Elyse Haren 

Performing as one of the headliners at this Fall’s Donna Jam on Saturday night at Jovita’s, we wanted to get to know Elyse a little better and help introduce her to the rest of our lovely community of women who will be in attendance Saturday night!

LGA: Tell us a little bit about yourself, where are you from, and how you got into the music industry.

Elyse:  ”A little about me…  I’m a night owl, but not an all-nighter. I love bike riding, the rain, a great real-life TV mystery, good food and better company.  I’ve always been a little fish in a big pond. I’m originally from New York City, but moved to Los Angeles when I was little because of life-threatening asthma attacks. Both my parents sing. My Dad attended the High School of the Performing Arts (The Fame School), so music runs deep through out my lineage. I danced and sang in musicals growing up, wrote poetry, and then after high school, I started writing my own songs.”

LGA: Who are you biggest influences?  Is there any particular event or stage in your life or place you lived that really inspired you to get into music?

Elyse:  ”Musically: Alanis Morissette, the Pretenders, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, U2, The Killers

              Personally: Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton, and Lucille Ball”

LGA: For those who haven’t heard your music before, how would you describe your style?  What other artists past or present would you compare yourself to?

Elyse:  ”Intense pop rock with the intimacy of a singer/songwriter. I’ve been compared to the best of the non-drippy girls of the 80’s and more modernly to Florence + the Machine.” 

LGA: What is your favorite year in terms of music?  Meaning throughout the decades, which year in particular do you think produced the best music to date?

Elyse:  ”I’m going with 1977, which had “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen),  “Dreams” & “Go Your Own Way” (Fleetwood Mac), “Hotel California” (Eagles), “Breakdown” (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), “Barracuda” (Heart) , “Maybe I’m Amazed” (Paul McCartney and Wings) and Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are”.”

LGA: What is the craziest show you have ever played?

Elyse: “Craziest show will definitely be one of the shows on the current tour with Dave Schulz. Stay tuned, but Greg Pajer (guitar) and I once played a MySpace Records show where we had to sit in tandem. It was like playing on a school bus!”

LGA: Besides music, what else are you passionate about?  What are your other hobbies? 

Elyse:  ” I’m passionate about the environment, equal rights, suicide prevention, and helping the homeless.  I volunteer at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, but after I saw a man strip-searched on the side of the freeway in LA, it occurred to me how everyone donates clothing, but no one donates undergarments. So, in the next year I plan to start a non-profit organization, which will provide clean underwear, boxers, bras, tanks, and socks to the homeless.”

LGA: Describe a typical week in the life of Elyse Haren.

Elyse:  ”Typically my day starts with walking my Border Collie mut , Melrose, and a soy latte, and of course can’t forget to feed my hefty Orange Tabby cat, Harrison.  Then I’ll move onto email and band biz stuff, most likely picking up the guitar for a break, somewhere along the way.  I spend my days either recording in the studio, rehearsing with the band, writing new songs, or working as the band’s manager.  I am always inspired to write on walks, so after Melly’s late night walk, I’ll usually come back inside and write at least a verse or chorus on the guitar or piano.”

LGA: Have you found that lesbians compromise a large part of your fan base?  If so, why do you think that is? If not, why do you think that is?

Elyse: “I have found that lesbians compromise a decent part of my fan base and I hope it’s because I represent a real woman, who isn’t a size zero, who writes her own songs and plays an instrument.”

LGA: What is your impression of Austin, Texas?

Elyse:  ”Austin feels like home to us. It’s the first place we ever toured outside California and it’s truly the best city for live music. The people of Austin are so unbelievably supportive of the independent music community and it gives me hope for independent artists everywhere.”

LGA: If you could spend a day with any musician past or present, who would it be and why?

Elyse: “I’d love to spend the day Freddie Mercury because he was an original. His songs, his voice, and you just know he knew exactly how to host a party.”

 LGA:  We all know that even straight girls have girl crushes.  Who is yours?!

 Elyse:  ”Rihanna.”

On Saturday, September 4th at the usual hot spot – Jovita’s on South First St., Donna Jam will be showcasing an entirely new line up of both local AND world-wide talent!  We get to tune into some of Austin’s own talented artists, as well as some acts touring across the globe…it’s the best of both worlds!

