February 2003

FEATURES

• Cover Story: Swing & Twang Do we look forward to rodeo time? You bet, pardner. By Tim Brookover
  Melanie Ashcraft – on the Trail
  Singer Search
  Urban Cowboy
  
• Author! Author? The wordsmith of a new comic novel is more than meets the eye; plus an excerpt from He's the One. By Tim Brookover
  
• Old Green-Eyes Is Back Boyfriends make peace with the jealousy beast. By Thomas Blanton
  
• Dancing King Stanton Welch gives his first interview since becoming Houston Ballet artistic director. By D.L. Groover
  
• On the Front Line Kevin Jackson works to inspire and teach on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. By Josef Molnar

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

• Tell Us Your Top 5 GLBT or Campy Films
  
• LookOut Mardi Gras festivities take over Galveston and Houston, and betrothed couples prepare to get hitched. By Tim Brookover
  
• GrooveOut From Mariah to Justin, divas in distress belt it out. By Gregg Shapiro
  
• GrooveOut Shorts Reviews of new releases from Erasure and the Fred Hersch Trio, an Ethel Merman disco re-release, and many more. By Troy Carrington, Blase DiStefano, Andrea Rodricks, and Lance Walker
  
• ReadOutThe newly out Rawhide Kid hits the comics. By Lawrence Ferber
  
• Television A gay rabbit stars on Sundance Channel; plus Stockard Channing films a new gay-friendly flick (we're shocked, shocked). By Blase DiStefano
  
• Out In the Arts Vagabondage brings improv to Montrose; plus the premiere of Dominic Walsh Dance Theater. By D.L. Groover

NEWS & COMMENT

• Publishers Letter
  
• Letters to the Editor
  
• News Briefs The community center and other groups make moves in 2003; comments on unity for Black History Month; Love Welcomes in Austin.
  
• LeftOut Why it's time for a death penalty moratorium. By Daryl Moore
  
• OutRight The state won't admit the real reason for defending the sodomy law. By Dale Carpenter
  
• InsideOut at City Hall A new year brings budget challenges. By Annise Parker
  
• Business News
  

OUT & ABOUT

• OutFront Kyle Fu's origami welcomes the Year of the Goat. By Tim Brookover
  
• DineOut Maria Selma serves the flavors of Mexico City. By Eric A. T. Dieckman
  
• OutLoud Who knew dental hygiene could be so carnal? By Sally Sheklow
  
• Calendar Unhinged Productions debuts The Stand-In
  
• Out of Town Key West offers resorts for all kinds of travelers. By Andrew Collins
  
• Bar & Club Guide Featuring Raci Harris in "Behind the Bar."
  
• SignOut By Lilly Roddy

ABOUT THE COVER

• Rick Weston of the Lonestar Lariats dance at South Beach. Photographed for OutSmart by Michelle Grinstead. Lighting: Michael Pruitt, South Beach. Cover design by Jason Remmert, Atomar Communications.