If you ever wanted to see what goes on in the studio of an artist, your opportunity to do so can happen during the Annual Artists Studio Tour. For three days, September 28th, 29th, and 30th, twenty-one Eureka Springs' artists will open their studios to the public. They will discuss their work, conduct demonstrations, and have wonderful art available for purchase each day from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The event is a free, self-guided tour that will allow attendees to explore the creative processes involved in making fine art from its place of origin. See works in progress in a wide array of styles and mediums from jewelry, pottery, weaving, to painting.

One of several artists showing at the Art Colony on North Main is Jack Miller.

Miller is a painter and print maker who relocated to the area from New Orleans after being displaced by Katrina. His images range from scenes of the French Quarter to his new series depicting the classic Volkswagen bug.

A founding member of the colony, Jack houses his printing equipment at this site where he will explain the process involved in making intaglio prints.

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Saturday night, Diversity Weekend in Eureka. There are so many things to do, and so little time. Fred and I are lounging at the New Delhi, listening to live music and eating sandwiches. We're having a two-person committee meeting to decide where to go and what to do. It's dark, the evening is speeding along way too fast. Fred's never been to the Tiki, and wants to check it out. The Tiki it is!

Meeting adjourned.

After eating we wander up the hill toward the Tiki. Fred has to pull me up the steps outside. Too many cigarettes and middle age have taken a toll. The place is crowded, but not uncomfortably so. We grab a drink and head for the back where some folks we know are holding court at a large round table below the d.j. booth.

We talk, watch the people dance, talk some more. I get up to use the men's room. I walk around the perimeter of the dance floor, past a Cute Young Couple sitting at the bar. Cute Girl grabs my hand, «Dance with me!»

«Um…..I don't really dance.»

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We've been asked to comment on the local press coverage of last weekend's PDA in the Park and, yes we'll admit we've been stalling, but here goes:

The only mention of the event comes from our old friends at the Patriots' Herald. It's short. It's to the point. Here it is, reproduced in its entirety:

«....gays passed out pink hats and posed for a picture in the park.»

Say what you will about the journalistic excesses of the Patriots' Herald, we must admit their coverage of the PDA was fair and balanced.

Right. We know. That's not what you're asking. You're wondering about the other 800-plus words in the 900 word article that went on and on (and on) about how people from Blue Eye, MO (pop. 129) might not visit Eureka Springs because we have a Domestic Partnership Registry.

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If only it can find the will to do so, this little mountain hamlet is perfectly poised to take advantage of the great big gay/lesbian travel market.

The Domestic Partnership Registry gave the town millions of dollars worth of free and mostly-positive publicity. Now millions of prospective tourists--gay and straight--all over the country know for the first time that a progressive resort destination exists in Northwest Arkansas.

To give credit where credit is due, the Rev. Philip Wilson's christening of the town as «the most homosexual city in the South,» didn't hurt, either.

Also, though still in its embryonic stage, the new Eureka Springs Gay Business Guild signals a new willingness among dozens of gay and gay-friendly businesses to pool their resources and energies to go after the lucrative gay travel market--estimated at $55 to $64 billion annually. The guild's insistence on being recognized as an «affinity» group within the Mayor's new tourism task force shows that it means business.

With a little more effort, Eureka Springs could make gay tourism one facet of the «mosaic» of tourism the mayor, city council and business leaders say they are striving for.

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Among trial attorneys, there is an unwritten rule that proscribes putting a witness on the stand unless you know in advance what he or she will say. In the courtroom, surprise is not a good thing.

In the court of public opinion, however, the unexpected and unanticipated can be downright refreshing. Unless you're Al Pryor, the publisher of the righteous and rightward leaning Patriots' Herald weekly newspaper.

In last week's edition, Pryor gave his readers six chances to vote on the worthiness of Diversity Weekends, including five opportunities to more or less bash them. A staunch opponent of the Domestic Partnership Registry, Pryor may well have thought he was polling to the choir.

The choir, however, had an altogether different tune in mind, wholeheartedly endorsing Diversity Weekends as «an important tourist event for Eureka Springs.» In other words, 73 percent of respondents supported Diversity Weekends. And only 25 percent had anything negative to say about them. A mere 12 percent wanted them stopped or limited.

__________

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I wasn't lucky enough to be born with it. I hang around with a lot of gay people, but the gene doesn't transfer to me. I've tried rubbing against gay men who have a talent for decorating (and other things) but osmosis doesn't work. You either get it – along with straight, white teeth, thick wavy hair, and the gene to make you tall – or you don't.

