"The Nashville Monologues" explores diversity's dark side

This Halloween weekend, while all things creepy, crawly and bumping in the night will strike fear in the hearts of Nashvillians, Trish Crist is hoping to scare up awareness of the reality of intolerance in the mid-state.

On Friday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m., Crist and a cast of local actors will bring “The Nashville Monologues,” a production that shines the spotlight on real-life discrimination in our city, to The Darkhorse Theater.

Crist is the creative director of the Rhubarb Theatre Company, a local enterprise that aims to celebrate diversity through its productions. For this production, however, Crist sought a new perspective.

“For Halloween, I wanted very much to do a show that legitimately frightened me and others, so I turned to the dark side of diversity issues,” she said. “Since we honor tolerance, we're looking at intolerance this Halloween season.”

After soliciting true stories from Nashville denizens, Crist says she has compiled a selection “from and about Nashvillians” that exposes discrimination based on sexual orientation, physical appearance, physical and mental disabilities, religious beliefs and even off-beat hobbies.

The Nashville Monologues” runs Oct. 30 - Nov. 7 at the Darkhorse Theater.

Tickets cost $12.

Click here for more information.

“People generously responded to my call for stories of personal experiences of discrimination or bias,” Crist said of the construction of the monologues. “They are … gifts from the public.”

While Crist, who also directs, wrote some of the monologues based on the publics’ submissions, she said about half will be performed exactly as they were sent in.

Despite the glum topic of intolerance, Crist hints that there will be a dash of cheer to complement the implicit fear of the proceedings.

“You might think it would be hard to write a funny show about discrimination,” she said. “But the things we as humans judge each other on can be so very absurd that sometimes the best way to examine a type of bias is through a comic piece.”

While the monologues highlight some spine-tingling incidences of discrimination in Music City, she insists that their purpose is to edify its citizens through awareness.

“I love our city, as does the entire cast and crew,” she said. “This show is a look at how the various puzzle pieces that make up Music City fit together and how we might each contribute to that.”


 

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

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.

Keep readingShow less
by Spectrum Medical Care Center

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.

Keep readingShow less

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.

Keep readingShow less