We know you want the scoop on who is performing, so here it is:  

Savanna Kate Russell
Hannah Hagar
Elyse Haren
Dave Schulz

Savanna Kate Russel and Hannah Hagar are both home-town, ATX, talents, as well as “family!”  So, you know definitely do not want to miss out on their acts early on in the night!  Elyse Haren is an amazing touring artist from LA, while Dave Schulz — formerly of the GOO GOO DOLLS –  will be performing last as our “honorary Donna” of the night!  

We have to tell ya, we are absolutely pumped for this show.  It’s going to be new and different and just as fun (if not MORE) than previous Donna Jams!  So come one, come all!  Lots of great Mexican food, beer, and margaritas as usual!!

Tickets are $8 in advance (email info@lezgoaustin.com to get your name of the pre-sale list), and $10 at the door – same as always!  Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts SOON after that, so don’t be late!

And in case you forgot the date already, it’s SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH – so put it in your Google Calendars!!

That’s right – Donna Jam is back again!  If you’ve already got plans for the weekend…no worries!  Donna Jam is on a Thursday night this time around, and it will be a great fluffer into what’s sure to be a crazy, Rainbow- flagged-filled weekend in the ATX.

Come on down to Jovita’s, our friendly little Mexican food restaurant down on South First street at on June 3rd at 6 pm and grab a table…Donna Jam is presenting all a whole new line-up from the last showcase!

Opening up will be Boys On the Inside, fronted by Ryan Kelsey who brings some soulful lyrics to the stage.  Some would say her style is very Melissa Etheridge-esk.  Robin Smith who has already proven very popular among the lesbian community graces the stage next, and the night ends with a band new to the Austin lesbian scene – The Blue Hit with lead vocals by Grace Rowland.

To get pre-sale tickets for only $5, email info@justbmused.com, otherwise just show up and pay $8 at the door!

Here are the details one more time:
WHEN – Thursday, June 3rd – Doors open at 6pm
WHERE – Jovita’s Restaurant on South First

We’ll be there with our Pacifico’s in hand – hope to see you ladies at the show!

Introducing JEST FEST! Featuring Holly Lorka with Carey Moore and Sean Mooney

Check out a cool new (soon to be regular) comedy show at a South Austin landmark, Jovitas. I know you’ll all have been there the night before for Donna Jam, but you can never have too much queso and cheap drinks, can you? Come top off your weekend by laughing at some of Austin’s finest and most adorable local comedians at the inaugural JEST FEST. The headliner is noneother than Austin’s favorite lesbian comedian Holly Lorka, who will guarantee to make you pee your pants. Seriously. Be sure to bring extra undies.

A mere $5 cover turns Jovita’s all day Happy Hour into a VERY Happy Hour. Show starts at 6pm. And don’t worry-even though it’s a Sunday show, it’s early. So you can all go home

 to drink your Ovaltine and make it to bed by 10. 

RSVP here on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=293162573227&ref=mf

Do it! 

This is a weekly blog listing fun and interesting things to do during the week in Austin.  Please, as always, feel free to comment and leave your ideas and suggestions! ***Denotes places that usually draw a lesbian crowd!

MONDAY, Jan. 25th:

Music:
***Ginger A. Thompson @ La Zona Rosa***
FREE show at one of Austin’s best known venues!!   It’s Ginger’s first time playing here so come out and have a few drinks.
WHEN - 9 pm
WHERE – La Zona Rosa

Trivia:
Fado’s Trivia Night
WHEN – 7:30 pm
WHERE – Fado’s Irish Pub on 4th Street 

TUESDAY, Jan. 26th:

Homo Revolution/Networking:
*** AGLCC Monthly Luncheon***
This month will feature:
Mark Walters has worked as a city planner for the City of Austin for almost ten years and has lived in Austin for 22 years. He received an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in Radio-TV-Film and a graduate degree in Geography and Planning form Southwest Texas State.
Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non members.
WHEN – 11:30 am to 1 pm
WHERE – Mangia Pizza, 2401 Lake Austin Blvd

