'MO - August 2008 - (Page 13)

click here to comment on these stories. community What began as a house party in West seattle quickly grew to one of the Northwest’s premier gay events and community fundraisers. Now, after a series of personal challenges and a year off, Northern Xposure co-founder, rich Kaalaas returns with NX ’08. Northern Xposure: Not for Bears Only By Vincent Kovar Rich Kaalaas is a dreamer; but unlike so many visionaries, he has consistently found ways to make his passions and projects ﬂourish. Formerly the creative director and vice president of visual development at Wizards of the Coast, Rich left the company in 2000 to establish Rein Fire Ranch, and subsequently launched one of the most successful events in the region, Northern Xposure. In his characteristic combination of earnestness and humor, Rich says he was guided by three quotes: 1. Use your powers for good 2. Approach fear with curiosity and friendliness 3. Save the city He’s not just being ﬂip either. Since Rich and his former partner launched NX in 2000 as a house party for 75 people, NX Weekends have raised more than $76,000 for Seattle’s Lambert House, a drop-in center for LGBTQ youth (see related story this issue). Using his powers on behalf of the city and its youth is an important keystone in the arch of NX events. “My former partner has two kids,” says Rich, “and I believe that Northern Xposure is an investment in our future. The young people of today are going to be leading our community tomorrow.” In 2001, the event moved to the Rein Fire Ranch where friends and visitors camped in tents behind Rich’s house. There, NX Weekend raised $8,000. In its third year, NX generated $21,000 in donations. By its fourth year, NX had outgrown its rural home. “2005 was when we moved it ‘off the farm and into the big city,’” Rich says. “I really want to make the event both sustainable and repeatable and I felt we needed to bring it back into Seattle to do that.” Not all the years have been easy ones however. Between 2005 and August of 2007, Rich lost both of his parents to cancer. During this same period, he and his partner also split. As a result, NX went on sabbatical in 2007. Rich made the decision to re-launch the event with NX ’08, in part due to the Gay Softball World Series, being held in Seattle the following weekend, and in part due to his personal dedication. “I just couldn’t let something I’ve worked so hard on and care so much about just fade away,” he says. But what is NX? “It’s not a circuit party.” Rich says, “It’s really a celebration of Seattle and of the time of year. I chose the third weekend in August because the Farmer’s Almanac says that is nearly always the most beautiful. It’s also not just a “bear” event either. I think it’s gotten a mistaken reputation over the years: that NX is some exclusive musclebear club, but really my event is accessible and inclusive. It is a men’s weekend celebration and most of the events are at men’s bars like the Cuff or the Eagle but women are welcome too and I’m planning to expand into more women’s events in the future.” The main difference between circuit-type events and the NX Weekend is Rich’s concept of a well-rounded stage. “I include three elements in Northern Xposure: a social element, a bar element, and a dance element. Though the bar element is there, I don’t always want an alcoholic setting. We have a bonﬁre, a sunset cruise, a barbeque and a Duck boat tour. It’s not just about drinking. NX is about camaraderie and brotherhood.” For a full list of the weekend’s scheduled events, please visit www. nxposure.com. Become a fan of ’mo magazine. ®         moseattle.com 13 issue #18 | august 2008   editor@moseattle.com http://www.nxposure.com http://www.nxposure.com http://www.nxposure.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/mo-Magazine/25781270409?ref=ts http://www.cabinetrends.com http://moseattle.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of 'MO - August 2008

'MO - August 2008 Contents Letter From The Editor Voices Coors Joins the Fight to Erase Hate Pet Project ’mo-BIZ: Ajaxx63 Northern Xposure Returns Lambert House Offers Youth Support Beijing, China The 2008 Gay Softball World Series in Seattle Form & Function: Vacation Nutrition An Account of the STP Bicycle Classic Book Review: Family Outing by Troy Johnson Capitol Hill Guide Live Event Review: Teatro ZinZanni’s Quest for a Queendom SceneOut: People@Places

'MO - August 2008

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