Beaver Pond. The glamour, the prestige, the honor of wearing the fur trimmed tiara and representing Beaver Pond was once an honor that could change a young girl’s life forever. It’s been twenty-five years since Amber and Margaurite, The Sisters LeMay, were crowned co-Miss Beaver Pond. While it is true they were the only contestants that year, for some reason there has not been a contest since. The Sisters, along with their entourage, The House of LeMay, will be hosting the Miss Beaver Pond 2000 contest on Friday and Saturday, December 10 and 11. Because of the excitement and expected public interest in this year’s pageant, it has been moved from its previous site, the Hot Dam Trailer Park Social Room and Laundromat, to 135 Pearl in Burlington. To accommodate those Beaver Pond people who will not be able to attend in per- son, the pageant will be telecast live over Beaver Pond’s only cable channel, WDAM. Five contestants will vie for the honor of Miss Beaver Pond 2000 and compete in evening gown, sports/leisure wear, talent and poise categories. The Miss Beaver Pond Contest is a fundraiser for Vermont GLBT Pride Day 2000. Tickets are $6 and are available at 135 Pearl dur- ing the evenings or at the door. Advance purchases are suggested. V /\\*(‘’\I 0 I C \ amour RAINBOW cor, / THE T.V. SHOW BY. FOR AND ABOUT VERMONT'5 L/G/B/T COMMUNITY ANDOUR SUPPORTERSI Sit back and enjoy our December program filled with news, resources and an informative interview by co-anchors Sharon Randall and Michael James FOCUS ON SEGMENT: Heather Geoffrey, Education & Outreach Coordinator, Outright Vermont Adelphia (CH. 13) (Ludlovv, Plymouth, Woodstock) Fri 9pm— Adelphia (CH. 15) (Greater Burlington area) Fri 9pm Adelphia (CH. 15) (Montpelier, Waterbury, Randolph) 2nd & 4th Fri 7:30pm Lake Champlain (CH. 2) 1st & 2nd Mon 11pm and 1st & 2nd Wed. 10pm Helicon (CH. 7) (Barre) 2nd & 4th Mon 8:30pm BCTV (CH. 8) (Brattleboro) call 257-0888 for air days/time MCTV (Middlebury, E. Middlebury, Weybridge) 388-3062 for airtimes MMCTV (CH. 3)(Richmond, Jericho, Underhill) call 434-2550 for air days/time WENO (CH.15) (Enosburg, Berkshire, Richford) 1st & 3rd Sun at 8pm CA-TV (Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, Woodford, Hoosick Falls) call 442-8868 for air days/time Before you trust just any agency to represent you, check out... E THE TECHNICAL CONNECTION, INC. Staffing for the New Milenniuml because: 0 No fee to you! 0 You can tap the hidden job market. 0 You can use our Confidential search techniques. 0 You can use our skills to find interesting, Cutting edge employment opportunities. 0 You can become eligible for lucrative Consulting opportunities through our contracting division. 0 You can make use of our established rela- tionships with leading Vermont employers. 0 You Can use our 12 plus years in Burlington, Vermont to assist in your job search. 0 We specialize in permanent long-term placements. 0 We are Vermont’s Technical Specialists! Confidential inquiries can be directed to Chris Johnson and Kathie Taft via email: vtjobs@aol.Com or call 802.B58.TECH. Check out our new website at WWW.VtteCh]0bS.C0m