Earlier this year, we were contacted by Linda Andersson, a writer and director in LA to see if she could use two songs from our album, "She's With Me" and "I Just Love Girls' for her new lesbian short film, 'The 6th Month Rule."
We knew then that if they had a Hollywood premiere, we wouldn't be able to resist it.

So we arrived in LA a few hours before the event, checked into the West Hollywood Ramada Inn right in the heart of Boystown (totally loved it with its wacky coloured palm trees and pink accents) and before we knew it we were trying to park the rental car in a very large lot with about 30 valets eager to help us. This seemed like a lot of people for so few cars but in a very short time the entire area exploded with partiers lining up for blocks in hopes to get into some of the cities top clubs.

We walked up to the HERE Lounge where the premiere was in full swing. Vodka was flowing, red carpet interviews underway and the place was buzzing. After finally meeting the actors, Michelle Wolfe, Beth Shea, Jen Nikolaisen, Deborah Stewart, Vincent De Paul, Jen Riker, Fanshen Cox, Gina Scoles and producer Peggy Irving and of course, Linda Andersson, we all gathered in the large back room of this gorgeous club and Michelle Wolfe handled the job of introducing everyone and presenting the film.

There is nothing quite like hearing your songs on a big screen behind a movie scene. They used quite a bit of each song so it was particularly cool for us. I kept poking Tully in the back while trying to keep my demeanor collected as though we do this sort of thing everyday. The crowd seemed to love it...if the cheering was any indication. We got tons of great feedback on our music so we were flying.

We settled in a private room while they let the public in and while chatting with some of Linda's friends that flew in from everywhere to support her, our conversations were interrupted by a very loud and sexy female voice ..."Get your asses in here...its time for TRUCK STOP MOTHER FU#%ERS!!"

Within seconds we're back in the big room, the music starts pumping and three unbelievably beautiful half naked women jump on the bar and start dancing and teasing a very eager crowd of crazed lesbians. Apparently for $20, the most full figured and therefore the sexiest to us, would grab the bottle of tequila at her feet, tip the spout in her mouth and then transfer the liquid into your mouth. Although not for the germ phobic...it was pretty hot to watch.

I have Fuse Events to thank for erasing that greasy food and hairy bug eyed men image of a truck stop I have always held so dear.

*We’ve posted the red carpet interviews video on www.myspace.com/sugarbeach

Check out "Stonewall Forty Years Later - Pink Banana Media - Flash Player Installation" on Pink Banana Media

First of all, Happy New Year!

There's something fresh and exciting about starting another year. The hope that the resolutions we make this time, we will actually follow through with. I love that every year I am completely convinced that the one about my perfect weight and future fitness level will be achieved in no time flat. ( I would like to add that I recently came across the resolutions I wrote from third grade with the exact same yearly goal in it!) What the heck was I doing obsessing over the size of my belly back then?! If only I had waited a few more years until my breasts grew and I could no longer see it! I was however, relieved to see that getting Victor Matsen to kiss me and raising my math grade was also there...much more appropriate aspirations for an eight year old.

So Tully and I have spent our day in sweat pants and slippers planning 2009. Trying to fit in everything we love, with what we have to do and what needs to line up to get us all the good stuff! You have to understand that we are big dreamers so trying to be consistent with cleaning the bathroom will not be found here. In fact, the list was so big we had to colour code it and chart it up on the wall! Way too much fun!We took a bit of a break from performing for the last few months to focus on writing for the new album which proved to be a great idea and we are loving the songs flying through us. We're planning to release it in the spring just in time for the Pride touring season. (more on that as dates confirm)

So soon you will be able to purchase our merchandise that we sell on live gigs here and of course there are new music videos to produce and yep..an internet TV show...I'd love to tell you more but I have to knock a few more things off the "to do" list...(already did the one hour of exercise but I'm glad that trying to get Victor to kiss me is no longer hanging over my head.)

Cheers!

Marlee Walchuk

I got this idea from a friend of ours who is getting people from around the world to lipsinc to his song to put into his next video. Well we've got something even easier...do you or any friends of yours, have any footage from your wedding, civil union ...whatever...sorry it must be same sex..that you would be willing to send us to incorporate into our next video. The song is called "This is the Day" and I wrote it and sang it to Natully at our wedding. We only need short clips- primarily of emotional or important moments..like the kiss, walking down the aisle, funny screw ups...cutting the cake ...clips where there is movement and emotional impact of any kind. If you are interested in being a part of this...just email us and we will take you through the steps of getting it to us.

