Tucson Observer Entertainment & Artist Group

03/14/2022

We are so excited to see you at Tucson's Got Talent 2022 event taking place Friday March 25th, 6:00 P.M. at HighWire Tucson located at 14 S. Arizona Avenue - get your tickets at colbyolsengfoundation.org/tickets today!

02/02/2022

The clock is ticking to get your submission in for the annual tradition in our community Tucson's Got Talent Show! Calling musicians, solo artists, dancers, groups, bands, magicians, what ever your TALENT get your submission in before Feb 12th. to enter to win $250 cash prize for the adult category and a $250 scholarship for the youth category (age 13-17). Visit this link to enroll - https://www.colbyolsenfoundation.org/tgtcontestantform

01/10/2022

01/05/2022

Tucson's Got Talent 2022!
*Youth group prize is $250 scholarship
*Adult group cash prize $250
Visit https://www.colbyolsenfoundation.org/tgtcontestantform to enter!

Tucson's Got Talent 2022!
*Youth group prize is $250 scholarship
*Adult group cash prize $250

Visit https://www.colbyolsenfoundation.org/tgtcontestantform to enter!

12/16/2021

Hello Local Tucson Artists!

The Colby Olsen Foundation is excited to begin accepting submissions for our annual Tucson’s Got Talent series! We look forward to seeing talent from a wide range of youth and adult artists ranging from singing, instrumentation, dancing, spoken word, bands, magic, beatboxing, or other art forms worth being seen from a wide audience. The winner in the adult category will receive a $250 grand prize and the winner in the youth category, (ages 13-17), will receive a $250 scholarship specifically to further their artistic endeavors.

The preliminary round will be completed online. Artists are encouraged to go to colbyolsenfoundation.org/tgt for details on how to submit and other important information. Submissions for the online preliminary round are DUE BY MIDNIGHT FRIDAY FEBRUARY 11TH, 2022. So there is plenty of time to get those submissions completed!

The semi-final and the finale will be done LIVE AND IN PERSON. Tentatively the dates for the semi-finals are March 11th and the finale date is March 25th.
Please contact us at [email protected] for any questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing the amazing talent out here in Tucson, Arizona.

11/17/2021

Come ready to be hired and be

11/16/2021

Upon opening the archives to November 17, 1993, I was immediately drawn to the tear-jerking headline about an American Airlines passenger who was attempting to allegedly travel home to family for the holidays and was thrown off the plane because he had AIDS. I will get back to this….. The article drew tears from my eyes and I removed my glasses and wiped them away, memories of the late 1980s and early 1990s came flooding back. As I sat with my then partner watching movies like And The Band Played On, Philadelphia, and Jeffrey. Learning how to stay safe, play safe, instilled with fear, this recently outed gay boy trying to navigate this life. Volunteering for GMHC passing out condoms and T-shirts all came as I said, flooding back. So, back to the article. Associated Press out of San Fransisco reports that an AIDS-stricken passenger with visible sores and an IV bag boarded the plane. AA flight crew tried to ask him to depart the plane. (Stigma, see below)
He refused. AA crew then defended their “policy” claiming Timothy Holless was in violation because he refused to cover his sores. (Super sh*tty) Holless, from Chicago, declined an offer to the next flight and demanded to be arrested and he was. Disorderly conduct was the charge.
Witnesses say it was incredibly awful, some indicated they could never get the vision of him being dragged off the plane out of their heads. Being punished for being sick. *UPDATE - Timothy S. Holless (1960-1994) died just 46 days after this incident.
Many of our 1980’s and most of the 1990’s Arizona Gay News/Observer publications contain many news headlines and stories about HIV/AIDS. Usually, I steer around those solely because if they affect me in such a way I try to allow the readers to choose their emotions and not lead you to sad stories. Today, I felt it was time to stop my own stigmatizing and remember, revisit, and experience whatever emotions issue 487 produced. Below I did a little research to catch myself up to date with some legit facts. Remembering and reflecting on those who I loved and you loved of whom are no longer with us.

As always be sure to check out the headlines, classified ads, local watering hole ads which are still so racy! View the calendar of events and see what was goin’ down in the Tucson and Phoenix communities this week 1993.

