Demian needed to stop working on the Purple Circuit in order to realize his other projects, such as publishing the book “Operating Manual for Same-Sex Couples: Navigating the rules, rites & rights,” now available on Amazon, and to publishing his “Photo Stories by Demian” books based on his more than 6 decades as a photographer and writer.

QueerWise and Michael Kearns have committed to offering a continuation of the Purple Circuit. The new Web address is purplecircuit.org. Bill Kaiser continues as editor and can be reached at purplecir@aol.com

Bill and Demian express their appreciation for the hundreds of writers, directors, actors, and publicists who sent their articles and play data. They have toiled mightily to bring our gay, lesbian, trans, and feminist culture into public view, and appreciation.

Most of what I saw at this Festival was extraordinary. Unfortunately, I was only able to attend the last four days of the Festival. So was disappointed that I missed so much.

I expected something from the “stars” of the 2002 Festival — Jeffrey Solomon, Marjorie Conn, and Jade Esteban Estrada — and their entries lived up to their reputations.

It was also a pleasure to discover new performers like Journey Light, and works like Jane Chambers’ delightful short play, “Quintessential Image” comically done by Lara D. Haberberger and Lacey Lanier of Red Haired Grrlz.

The Conn Artist Performance Event production, “Deviant Women” was the edgiest show I saw at The Festival, and may have jarred mid-western sensibilities with its frankness about sex and violence. The three actors also performed bits from works by Marjorie Conn and others, strung together to form an intriguing evening.

Marjorie Conn ran the gamut from “Mistress Ecstasy’s Erotic Circus” — to portraying one of my heroes, pacifist Jeannette Rankin, as she bakes cookies and remembers her glory days in Congress as the first woman legislator, and only member, to vote against both World Wars. She also performed in “The Mystery of the Fortune Cookie,” comically pondering bathing suits, and fortune cookies.

Karen Maloney reminisces the loss of her longtime, lesbian lover in an excerpt from Elyse Nass’ “Alphabet of Flowers,” and portrays a scary Aileen Wvornos, the alleged serial killer, explaining her side of the “truth.”

The performance that steals your heart is that of Lulu Lolo, who wrote and performed “38 Witnessed Her Death, I Witnessed Her Love: The Lonely Secret of Mary Ann Zielonko.” Lulu Lolo plays Mary Ann Zielonko who was Kitty Genovese’s lover, the person Kitty was returning home to after work when she was brutally murdered in NYC. No one responded to her cries for help. I was moved to tears by this performance.

Another emotional high for me was the performance of spoken word artist Journey Light in from Darkness to Light. What she does with words is amazing and riveting. Unfortunately, the audience was sparse. More should have seen this dynamic performer from Atlanta.

Other performances also had low turnout, perhaps due to scheduling.

Jade Esteban Estrada, the hot Latino singer, director, writer, producer, and performer from NYC brought his touring show “ICONS, The Gay and Lesbian History of the World, Vol. 2” to Columbus. A fantastic performer, Jade has a unique interpretation of her/history complete with musical numbers. Who knew Susan B. Anthony could sing?

His portrayal of Billie Jean King is not to be missed. He also covers Alexander the Great, Queen Christina of Sweden, Harvey Milk, and Mark Bingham. What energy! Highly recommended. See his show.

Another highlight was Jeffrey Solomon’s “Houses on the Moon,” which he wrote and ably directed. The acting was in the very capable hands of Emily Weiner and Carlo D’Amore. The show is based on interviews and emails of young GLBT and Questioning people. It was an extremely moving experience and quite insightful about the isolation and needs of many young people. The company is touring the show to courageous high schools and colleges.

Also of Note:

• The fabulous Karen Williams went beyond comic, to poetic, in “Essentially.”
• Kevyn Cathreen Radcliffe gave us a well-documented portrait of “Christina, King of Sweden.”
• Michael Burke did so much with cucumbers in his slick performance art piece, “Cucumber Dreams.”
• Christopher Jackson’s “Not the Boy Next Door” with singers Damien Brett and Gary Cox blended darkness and optimism in a well-paced musical revue.
• The Puppet Queers in “Innuendo” predated Avenue Q with musical parody of Bush and much more.
• “Southern Gothic Novel” directed by Gabriel Shanks with Frank Blocker writing and performing is a solo tour de force.
• The 2 Co’s Cabaret where many of the performances took place also showed the talents of their company (who also wait on the tables) in music, dance and acting in “Labor of Love.”

It will be exciting to see what they accomplish in 2006!