Thanks so much!!

Marlee

On September 1st, Tully and I will celebrate our first year wedding anniversary. Once I realized I was gay...many years ago, it never occurred to me that one day I might still get married. In fact I doubt I would have been all that eager to jump in even if it was possible. Tully changed everything. I would have married her the first day we got together if I could've and now I understand what people mean when they say...'I just knew.' Its an alarm that goes off inside and says 'Stop! This is the One!' Whether you believe in soul mates, soul families or just destiny I am here to tell you that if you hear that alarm go off and you are fortunate enough to listen to it...Life is Bliss. (Hopefully, of course they feel the same way) but if they are 'The One'...they will.

I'm grateful everyday for her and that we moved back to my home to a country that truly recognizes our right to love and be legally united. Happy Anniversary Baby. You know how much I love you, Marlee

It was only a few months ago that we googled the LGBT Top 40 chart in the U.S.A.,"Outvoice" to see if we could find out how our music might be considered for it. We were stunned to find out that we were already on it and at #32! Over a short period of time, we have climbed to #3 and I can't begin to tell you how great that feels. Although we have told anyone who'll listen about our ranking, we have not told any friends that they could vote for us. We wanted a true view of how many new people, who didn't owe us money or feel obligated by friendship or blood line...were connecting with us and enjoying our music.

It seems that everyday when I go to the inbox there is some great news waiting for us about Sugarbeach. I'm starting to think that my expectation of wonderful results has manifested an almost daily event of just that! Okay is this just too "out there" for some of you? Well all I can tell you is... I believe it...then I see it! We are so grateful for the people who vote for us and have given us this great opportunity and to Len Rogers who hosts the Rainbow World Music show and handles the chart. Life is very, very good!!

www.outvoice.net

Cheers, Marlee

Jump off the float and run to the Mainstage on English Bay. The weather is hot and gorgeous...like most of the people there. Our good friend Rod Zelles who is the stage manager is relieved to see us a few minutes before we are supposed to go on. The crowd is now pouring in from the parade ending and it's starting to feel like one big beach party out there. At its high point they estimate 100,000 people at the stage...we may need to hold Vancouver Pride in a larger city next year! We down a few juices and get on stage...part way through our second song several very sexy boy dancers come from behind and go wild... whipping around us grinding and bumping...way too much fun...it was a challenge to remember lyrics. We closed with "Living Out Proud" and just like in Charlotte, many people seemed to know it. The audience was dancing...hands in the air...so cool!!

Afterwards we went to the merchandise table and met up with some people and one girl told us that after hearing our music, she mustered the courage to come out to her father. Those are the moments you do this for. We felt so honored to be a part of that for her.

John Boychuk, Ken Coolen and a dedicated Pride board did an outstanding job this year and along with Trigger from Girlgig productions and Jeff  Schmehl in Charlotte and his crew, kept us gratefully busy. Thanks Everyone!

We've posted photos and will get some videos up ASAP.

Sunday Aug 3- After 2 hours sleep, we got ready, loaded the van with our soundsystem, rented poles, feather boas and handpainted banners and went to meet the 20 ft. flatdeck truck outside my sisters building in downtown Vancouver. Within minutes, members of my family and several friends from the building starting filing out and pitching in to start assembling our Big Pink Float for the Pride Parade. The banners said "Living Out Proud", "Support Love" with those little washroom people on it..you know...girl and girl, boy and boy and girl and boy...and "Music for open hearts and open Minds." It took form in two hours thanks to our friend Jane who was forcing every passer by in the lobby to blow up a balloon before getting in the elevator. It was a beauty!!

Our two good friends, Nicky and Brian agreed to don their famous matching flight attendant mini skirt outfits and hand out our giveaways. They spent 2 hours giving photo ops to tourists before we got going and were a major hit with the media. 1:30 pm...We're moving....crank up the generator, get the tracks playing...mics on...here we go!!Now I have to tell you the feeling of being in a parade in like nothing I have ever experienced. Its a bit like having the best moments of a great gig when the audience in totally with you, sustain for 2 hours. There was reported to be between 535,000 and 750,000 people we passed by. We saw girls from the Dyke March dance cheering us on, some wearing our T-shirts, new and old friends, faces that were just full of love and support for the LGBT community...it was incredible!! Passing by one of the judges checkpoints we got a big "10" sign held up  (we think that was the only number they had!!).I will have those images of those beautiful, excited faces burned into my mind forever. Our flight attendants were constantly running after us, working the crowd, losing high heels and smearing lipstick..they were the best!