Tom Wilson Weinberg began singing original queer-themed songs in coffee-houses and gay pride events in the late seventies. His early albums "Gay Name Game" (1979) and "All-American Boy" (1982) were among the first in this new genre. He then turned his attention to musical theater. "Ten Percent Revue" (1987) and "Get Used to It!" (1992) were produced Off-Broadway by Laura Green and John Glines, respectively, published by Broadway Play Publishing Company, toured extensively and recorded by Aboveground Records. Weinberg's compilation "Don't Mess With Mary" (1994) was the official CD of Stonewall 25.

"Sixty Years with Bruhs and Gean," commissioned by the New York City Gay Men's Chorus, debuted at Carnegie Hall and was later sung at Lincoln Center in 1995. An expanded version of the show was presented by the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Theater Festival in 2003, at The Duplex in New York and on Fire Island in 2004. Tom's "The Teachings of Chairman Rick" was part of the 2005 Philly Fringe Festival. "Rick" was revived in 2006, "Bruhs and Gean" in 2007. In 2008 Tom and singers Keith Kaczorowski and Melissa Kolczynski began a series of cabaret performances which continue.

"Sunrise At Hyde Park," about the relationship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok, is in development in New York, with a book by Peggy Stafford and directed by Darren Katz. A recent reading and demo CD features Lea Delaria in the role of Hickok. Weinberg’s song "Lesbian Seagull" was featured in the film "Beavis and Butt-head Do America" (Paramount/MTV), on the soundtrack (Geffen/Universal), published by Warner Chappell and released as a single with Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Love Rollercoaster."

Honors include two Drama-Logue Awards ( Los Angeles), two Golden Gull Awards ( Provincetown) and the Bessie Smith Award ( Boston). A longtime activist, Tom was a co-founder of Giovanni's Room and president of The Attic Youth Center, both in Philadelphia. He commutes between New York and Philadelphia, where he lives with John Whyte, his husband of 35 years. Tom is a member of OUTmusic, The Purple Circuit and ASCAP.

And a little bit about Melissa from her Family Portrait by Suzy Nash in last May's Philadelphia Gay News:

"Oscar Wilde once said, “I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” Of course he also said, “I love acting. It is so much more real than life.”

"But that’s just the kind of guy he was. Theater is a medium that can transcend boundaries, open hearts and minds and, in the case of the Keith, Melissa and Tom Show, bring a smile to your face and make you put your troubles aside for just a moment. The most recent in a series of popular cabaret-style shows, “Good Songs for Tough Times” is sure to be another crowd pleaser and will help raise much-needed funds for the William Way LGBT Community Center. I spoke with Melissa Kolczynski about her journey to the stage.