***HRC January Tuesdays Together***
Join HRC Austin members, friends and allies for our award-winning monthly social at Flemings Steakhouse in The Domain. Flemings will provide some light nibbles as well as happy hour specials. Come mix and mingle and learn more about what HRC is doing locally, nationally and opportunities to volunteer for upcoming events.   In addition, we will be signing up table captains and selling tickets for our 2010 HRC Austin Gala Dinner. For more information and how you can help with the dinner (sponsor, volunteer, donate an auction item or buy a program book ad) visit our dinner website at http://www.hrcaustin.org
WHEN – 6 to 8 pm
WHERE – Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
11600 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 140
Austin, TX 78758

Trivia:
***Mother Egan’s – Austin Gay & Lesbian Couples Meetup***
The Gay & Lesbian Couples Meetup group will have a team this week!  They are in the FINALS!!  Join this awesome Meetup group: http://www.meetup.com/austin-gay-lesbian-couples/
WHEN – 7:15 pm
WHERE – Mother Egan’s Irish Pub on West 6th Street

Opal Divine’s Trivia
WHEN – 8 pm
WHERE – Opal Divine’s South Congress

Sports & Rec:
***Capital City Front Runners’ Run***
Got the need for speed?  At 5:30 pm the CCFR crew will be having a speed workout!  Dinner and networking always follows after…this time it’s El Chile on Barton Springs  (6:45 pm)!
WHEN – 5:30 pm
WHERE – Underneath Mopac bridge on Lady Bird Lake Trail, by the water coolers

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 27th:

Books:
***BookWoman Reading and Signing***
Mikaya Heart will be having a reading + signing of her book: My Sweet Wild Dance.  To find out more about the book, the author, and the event check out the website –
http://www.ebookwoman.com/event/mikaya-heart-reading-signing-my-sweet-wild-dance
WHEN - 7pm
WHERE – BookWoman, S. Lamar

Socializing:
***Hang Out Coffee Time***
Hang Out is one of the University of Texas’ LBGT social groups.  They meet to have coffee and hang out every Wednesday night at 10 pm onward.
WHEN – 10 pm
WHERE –  Cafe Medici on Guadalupe

Sports & Rec:
UT Men’s Basketball vs. Texas Tech
WHEN - 8 pm
WHERE - Frank Erwin Center

THURSDAY, Jan. 28th:

Music:
***Lisa Marshall performs***
WHEN – 9 pm
WHERE – TC’s Lounge

Socializing:
***Wymn to Wymn Meetup: Calling All Pool Players??***
Come play or just hang out and watch!
WHEN – 7 pm
WHERE – Sing up to find out…http://www.meetup.com/WymnToWymn-Meetup-Group/

Movies:
Old School Quote-Along – KEG party!
It will be a full on Keg Party, and they”ll be selling wristbands good for multiple drinks from a keg right in the theater. Sure, you could also just order by the pitcher from your server, but you can’t do a pitcher stand like you can with a keg stand, and what’s the point of drinking if you can’t do it upside down?
WHEN – 7 pm
WHERE – Alamo Drafthouse Ritz downtown

Action Pack: 1999 Sing-Along
Holy crap. Not only did 1999 give birth to almost all of the pop music of the next ten years by giving us Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” and Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way,” but the cheese element was in full effect with the Goo Goo Dolls, rap was awesome with “Back That Ass Up” AND Will Smith’s “Wild Wild West” AND Jay-Z’s “Can I Get A…”
WHEN – 10:40 pm
WHERE – Alamo Drafthouse Ritz downtown

Sports & Rec:
***Capital City Front Runners’ Run***
Every Tues/Thurs. at 5:30 pm – Jog the Lady Bird Lake trail with the CCFR crew!  Dinner and networking always follows after…this time it’s ThunderCloud Subs on Lake Austin Blvd. (6:45 pm)!
WHEN – 5:30 pm
WHERE – Underneath Mopac bridge on Lady Bird Lake Trail, by the water coolers.

