If you’re heading over to Vegas you’ll definitely want to check out the Fremont Street Experience downtown (Old Vegas). It’s a short drive from the Strip. We’ve been there a few times and have always enjoyed the free shows, deep-fried Oreos and 99c shrimp cocktails. This year they’re presenting the Rock of Vegas Summer Concert Series. For the schedule go to vegasexperience.com
While walking around “Old” Vegas, you may hear screams of people ziplining from a distance. Who wouldn’t want to zipline for 800 feet above bystanders in downtown Las Vegas? We did it and it was worth the half hour wait. We arrived around 10 p.m. on a Friday night so the place was packed with tourists and locals dancing to the rock shows, drinking and watching street performers.
Above their heads people flew by on four ziplines, all at once. The ride goes quickly at about 30 mph. It is one of the activities in Vegas that the whole family can enjoy. A photo of your zipline experience is available for purchase after you reach the other end. You’ll definitely be able to fit it into your schedule as they open at noon until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and until midnight the rest of the week.
If you’re seeking a more heart-pumping adrenaline-filled activity, Flightlinez also has a Mojave Desert Zipline adventure. For more information, visit flightlinezfremont.com
June 13 we attended Around the World in 80 Sips held at Humphreys Half Moon Inn & Suites. Guests enjoyed one ounce sips of various wines, small bites from acclaimed Chef William Bradley of Addison and Chef Jeff Jackson of AR Valentien and other light appetizers. There were also representatives from Haagen-Dazs providing gelato samples along with a recommended pairing list. Yup, wine and ice- cream heaven for those of us with a sweet tooth! This was Bottlenotes’ first signature-tasting event in San Diego but we have a feeling they will be coming back next year. And if you’re traveling, check out their event listings in other cities. It’ll be worth a stop on your trip: bottlenotes.com
Palm Springs International Shortfest, held from June 18-24, had four programs for LGBTQ audiences including The Gay!La (Hers): Lesbianation, The Gay! La (His): Men on Top, Partners in Pride, and Out…and Definitely ‘Out There’. We made it to Palm Springs just in time to see the Gay!La (Hers). The shorts that were featured included The First Date, Only One, Sufferin’ Till You’re Straight, Dream Girl, Next Door Letters, Social Butterfly, and Remember to Breathe.
We found The First Date funny and cute. Director Janella Lacson and cast member Sonal Shah were in attendance during the screening. Lacson said that the biggest challenge she faced when filming the movie was the time-constraint. It’s her directorial debut and it was nerve-wracking to be on set with everyone, especially since they’ve all worked together on other films previously. The First Date is about a young woman that obsessively recounts the details of her first date to her best friend in their office restroom after two weeks of not hearing from her. Should she call her for a second date? The story takes a turn when they realize they’re not alone.
We also liked Next Door Letters, an animation about two girls, Lilja and Sandra, that play a prank by sending a love letter to the latter’s classmate, Melitta. What begins as a practical joke turns out to be a crucial turning point for two of the young girls. We think that it’s a story that resonated with the audience because we’ve all had those school crushes that made an impact on our lives.
One thing that we noticed was the lack of physical intimacy displayed in comparison to other shorts. We feel that even though LGBT characters are more visible than ever, the plotlines in these lesbian shorts seemed to keep the characters with enough distance that we never see a close interaction like a kiss.
Unlike the other films that show sexual scenes between two people, even characters that barely know each other, the lesbian characters that are in-love barely pat each other’s hand. If it is shown, it’s completely hidden in the dark. We hope to see more variety next year.