The first news story on the AIDS/HIV disease appeared May 18, 1981, in the gay newspaper New York Native. AIDS was first clinically reported on June 5, 1981, with five cases in the United States. The origin of HIV / AIDS and the circumstances that led to its emergence remain unsolved. The earliest well-documented case of HIV in a human dates back to 1959 in the Congo. The virus may have been present in the United States as early as the mid-to-late 1950s, as a sixteen-year-old male named Robert Rayford presented with symptoms in 1966 and died in 1969. In the 1970s, men were getting parasites and becoming sick with what was called “gay bowel disease,” but what is now suspected to have been AIDS. By 1978, the prevalence of HIV-1 among gay male residents of New York City and San Francisco was estimated at 5%, suggesting that several thousand individuals in the country had been infected. AIDS stigma exists around the world in a variety of ways, including ostracism, rejection, discrimination, and avoidance of HIV-infected people; compulsory HIV testing without prior consent or protection of confidentiality; violence against HIV-infected individuals or people who are perceived to be infected with HIV; and the quarantine of HIV-infected individuals. Stigma-related violence or the fear of violence prevents many people from seeking HIV testing, returning for their results, or securing treatment, possibly turning what could be a manageable chronic illness into a death sentence and perpetuating the spread of HIV.

Click the link below this text to view the archived publication.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/595190a2e3df286805674812/t/619421a4dbb41e0ec3c55ddf/1637097894916/NOV+17.pdf

11/04/2021

Headlines from this November 5th, 1986 edition of the Observer include some topics that have certainly re-developed over the decades and as science has learned more. Topics including AIDS, The Gay Vote, A Tennessee federal judge banning The Diary of Anne Frank and The Wizard of Oz for Fundamentalist Christian Children, (of which I am certain to say we have none of those in this group!) and other headlines in this publication such as Early S*x Education URGED in the surgeon generals report on aids recommending educating at the lowest grade possible so children can grow up knowing behaviors to avoid to protect themselves. News about AZT, the Vatican, and the kicker that year was Birmingham News requiring new employees to have an AIDS test because caring for them would be costly, but let's only test new hires, not the current staff. Oh, it’s hard for me not to make snide remarks, really it is.
Lots of great ads, articles, stories, and classifieds, the year 1986, I was 14, a closeted little gay boy, infatuated with certain types of boys in my grade, acting out, picking up bad habits, skipping classes, trying ci******es, and alcohol while other students around me were experimenting with drugs. Thankfully, I didn’t start those experiments until I was 17, but I digress rapidly here. Search the article for the random no context accompanying image of Judy Garland in A Star is Born.
Enjoy the rest of the week.
Hit the link below here to view the archive!
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/595190a2e3df286805674812/t/61841ba1f0a3493b2801153b/1636047778847/NOV+5.pdf

10/28/2021

The week of October 28, 1977

Phoenix and Tucson continue to rival each other with Halloween plans all over both cities.
Phoenix predicts they will have one of the busiest celebrations the city has ever seen.
Tucson, Not to be overshadowed by their sister city, Phoenix, has celebrations in abundance all over the Tucson metro. Remembering hot spots such as; The Joshua Tree with Lady Isis as the MC for the costume contest The annual Mr. & Miss Graduate contest where winners compete for an actual trophy and cash prizes for the most original, most humorous and most elaborate Halloween costumes. Over yonder in Phoenix, Mr. Fat Fingers was having a masquerade party with cash prizes ranging from $15-$50. Between all the events in Phoenix and in Tucson competing costumers had a chance to win up to $1000. The Joshua Tree was celebrating their 5th Anniversary with a “Fountain of Booze” - with beer being a mere 20 cents! Oh the good ol days.
Search thru this archive and find the Orange Stuffed Avocado Salad Recipe from Puerto Rico and deep within the article is a yummy banana bread recipe shared by contributor Loretta offering up a recipe from Todd Balderson. All sorts of fun and slightly naughty classified ads, horoscopes and plenty of local watering hole gay and le***an bar ads! Enjoy and have a safe and Happy Halloween 2021! Click the link to read the entire issue.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/595190a2e3df286805674812/t/617ada3f0d48353826ddf924/1635441217017/OCT+28.pdf

10/19/2021

Please join us in congratulating Admiral Rachel Levine as she has been named the first ever Four-Star transgender official and first Four-Star of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. The health of our nation is in good hands with her dedication, leadership, and expertise. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3BYgMXa.

