Let’s Show Some Love for the Little Guys
Here at Bloke, we adore our pets! We love to support all our furry friends in the El Paso community. And what better way to show our appreciation, than to deliver a little information on the Humane Society of El Paso- a local nonprofit organization dedicated to the care of pets in the Sun City.
The Humane Society of El Paso (HSEP) has been around since 1947, executing their mission to prevent suffering, neglect, abuse and cruelty to animals. They raise public awareness of animal issues and promote responsible guardianship and kindness toward all living things. The HSEP is a proudly no-kill shelter. Last year they took in over 2,600 unwanted pets and found loving new homes for 2,700 animals. The HSEP is a place where you can take pets that you are no longer able to care for. After paying a small surrender fee of $35, you can leave the animals in good hands, knowing a new home will be found for them. They even take in litters of puppies and kittens if you are unable to find a home for them yourself.
The HSEP is also a great place to go if you are looking to adopt a pet. Let’s face it- a house is hardly a home without a loving pet living inside it. Office and kennel hours for viewing and adopting pets are Monday through Friday 11am- 6pm and weekends 11am- 5pm. In order to adopt, you must have a Texas driver’s license or I.D. and pay $100, plus other licensing and vaccination fees. After the adoption of your new beautiful pet, the HSEP will sometimes make home visits just to make sure the animal is adjusting well to the new environment. If you are considering adding a pet to your family, the HSEP makes looking at available pets incredibly easy on their website. Just visit hselpaso.org or if you are a Time Warner Cable subscriber, then you can view the animals on channel 831.
Having a pet comes with a lot of responsibility, but the love you share with that animal makes it all worth it. A dog, cat, or any pet can make your life so much better and you make a valuable difference in their lives as well. If you know you are ready to take on the responsibility of a new pet, contact the HSEP at 915-532-6971 or visit them at 4991 Fred Wilson.
Broadway Meets the Border
This season marks the 18th season for El Paso Opera and if you haven’t already heard, The El Paso Opera will be showcasing West Side Story October 6th, 7th, and 8th. I highly suggest marking your calendars as this is one event not to be missed! In fact, when I found out that I would be interviewing David Graborgowitz, the General and Artistic Director for the El Paso Opera and the creator and director of this particular upcoming production of West Side Story, I could hardly contain my excitement. The man is fabulous!
As I sat there chatting with him, I found myself wondering just how this charismatic man, born in Minnesota and raised in Nebraska, found his way to El Paso, Texas. Well, once a performer, he found his true passion in directing, and was asked to direct the Magic Flute at the Abraham Chavez Theater in March of 2009. He was offered the position and is very happy be to here, but shared that upon moving to El Paso, ‘the one thing that takes a while to absorb is the current violence in Juarez, Mexico and the dichotomy between the two cities that are in such close proximity to one another.’
As a result, West Side Story came immediately to mind as something very important and powerful that could bring an experience home. David wished to reflect and comment, within his perception of the piece, on the violence that occurs along the El Paso and Juarez border. He says, “It is an important thing right now for us as a region to truthfully come to terms with what is going on just south of the border at this time and why—the arts can comment on that.”
He went on to further explain that technically, West Side Story is the story of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, reset in the 1950’s in the upper west side of Manhattan. For those who are unfamiliar with West Side Story, here’s a quick synopsis: It’s the story of two struggling gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, one comprised of young Polish-American men and the other comprised of Hispanics (Puerto Ricans) who are fighting against each other for turf. Tony is an ex-member of the Jets who is trying to get away from that “old way of life,” and winds up falling in love with the Sharks’ leader’s sister, Maria. Yep, sounds just like Romeo and Juliet. “The stories are electrically the same”, David states, “and it is what is now happening between two cartels- two familias- in Juarez.” It’s a very interesting connection, but not all things are glum when it comes to this production.
One thing David is also very excited to share, is that he is actually bringing in twelve Broadway dancers and stars to come together with about twenty El Pasoans and Juarenzians. “We’re calling this Broadway meets the border since we are including stars from the Broadway production of West Side Story and stars from the 50th anniversary tour.” One close friend was even just a phone call away, and that would be David’s good friend, Chad Johnson.
Chad has been singing opera for about ten years and boasts one impressive resume. I must say, even over the phone, he has one amazing voice. Chad first worked with David Graborgowitz several years back when they remounted Omaha and have been good friends ever since. Chad is one of the stars in West Side story and will be playing “Tony,” the young man in love with “Maria.”