"PGN: Are you a Philly gal?
"MK: No, I was born in Pittsburgh and moved to York when I was in high school. I came to Philadelphia to attend the University of the Arts and have lived here ever since.
"PGN: What was life like in the Pitts?
"MK: I loved growing up in Pittsburgh. It’s not quite like Philadelphia in that people don’t really live downtown. It’s more neighborhood-oriented. What I loved is that, though it had a small-town feel, it still had a big-city feel with a thriving arts and culture element. So it was like the best of the suburbs and the city at once.
"PGN: What do your parents do?
"MK: My father is an engineer and my mom’s a math teacher.
"PGN: So are you good at math?
"MK: [Laughs.] Yes! I’m one of the few actors I know who actually liked math. The classes that are usually favorites for actors — like English and history — were the classes that I hated. I was more into the sciences.
"PGN: What was your best science experience?
"MK: Growing mold.
"PGN: I’m hoping it was in a lab, not just leftover from sneakers in your locker or something.
"MK: No, no. It was in a Petri dish. I actually won a prize for it at a science fair.
"PGN: Any siblings?
"MK: No, I’m an only child.
"PGN: Who did you play with?
"MK: My best friend’s backyard and mine faced each other. She lived in a funeral home so I would hop the fence and we would sneak onto this little elevator that went down to the basement where they did all the embalming. We would try to sneak looks at the corpses. Good times.
"PGN: When did you get the theater bug?
"MK: My father always kind of wanted to be a singer so I guess I got the performance bug from him. When I was about 12, I used to love to watch old movies — especially old musicals — and from then on, that’s all I wanted to do.
"PGN: Which actor and actress would you want to be?
"MK: Male: Cary Grant for sure; female: Judy Garland.
"PGN: A favorite line from a movie?
"MK: One of my favorite movies is “Auntie Mame” with Rosalind Russell. She has a scene where she wakes up at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, hung over. Her best friend Vera Charles is in the next bedroom, also hung over. She receives the news that the trustee of her nephew’s estate is about to come over and meet her for the first time. She runs into the guest room and, as she opens up the curtains, Vera says, “He’s coming here, in the middle of the night? Good God, that moon is bright!” That’s one of my favorite lines.
"PGN: So did you experience culture shock moving from Pittsburgh to York?
"MK: Oh yes, it was a big shock. The plus side was that they had a good community theater, so I got to really explore my theatrical desires there. Because it was a small community, I probably got more of a chance to act there than I might have in Pittsburgh.
"PGN: What was the biggest difference?
"MK: Me! From day one I noticed that I was different than everyone else. I was probably the only girl in the entire school with short hair. Just the way I dressed, everything about me stood out. There were probably only two black people in the whole school, which also was a shock coming from a big city.
"PGN: Favorite toy as a kid?
"MK: I had a tape recorder that I used to tape myself with and sing into. I still have some of the old tapes, which are really funny to listen to now.
"PGN: I know you sing; do you play any instruments?
"MK: I play a little piano and I used to play the trumpet in marching band. I hated doing the parades. You had to hold your instrument up and, after a while, that trumpet could get really heavy.
"PGN: An early sign you were gay?
"MK: In the old movies I used to watch when I was 8 or 9, the stories inevitably had some sweet woman being treated poorly by some man and I remember thinking, even as a kid, “God, if I had a woman like that I would never treat her that way!”
"PGN: Last movie you saw?
"MK: “V for Vendetta.” I rented it. I don’t go to the movies very often.
"PGN: What’s the farthest you’ve traveled?
"MK: When I graduated from college, a friend of mine and I took off and just traveled across the country.
"PGN: When did you come out?
"MK: At about 13, I came out to some friends. Shortly after, I had a friend who was pretty obviously gay and my mother knew I was hanging out with him, so one day she just asked me and it’s been out ever since. Neither of my parents had a problem with it.
"PGN: Worst clothing disaster?
"MK: The last big show I was in was “Candide” at the Arden Theatre. They custom-built our costumes and they decided to give me a strapless dress for a waltz scene. I raised my arms during the dance and fell out of the dress. Fortunately, it was only a dress rehearsal, so there weren’t a lot of people in the audience. But there were enough to make it a sighting.
"PGN: What types of books do you like to read?
"MK: I like books that incorporate several styles at once, like the book “Angels & Demons.” It has action and mystery and history all at once.
"PGN: Others are embarrassed when I ...
"MK: Talk loudly. And I have a tendency to blab things that are supposed to be secrets. Unless someone says specifically that I shouldn’t say something, I have a tendency to be overly honest about things.
"PGN: The hardest part of being gay?
"MK: I got harassed a little in high school. There was a particular group of guys who would yell vulgar things and pick on me. I had a lot of friends but as bullies will do, they never did it if anyone else was around. I haven’t had any problems in my adult life.
"PGN: I’m so gay ...
"MK: That I’m uncomfortable telling people to go straight while giving driving instructions
"PGN: People often mistake me for ...
"MK: When, and only when, I have dark lipstick on, people tell me I look like Gwen Stefani.
"PGN: What’s your sign and what traits do you have?
"MK: I’m very much a Libra. We display things and I have a lot of knick-knacks and stuff. I also looked up my specific [birth] date one time and it said I should be an actor.
"PGN: What traits have you inherited from your parents?
"MK: Oh God, I’m exactly like my mother except that I did inherit my father’s emotional side. We’re both criers, whereas my mother’s more stoic. But I have the same goofy sense of humor as her.
"PGN: First crush?
"MK: Melody Easton from York. She was in one of the first shows I ever did. I hated her the day I met her and for a good week of rehearsals, and then suddenly I couldn’t get enough of her. Uh, yeah — after that crush, I knew I was gay.
"PGN: Person you’d want to sit with at a dinner party?
"MK: Liza Minnelli. I love her and I’m sure she’d do something fabulous or tragic that would make a good story later.
"PGN: Favorite teacher?
"MK: My college voice teacher. She was tough, but you knew that if she complimented you, she meant it.
"PGN: Three sounds you love or three you hate?
"MK: Let’s go with hate: the word “moist,” the fake sounds they make throwing punches on TV and the sound of someone pulling cotton apart.
"PGN: Ginger or Maryanne?
"MK: Ginger ...
"PGN: Brush with fame?
"MK: I got to sing with Donna McKechnie, who won the Tony Award for “A Chorus Line,” and Chuck Wagner, who was the prince in “Into the Woods” and the beast in “Beauty and the Beast.” It was pretty awesome.
"PGN: So what’s up next for you?
"MK: I’m doing a cabaret with Keith Kaczorowski and Tom Wilson Weinberg called “Good Songs for Tough Times.” In response to our current recession, we’re featuring funny and touching songs from the Depression era. The show is a benefit for the William Way LGBT Community Center’s High School Bookmobile Project. It’s our own little stimulus package...."

