GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE February 9, 2007

oven productions presents

Womyn's Variety Show

Saturday, February 24th

Followed by the

Fabulous Party

with three Djs!

You can buy tickets

after January 26th at:

The Nickel

4365 State Road, Cleveland

Inn on Coventry

The Temple

(East 105th and Ansel Road), University Circle

2785 Euclid Hts Blvd., Cleve Hts

Diverse Universe

12005 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Doors open at 6 PM, Show at 7:30 PM Tickets: $20 for the Show and Party After 10 PM, Tickets are $10 for the Party Only. (Siding scale available, Call by 2/9/07. 216-375-0780)

Limited seating for 500 at the show

Women only, 18 and over

We need udven

and unfee Call Msha AS 2165/078

Rome

Continued from page

Rome, not to state the obvious, has many echoes to the recent events in American culture and history. The lust for violence, the need for empire, and the many excesses are gloriously reflected in the ancient mirror that is Rome. What we learn from history is up to us; that is, while we still have the chance.

With three HBO gay faves soon gone— Six Feet Under ended last year with an earlier demise for Sex and the City—it will be interesting to see what the best television house in the country will have to offer next for its LGBT fans.

Reruns and DVDs

While Rome's second season is already airing, early episodes are being played continuously. Check local listings for show times for new episodes and repeats.

HBO has also released the first season on DVD. A gorgeously packaged set, it is worth every penny, for diehard fans of the show and for historical buffs. Not that the show ever comes across as anything found on the History Channel-much of it is fiction— but it is an interesting look into the past, replete with lavish production values and head-turning performances all around.

The 12 episodes of Rome Season 1 of are predominantly focused on Julius Caesar, although there are enough other primary and secondary characters to keep your head spinning.

For instance, we follow two brutish yet lovable members of the 13th Legion: Centurion Lucius Vorenus and his loyal yet volatile Legionnaire Titus Pullo. Vorenus' ravishing wife Niobe (Indira Varma) causes him much jealousy and rage and that is one of the more powerful subplots in the first series.

There's Servilia, Caesar's mistress, and the mother of Brutus, who is dumped by the patriarch when pornographic graffiti depicting the couple appear on walls in the vicinity of the Forum. Servilia reverts to voodoo in the temple, laying a hellish curse on her fickle lover. But wait, it is Atia behind the lewd graffiti.

Whether Servilia's love affair with Atia's daughter Octavia is partly out of revenge against Atia is left ambiguous and provides for many of the best scenes between women-in both rage and passion—in the series.

Season One also makes a well-depicted foray into Egypt where the young and volatile Cleopatra is introduced to Caesar. The strange and precarious alliance between Rome and Egypt provides interesting grist for the mill of the second half of the first

season.

The climax of the first season is the brutal--and some would say inevitable and necessary assassination of Caesar leaving the history of Rome wide open. This is where the current season picks up.

The acting in the first season is impeccable as are the true-to-life settings of the buildings and overall milieu of that ancient, yet presciently modern place.

As Caesar, Ciaran Hinds brings a lusty yet restrained power to the role. Despite all his lewd acts, his mind boggling machinations and manipulations, Caesar comes across as a sympathetic man, a product of his times, a victim of history.

This is as fine a cast as has been assembled for a television show in a long time, matched by the fine directing including that of Alan Poul from Six Feet Under and another out director, Jeremy Podeswa.

Rome is one of the series so packed with everything that it requires another viewing and the first DVD set allows for just that with many extras to boot including episode commentaries, behind-the-scenes footage and making-of features which are fascinating.

En vundet vubnuc oi

HIV

Case Management Dental Services • Home Delivered Meals •

Home Health Care • Hospice Care •

Medical Laboratory Testing

Mental Health Counseling •

Nutritional Counseling •

Outpatient Primary Medical Care •

Prescription Medication Assistance •

Substance Abuse Treatment •

Support Groups

Transitional Housing Assistance • Transportation Assistance •

•

If you or someone you

know is living with HIV/AIDS, the Ryan White Title I Program offers free medical and social support services to eligible persons who are uninsured or underinsured in Northeast Ohio.

39 20

we can

help.

For additional information about The Planning Council and Ryan White Services, call:

216-348-3986

www.cuyahogacounty.us/ryanwhite

All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Services are funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Information provided by: The Cuyahoga Regional HIV Services Planning Council.

Les Amis

Salon & Spa

Valentine's Day Couple's Special

Dual Massagesyou and your partner can receive simultaneous one hour massages for the single price of $200.00 plus tax. Dual Facialsyou and your partner can have simultaneous one hour facials for the single price of $200.00 plus tax.

All specials must be paid for at the time of booking. Cancel lations without a 48 hours notice will incur a 50% charge.

Treat Yourself to a

Peppermint Pedicurecome enjoy the invigo-

rating, moisturizing, stimulating effects of this de-stressing treatment. Refresh and energize feet from the effects of our cold, drying winter. Special price: $65.00 plus tax.

your

Gift Certificates are also availableThey are available in any denomination or for specific services or packages.

All hair services-updos, creative color, precision cuts, perms, relaxers European facials/body treatments * Manicures Pedicures Hydrotherapy Waxing. Make-up. Specializing in:

Corporate Group Bridal Parties

Located on the Third Floor of the Tower City Center in Downtown Cleveland 230 Huron Road, Suite 1000-2 Cleveland, Ohio 44113 216.589.9999

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