From filmmaker Reinaldo Marcus Green (MONSTERS AND MEN; upcoming KING RICHARD), along with the Academy Award-winning writing team behind BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (Diana Ossana & Larry McMurtry) and Academy Award nominee Mark Wahlberg, JOE BELL tells the intimate and emotional true story of an Oregonian father who pays tribute to his gay teenage son Jadin, embarking on a self-reflective walk across America to speak his heart to heartland citizens about the real and terrifying costs of bullying.
Newcomer Reid Miller (as Jadin), Connie Britton and Gary Sinise star alongside Wahlberg. The official debut date is Friday, July 23rd but there are two advanced screenings at 7pm and 9:40pm available on Thursday, July 24th. Get your tickets!
Two local organization heavyweights, Fresno Reel Pride and Fresno Filmworks issued a joint statement regarding the historic Tower Theatre and iconic film venue Tower Theatre. In short, a local church with roots in a national religious organization with deep pockets, has been attempting to purchase the theatre. This would have some pretty significant implications for local business and our local LGBTQ film festival. Here is the statement in its entirety…
I have been waiting and wanting to write this blog for more than a few years. Splash, the newest gay bar in Fresno, is open for business! Located in the heart of the Tower District at 644 E. Olive Ave the brand new club serving the LGBTQ+ is on the Southwest corner at Broadway.
Don’t let the club name and brand fool you. This gay video bar didn’t simply splash on the scene this week it crushed Fresno nightlife like a tidal wave. We waited in line for about 20 minutes around 9pm after eating dinner at Lincoln Pub. The dance floor was full and the vibe was fun and good energy. The front bar is perfect for lounging and the back bar sits right off the dance floor.
By 11pm the line was around the corner and it looked like it was probably about an hour wait if I had to guess. The drinks were great, there was plenty of bartenders and the prices were very reasonable. I wasn’t crazy about the cover charge of $6, I’m not a big fan of cover charges in Fresno, but that’s another blog for another day. Suffice it to say that Splash is absolutely the place to be in Gay Fresno!
Truth to be told I was personally assuming that Splash would wait until after all the construction was done in the Tower before opening their doors. Rather, they opted to hit the ground running on June 15th when California officially reopened. Not only was that pretty ballsy (which I totally respect) they totally pulled it off. I had more fun at Splash last night than I ever did at Legends or FAB in the last five year (the former has closed and is up for sale and the latter was dark as a tomb when we walked by it to get back to our car). Make no mistake it everyone there is a new top dog in town!
Fresno’s historic Tower District is getting a face lift and to say construction is well under way would be an understatement. The entire south side of Olive Street is completely torn up and closed off.
It’s my understanding that the entire City of Fresno project should be completed in weeks not month. Let’s hope for the best!
