All posts tagged with: Awards

This week, 15 awards were handed out to LGBT musicians celebrating their achievements and talent in the music industry. It was all part of the annual RightOutTV music awards for Out artists.

The global competition raises awareness of LGBT musicians, their music, and their videos, while closer uniting the community and industry. Enteries were submitted from across the world including Portugal, Austria, Britain, Canada and the United States. There were two rounds of judging to determine the winners in each of the 15 award categories.

“This is only our second year and already the number and caliber of the artists submitting has reassured us that there is truly a need for this kind of acknowledgement for the LGBT music community,” says Marlee Walchuk, co- producer of the RightOutTV Music and Video Awards.

Winners of the 2012 RightOutTV Music and Video Awards:

• Best Video (Pro): Matt Zarley – Trust Me
• Song of the Year: Matt Fishel – Behind Closed Doors
• Best Song So Far: Matt Zarley – Change Begins with Me
• Best Video DIY (Do It Yourself): Corday – Weekend Warrior
• Best Pop/Rock/Adult Contemporary Video: Jeffery Straker – Gone
• Best Electronic/Dance/Hip Hop/R&B Video: Blinded by Stardust – Can’t We Just Dance Instead (feat. Biuna)
• Best Folk/Country/Jazz Video: Kat Devlin – Dear Emmi
• Best Performance in a Live Video: Rachael Sage – Everything
• Best “Living Room Performance”: Nhojj – He & Him
• Best Video So Far: Matt Fishel – Football Song
• Best Pop/Rock/Adult Contemporary Song: Jenn Foster – You Stayed
• Best Electronic/Dance/Hip Hop/ R&B Song: Darren Octert – This Modern Life (1984)
• Best Folk/Country/Jazz Song:  Summer Osborne – Be Still
• Fan Fave Award: Sonasfly

One of British Columbia’s best golfers. Winner of the 1982 British Columbia Open, 1984 Utah Open, 1992 Greater Milwaukee Open, 1992 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic and the 2001 Samsung Canadian PGA Championship to name just a few of his winning titles. His name is Richard Zokol and he is the Director of Golf at Predator Ridge Golf Resort in Vernon, British Columbia.

Richard made the decision to join Predator Ridge this past year after his agent and best friend, Brad Pelletier, VP of Westbild, suggested he join the Predator Ridge team. There were a number of challenges the resort faced and they knew that a seasoned expert, like Richard, could help address to build their position in the marketplace and deliver a better golf experience.

“I love the interaction with the membership,” said Zokol. “I get to meet and connect with them. That’s the magic of this place. Bringing Mike Weir here was exciting too.”

Richard’s goals are primarily focused on making a big impact at Predator Ridge.

“There’s a need for a third course,” Richard explained. “It would bring a whole new meaning to the product we currently offer.

While Richard is no longer golfing in the professionally, he does look back on his career to help him make decisions and inspires him for the future.

“Winning gold allows you to have a superior attitude and approach,” Richard proudly explained. “It’s not a physical sport, but very mental.”

It will be very exciting to see how Predator Ridge is transformed in the coming months and years under the recommendations of one of British Columbia’s finest professional golfers.

Have you ever golfed at Predator Ridge Golf Resort? If you have, leave a comment on this blog post on what you think are the best features, and how you think Richard and the team at Predator could improve the Ridge and Predator courses in the future.

Used with permission.

Appearing in over 92 scenes in the last six years, 26-year-old Dayton O’Conner is a familiar face in the male porn industry.

Growing up, Dayton was just like all the other boys on his block. He enjoyed playing outside.

“I love the outdoors, catching bugs and playing with action figures,” Dayton said laughing. “I remember having the entire He-Man set including the castle.”

As Dayton got older he found his life changing and he had to make important decisions about his education and career.

Dayton followed his dream of being an artist. He attended two years of post-secondary education in large-scale abstract, non-representative and colour theory. Today he enjoys working on commissioned painting and murals. But like any true artist, Dayton looks forward to returning to Prague to buy art from the legendary St. Charles Bridge.

Outside of his career in adult entertainment, Dayton has managed a restaurant and retail store.  He admits there are challenges having a traditional job, especially once his co-workers find out about his career in porn.

Used with permission.

“I produce events outside of the industry and book entertainment in San Diego for an event production company,” said Dayton as he explained some of the other activities he is working on.

In the future Dayton wants to get more involved behind the camera.

“I want a site of my own and I want to direct a film,” said Dayton, who is looking for the right opportunity to get more involved behind the camera.

Dayton is currently in a committed relationship. Working in adult entertainment certainly puts challenges and strains on any relationship.

“It’s hard to be in relationships,” said Dayton. “Really its annoying.”

Both partners need to have a clear understanding of roles, expectations and know when to leave jealousy behind.

Dayton wants people to know he is just a regular Joe like everyone else.

“I’m a very real and honest person,” said Dayton. “I encourage everyone to be so. Everyone has flaws and I don’t try to hide mine.”

