Holmes and Watson. Partners in crime-solving? or Steampunk homos?

Guy Ritchie's SHERLOCK HOLMES opens up this X-mas. Homoerotic themes are nothing new to Ritchie (based on the only other two movies of his that I've seen). And RDJr. seems to be reveling in the point that he and Jude's characters will come off gay for eachother in the film.


I have a special place in my pants for both these actors. I saw Jude Law strolling down a narrow street in Venice, Italy one summer in 2004. He was a stunning sun-god in person. And I saw Robert Downey Jr. interviewed by that Roeper douche for the Singing Detective at a Chicago film festival in 2003. RDJr. was so classy in his responses to questions about his bisexuality and struggle with drug addiction. How do you pull that off? By being dry and witty.


Will it be a mishandled action/adventure popcorn movie? Maybe. Will it be bloody sexy as hell? Counting on it.

Prohibition Era Party

Rene Nevarez manages Sunset Carpets, a locally-owned and operated carpet company that installs upholstery for Herman Miller showrooms and such. His personal living space is pretty sweet. It's a converted fire station. Perfect for acting out those fire fighter fantasies. Unfortunately, the city took out the pole when he closed the deal. But he intends to reinstall one.

This past weekend, Rene threw a mellow, classy speak-easy theme cocktail party. Guests had to call in advance for a personal pass word. When you arrived at the residence, an unassuming Rene greeted you as if you had the wrong address. Once you discretely dropped the correct phrase he led you through a dark, cluttered office space that still has the large, folding garage doors wide enough for a EPFD haz-mat truck. He led you to a candle-lit flight of stairs that took you to a dimly-lit basement full of cafe tables and chairs with throaty recordings of Edith Piaf blaring softly for ambiance.

The speakeasy was quite indeed the cat's pajamas, bee's knees, all that jazz, and...uh, whatever else.

SteamPunk Cocktail Party

A few weeks ago, mi hermanita turned 21. In honor of the upcoming Victorian/Wild West issue of *COOL-O* magazine, we decided to host her birthday cocktail party and helped her celebrate turning 21 in the 21st century with a steam punk vibe.


Tonight we're gonna party like it's 1899!



Time to get steam-crunk!


steamy steam-boyz...

So El Paso, next time you're coolin' with your crew and feeling kinda funky
you guys should roll out, dressed all steampunky.

SOHO: SO good or NO good?

SO good! Located a block from Pride Square, Soho Cocktail Lounge is a nice breather from the steamy, seamy air of gay dives. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy steamy and seamy. It just gets stifling sometimes. Soho itself is like the clientele it attracts- predominately straight, yuppy-hipster with a "dress funky, not junky" dress code. It aims to be edgy and as everyone knows, homophobia is so not hip. I consider it gay-friendly but it definitely doesn't market or cater to gays specifically with special nights like it does to the rock crowd, Latin crowd, and even goth kids.

That's fine by me cuz that just means that gay cats into indie rock, Latin music, and goth culture have a place to go. And that's what I like to see: a diversity of interests and subcultures within the gay community. When we're all into Lady Gaga-blazing, pink-lemonade vodka-pouring, rainbow-banner-bearing bars with come-as-you-are dress codes, then we just become fucking boring. Or worse, a cliche. (I actually love Lady Gaga, pink-lemonade vodka, and coming as-I-am. But I still stand behind my point.)

But I digress, Tuesdays are my preferred nights to go to catch free indie rock shows. But Wednesdays are fun too. Soho has an open deck night where local DJs spin old school house, drum and bass, ambient, and sometimes hip hop. Being named Soho, I like to keep an NY theme to my drink orders when I'm there and stick to cosmos and manhattans. But these are actually hit or miss depending on who's tending bar that night. The plumegranite martini is one of their signature drinks. I recommend it if you want to order for a lady or if you're a girly-drink drunk.

The owners and staff are always welcoming and friendly and the space is conducive to intimate mixing and mingling.

House of Dozal

When the cat's away, the mice will play. The mice being awesomely cute hipster friends of Rob Dozal. With his parents' house all to himself, he gathered DJs from Late Night Social Club together to spin in his dad's painting studio.


With the crisp November night air snapping outdoors, the close gathering of warm bodies, warm beats, in a warm converted garage was pleasantly chill. I stuck to Apples and Derek the whole evening. Apples writes and photographs for EP Culture Beat, a sweet blog where writers, photogs, and artists cover cool mainstream and underground events in El Paso. Derek is a sweet, chill guy who's always a pleasure to talk to. He has great stories that would make a great web comic. They're the kind of couple that makes you want to get together with them to get drunk and write. I love those kind of couples.