10/12/2021

23 years ago today, October 12, Matthew Shepard lost his life after being severely beaten six days earlier because he was gay. Tied to a fence, he was left for dead with his face covered in blood except where the tears had run down his cheeks. We will never forget Matt and as we honor his memory, we must remain vigilant in standing up against anti-gay and anti-trans violence. For q***r POC, particularly black trans women, it has sadly become an epidemic. We will continue to honor all of our lost LGBTQIA siblings with our voices, action and compassion. RIP

10/11/2021

This version of Superman is Jon Kent, son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Like his father, he falls for a journalist -- this time, a male reporter named Jay Nakamura.

09/30/2021

We are proud to announce that the Colby Olsen Foundation, a 501c3 non- profit organization, is presenting you with our newest project the “Rainbow Dream Garden”. This is a community garden designed to create a place for local communities to grow their own natural produce. Our mission empowers the LGBTQ+ and the Tucson community for nature within our urban environment.

We are hoping for donations of material such as; Soil, seeds, tools, labor and a voice to spread the word of this wonderful cause. In order to protect the integrity of our garden we are requesting to simply stay organic.

The Rainbow Dream Garden and our community are overwhelmed with excitement to start this new chapter with our community. This is the first of many gardens and we know that with your support that this dream will become a reality!

You can view the progress as breaking ground and construction of the garden has already begun, visit https://www.colbyolsenfoundation.org/rainbowgarden for photos and video.

We are always grateful to any personal donations. All donations and sponsorships will be advantageous to this cause. We are so thankful to collaborate with you on this new project.

DONATE https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CKW5LG98CT92G

09/28/2021

Continuing on with the 90’s, September 1995 to be exact, we find Florida based Golfer - Chi Chi Rodriguez suing Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures for the use of his name in the most incredible smash hit, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, which he says that the character John Leguizamo “engages in numerous disreputable acts and is portrayed as s*xually promiscuous”. Attorneys for Rodriguez add that Leguizamo’s character is “a Gay man who dresses in outlandish women’s clothing and wears heavy female makeup throughout the motion picture”. The attorney Tim Fraelich says “this is not a question of having a sense of humor, these are 2 rich companies making money off an individual whose life consists of charitable acts and altruism and to us that is reprehensible.” Well Mr. Fraelich what is reprehensible is you because “When a gay man has way too much fashion sense for one gender he is a drag queen. - Noxeema Jackson.”

We’d love to hear some of your favorite quotes to this most excellent film.

Moving on within the archive from September 27, 1995 we find an article regarding Genora Dancel and Ninia Baehr of whom were 2 of 6 plaintiffs participating in a Hawaiian marriage case to support what they then called Same-Gender Marriage. A coalition of organizations has been forming to keep momentum moving forward because many believed G**s and Le****ns were on the verge of winning the freedom to marry. The two courageous women helped ignite the national movement for same s*x marriage and as an update the two were featured in a 25 year later article commemorating their experiences on this controversial Hawaii case.

The Torch Awards, Shanti Foundation, Tucson Aids Walk, Gay Young Mens Project, were all promoting special events, fundraisers and contests to win prizes and community recognition events. There were many important topics being discussed and celebrated in 1995.

We end our summary on a fun and happy section of the archives bringing attention to Laff’s Comedy Caffee, that celebrated National Coming Out Day by scheduling a very special show The Gay Comedy Jam: Freedom Tour held on October 10, 1995. It was a 1 night only special event recognizing that “funny is funny, whether it is Gay or straight.” The Gay Comedy Jam gained national attention with comedians Scott Kennedy and Kevin Maye and toured worldwide!

Lastly, don’t forget the racy, spicy, s*xy, attention grabbing ads in every issue of Arizona Gay News/Observer Publications!