Saturday, we roll out a Valentine's Day Menu for Lovers - finger-food appetizers (so you can practice feeding each other), entrees for two (so you can practice sharing) and gooey desserts (so you can practice licking each other's fingers). We encourage stealing a kiss or two between courses, under-the-table footsie, and over-the-table hand-holding.

In the nightclub, we take coupledom in another direction with our Couples Shadow Dance Contest. It's an anonymous adventure (you enter behind a black curtain and make your way to the top of the stage, behind the white screen). You are backlit, so all we see are your shadows. Then, you get it on! Now, normally, the liquor control board puts limits on exhibitionism; but, since we're not actually seeing you, there are no limits. Just in case it matters to you, remember, the closer you are to the screen, the more realistic your reflection will be. The closer you are to the light source, the larger your reflection will appear. Let Amanda spell it out for you: if you've always dreamed of being more generously endowed than you really are (i.e., bigger boobies, bigger peepee), now's the chance to live your dream. Isn't Amanda an exceptionally proficient speller?
back to calendar

---

Summer Men's Wknd
August 6-8
qualifies for RMR Economic Extension

SCREEEETCH!
Peter Pan (that would be the organizer of the Lost Boys; got it?) has just informed us that the Boys with not be able to join us for this weekend. We regret the inconvenience and hope they will be able to join us in the fall.
We will keep you posted.

That disappointment aside. Sean - decidely not a boy; but certainly hot, charming and approachable - will be joining us instead. While we await additional photos of Sean, let us post the one we do have full-size.

Sean will be joining us Saturday afternoon to relax and socialize poolside. He will then be joining the Singles' Congregate Dining Table in the Restaurant at 7:30 pm. Around midnight, he will be performing in the Nightclub. Basically, Sean will be everywhere. Where will you be?

More Sean

In case you were concerned that you would just be sitting on your hands on Friday before Sean's arrival, we will be Congregate Dining and setting up You've Got Male, so everyone can meet everyone right away. Of course, the Pool, Hot Tub, Sauna and Hospitality Suite will be open 24/7 - so everyone can meet everyone right away!
back to calendar

---

Just Summer
with Regina Sayles
August 13-15
qualifies for RMR Economic Extension

We use the "just summer" appellation to underscore that no freaky behavioral requirements impinge upon this weekend (as opposed to some of our preceding; and, definitely, some of our succeeding weekends).

We love Regina Sayles and we are proud that she will be joining us to entertain on Friday evening on the big stage in our Dance Club. The day will come when you will be able to say "we saw Regina Sayles at Rainbow Mountain, before...", since we are certain there is a "..." in her performing future. As an aside, you might consider purchasing a Regina Sayles CD as an investment option (it could hardly pay less than a more typical CD).

Click on Regina's photos to visit her web presence.

Saturday night, we celebrate Mardi Gras, just in case you were not able to join us in February (and we hate it when you miss a good party). Actually, we resurrect the event because we are addicted to tits, pecs and buns. We usually drag out the big, ugly curtain that allows you to display your junk anonymously; but, we may just opt for a wet T-shirt and underwear contest (too cold to do that in February). If you insist on being anonymous, you can wear that brown paper bag over your head (you know, the one you wear in the hot tub after hours).
back to calendar

---

Still Summer
August 20-22
qualifies for RMR Economic Extension

This is how this one's going to play out. Miss Estella Sweet, the drag vixen of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area, will be packing all of her friends, fans and fanatic followers into an old school bus and pointing it southeast toward Rainbow Mountain.

Now, Miss Sweet has done this before; but, it's always been a Friday night, it's always been for just one night, and it's always been cold outside.

This time, it's a two-night junket and the weather is warm and the Pool is open. Amanda ponders exactly how her weary travelers will handle the Pool. They were certainly a handful in the Hot Tub on previous visits. Amanda can only imagine the after hour hijinks they have in store.

Now, Miss Sweet does not just come down and perform. Nay, nay! She mounts a performance. She has contracted the services of Judy and Andy to build a barn and a stage for her show on Saturday night.

But, you don't have to wait until Saturday to see Miss Sweet in action. Nay, nay! Friday night, we're handing her and two of her co-performers live microphones and allowing them to judge our "Rainbow Mountain's Got Talent" Karaoke Contest. Potential contestants please note that, while the karaoke equipment will be cranked up, any and all talented individuals are welcome to participate. Said judges will also be armed with eliminating X's. Potential contestants, please bring your thick skin.

