Eager moviegoers, lots of swag and models sporting wetsuits (pictured) were all part of the scene at Reeling Film Fest's opening-night gala for the gay surfing romance-drama Shelter, held Nov. 8 at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark. Photos by Kat Fitzgerald and Steve Starr
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The lush pink carpet was rolled out for the lively guests at Reeling's 26th Annual Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival's opening-night gala, which was held at the Chicago History Museum. Brad Rowe, the star of the film screened that evening, Shelter, attended the festivities.
Giant ice sculptures encasing huge bottles of Stella Artois and Ketel One flanked bartenders serving pink martinis from an elaborate bar, while patrons dined on the hors d'ouvres created by Whole Foods. In keeping with the film's surfing theme, men in wetsuits posed with surfboards and moviegoers for complimentary photographs, while 1960s beach party music filled the air. On the carpet, Rowe posed with his beautiful family. Everyone received a large bag of various items that included everything from lube from Steamworks to a crystal goblet trimmed with gold and the Stella Artois logo.
Shelter, a film by Jonah Markowitz, is a very engaging, entertaining, and romantic love story filled with believable, good-looking people; gorgeous views of the ocean waves; and surfer boys off California's coast.
Rowe, six feet tall with blue eyes and a sandy blonde hair, was very amenable and friendly with everyone. After the screening, he took to the podium, spoke with the audience, answered questions about his career and mentioned that he completed a trifecta—he was in all three CSI television shows, and in each episode he played a man who killed his wife. Rowe also revealed that although he frequently kissed and made out with dreamboat Trevor Wright in the film, the guys are both straight. There was great acting from all the cast, who includes Tina Holmes, known for her role in television's Six Feet Under.
Rowe was born May 15, 1970, in Milwaukee, Wis. After graduation from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in economics, he traveled to Spain to study and play in a blues band. Upon returning to the States, he decided he wanted to pursue screenwriting, and soon was led to acting. Rowe's feature films include Billy Hollywood's Screen Kiss ( 1999 ) , Body Shots ( 1999 ) , Nailed ( 2002 ) , Lucky Z ( 2003 ) and Shut Up and Kiss Me ( 2003 ) .
Photo ( from left ) : Lisa Rowe, Brad Rowe, Trish Wenger, Karen Rowe and Joel Wenger, Nov. 8, 2007. Photographed by Steve Starr-STARRGAZERS PHOTOGRAPHY www.SteveStarrStudios.com
Steve Starr is the author of Picture Perfect-Art Deco Photo Frames 1926-1946, published by Rizzoli International Publications. A photographer, writer, designer and artist, he is the owner of Steve Starr Studios.
Starr's column, STARRLIGHT, appears regularly in various publications including IMAGE Chicago Magazine, Entertainment Magazine Online-EMOL.org/reporters/Starr, the Windy City Times! and the Chicago Art Deco Society Magazine, and has been printed in Skyline, the Modern, Extra! and Vibralatino.Visit www.SteveStarrStudios.com where you can enter The Starrlight Room and view a portion of his frame collection, read Starrlight stories, and enjoy photos, letters, and autographs that he has received from his favorite luminaries.
STARRGAZERS-Radiant Photography by Steve Starr is available for portraits and events. Phone 773-252-5171. E-mail Steve Starr at ssschicago@ameritech.net .