Visit the entire publication for September 27, 1995 here -
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/595190a2e3df286805674812/t/61537bfc84956e4b57fda2f9/1632861182579/SEP+27.pdf

09/24/2021

09/21/2021

In this weeks Observer archive we selected September 21, 1994.
Some of the highlights in this issue focuses on Hate Crimes Act which passed in the U.S. Crimes Bill.
(D-NY) Chuck Schumer called the passage of the bill a “statement to all Gay bashers and hate mongers that the Federal Govt will come down on their violent acts like a ton of bricks” The bill was introduced to the Senate by Diane Feinstein (D-CA).
MTV announces its new show ‘Smart S*x’ and debuted on September 27, 1994. This was an after hours program starting at 10pm. The show featured young adults who openly discuss their s*xual attitudes, choices and experiences from their first s*xual encounters to becoming secondary virgins to using condoms. The show was hosted by Christian Slater. ‘Smart S*x’ provided young adults with an inside look at how their peers are handling s*xual choices in the age of HIV. Shot in an intimate, realistic style, the program had no doctors or authority figures, only young adults from around the country talking to each other about relationships and about what people are doing and about self respect.
Wingspan was asking for Board members and nominations. Wingspan - Tucson’s Gay, Le***an, and Bis*xual Community Center was making “great strides” and working hard with volunteers, staff and board members to produce a vital new home for the diversity that makes up the community. Revisit ads for your favorite bars and clubs like The Graduate, Hours, and Venture-N, Club 2520, IBT’S Underwear Thursday and Ain’t Nobody’s Bizness. Ah the memories of Tucson in the 90’s.
Visit the entire issue here -https://static1.squarespace.com/static/595190a2e3df286805674812/t/614a171c62dfec7bd531b56c/1632245534742/SEP+21.pdf

09/15/2021

We are conducting a little poll. Your input is highly valuable to us. Please let us know your thoughts and suggestions with regards to Arizona's Gay History and the Tucson Observer Archival Records. Thanks! We look forward to your responses. https://poll.app.do/arizona-gay-news-tucson-observer-archives

Good day Facebook visitors of Tucson Observer brought to you by the Colby Olsen Foundation! Today we'd like to get your honest opinions.

09/03/2021

TUCSON PRIDE TO POSTPONE 2021 PARADE AND FESTIVAL
Events rescheduled for October 2022

Tucson, AZ – Tucson Pride will postpone the Annual Pride in the Desert 2021 events. At this time, in light of Covid-19 concerns and public health the Tucson Pride Board of Directors has made the decision to postpone this year’s celebration to the Fall of 2022. This decision did not come lightly; however as we have closely monitored Covid-19 variant rates continuously increase, and with little guidance from the City of Tucson as well as the fluidly changing guidelines from CDC and Arizona’s Department of Health, we do not feel confident the community can come together safely at this time in large numbers. The health and safety of our community is our utmost priority and concern.

In coordination with our stakeholders, sponsors, and all other participants of Pride in the Desert, we will continue the planning for 2022. We are grateful for the continued support of our sponsors in this tumultuous time and look forward to carrying those partnerships from now through 2022 and beyond. In addition, our regular programming such as the Tucson Pride Veteran’s Program will continue operations and we are looking forward to the community joining us for our ongoing fundraising events produced by our Royalty and Board. We look forward to coming together and making the 44th Annual Pride in the Desert a huge success!

For additional information, please contact [email protected] or visit us online at www.tucsonpride.org

TICKET REFUND NOTICE: Refunds have been issued for all pre-sold Festival Tickets and donated Festival Tickets via Eventbrite. Eventbrite has advised that refunds will be issued within 7 business days, to the original payment methods utilized to purchase your tickets.

08/31/2021

Boy how times have changed! Check out our archives from the year 1977! September 2, 1977 to be exact. Click on the link below to access the full publication and check out those headlines! For fun were posting an ad that is sure to be a blast from the past for many gay Arizonians!

Read the entire article here -https://static1.squarespace.com/static/595190a2e3df286805674812/t/612e69d489eaf370710cfe99/1630431702234/SEP+2.pdf

07/21/2021

In this weeks Arizona Gay News / Observer archives-
"DID YOU KNOW?" Oh. My. Glory. This Anita Bryant was a real bad girl, if I may be so frank to all our viewers. She did and said some horrible things to the gay community, not only actively advocating against Gay Rights, but would also be quoted as saying that she "is willing to give up her signing career in order to continue her fight against G**s if that's God's will." She went on to proclaim that "I am pro-civil rights for parents and the straight majority. Homos*xual rights are not denied as long as they don't flaunt their homos*xuality and ask for special privileges."
Well ma'am, how times have changed. 🌈 ❤ 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 👨‍❤️‍👨

Click the link to be taken over to the archives and read the 8 pages that await you. Have a wonderful hump day and enjoy these productive monsoon storms!
PSA- turn around, don't drown. Except for Anita, gurl you drive right on thru those flooded washeshttps://static1.squarespace.com/.../1626901859553/JUL+22.pdf