When it comes to his biggest personal achievements, Dayton explained, “not losing my small town sensibility and growing as a person while challenging myself to break the mold.”

Dayton was awarded Best Cum Scene and Best Group Sex from C1R’s Gridiron Gangbang at the 2010 Grabby Awards.

For more on Dayton O’Connor, follow him on twitter, friend him on Facebook, and check out his blog.

For 41 years the Los Angeles LGBT community have gathered for the annual LA Pride, one of the largest LGBT pride parades in the world! New for 2011, Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa will proclaim a month-long commemoration of LGBT Heritage Month at the historic WeHo Dyke March. LA Pride is held in West Hollywood, California from June 10 – 12, 2011.

As the producer of LA Pride, Christopher Street West recognizes people and groups that have had an impact on the LGBT community. The 2011 Honourees have demonstrated commitment to greater visibility and understanding, advocacy, human rights empowerment, marriage equality and service.

The 2011 Honourees:

Margaret Cho

• Morris Kight Lifetime Achievement Award
• Comedian, actress, activist and humanitarian

Andy Cohen

• Person of the Year Award
• Bravo’s Executive Vice President of Programming and Development / Host of “Watch What Happens: Live”

Dr. Isabel Gomez-Bassols

• George Moscone Award
• The nation’s leading Hispanic radio psychologist reaching 80% of Latino households around the country

Suzy Jack

• Harvey Milk Award
• Progressive activist working to make local government, elected leaders and law enforcement more accessible, responsible and collaborative with the LGBTQ community

Asian Pacific Islander Equality – Los Angeles

• Connie Norman Award
• Working tirelessly to build bridges within ethnic communities to garner support for marriage equality

Youth of Gay Straight Alliance Network

• Outstanding Youth Award
• Creating safer environments for all students by addressing homophobia and transphobia in schools

Frontiers Magazine

• Torie Osborn / Dick Michaels Media Award
• For 29 years, a leading resource for the greater LGBT community

Glenne McElhinney

• Pat Parker Arts Award
• Helping to remember, record and re-tell the history of California’s LGBT community

Valerie Spencer

• Berman Schaffer Award
• Renowned transgender advocate and educator focused on social service delivery

Eagle LA

• Sheldon Andelson Award
• Popular leather bar consistently supporting causes near and dear to the hearts of the LGBT community

Sergeant James Farrell

• CSW Special Community Award
• A veteran member of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s station and law enforcement leader

About Christopher Street West:

A non-profit organization, Christopher Street West is a leading partner in the advancement of rights and equality in the LGBT community.  Led by professionally-driven, volunteer-based Board Members, Christopher Street West produces one of the largest PRIDE celebrations in the United States with an ever-expanding global presence reaching millions of people annually.

The Cybersocket Web Awards Show recognizes outstanding achievements in the world of adult queer online media and entertainment. This year’s event will include the best and most popular gay porn stars, industry leaders, executives and celebrities from around the world.

Award recipients in each category will be presented with a personalized trophy commemorating their achievements.

Hosted by Chico’s Angels, the awards show will feature entertainment by Frenchie Davis. Chi Chi LaRue will be DJ’ing the pre and post-award festivities.

• What:The 11th Annual Cybersocket Web Awards
• When:Monday, February 7, 2011 at 9:00pm
• Where:The Factory, 652 La Peer Drive, West Hollywood, CA

This year’s event is open to the general public to attend. Tickets $10 at the door.

Scheduled to appear:

• Brent Corrigan
• Brent Everett
• Cameron Adams
• Jake Austin
• Jeremy Bilding
• Reese Rideout
• Rob Romoni
• Samuel Colt
• Samuel O’Toole
• Spencer Reed
• Steven Daigle
• Tommy Defendi
• Topher DiMaggio
• Trent Locke
• Wolf Hudson
• …and many more!

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Recently I was fortunate to take a getaway trip to Salt Spring Island, one of the gulf island’s off Vancouver’s coast. The easiest way to get there is by float-plane, but you can also get there by BC Ferries. I highly recommend taking a float plane – not only is it fast (15 minutes by air), but it’s also spectacular scenery.

I stayed at Hastings House Country House and Hotel. It was originally a homestead on Salt Spring Island, which has now been transformed into a boutique resort. Hastings House has received numerous of honours and awards over the years including “Top 3 in Canadian Hotels”, Readers Choice Award from Condé Nast Publication.

The boutique resort is located on Ganges harbour and has an on-site spa, outdoor activities, gardens and an award-winner kitchen, featuring Executive Chef, Marcel Kauer. The accommodations are very comfortable and cozy. Each morning hot coffee and fresh baked pastries are delivered to your door and in the afternoon you can enjoy a cup of tea overlooking the harbour.

If you get up early enough, the sunrises are spectacular too!

A visit to Salt Spring Island would be perfect for a weekend getaway, an anniversary celebration, or for a tranquil weekend to get away from the city.

Put this resort and destination high your your “must-do” travel list.