Date: October 7, 2008
From: PlanetOut

Sacha Sacket's Guide To Los Angeles
Presented by Las Vegas

Name: Sacha Sacket

Age: 30

Profession: Artist

City: Los Angeles

Relationship Status: In a relationship

Sexuality: Gay

What are some of the things you love most about Los Angeles?
I love that Los Angeles is full of dreamers, people aspiring for their greatest glory. So many dreamers all in one place. That alone lends a certain amount of magic to the city. Of course, the weather here is amazing as well.

What are some of your least favorite things about Los Angeles?
The pollution, hands down. It really gets to me, especially since I live in Downtown LA., where the soot clings to you.

What gym do you like most in Los Angeles? Why?
I use 24-Hour Fitness, and it works well enough for me, because I have moments where I am working out at midnight. It's rare, but it happens especially when I am in the studio. You do these sessions that are 10 hours plus and the only way to keep your sanity is to hit the gym.

What are some great restaurants for a night out with gay friends in Los Angeles?
Honestly, I go to The Abbey from time to time. Every two months or so. I remember when it was this tiny coffeehouse.

What are some great restaurants for a romantic gay date in Los Angeles? What about these restaurants appeals to you?
I like tucked-away places that aren't crazy crowded and are more about the ambience and service. There is a place called Pete's in Downtown L.A. that I am at a few nights a week.

What are your favorite gay bars and/or dance clubs in Los Angeles? What do you like about them?
I like MJ's in Silver Lake. The crowd there is a lot of fun, a little rough around the edges, and less bull and more brawn.

What are your favorite gay parties or events in Los Angeles, if any? What is the crowd or scene like at those places?
Honestly, it's been a long while since I have hit a gay-themed party.

Where is the best public place for a gay person to make out in Los Angeles?
Ha. Let's see. The best public place... Probably in one of the alcoves at The Abbey in the back. You have a great view of the crowd, but can close the curtains if exhibition is not your thing that night.

What is the gay community like in Los Angeles? Do you consider yourself to be part of any particular "scene"?
Honestly, the Los Angeles scene is really diverse. You have West Hollywood which is more about the tan and what muscles are protruding where and how you are framing yourself. How perfect can you get? Then you have the Silver Lake thing which is much more gruff and diverse and less superficial, but they still generally have some kind of "look." I am usually much less self-conscious in that sort of environment. But to be truthful, I have never been a great fit with any scene. I usually just go to restaurants/bars I like -- doesn't matter gay or straight. I'm much more about the conversation at a table, too, so clubs usually are not in my agenda. I have nights where it does strike my fancy, but I get it out of my system pretty quick.

Are you involved with any LGBT community organizations in Los Angeles? Which ones? What do you like about those groups?
I just put on a benefit for AIDS in Africa. We raised over $10,000 in one day, which pretty much blew my mind. The audience was amazingly generous. It was wonderful. It's not an LGBT cause directly, but in many ways I felt it important to deal with the disease in places where it is so dire.

What do you think of the annual LGBT pride celebration in Los Angeles? Do you usually attend? What are the highlights for you? What do you like least about it?
You know, I have performed at Prides all over the country -- quite a lot of them. But I have never been to Los Angeles Pride. I love small town prides. You really get that sense of community. There was one in Wisconsin, I believe, where you had the whole "God Hates Fags" crew screaming outside and there was this tangible communal atmosphere to the celebration. You saw attitudes and mores being challenged directly. I loved that. The bigger ones these days are more about the pure fun of it all. I think Prides are looking to redefine themselves these days. Their original motivation is dying out and we are looking for something new, I think. I'm still not sure where it is going.

Do you have a particular fashion style? Where do you shop for clothes?
I try my best to wear what I love regardless of what is in style at the time. Love the simple expression of clothes. I shop everywhere I can. I don't do the vintage thing as much because it's so much work these days. I love Heritage 1981, randomly. They have amazing deals and some of the clothes are really fresh to me.

Where do you go for other forms of entertainment -- live theater, concerts, movies, art exhibits? Are there any local gay performance groups, bands, or artists that you're a fan of?
I rent movies a lot. I see a lot of music because I tour around, which is always wonderful. I love reading as well; it's my favorite past time. David Sedaris is amazing and Walt Whitman has probably influenced my art the most.

If you had gay friends visiting from out of town for the first time, what are some "musts" that you'd recommend they see or do?
You sort of have to take them to The Abbey, because it's the center of the gay universe these days. Then I would take them to a club in Silver Lake called 'Akbar' so they could get a sense of the other side of the spectrum. One of my favorite things is to go to a gay karaoke bar because you really can't get much better than that. It's so much fun and always good for pure entertainment. The gays have karaoke cornered, in my opinion.

What city (or cities) in America would you most like to visit next, and why? Are there any specific spots there (theaters, nightclubs, historic sites, etc.) that you'd really like to see?
I've been around the country on tour quite a bit, but the South is still a blank canvas for me. I would honestly really like to spend some time in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, etc., and see what is going on there. I know it would be a challenge for me, being from granola Southern California. But I love a good challenge.

Touted by tastemakers such as Perez Hilton, "American Songwriter" and "Music Connection" Magazine, singer/songwriter Sacha Sacket releases his latest album Sacha Sacket and the LadyKillers: Live at the Zone on Dec. 9 on his own Golden Sphinx Records label. Sacket recently brought his all-girl band to L.A. sex club The Zone to record his new live record. The full-length album marks the end of a year of touring and exposes an edgy reinvention of his previously introspective work. Sacket chose to record his album in this gritty venue because he wants to draw attention to both the HIV/AIDS epidemic that started in places like The Zone, and to the mandatory safe sex practices and free testing that the sex club now provides. All profits from his "Sweet Release Show" are earmarked for ANSA's "It Takes A Village" program that specifically targets children in South Africa affected and orphaned by HIV/AIDS. A portion of profits from every CD sold will also benefit the organization and will be packaged with its very own Sacha Sacket condom. For more information on ANSA please visit their website at www.ansafrica.org. For more info, go to: www.sachasacket.com.