Dallas Voice

WATCH: Logo’s ‘Bump’ highlights Dallas

Posted on 19 Aug 2010 at 4:25pm

Wednesday night (and again Thursday morning), Logo aired an episode of the travel series Bump! that profiled Dallas. And Dallas looked damn good in it. Of course, anything near host Charlie David is bound to bask in his reflected beauty, but still.

The episode, which was filmed during last year’s Pride Weekend, painted the well-rounded portrait of gay Dallas we know to be the reality. Yes, they hit the Round-Up Saloon with the two-stepping queerboys, but we also got interviews with drag diva Wayne Smith and mayoral chief of staff Chris Heinbaugh; a scrimmage with gay rugby players the Dallas Diablos, pictured; and a session with NOH8 creator Adam Bouska, who picked Dallas as his first locale outside California. Plus there were scenes of the parade, a stop by Blythe Beck’s kitchen at Central 214 and other things that set Dallas apart. (The ep was actually screened at a preview party last week at the ilume, which got plenty of good press as well.)

The episode is set to re-air next week. Take a look, and see how gay America sees Big D.

— Arnold Wayne Jones

The Round-Up Saloon commemorates its 30 years with — what else — a snazzy belt buckle

Posted on 28 Jul 2010 at 3:31pm

Buckle up

As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, the Round-Up Saloon has issued a commemorative belt buckle. Seriously, this is better than just a T-shirt, but will also set you back a bit more. But really, can we put a price on history?

The club is taking orders for the buckle until Saturday evening. They are priced at $150 with a $75 deposit.Want one? Just contact the club and speak with the manager on duty to get your order in.

This is probably a hot ticket item. Thirty years is quite a milestone, but we think this lady might also have something to do with making the belt buckle a must-have:

— Rich Lopez

In need of a post-mortem Lady Gaga fix?

Posted on 26 Jul 2010 at 4:15pm

After her Friday show Lady Gaga made it out to the Round-Up Saloon for some post-concert partying. There are several videos online capturing the singer mixing it up with the cowboys and cowgirls — which isn’t surprising (who doesn’t have a video phone these days to capture everything?), but we liked this particular one where she addresses the crowd and thanks her fans while reminiscing about her first performance at the Round-Up two years ago. Good times. For all the other videos of her appearance, heading here should get you started.

— Rich Lopez

Voice of Pride finalists selected at Round-Up

Posted on 26 Jul 2010 at 11:40am

I was one of the judges at the semi-finals round of the Voice of Pride competition which took place last night at the Round-Up. Twenty-four performances — 19 soloists and five duets — competed to enter the final round at the Rose Room next month. Ten soloists and three duets advanced after three hours of singing. And with seven judges, a policy of dropping the top and bottom scores to equalize the voting and a variety of tastes, you never know if the ones you liked most will advance. But for the most part, my favorites did. (I would only quibble with one or two taking more deserving performers’ space.)

Once again, Juliana Jeffrey did stunning work — she’s been in the top 3 for the past three years. There were other familiar faces (and voices) as well: Mel Arizpe, Robert Olivas and Christine Pradia — all of whom were in the top five in recent years — made it through. Greg Castillo, last year’s second runner-up, was part of the duet Present for the Future … with Juliana Jeffrey, pictured. Their group also advanced.

There were some new names as well, including Chae Studebaker (a sweet country balladeer voice), a woman named only Red (soulful R&B sound) and Joel Canavales (who started the show off right). This is the first year duets and groups are eligible, and two others to advance are called Classic Resurrection and Mi Diva Loca.

Here’s the complete list of finalists, in alphabetical order: Mel Arizpe; Joel Canales; Laura Carrizales; Melissa Hubenak; Juliana Jeffrey; Angie Landers; Robert Olivas; Christine Pradia; Red; Chae Studebaker, plus the duos Classic Resurrection, Mi Diva Loca and Present for the Future.

Finals will be Aug. 15 at the Rose Room.

— Arnold Wayne Jones

Lady Gaga Countdown: 2 years before this week’s AAC shows, she came to the Round-Up Saloon

Posted on 19 Jul 2010 at 3:58pm

Not since Britney’s show last September have the gays been buzzing like this. Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tour is now just four days away — or three days and some hours for the diehards. While gals are curling their hair with beer cans and boys are bedazzling their American Apparel tees (which would be at least one of my colleagues here who shall remain nameless), I thought I’d share some Gaga tidbits leading up to the concerts. So call up “Alejandro” and get your “Poker Face” on, because we’re making way for Gaga.

Continue reading “Lady Gaga Countdown: 2 years before this week’s AAC shows, she came to the Round-Up Saloon” »

— Rich Lopez

Scenes from the Miss Texas FFI pageant

Posted on 16 Jul 2010 at 3:35pm

Along with judging the Miss Texas FFI pageant Tuesday night at the Round-Up, I snapped a few shots of the contestants and entertainment. The competition was strong with some pretty amazing gowns and talent to look at, but after all was said and done, the Miss Texas FFI 2010 title went to Asia O’Hara and Miss Texas FFI At Large 2010 went to Armani Nicole Davenport. More pics after the jump.

Continue reading “Scenes from the Miss Texas FFI pageant” »

— Rich Lopez

The Round-Up’s Facebook page offers a look back

Posted on 13 Jul 2010 at 4:55pm

As you may already know, the Round-Up begins celebrating its 30th anniversary this Thursday all the way through Sunday. That should be quite the celebration.

Terry Bucher, the club’s visual media producer, looks like he might be getting a head start on the celebration with recent photos he’s posted on the Round-Up’s Facebook page. Here are a few examples, but you may want to take a look for yourself.

Bucher, fourth from left, in this Memorial Day 1991 photo.

— Rich Lopez

Stonewall holiday party is tonight

Posted on 07 Dec 2009 at 2:16pm

Stonewall

The candidate filing period is officially under way for March primaries, and I expect to see a good number of Democratic candidates who’ll be on next year’s ballot at the Round-Up Saloon tonight. Stonewall Democrats of Dallas, one of the largest Democratic groups in the county, is gearing up for a big election year in 2010, but first the group will wrap up 2009 with its Annual Holiday Party.

In addition to plenty of candidates, the party will feature food, drag performances and a holiday basket auction. Stonewall will also announce the winners of its annual awards. The nominees for Member of the Year are Travis Gasper, Bill Fry and Tina Yoo. The nominees for Group of the Year are Rockwall County Young Democrats, Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats and Equality Texas. The nominees for Democrat of the Year are Tena Callahan, Roberto Alonso and Ernie White. And the nominees for the Pink Pump Award are Lynn Cherry, Elizabeth Crowder and Larry Duncan.

Also, Stonewall has adopted the Legacy Counseling Center and encourages poeple to bring one of the following items to donate: paper towels, Scrubbing Bubbles, diaper wipes, light bulbs, Gatorade/Kool-Aid, toilet paper, granulated sugar packets, non-dairy creamer packets, 9-ounce plastic cups, trash bags of all sizes, copy paper, stamps, liquid paper, latex gloves, personal snack packs, soft drinks and adult non-pull-up diapers.

The party is from 7 to 9 at the Round-Up, 3912 Cedar Springs Road.

— John Wright