Apples, Rob, and Derek.

Brew Ha-ha at Ruli's International Kitchen

As a pre-Thanksgiving dinner celebration, our crew got together at Ruli's International Kitchen. 10 bucks got you 4 premium beers and Cigarettes After Sex. Dinner was before the sex and cost extra. J/k, y'all. Cigarettes After Sex, the band.

Frontman Greg Gonzalez warms up.

Known for it's "seasonal menu of international foods", Ruli's offers entrees that skimp on serving size but load up on flavor, along with a cosmopolitan beer list. There's potential for RIK as a music venue if they would at least turn down the lights during the performance.

The evening was casually classy. Well, not so much towards the end. I chugged all my brews, plus three of my friend's beers. Next thing I knew, my entire upper body was sticking out of an ex-boyfriend's car window as I puked my guts out on the drive home.

Our English muffin, Lauren, with her friend Raul, owner of Ruli's.

*COOL-O* magazine Steampunk edition

Steampunk is the nostalgia for a time that never was. It's picturing a world where Victorian culture is the aesthetic context of present and future space-age technology. Picture us in waistcoats, cravats, spats, vests, and bowlers. Women with corsets, underbusts, parasols, and tabby boots. We would present call cards and tip our hats but also carry copper-plated MP3 players and bronze-encased telecommunicators. There would be no viable electrical grid so gas/oil lamps and candles cast a soft, balmy glow on our world at night. We ride horses and buggies and take commercial steam air ships for long trips. And our law enforcement officers, military and criminals possess ray gun technology.

As 2010 starts to rolls near, I'd like to reset El Paso's timeline to 1910 and redraw its history. One in which the Republic of Texas is a protectionist, independant country. Flanked on one side by an expansionist United States and on the other by a powerful Mexico that is fueling its means of production with the gold struck in its state of California.

What would a strategically situated border city like El Paso look like culturally and socio-politically in this fantastical, speculative cold war situation? Let's find out shall we? Unfortunately, no alternate history books describing these events have survived. Nah. Just a random little Tijuana Bible fag rag published off a steam printing press is all that's left to offer us a glimpse into the way life wasn't back then.

Daniel Marin Wants to Get Known

Daniel is the kind of guy who likes to mold a family out of a workplace; a home-away-from-home out of a watering hole. According to him, the staff and management of a gay bar should make you feel welcome, appreciated, and remembered. Not intimidated, ignored, scrutinized, or taken for granted.

Here at *COOL-O*, we couldn't agree more.

Daniel also can't get enough of the previously discontinued Polaroid film. He's obsessed with the nostalgia and warmth of it. His self-portraits and art exhibitions rely heavily on the iconic instant film.


Daniel is fresh from New York and he has that new-boy-in-class-who-used-to-rule-his-old-school look about him. It's a combination of desiring new friends and a desire to retain his mystique that makes him endearing. His passion for El Paso and creativity are infectious.


Catch his interview in the upcoming issue.

Late Night Social Club

On Thursdays, Dominic's Italian restaurant on Montana features local DJs. The space doesn't get packed. Just enough for the dance floor to fill. It's set up for casual lounging with a sound level conducive to conversation. Cheap vodka drinks and a headlining Chicago DJ will eventually get you out yo' seat to groove and get down.

Last week, Ruben Zavala of the Ruben Zavala Show featuring Ruben Zavala invited us out to catch a spin crew who visited his radio program.

Fun music. Fun people. Fun times.

Girl, Uninterrupted.

John Geiger lives with roommates who have lovingly nicknamed him "Girl". And what a classy, handsome lady she is! *COOL-O* was struck by her warm and masculine fashion style. She studies art, design, and Miley Cyrus. In this upcoming edition, Girl gives us her thoughts on photography, pop-culture fetishes, and wardrobe essentials.

David Quintanilla Party

David Quintanilla is an artist/photographer who recently showed at an industrial gallery space by the OP downtown. His show David's Goliath subverted Renaissance religious imagery with homo/sexual overtones. It was bold and sexy. An interview and photo spread of David will be featured in the upcoming edition of *COOL-O*.

On All Hallows Eve eve, though, David threw a dope costume party.