I didn't.

I don't know what kind of gay man I am. I have absolutely no clue when it comes to decorating, clothing styles, the latest dance craze (I can't dance anyway), antiques, the cocktail simply everyone is drinking today. (I've heard of a Cosmo, but couldn't tell you how to make one.) I don't put «product» in my hair. I wouldn't, even if I had hair.

I fall flat on my face in every aspect of what gay men are supposed to excel at doing. With the possible exception of dishes. Not old or «collectable» dishes, just plain old dishes. I like glasses, too. Crystal in particular. I was told by a clerk at Pier 1 that I should refer to glasses as «bar ware.» Ok, I like bar ware.

I have no idea if what I find attractive is in vogue, but what the hell. If it gives me pleasure and doesn't hurt anyone, who can bitch at me if I mix the colors of my Fiestaware? (Does anyone collect Fiestaware anymore? See? This is what I mean.)

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May 2007 - Fred has to go back to northwest Kansas to help his parents in the cleanup of the family farm destroyed in a tornado two months ago. This is the third time he's been out to help, staying anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. I've been out there twice, getting in the way more than helping, but at least I can drive his elderly mother the 45 miles to the nearest Wal-Mart for the essentials it takes to run a home. Starting all over isn't easy, especially for a woman of her age. For me, it's more like babysitting than anything else, but I like to think it helped a little.

I've told Fred I would be happy to go with him. They're my in-laws, so to speak, so I'll help if I can, as long as I can have liquor. In a town with a population of about 350, counting the dogs, I need liquor, damn it! A gay bar? I don't think so. Denver is at least a four hour drive away, and in the outback of Kansas, it's not a good idea to be caught gazing longingly at a cute farm boy's crotch. Since I can't do that, a bottle of hooch is mandatory. Fred agrees.

I can't take off work for an entire week, so we decide Fred will drive out by himself, I will fly from Kansas City to Hays, Kansas, a few days later. We're amazed to find that there actually ARE scheduled flights from K. C. to Hays! Who knew?! He'll pick me up at Hays International Airport for the 3+ hour drive to his hometown. After a few more days of cleaning and salvaging, we'll both drive back home to Kansas City.

I'm excited. I enjoy jetting off to exotic places like Hays.

I haven't been on an airplane since before the September 11 attacks, and don't really know what to expect at the airport. I've heard I will have to take my shoes off, and possibly be subjected to other not-so-nice searches, so I opt for not wearing my metal cock ring. I don't even own a metal cock ring, so it's an easy decision to make, but figure if I did own one, it would not be wise to wear it. I've heard stories of how those little devils – or big devils, as the case may be – can trip the metal detectors.

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55 antique dealers from 14 different states bring their wares November 17 and 18 for the 19th Annual Eureka Springs Fall Antique Show and Sale.

A special Wine & Cheese Preview will be held on Friday, November 16, 5:30-7 p.m. The popular yearly event will be held at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center, (pictured at right). This is one of the kickoff events for the busy Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

Attendees will pay $10 for this first chance at the antiques brought by dealers from around the country. This fee covers all days. Regular show hours on Saturday are 10 am to 6 pm and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Admission price for this event is $ 2.50, good for both days.

Popularity: 3% [?]

FULL BLOOM PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS «GWINNA.»

Adapted from Barbara Helen Berger children's book, «Gwinna,» Tamarah Jonason, artisitic director of Mosaic trio Progressive Ballet Company brings to life this remarkable story of a young girl who finds her wings, searches for the song she hears on the wind, remembers the interconnectedness in all life and recognizes her gifts she has to share.

Mosaic Trio Progressive Ballet Company performs Gwinna at the City Auditorium in Eureka Springs, Arkansas at 7:30pm the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 16th, 17th of November 2007.

Details: www.fullbloomproductions.com

Popularity: 1% [?]

Eureka Springs prides itself on it's diversity and especially on Diversity Weekends, GLBTi and PFLAG visitors of all ages come from all over the world to our little village in the heart of the Ozarks to feel a sense of community and enjoy themselves. In addition to our usual fine dining, lodging, outdoor activities and other attractions, there are many special events geared toward celebrating Diversity and pride in friendly Eureka Springs, Arkansas!

You'll find all the details here:

www.gaynewsbureau.com/2007/10/19/fall-diversity-weekend-2007

Popularity: 2% [?]