Dish-Houston

Cinco de Mayo is soooo much more than drinking cheep Mexican beer and stuffing your face with queso.

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated nationwide in the United States and regionally in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla, where the holiday is called El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla(English: The Day of the Battle of Puebla). The date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, and to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War. In the state of Puebla, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoz Seguín. Contrary to widespread popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day—the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico—which is actually celebrated on September 16. (Info from Wikipedia)

So...HAPPY CINCO de MAYOOOOOOO!!!

Started by students in 1996, the Day of Silence gives youth an opportunity to make a difference in their schools by raising awareness about anti-LGBT bullying and promoting a culture of respect.

For weeks before the event, students invite their peers to participate and hold planning meetings. Many conclude the day with an emotional "breaking the silence" event where participants share what they learned and experienced.

This year, students in every state, the District of Columbia, and nearly 60 countries are participating in events at their school for the Day of Silence!

Today, the Johnson family from the documentary Bully are in Washington, DC with GLSEN to advocate for safe schools protections including a meeting with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. GLSEN and the Johnsons will be a part of a White House screening of Bully.

Join us in the action! We invite you to follow our blog – blog.glsen.org – as we post student stories and messages from supporters throughout the day.

Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #DayOfSilence and following @glsen!

And if you haven’t already, send a note of encouragement to students participating in Day of Silence. Some of them face opposition from schools, peers, or outside groups and your encouragement means the world to them.

At GLSEN, we’re impressed by the hundreds of thousands of students who are participating in Day of Silence to help make schools safe for all students. Together, we’ll keep working until that’s a reality!

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT ARTHUR:

Logan Keslar is one of those performers that musical theater teachers point to and say “He did it and so can you.” The talented Mr. Keslar has been to Broadway and back – well back for just a while – as he tours the country in the perennial hit musical comedy La Cage Aux Folles opening April 24^th  at the Hobby Center.

Born in Liberty, Texas he quickly gravitated to Houston and the arts.

“I was drawn to dancing when I was just a few years old. Heck - I was dancing in kindergarten.  My Mom took me to all the classic musicals and really encouraged my interests.” he said. He attended the Humphreys School of Musical Theater and graduated from Houston’s High School for the Performing Arts. “I worked with Tony Award winners, gained confidence and learned how to audition.”

And then ….like everyone else with grease paint in their veins, he moved to New York to be in big time show biz.

“I got my equity card right away. And I was lucky; I knew people, had a few connections and started working after a very short time.”

When Logan was all of 20 years old, he leaped over the pond and was selected to be a singing, dancing gang member in London’s 50^th Anniversary West End production of West Side Story. Four years later he was dancing on Broadway.

Direct from the great white way comes La Cage Aux Folles. The show that will not and SHOULD NOT die. The plot is classic: it focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction, and the farcical adventures that ensue when Georges's son, brings home his fiancée's ultra-conservative parents to meet them.

The original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical and  Best Score. The 2004 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival, the 2008 London revival garnered the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

The 2010 Broadway revival was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. And Logan was part of it. In the touring version of La Cage, Logan continues his Broadway role as Bitelle, one of the six (men in drag) Cagelles - the corps de ballet of the hit musical.

“We’re the only dancing in the show. It’s fun but sometimes exhausting.  It takes almost an hour to put on all that make up and the wig! I have a heavy beard and have to wait until just before going onstage to shave.”

In the 2010 Broadway show, TV star Kelsey Grammer played Georges, in Houston, the role is taken over by Hollywood icon George Hamilton. Different actors different interpretations? “Yes. The energy and style of each lead changes the show. Kelsey led the train. He took charge. George is one of the most authentic and kind men. And he’s really relaxed. Christopher Sieber, who played Georges on Broadway, is now Albin, opposite Hamilton – and he’s hilarious.”

Keslar is playing his hometown. Are you nervous?

“No, all my family friends and teachers are going to be there to support me. I just want them to have a good time.”

Sounds like it will be hard NOT to have a good time. The TUTS production of La Cage Aux Folles runs April 24^th through May 6. For ticket information, call 713-558-8887 or go to http://www.tuts.com