FRIDAY, Jan. 29th:

Socializing:
***Captial City Front Runners Monthly Happy Hour***
Come hang out and meet the crew!
WHEN - 6 pm
WHERE - Sister’s Edge II

***Lesbian Coffee House Celebrates over 500 members***
Come and wear Orange (if you are a member)
WHEN – 7 pm
WHERE – Join the meetup group to find out! http://www.meetup.com/AustinLesbianCoffeeHouse/

Music:
***The Chelle Murray Band***
A member of the Lesbian Coffee house is promoting this band.  The lead singer is sassy, hilarious, super talented …and puts on a great live show. She does country/bluegrass/blues/rock and mean versions of our favorite 80′s songs
WHEN – 6 to 8 pm
WHERE – Lucky Lounge

Dating:
***Out in Austin – Lesbian Speed Dating***
This is a Pre-Valentine’s Speed Date… find your honey for the holiday!  You must sign up for this event: http://profile.myspace.com/Modules/Applications/Pages/Canvas.aspx?appId=119211&appParams=%7b%22rt%22%3a%22%2fExternal%2fFacebook%2fEvent%2fView%2f849417%22%7d&g=1′
WHEN – 7 to 10 pm
WHERE – Karma Lounge

Performing Arts:
***Talk and Performance with Tim Miller***
Free (no charge) – Performance Artist Tim Miller discusses and performs excerpts from his latest work, Lay of the Land. LAY OF THE LAND is Tim Miller’s saucy, sharp-knifed look at the State of the Queer Union during a time of trial. Careening from his sexy misadventures while performing in 45 States, to street protests for Marriage Equality, to the electoral assaults on gay folks all over the country, to a grade-school flag monitor, to choking on cheap meat caught in his 10-year old gay boy’s throat, LAY OF THE LAND friskily gets at that feeling of gay folks being perpetually on trial, on the ballot, and on the menu! LAY OF THE LAND is a “lay” in all kinds of ways: a sex-assignation, a queer citizenship map, and a narrative ballad with a recurrent refrain! (Miller’s favorite way-down-the-list definition for “lay”!).
WHEN – 2 pm 
WHERE – UT Campus 2.180 Winship

Movies:
Master Pancake Theatre mocks TRANSFORMERS!
WHEN – 7 pm and 10:15 pm
WHERE – Alamo Drafthouse Ritz downtown

SATURDAY, Jan. 30th:

Music/Socializing:
***Donna Jam***
A 5 women, one stage music showcase!  Austin’s own little Lillith Fair!  Tickets are $10 at the door.  $8 if you contact info@lezgoaustin.com by Friday, Jan 29th.
WHEN – 6:30 pm
WHERE – Jovita’s Restaurant, S. First

Sports & Rec:
***GALA – Golf  Among Ladies Association***
GALA is a lesbian only golf league, which plays monthly at the public courses. While you do not have to be a good player, you do have to have played so that you know course etiquette and how to get around 18 holes. The format is a four person best ball scramble which allows women of all abilities to participate. There are prizes for closest to the pin, longest drive and the team with the least amount of putts. We have a yearly planned party/meeting along with other events after golf, either at the course or at someone’s house. This group is also a good way to meet other golfers who like to play golf. To get on the mailing list, get the schedule or sign up for the next outing, contact Lesley at this email address:
galagolf@hotmail.com

***Hill Country Ride for AIDS Cocoa Social***
The Cocoa Social marks the beginning of our official training ride season!  Dust off those bike shorts and meet up for some warm cocoa, good friends and a nice, easy ride around town.  Everyone is welcome!  Distances: 12 or 24 mile options.
WHEN - Meet up: 9:00 am Ride out: 10:00 am
WHERE – Starting location: 3809 Hidden Hollow Lane, Austin, Texas 78731 (Off Hart Lane between Spicewood Springs and Greystone)

UT Men’s Basketball vs. Baylor
WHEN - 3 pm
WHERE – Frank Erwin Center

***Capital City Front Runners’ Run***
Every Saturday at 10 am – Jog the Lady Bird Lake trail with the CCFR crew!  Lunch and networking always follows after.. this time it’s Whole Foods!
WHEN – 10 am
WHERE – Underneath Mopac bridge on Lady Bird Lake Trail, by the water coolers.