One thing I was extremely eager to learn about was how Chad felt about taking on and playing such an iconic role and if he met any challenges along the way. As it turns out, he was actually dying to play ‘Tony!’ He couldn’t wait! Chad shared that he was drawn to play this character because he can relate to him in so many ways. He says, “Any role is a challenge, and to play any character, you must do it honestly and draw on your own experiences. ‘Tony’ is at a point in his life where he is becoming an adult. He’s waiting for that next chapter in his life, and that is what ‘Maria’ represents—that next, brighter chapter of his existence. His character is holding a job, trying to get away from the gang life and violence and he is at a “benchmark” moment in his life.” Chad continued to share, “I’ve experienced those moments in my own life which is why I feel as though I am able to relate to him so much. And you know, we have all experienced those benchmark moments in our lives—those moments where we are anticipating a brighter future.”
And just how does Chad feel about portraying one gang as an El Paso gang and the other from Juarez? He thinks it is absolutely fantastic! “It’s a great idea,” he says. Chad is greatly looking forward to coming back to the sun city and to the full stage production.
Both gentlemen expressed that they would love people to come and see it and David even exclaimed enthusiastically that West Side Story may be the most exciting performance that The El Paso Opera does for years! See you all there, El Paso!
BRAVO! Alliance
El Paso Opera is a proud participant of OPERA America’s Young Friends of Opera initiative. This exciting, new program allows young professionals the opportunity to see and hear opera in El Paso as well as in cities to which they travel. As a Bravo! Alliance member, you will be able to take advantage of special pricing and events that El Paso Opera and other participating opera companies have to offer. Offer is available to young professionals 21 to 45. Membership is $30 per person. All proceeds benefit the El Paso Opera Foundation.
Benefits for our BAM-ers!
- 10% off your season subscription order
Special Pre-Show receptions
Inclusion on El Paso Opera’s mailing list to receive invitations to special events and activities
Invitation to the El Paso Opera Annual Gala, Encores & Overtures, at the Camino Real Hotel
Subscription to the Young Friends of Opera program where you will receive reciprocal ticketing benefits from participating opera companies. Go to www.operaamerica.org for a complete list.
As I began my research on the process of coming out, I soon realized my ignorance on the subject and began questioning just how I would write this article. I mean, how could I write an article on coming out? As luck would have it, gentlemen, I am not a gay man but rather a straight ally and… I’m also a parent. What I learned as I explored the coming out experiences of many a gay individual was that coming out to family members, especially parents, is often the most difficult. Perhaps I’m a bit naïve—I thought that surely the parents who raised you and love you would be more than completely understanding and accepting. Well, as it turns out, although one may choose which friends, counselors and even teachers one may feel comfortable enough to talk to about one’s own sexual orientation, one cannot, however, choose one’s parents, let alone their reactions. And bear in mind, though many counselors and teachers are trained in their professions and prepared to handle these types of situations, many parents are not. Many gay individuals coming out to parents harbor a fear of being rejected, and sadly, this fear is sometimes met with due justification. Parents can go through a spectrum of emotions including anger and denial and may have a hard time coping and dealing with their child’s declaration. This particular article is from a parent’s perspective and I dedicate it to all the parents of gay children just coming out. Parents: if you’re like many people, you’re first reactions to learning that your child is gay may be to question “How?” and “Why?” You may get angry, feel embarrassed, and you may even blame yourself and ask yourself where you “went wrong.” Well, my fellow parents, you did absolutely nothing wrong. Ultimately, you’re child is and will be the same person as yesterday. Realize that your child is sharing an important piece of truth about themselves with you, and realize that you are not alone. Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PLFLAG) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender persons, AND their friends and families. This is done through SUPPORT, EDUCATION, and ADVOCACY, and the group offers a wide range of support from coping with coming out for both individuals and their parents, to offering a safe and welcoming environment, to even helping individuals understand and deal with certain feelings and questions, as well as even offering support and growth when dealing with issues of faith. The organization provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. There are currently over 200,000 members and supporters and over 500 affiliates nationwide and can even be found in your very own backyard. The El Paso chapter of PFLAG meets on every third Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm at the Metropolitan Community Church located at 216 S. Ochoa. If you would like more information about the local chapter of this organization, feel free to contact Gery & Lorain Amundson at (915) 751-9046 or by email at camundso@elp.rr.com. You can also check out the website for PFLAG at www.pflag.org for more information and free helpful publications.
Now, parents, I speak from first-hand experience when I say that being a parent is never easy. We all know that it is chock-full of responsibilities and challenges. Our children have depended on us for support in one shape or form since the day they were born, and let’s face it, we are the only ones they’ve known their entire lives. Remember that when your child comes out to you, he or she is counting on you for your understanding and for your support, and believe me, this can and will only make your relationship with your child stronger. Don’t let them down, but realize that this challenge will be overcome with that support and more importantly with that love.
I leave you with a few Do’s and Don’ts to help cope with the process of “Coming Out,” and one quick reminder, “It is hard for your child, too….”