Ladies, make note: Four extremely talented women, vital to the lesbian community, will head over to Kansas City this month to entertain you with their acoustic stylings. The show, “Girls With Guitars: Acoustic Vibrations,” will be at 7 p.m. June 15 at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City, Mo. The musicians featured will be Kristie Stremel of Kansas City and Summer Osborne of St. Louis, who has played several times in Kansas City. Joining them will be Jennifer Corday of Long Beach, Calif., and Jen Foster of Nashville.
The Kansas City area only has a handful of lesbian-centered events. Among the most memorable are the yearly Human Rights Campaign Battle of the Bands, and the Girl2Girl events that occur every second Friday of the month in the Conspiracy Room of the Uptown Theater. Every so often, small shows appear that feature a few local musicians or drag kings, but these mostly rely on word of mouth for publicity and can easily be missed.
Chynsia Hinesley, who runs Girl2Girl, is a managing partner, with Marie Hale, of a new company cleverly named DYCON Productions LLC. The “Girls With Guitars” event is the debut project of DYCON.
Hinesley has traveled to many parts of the world, and she created the company because, she said, “Whenever I came home, I was struck by the lack of lesbian entertainment options in the Midwest and decided to look into how I could make a change and help my community. […> To me, it seems like if you are a lesbian in the Midwest, you are kind of left adrift in the ocean and are just hoping you will see some light in the distance that will get you to that awesome lesbian party island. It is our goal to help people get to that island sooner and faster!”
However, she adds, “Don’t get me wrong, our company is not just about partying. We are about great women and lesbian entertainment. We want to bring the type of entertainment that is inclusive for everyone. This means we are working on bringing family-friendly events as well as events that we hope every LGBTQIA person and ally will enjoy attending.”
Hinesley said her partner got on board to help her. “When I started revealing my plan to her, she was so excited about the possibilities, she would stay up all night with me helping define our goals and plan for the business. It was an amazing process.”
Hinesley then sought help from her friend Dianna Kuhlman. “Dianna has worked with many LGBT organizations throughout the years, and I knew she was looking for something more she could do for the lesbian community.”
Hinesley said she hired Kuhlman to build their website and to help with introductions of her company to different charitable organizations.
They have established a link to LIKEME Lighthouse, for example. “At Girls With Guitars, the LIKEME Lighthouse will be having a raffle in order to raise funds for their charity,” Hinesley said.
Hinesley is a big music fan, and her tastes are a delightfully complex combination, including: Pat Benatar, Dolly Parton, Janis Joplin, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Billy Idol, Journey, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, The Donnas, The Cure, and Postal Service.
Lesbian musicians that she enjoys, Hinesley adds, “besides girls in this concert, [include"> Betty, Brandi Carlile, Indigo Girls and so many more.”
So it shouldn’t be surprising that the four women performing at “Girls With Guitars” have different styles.
“I am definitely a fan of all of them,” Hinesley said. “The reason I picked them is simply because they all have very definable styles. For me, this means there will be something for everyone. They will each bring something to the performance that will be unique.”
For those who aren’t familiar with these artists, Hinesley suggests: “Just go to www.dyconproductions.com and listen to some music. Then I would tell you that just about every feeling you have had as a lesbian, these girls can relate.”
If more convincing is needed, look no further than these words from Hinesley: “If you want to feel empowered and be proud as a lesbian, then let Summer Osborne be your guide and teacher. If you just broke up with someone and need a song to relate to, then Kristie Stremel is your best friend. If you want to sex it up, then Corday can help you set the mood. If you are in love and need to shout it out, then Jen Foster can help you open your heart to that girl you love so much it hurts.”
Dirty Dorothy will be emceeing the show, and Hinesley is definitely a fan, “Dirty Dorothy is one of the funniest lesbian characters in the Midwest and is star of the Dirty Dorothy Show at Missie B’s. If you are not a fan yet, you might just become one when you see her at the show. She is one hard-working lesbian! She has a lot in the works, including a show in Wichita and a new Dirty Dorothy greeting card line.”
Hinesley has also sneaked in a special-treat option. “They [the performers"> all agreed to come to Kansas City a day early for a special VIP event. VIP ticket-holders will get to meet the performers on June 14 -- the night before the concert.” Hinesley said. VIP tickets include a pre-concert dinner on June 14 with the performers, entry to the Girl2Girl pre-party in the Conspiracy Room at the Uptown (women only), a “Girls With Guitars” concert T-shirt and VIP seating at the concert on June 15. Only 10 VIP tickets are available, so they will go fast.
All tickets are available at www.dyconproductions.com/events.html, which will lead you to the Ticketmaster page for purchase.
Lastly, Hinesley says, “I know it sounds corny, but I am looking forward to seeing our community come together and celebrate who we are and the lives we live.”
But there’s nothing corny about trying to bring together a community whose members some people still consider second-class citizens. With June as Gay Pride month, let the celebration of community, as well as individuals, commence.
For more information on Girls With Guitars, DYCON Productions, and the Girl2Girl events, go to:
www.dyconproductions.com and www.g2gkc.com.
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WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.