The 1980s Satanic Panic

Last week I was a guest on Karl Mamer's popular podcast The Conspiracy Skeptic, speaking on the 1980s Satanic Panic. Karl has been recording CS since October 2007 and has cast a skeptical eye on many of the most well-known conspiracies. We need more rationalist like him.

The 80s Satanic Panic, or the Satanic Cult Phenomenon, is a perfect example of a "moral panic," similar to the Salem Witch Trials & McCarthyism. For more information, read Satan's Silence and watch the documentary Witch Hunt.

Download the podcast here or listen on iTunes.

NYC Moments #1

Some pictures that I've tweeted recently, from out and about New York City. Just click for larger images.

Minnie Mouse getting a ticket in Time Square. Solicitation?

The entire Navy heads out to West Side Story.

Times Square's Valentines Ice Sculpture

The Ritz's Valentines Ice Sculpture.

My New Podcast - Gay History: Uncut on 1920 Harvard Secret Court

For the last few months I've wanted to host a podcast on gay history. There are a few great history podcast, but none that focus on LGBT exclusively. We finally recorded the first episode yesterday!

My guest is Stan Richardson, author of the play Veritas that I'm directing this year. We spoke about the subject of his play, the 1920 Harvard Secret Court.

Download here. Now available on iTunes.

More information:

2002 Harvard Crimson Article

1920 Secret Court on Wikipedia

Harvard's Secret Court at Amazon

Blog from our January Veritas table reading

CitizeNYC Podcast #10

On this week's episode, hosts Greg Palmer and Ryan J. Davis talk about renaming the Freedom Tower to One World Trade, New York's most popular politician, and David Paterson's improbable campaign. Plus, gay activist groups that sound like gay bars.

Listen online right here!




Or listen on iTunes, and be sure to check out last week's episode, all about Governor Paterson's sex habits (kidding... sorta).

Via CitizeNYC.

Pride Ticket Winners

Congrats to Josh Scheer/@Joshscheer and Desi Isaacs/@Immeblue on winning a pair of tickets over Twitter to MCC's The Pride.

CitizeNYC Podcast #9

Via CitizeNYC:

On this week's Two Beers In, Ryan J. Davis and Greg Palmer talk about the sexual influences of the Governor's Mansion, Harold Ford's financial troubles, and Eliot Spitzer's political future. It's a good episode, so check it out!

Download the MP3 here. Or listen on iTunes, and be sure to check out last week's episode.

What do you think? Does Eliot Spitzer have a political future?

Win Tixs To 'The Pride' Over Twitter (Contest Over)

Update: Contest Over - Congrats to Josh Scheer/@Joshscheer and Desi Isaacs/@Immeblue on winning a pair of tickets over Twitter to MCC's The Pride.

I'm giving away two pairs of tickets to Alexi Kate Campbell's new play The Pride today. I'm seeing the show Saturday night, here are the details from MCC's website.

Oliver, Philip, and Sylvia are caught in a kind of erotic time warp. Their complex love triangle, replete with conflicting loyalties and passions, jumps from 1958 to the present and back in a maelstrom of fantasy, repression and rebellion in this innovative new drama. After taking London by storm last season in an Olivier Award-winning production at the Royal Court, The Pride now makes its American premiere at MCC Theater. Tony Award-winning director Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Blackbird) joins playwright Alexi Kaye Campbell (Apologia), to stage this alternately tough and touching look at love and betrayal. Four of Britain's most acclaimed young actors, Hugh Dancy (Adam, Journey's End), Adam James (Last Chance Harvey), Andrea Riseborough (Happy-Go-Lucky) and Ben Whishaw (Bright Star, Brideshead Revisited) will star.

To enter to win a pair of tickets to a preview performance this week, all you need to do is Tweet; "Just entered to win a pair of tickets to see The Pride, via @RyanNewYork at http://ryanjdavis.blogspot.com." I'll draw and announce the winners late tonight. The tickets have to be used this week, so be in the New York City area.

Good luck!