In this weeks Arizona Gay News / Observer archives-
"DID YOU KNOW?" Oh. My. Glory. This Anita Bryant was a real bad girl, if I may be so frank to all our viewers. She did and said some horrible things to the gay community, not only actively advocating against Gay Rights, but would also be quoted as saying that she "is willing to give up her signing career in order to continue her fight against G**s if that's God's will." She went on to proclaim that "I am pro-civil rights for parents and the straight majority. Homos*xual rights are not denied as long as they don't flaunt their homos*xuality and ask for special privileges."
Well ma'am, how times have changed. 🌈 ❤ 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 👨‍❤️‍👨

Click the link to be taken over to the archives and read the 8 pages that await you. Have a wonderful hump day and enjoy these productive monsoon storms!
PSA- turn around, don't drown. Except for Anita, gurl you drive right on thru those flooded washeshttps://static1.squarespace.com/static/595190a2e3df286805674812/t/60f88d623dc1753e7ba038ff/1626901859553/JUL+22.pdf

07/16/2021

Did you know? In July 1977 Vice President Walter Mondale ducked out of questions and left a reception that was sponsored by the democratic party because he was asked " When are you going to speak out for Gay rights?" - Mondale then flushed red and said "thank you very much" - and stated "I am not speaking any more." - to the crowd of 1500 demonstrators carrying signs that read "Gay Rights Are Human Rights". Several minutes later he returned to the stage and completed his speech. Jump right in, click the link and read the entire article and you can read the entire publication for that week, July 15, 1977. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/595190a2e3df286805674812/t/60f1bd7a279bf47d217cc195/1626455419148/JUL+15.pdf

07/08/2021

It's been raided and vandalized but fights back every time...

07/07/2021

To read the entire article head over to this link-https://static1.squarespace.com/static/595190a2e3df286805674812/t/60e60b45b0a18b0ab2529765/1625688902652/JUL+8.pdf

06/22/2021

Did you know?? In this weeks post from
Arizona Gay News/Tucson Observer Archives week of JUNE 24 1977 has quite the headline!

Former President Jimmy Carter Speaks Out On Homos*xuality.

On Father's Day in 1977, Ann Blackman of the Associated Press sits down and has a Q & A with Carter. He was asked if he feels homos*xuality is a threat to family, should they be able to adopt, teach in schools and whether or not they should marry. The answers may surprise you. Have a look. As always and we are still in so please continue to celebrate diversity! Keep it cool Tucson, enjoy this weeks cooler temperatures and don't forget to stay hydrated! Click the link here to view the article - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/595190a2e3df286805674812/t/60be66fa7edd847be5f5cddd/1623090939215/JUN+24.pdf

06/15/2021

As we enter the hottest part of the year, let's look after one another - especially older Tucsonans and vulnerable populations.

With record heat expected this week, here are some of the places you can cool off around Tucson.

06/07/2021

We are a 501c3 LGBTQ+ diversity, equity and inclusion foundation that supports, advocates, and provides resources and education to the public regarding Adult, Youth and Senior challenges and issues that affect their daily lives. We create funding to support all Youth and Senior centers, workshops an...

06/07/2021

Do you have an EVENT you'd like to share with us and the Tucson Community? DM us the information and we will share it here and on our Tucson Observer/Colby Olsen Foundation page! *For those who feel online challenges with lingo - DM is Direct Message. So click on the message symbol on your ap or desktop and submit suggested events today!

04/03/2021

11/02/2020

Exciting Announcement! The 2021 "Virtual Edition" of Tucson's Got Talent! Entries will be accepted now through December 31,2020 at midnight. Share your talent for a chance to win a CASH PRIZE in the adult category or a SCHOLARSHIP in the youth category of $250.
As tradition, this is YOUR chance to showcase your skills and take home some amazing prize money or scholarship opportunity! All performers ages 13 and up are encouraged to participate and all talents are welcome (singing, lip-sync, dance, magicians, etc). Performers may participate as a group or as an individual. This is YOUR chance showcase your talents, have fun AND help raise money for COLEAD thru Colby Olsen Foundation!
***program overview, guidelines for entry, ticket sales to the event, and contestant application on our website at:
https://www.colbyolsenfoundation.org/tucsons-got-talent-1