That's David in his Kali incarnation and his boyfriend the fertility goat-god fellow. By the end of the night I became convinced these are their true forms. They wear mortal disguises the rest of the year.

When you make out with a guy in the bathroom at a party, you're just asking to randomly spot him a few days later in an awkward location. Like the showers at your gym. Or at a restaurant while he's on a date with his boyfriend. Or at a Wal-Mart portrait studio taking picture with his wife and kids. Just sayin'.

Check out the killer Adonis belt on Adam. And the beer goggles on whoever took those pics. They can't hold the damn camera straight.

Cigarettes After Sex

After the fundraiser, we headed over to the Mining after a texted rumor the Dozal Bros were having a show there. Sadly, the rumor proved false. Instead, we found Cigarettes After Sex getting ready to perform. So the trick turned out to be a treat after all. Their poppy synth riffs are suh-weet.



You like 80's new wave? You like sexed-up lyrics? Then you'll love to run into Cigarettes After Sex at a gay bar at 1 am.

Fundraiser at La Catrina

Baby Sister is raising money to get her and her crew to Chicago in the spring for a major interior design convention. They decided to raise money like the Necronomicon raises zombies. Drink specials, candy, bar food, and mashed up top 40 made for a chill, loungey time at the Day of the Dead themed restaurant/bar. Good turn out and good kick off to Halloweekend.


Mi hermanita looks alot like a young version of our grandma in this get-up. (Our grandma used to fight crime as a pin-up themed superhero, you see.)






*COOL-O* magazine provided the security detail.

Nico Vega show at Bombardier's

This band kicks ass. You may have caught Nico Vega on Late Night w/ Carson Daley.


Lead singer Aja Volkman has a trippy-hippy neo-crunchy voodoo vibe in her voice that put all the ladies in the bar under a spell that night. I'm serious. She stood on a chair as all the women at Bombardier's danced around her. It was like they were worshipping Hecate or some other deity of witches/night or something. It was awesome. All the boys were hypnotized still. I guess my gay boy fairy powers shielded me from her Janis Joplin/Circe-style spellbinding. My free will was left in tact to grab a beer and rock out.

If I was charmed at all that night, it was by this guy. I love dudes in bands in general but I particularly like guitarist Rich Koehler for his silk cravat. He also wore a satin waistcoat before the show. Very steampunk. I like, I like.

Also, speaking of witch-y rock power, we met up with Cassie and Ruby of the late outfit Esperanto for this show. They have a band in the oven. This time, all chicks. Be on the look out.

Transplanted from your natural habitat

Can I just say, I love the fashionable straight scene in the Union Plaza district? A couple weeks back, I went out to bar-hop with a friend of ours and part of the cast of this year's Julius Cesar from Shakespeare on the Rocks.

It had been a while since I've ran with the herds of fresas, fronchis, frat boys, and college freshmen of places like 1914, Vanilla, Brick and Mortar, Shadow. I like the overall class and style of these bars. It asserts my conviction that downtown El Paso has potential.

That night, we only hit up Republic and ONIHC. And I had fun at both. I love people-watching the foxy ladies and handsome guys that have better style than lots of gay men I know. The music wasn't always en-pointe but it was eclectic and shook my ass, which is all that really matters.

My straight friends weren't having as much fun though. They complained about Republic's gender ratio. There were too many guys just standing around watching the packed dance floor. (I personally don't mind sausage fests). They both stressed about how to dress for the night, the music wasn't right, and it proved generally hard for them to get into the evening.

As I ordered my cosmo at the bar at ONIHC (and admiring it's awesome Damask-engraved pink metallic wall panels), I realized that my straight buddies sounded familiar. They sounded like me. During some nights that we go out to the gay bars, I also sometimes have one of these off-nights.

At the bars in Pride Square, or at the Mining, sometimes I feel anxiety, scrutiny, or general discomfort while my straight friends throw back beers without a care in the world around them. I think that's why I like Union Plaza bars. As a gay guy, I'm not on the market here. I'm not into the girls, the guys are not into me, so there is no pressure. The way my straight friends feel no pressure at gay joints.

That night, I realized that straight bars are to me what gay bars are to them- an occasional nice break when you grow a little tired of your comfortable social scene.

Rock-tail party pics!