Not too worry, if the judges are too harsh on Friday, guess who doesn't have to tip them when they perform on Saturday. Karma and comeuppance can be bitches.

A few hair-raising photos from her recent performance at the PDN benefit show in May.

And, now, one of the hair.

back to calendar

---

Escape to Funk Mountain
August 27-29
qualifies for RMR Economic Extension

Amanda has been holding on to this information for too long. (Methinks she was hoping no one else would show and she could have all the goodies for herself. Methinks? Meknows!)

The blurb/schedule from our good friends at Forbidden Funk Media:

Join the men of Forbidden FUNK for a weekend of madness, mayhem and men! There’s plenty of parties, prizes and porn stars - and from Bad Boys Bingo and the Sexy Saturday Splash to the FUNK Dungeon, ESCAPE TO FUNK MOUNTAIN is the ultimate men’s getaway!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27

Opening Reception & Dinner Mixer in the Restaurant

Jeff Grove, Marco Cruise and FFM XXXclusive Zyz Taylor host the singles’ congregate tables. Enjoy dinner with the stars and mingle with other guys who are here for fun!

Bad Boys Bingo
in the Mousetrap Lounge

Yeah, it’s bingo, but we spice it up with porno prizes; next to naked bingo boys; and a saucy emcee; and the best part is - all the money raised goes to Safer+Saner. Marco Cruise and FFM exclusive Zyz Taylor will be on hand to help, and the more we raise the more they take off! And don’t miss the Chinese auction; the highest bidder wins breakfast in bed with the bingo boy of your choice! All this…and Karaoke! Prizes courtesy of Forbidden FUNK Media, BlackBreeders.com (WARNING! There is no warning page for this website), and Dark Alley Media.

Midnite Movie Premiere in the FUNK Dungeon

Leon Masters hosts an exclusive first look at his directorial debut! We can’t give away too much, but it just may be our funkiest flick ever! BTW, the Dungeon is open 24/7 for the entire weekend!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28

Sexy Saturday Splash
Poolside, 12-5 pm

Join the Men of FFM for a porno pool party you won’t forget. There will be lots of “hands on” fun with Ramey West giving poolside massages; and wear your sexiest swimwear because there’s a prize for the most tempting trunks!

Behind the FUNK!
in The Shed, 8-9 pm

We are filming one of our infamous “no holds barred” orgy scenes in the shed and you can cum by and watch. You can stay off cam and see exactly what goes into shooting buck wild, nasty porn. And who knows, you just may get a chance to fluff!

FUNK FEVER in the Nightclub

FFM brings the noise and the funk with sexy strippers, banging beats and our guest mixmaster, Philly’s own DJ Paulie Paul!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29

Bye Bye Breakfast

Our last meal of the weekend; hopefully you guys will still have the strength to make it to the restaurant!

ALL WEEKEND LONG YOU CAN ENJOY

THE FUNK DUNGEON

Open all weekend long, it will definitely be the spot to be afterhours with different FFM stars hosting each night.

Cum to play hard…
and play hard to cum!

THE FUNK BOUTIQUE in the Lobby

Check out the goodies from Forbidden FUNK Media and other erotic vendors. There will be some serious discounts you don’t want to miss, and all registered guests will receive a $10 gift certificate to be used at the boutique during the weekend!

Lastly, FFM will be filming on location the entire weekend so if you are not busy you may get a chance to watch a scene being filmed. And if you’ve got what it takes and want to get in front of the camera let one of our team know- you just might get to show off your funky stuff!

back to calendar

---

Labor Day Weekend
September 3-6
qualifies for RMR Economic Extension

Amanda used to include each and every one of her incredibly clever posters on this calendar page. However, the requests for signed reprints became intolerable; and, when she spotted one for sale at a Christies's auction, the dye was cast. Besides, she needed the dye for her hair and she couldn't afford to be casting it around in these economic times.

 

However, pumpkins, Amanda is prepared to make an exception and share.

Scary clever, huh? Or, is it just plain scary?

Anyway, the old girls are up to their old tricks. It will be an entire evening of all-new (except for the old stuff), all-live, all-singing, all-dancing, all-kibitzing merriment! That's right, merriment!

Leading up to the main event, we'll play Volleyball in the Nightclub on Friday night. Saturday, in celebration of the penultimate day for wearing same, it's a White Party. A chance to really show off that tan, by contrasting it with the color of Amanda's soul.

A flurry of new photos of the girls follows.

Really, the shoes?
back to calendar

---

FACT Summer Games Weekend
September 10-12
More info to follow soon!
back to calendar