Here at Parlour, we love and support everybody. Gay, straight, Bi, Cablinasian & Questioning—as long you bring bubbly and good vibes, we’re happy. In the spirit of one nation under champagne, we invite you to watch the documentary “Her Name Was Steven” this weekend. I took a look at the trailer today and will admit, I’m impressed with anyone who has the courage to undergo any type of major change in public, especially when sex & gender transitions are still foreign to so many, leading to often negative responses. In the case of Steven Stanton, he lost his job as the city manager of Largo, Florida after he announced that he would like to continue his career, and his life, as a woman. She is now Susan Stanton, and is finally sharing her story that put her in the middle of a media circus while she was in the middle of her coming out process, to the world and to her family. (more…)

“But my question is this: who decides what truths should be told on the big screen and just how many times that particular truth should be visited and revisited?”

No doubt many Parlouristas around the globe tuned in to see who would take home the golden statue at this year’s Academy Awards. With the number of movies nominated, the competition was pretty thick, but no other film held the entertainment industry’s attention more than Lee Daniel’s Precious.

After making an impressive tour on the award show circuit, winning in various categories at The Golden Globes and the Independent Spirit Awards among others, the excitement came to a head on the big night—and Mo’Nique took the prize for best supporting actress to thunderous applause sans George Clooney who remained seated. I admit that I would have been more interested if the movie that Mo’Nique was nominated for actually did anything for me personally, but Precious was sad, stereotypical and at times, mind-numbing, much like Halle Berry’s award winning portrayal in Monster’s Ball. I was happy Mo’Nique was celebrated at the Oscar’s, but a little pissed as to why.

And I know I’m not alone. (more…)

So WHERE WERE YOU when GaGa & Bey debuted the video for “Telephone?” Remember when Michael Jackson used to debut his videos on television? Are we going back to those days? We love it.

Here it is, it’s interesting to say the least—gritty glam girl prisons, female bodybuilders, chains and all. Leave it to GaGa. Am I the only one who cracks up when she hits the MJ move? Wait. Can this even be played on MTV/BET?  Watch it after the jump! (more…)

Though we don’t believe that Common could be a basketball player in any way, here’s the trailer for the upcoming film Just Wright where he acts like one, a New Jersey Nets baller to be exact. The film also stars Queen Latifah, Paula Patton, Pam “Foxy Brown” Grier and Phylicia “Clair Huxtable” Rashad.

“I’m very very excited for ya’ll to check out the new Just Wright trailer. I really dig it and can’t wait for it to come out May 14. (It’s my first lead ya’ll!)” said Common, aka Lonnie Lynn via his site, ThinkCommon today (March 10).

The film hits theaters May 14, peep the trailer after the jump!

props! (more…)

We heart Jimmy Kimmel (hear that Fallon – The Roots can’t carry you forever), and we think he’s pretty handsome…but does your man have what it takes to join Jimmy’s Handsome Men’s Club and sit amongst Taye Diggs, Lenny Kravitz, Ethan Hawke, Sting, Matthew McConaughey and every other handsome man in Hollywood? See for yourself. (more…)

Other than hedging your bets for the Oscars on Sunday and trying to work your way down to Austin next week for SXSW, March is giving us a bevy of things to get in to—peep game. Get at us to get your event featured!

NEW YORK

PULSE Contemporary Art Fair : March 4- 7 : 330 West St @ Houston

Here in NYC it’s Armory Week, think Fashion Week for visual artists, and a perfect time to start or add to your own personal collection. Even if you aren’t at the Picasso level yet, these events are perfect for discovering new artists and inspirations. Divided into two sections, one for young galleries and another for more well-established names, PULSE is the perfect place to start. This year it features a host of exhibitors representing nineteen countries and four continents. A highlight for us is the PULSE Play> video lounge which is presenting Ordinary Occurrences, curated by El Museo del Barrio’s own Deborah Cullen, which will feature artists of Caribbean descent in light of the disaster in Haiti. PULSE continues to it’s other home, Miami, in December.

For more info: PULSE

Above: “Back to the Futurama”, Jeremy Dean, 2009. Read more about Jeremy’s Hummer/Hoover horse-drawn cart here, it will be on view at PULSE. (more…)