Fall is creeping up on us. Of course in El Paso, you wouldn't even notice autumn if it weren't for school zones slowing down your commute, or the tax-free weekend that beckoned you to the Outlet Shoppes. Here at *COOL-O* we're grateful for these Indian summers. We're not ready to get out of the pool just yet. We're still learning to swim, and we're still ready to party.



We made our splash last month with our official launch party at the TOOLBOX. When ESPERANTO performed (first live rock performance ever booked at there), it felt like the dark, dive-y, dance rock shows we love so much that are usually relegated to the straight crowd. They performed two solid sets that night and played the Black and White party at Lips the following night. Sadly, it was the last weekend to see them perform, as the band made the decision to dissolve. My heart is broken. All the best to ERIK, TONY, CASSIE, and RUBY. *COOL-O* loves you!



Special thanks to Carlos and his accommodating staff, thanks to all friends and family who came to show their support.


*ESPERANTO*




Big Dozal, Derek, Baby Dozal, Apples.


Karina, Sylvia, and Edna.



Paul, Alex, Michael, Jessica.

GIVE IT TO ME STRAIGHT. We got gay questions, they got straight answers.

In the upcoming issue, check out a cheeky interview with close straight male friends of *COOL-O* magazine. Read what three hetero hotties have to say about sex, their dicks, male bodies, masturbation, and more.

"I admire the LGBT community for the way they deal with the shitty aspect of American culture that is hostile to them. Gay people, hold strong!"

"Straight guys who don't hang out with gay guys are missing out on good friendships and solid people, in general."

"Gays and lesbians are becoming more accepted into society. I think in 10 or 20 years it's going to be perfectly normal to grow up with gay friends and family."

Opera Performance Wednesday Sept. 9th. Discount tix 4 the LGBT community.

Come let a REAL diva show you how it's done. Attend the performance for a night of culture and class to support the fine music and artistry of El Paso Opera.

Call 581-5534 and say the codeword "PINK" to receive a 20% discount off your ticket price.

Stay tuned to *COOL-O* magazine for upcoming interviews and photos of extremely talented queer performers of the opera ensemble.

Upcoming Issue

Interview with *JEREMY*, our Mexican hot-chocolate pin-up.

Interview with my ex-boyfriend.

Interview with 3 straight guys.

Interview with a gay-fraternity brother.

It's gonna be good...

Keep an eye out for *COOL-O*.

*COOL-O* magazine launch party

What: *COOL-O* magazine's

ROCKTAIL PARTY

Where: the TOOLBOX

506 N. Stanton in Pride Square

When: FRIDAY AUG 21st 8 pm

performances by: ESPERANTO

featuring: the BUDWEISER BOYS

Drinks. Dance music. Dudes. Be there.

Want *COOL-O* at home?

· Alluring pinups · Intriguing El Pasoan interviews · Local-color erotica

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

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Make out money order to:
COOL-O MAGAZINE

Along with your name and mailing address, send it to:

COOLO MAGAZINE
P.O BOX 640703
EL PASO, TX
79904


Allow 1-2 weeks for delivery.

*COOL-O*ff this summer with our August issue preview

*KEVIN LAY*

Our pin-up is as hot as an El Paso summer. Only no where near as dry. See his pics and let him show you that this pool-side pup is no cabana boy.

*DAVID PERALTA-TORRES*

Gay avant-garde film maker documenting post-Stonewall El Paso gay culture. He's interviewing gay El Pasoans to gain insight on the uncertain, tumultuous times of the first AIDS outbreak, as well as the confounding factors our ethnicity and border culture play in our sexual identity.

"I just want these stories to be told. Our community is very unique."

Check out the Local Gay Zine

El Paso TX's home-grown *COOL-O* magazine is officially published. Like getting a lap dance from a hot guy who went to college, *COOL-O* aims to tease and engage.

In July's premiere issue, read about sexy ex-pats in China, queer rockers in the borderland, a hot high school cross-country first-time fuckfest, plus a comic panel featuring the Sacred Band of Thebes. Think of it as Tom of Finland meets Plato's argument for gays in the military.






*ERIK*

Drummer for Esperanto.

Bangs his set the way he might bang a dude-with frenetic, forceful energy and stop-and-start rhythms.

"It'd be great to meet someone who's also in a band. But it's almost impossible. There are so few gay guys in rock bands here. Maybe they're just not out. I know there's more. Come out! Come out!"







Pick us up at these and other locations:
The OP, The Briar Patch, The Whatever Lounge, The Percolator, The TOOLBOX,

Subscriptions available soon.