Movies:
Master Pancake Theatre mocks TRANSFORMERS!
WHEN – 7 pm and 10:15 pm
WHERE – Alamo Drafthouse Ritz downtown

 SUNDAY, Jan. 31st:

Comedy:
***Jest Fest – Featuring Holly Lorka***
A new comedy show at a South Austin landmark. Come top off your weekend by laughing at some of our finest and most adorable local comedians, including Carey Moore and Sean Mooney. $5 cover turns our all day Happy Hour into a VERY Happy Hour.
WHEN – 6 pm
WHERE – Jovita’s Restaurant, S. First

Sports & Rec.:
***UT Women’s Basketball vs. Baylor…PINK ZONE***
Come help the Longhorns turn the Frank Erwin Center pink for breast cancer awareness against Baylor.
WHEN: 4 pm 
WHERE:  Frank Erwin Center

Where?  Jovita’s Restaurant on South First Street
When?  January 30^th, 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Your Hosts?  bMUSEd Entertainment/Goldstar ATX/LezGoAustin

You can think of it as Austin’s own little Lilith Fair – a phenomenal line-up of female musicians sharing one stage, and bringing sweet, heartfelt lyrics to our ears.  Another occasion to celebrate women and be surrounded by women?  Yes, please!

Mexican food, margaritas, beer, and girls with guitars!  Just check out the list of ladies who will be gracing us with their stage presence:

Katie Evans
Inne Aguilar
Dawni McCray
Ginger Thompson
Stephanie Cavazos

Women from all over Texas will be there, giving you the chance to mix, mingle, and meet new people while listening to the laid back tunes of our acoustic artists.

If you want to get in early and save a few bucks (to perhaps buy your first beer), you can purchase pre-sale tickets for $8 by contacting us at info@lezgoaustin.com.  Otherwise, tickets are $10 at the door.  Bring some extra cash in case you want to purchase some of the artists’ CD’s or merchandise!

If you’re on Facebook, tell us you’re coming by responding to event invitation:
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/event.php?eid=257620656268&ref=ts

If you’ve been to Donna Jam, you’ve seen the potential of creator Melissa Martin. She’s the mastermind behind the promotions company bmused and has a vision. Girl, does she ever. Along with co-creator Jessica Wimpy (famed bartender of First Tuesday @ Rain), Melissa is in the midst of a lesb-olution in Austin. Introducing Goldstar, a brand spankin’ new lesbian-oriented events and promotions company.

The Goldstar mission? To create opportunities to reconnect the different sections of our community—to expand Austin lesbians outside of their normal bubbles.  That is a mighty mission indeed.

Her inspiration? Melissa spent some time in L.A. recently, only to marvel at the lesbian scene, which—not shockingly—can put ours to shame (on the right night, of course). A little investigating uncovered the difference between our fair city and their flashy one. Same general lez population per capita (we might even have an edge), but L.A. wins with organized fun. Austin has only one lesbian-centric promotion company, the beloved Mismanaged Productions, mommas of the infamous SIN Party. Who doesn’t love SIN? But a girl can only wait so long between the fun…

Founder - Melissa Martin

The idea? What about a little more fun, a little more often? Melissa partnered with Jessica to create another local party planning fun crew to rev up the scene in A-town. So what’s in it for us you ask? First off, let’s make just about any bar a lesbian bar. Similar to the old “guerilla gay bar” night, Goldstar promises to turn dive bars into dyke bars, just for you! Second, Goldstar plans to rally for benefits that support local LGBT owned venues. Love those places! And finally, Goldstar is on a mission to create the mecca of lesbian bars we all wish for. Something sexy and hip that attracts every demographic but specifically caters to the under 40 crowd. A dream to come true soon enough. I personally am itching for it to happen NOW!

But in the meantime, Goldstar won’t make you wait. Check out  Beau Tyler, solo acoustic artist, Wed 11/24 at One2One Bar from 8-10pm ($2 wells and domestics, gals!). Also, don’t miss Rescue Signals on Sunday 11/29 at One2One Bar at 9pm. Did I mention $2 wells and domestics already? Oh yes!

Also, stay tuned for Robin Smith at Antone’s on 12/2. If you haven’t checked out this hot little number, it’s time to stop watching Dancing with the Stars and get out more!

Make friends with Goldstar on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=100000437251527&ref=ts. You’ll be glad you did.