AS I SEE IT

by Aaron Ross

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow can stop us High Gear-ers from our appointed rounds. In the old days it was the Algonquin Set (the "ary folk from the New Yorker magazine who met, drank and were merry at the Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan.) Then there were the "first nighters" the "A" crowd who attended every Broadway theatre opening as much to trade gossip, show off their latest Bloomingdale creations, as to witness the entertainments. Well here in Cleveland we have our own social "swells" a hardy bunch of theatregoers, art fanciers, club hoppers, diners, and party-goers who usually can be seen at every "event" adding their own special brand of chic, style, class, elegance and "aura" to the going-ons. And they're easy to spot...amid the suburban double-knits, pant-suits, leisure suits and 3-piece "Johnny Carsons" the Cleveland straights ⚫have a penchant for.

Though our weather has been so frightful our entertainments have been so delightful and the stamina and fortitude to go where others fear to tread was never so clearly evident then at these gala_nights: There was Bob and Ernie, Richard and Tom, Micheal and David, Jim and John and almost half the house at the Bette Midler bash at the Front Row. There was Tony and George and fellow travelers at the press reception for S.J. Mendelson at Beachwood's Holiday Inn. The Ballet fanciers were out in mass at the Hanna on opening night and virtually the same group cheered Agnes DeMille in the Gartner Auditorium in the Museum of Fine Arts when that grand old dame (creator of dances for Oklahoma, Paint Your Wagon) belied her age and infirmities with a rousing night of talk, film and live appearances with lan Horvath and company illustrating the charleston, lindy and polka (wow can that lan dance!)

round at the Heights Art Theatre brought out the "community" in such numbers that George Fitzpatrick, manager of the Heights, vowed that from here on, he would be presenting more films to delight this special audience. (His ad in last month's High Gear helped in getting such a massive turnout bigger, George says, than for any program he's had in months and that includes such biggies as Citizen Kane.) As proof of this wise decision take a look at what George has booked at the Heights: Friday midnights A Rocky Horror Show an outrageous campy farce of monsters, drags, Frankensteins and gorgeous hunks mixed up with songs, satire, smut and slime. Devine! Saturday midnight March 11 Ken Russell's unbelievable depiction of rock as seen through a drug-induced imagination, Savage Messiah, with a demented, degenerate, debauched and debased Lizt composing and performing his "classic" compositions to phallic symbols and phallic actuals (10-foot big cocks no kidding) in Lizstomania. (Wait till you see Roger Daltry's "dimples" on all his four checks!) March 14-15 the man who wants to run a girl scout camp. Roman Polanski, dons female attire and makeup and drags up a storm as the sickest killer in film history in his The Tenant (Polanski's depiction of the classic Thomas Mann story of an old man who hungers for a young boy Death in Venice And from March 26 to April 1 a week of John Waters trashiest Mondo Trasho, Multiple Manians, Pink Flamingos, Desperate Living and Female Trouble. If High Gear readers have never seen Waters firm, now's the time. Coming up at the Heights on April 9-10, Richard Dreyfus in his own and very hushed up Inserts where he produced and plays a film director of porno in the 30's directing a gay who can't get it up to perform straight sex.

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Yes, George Fitzpatrick of the Heights now knows what to Ishow to get us in his theatre. And if you readers have any suggestions, he wants to hear you. Just write him c/o The

A double film bill of "A Very Special Thing plus some travesty of travesties cavorting afrom

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Heights, 2781 Euclid Heights Blvd. Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106 or call him at 932-5955. One of the suggestions by some who have seen the film is Outrageous starring female impersonator Craig Russell. Those who have seen Craig when he was in Cleveland at the Bayou 'Landing a year or so ago know what a great entertainer he is. Well, his film, made in Toronto, is one of the finest and most entertaining depictions of gay performers ever put on film. It's been playing in New York and Los Angeles and Chicago for over six months to enthusiastic acclaim. And surprise it will be playing here at the World East and World West soon after which the Heights gets it. And you gotta see it!

More words on the S. J. Mendelson show at the Beachwood Holiday Inn. This gal just left the Studio One club in L.A. (the smartest, gayest, hippest, show spot in the country) to come to Cleveland because of her latest love and interest. To while away the time she consented to entertain the swells of Cleveland East with her mixture of Edith Piaf heart Judy Garland voice and material only a High Gear reader can really appreciate. After a few weeks it's now standing room only. The word is out. This gal knows what it's all about. And she electrifies the crowd with a talent that's plainly too good (and too hip) for the Holiday Inn-ers. But the crowd is changing more and more of the songs, humor, and style we (and millions of us the world over) love is on display. Catch this rising star while you can. It may not be the Continental Baths but the Holiday Inn is another unlikely place for the star quality of a Midler to make her name and fame. And Hank Berger, I've asked her, and she's willing to perform at your Traxx on a Sunday night to benefit the Gay causes. So call her at 8313300 and say A.R. suggested it. I'll go out on a limb and guarantee that you'll be bowled over by this gal's performance.

Getting back to us "first nighters" the Cleveland Play House is departing from formula

See America. Find a friend.

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by presenting "The Club" an off-Broadway entertainment with women impersonating males in a Men's Club. It's due in a few weeks and we all should attend just for the same reasons WE ALL have packed the New York theatre where "The Club" is playing for standing room only for almost a year.

And how about giving "live" support to one of "us" who has come out publicly, championed our cause, gives Anita hell, and is not afraid to kiss and tell. I'm referring to Rod McKuen who will be at the Front Row one night only Friday, March 17th. Coming to the Front Row.on April 11 is none other than Donna Summer and if we get away from the disco floor listening to her on record we will get a live kick we shouldn't forget. Well, I gotta get duded up and ready for Chita Rivera now thru AKE

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March 19th., "I Am A Camera" by Christopher Isherwood (Original film of Berlin Diary and "Cabaret") at CWRU, Frankie's appearance (long-awaited) at New Dimensions (he has the best drag act around), The Cleveland Ballet in April with the first rock ballet to new rock music, the umpteenth time to see Chorus Line at the Hanna, the opening night of The Wiz at the Hanna whew I'm getting tired already planning on all these first nights. And there's David Bowie coming Randy Newman at Kent State U. April 9th...Bob Seger and Sweet at the Coliseum March 31st...and who says that Cleveland has nothing to offer High Gear-ers in "going out" places... with our bars, baths, theatres, concerts, films, etc. Anybody who stays home and sulks is crazy. So enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

...

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