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Kate Rigg To Lead NYC Comedy Class

Manhattan Comedy School (MCS) announced an exciting new addition to its summer offerings led by acclaimed performer & writer Kate Rigg. This LGBTQ+ Stand-Up class will begin on June 30th providing a unique, inclusive environment for aspiring comedians to develop their skills, find their voices & learn from one of the industry's finest. Andy Engel, Founder & Owner of MCS stated, "At MCS, we believe in creating a space where everyone—regardless of gender, identity, or background—feels empowered to express themselves through comedy. This LGBTQ+ Stand-Up class, especially with Kate Rigg at the helm, will offer a nurturing & safe environment for participants to explore their comedic voice, learn the craft of stand-up & ultimately feel supported in honing their skills. We're thrilled to be offering this class during Pride Month, a time to celebrate and uplift LGBTQ+ voices in comedy." Rigg concluded, "I'm so honored to be teaching this class at MCS during Pride Month! Stand-up is a powerful form of expression & this class is all about giving LGBTQ+ individuals the space to experiment, develop their material & find their comedic voice in a supportive & inclusive environment. Comedy has the power to change lives & I can't wait to work with the students & help them unleash their potential!" Kate Rigg is an internationally acclaimed performer, writer & producer whose one-person shows have been featured at prestigious events such as the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival, the Smithsonian Institute, The Comedy Central Theater & the Vancouver Comedy Festival. Founded in 2005 the Manhattan Comedy School is a premier institution dedicated to fostering the next generation of comedic talent. 
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Filmmakers Speak Out In Ptown (AUDIO)

In this audio montage of our 2-part series I talked with celebrities & filmmakers at the 27th Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF). First I talked with Emmy-winning actor & star of “The White Lotus” Murray Bartlett who received the PIFF Excellence in Acting Award & talks about being honored & “Ponyboi” the feature film he appears in. Murray known for his expansive work in HBO’s “The Last of Us”, “Looking” & Hulu’s “Welcome to Chippendales” also gave us his spin on our LGBTQ issues. Then I chatted with director Megan Rossman whose short film “We’ll Carry On Alright” was selected as PIFF Best Documentary Short. Megan talks about her film focusing on the friendship between Mabel Hampton a black lesbian activist & Joan Nestle a white Jewish lesbian professor who is 40 years her junior. Ms. Hampton cared for Joan as a child & the roles reversed when Joan cared for Ms. Hampton at the end of her life. Rossman talks about her film & gives her spin on our current LGBTQ issues. Next I talked to director Carmen Emmi about his film “Plainclothes” that won the PIFF Audience Award / Best Narrative Feature. The film set in 1990s New York is about a working-class undercover officer whose job was to entrap & apprehend gay men only to find himself drawn to one of his targets. I talked to Emmi about his film & his spin on our current civil rights issues. I concluded the first part of our series with directors Jackie Reeves & Lauren Wolk who talk about their film “The Art of Survival (Unafraid)”. The film is a collection of five short animated films that fuses animation, poetry & music to confront themes of identity, resilience & resistance. LISTEN  
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SCOTUS Delivers Heartbreaking Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision upheld that Tennessee’s transgender medical care ban for youth is constitutional effectively restricting access to gender-affirming medical care for thousands of transgender youth in 27 states. Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, Senior Staff Attorney at the ACLU of Tennessee stated, “The Supreme Court told Tennessee transgender youth & their families that they cannot access healthcare that is vitally important for a successful life. This ruling creates a class of people who politicians believe deserve healthcare & a class of people who do not. We will continue to stand with transgender people in Tennessee & are committed to realizing a world where all people belong, are valued & can access the necessary healthcare they need.” Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President & CEO added, “The Supreme Court took the place of parents & doctors & stripped away their ability to make private, lifesaving decisions for their children. This ruling is a chilling step toward unchecked government overreach, intruding on the most personal aspects of our private lives. All families are now less safe & left vulnerable to politicians & a Court that has abandoned its duty to protect personal liberties. Every family deserves the freedom to make the medical decisions that help their children live, thrive & be well.” Tony Hoang Equality California Executive Director concluded, "Healthcare decisions should be made between doctors, parents & children. This ruling permits the government to intrude into deeply personal medical decisions. It is a shameful & dangerous setback for transgender youth, their families & every person who believes in freedom & bodily autonomy. The Supreme Court has chosen politics over people & is allowing states to strip transgender kids of the care they need to survive.”
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John Waters Film Fest & Tribute Event

Attention John Waters fans the Somerville Theatre in Somerville, MA has teamed up with Identical Cousins for a John Waters Tribute featuring 3 John Waters masterworks in 35mm from June 19th to 20th followed by an immersive party full of polyester, pageantry & poor taste entitled “Filthy Formal & Trash Talent Show – A John Waters Tribute” that takes place on Saturday June 21st in the Crystal Ballroom at the Somerville Theatre beginning at 8P. The films being shown are Female Trouble on June 19th at 7:30P, Hairspray on June 20th at 7:30P & Pecker on June 20th at 9:15P. Then all students of John Samuel Waters Jr. Memorial High School for Subversives are invited to attend the festivities to honor the polyester, pageantry & poor taste at the Filthy Formal & Trash Talent Show presented by the esteemed faculty & so-called “Identical Cousins” invite you to a dance party / variety show / & a fabulous excuse to wear your most vile, stupid & repulsive formal fashions on Saturday night June 21st in the Crystal Ballroom of the Somerville Theatre. Join Vice Principal Keira Horowitz, Guidance Counselor Tooky Kavanagh & key members of the PTA (Perverts, Troublemakers & Anarchists) as they pledge allegiance to the freak flag. You’ll inhabit an iconic Pink Flamingo lawn kneel at a shrine to Divine, pose for photos under a low-rent prom arch & pencil in your own Maybelline moustaches whilst sipping signature cocktails like the sickeningly sweet “Little Chrissy.” I talked to Waters in this exclusive interview at the Ptown Film Festival in 2011 about his spin on our LGBTQ issues & more. LISTEN
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San Francisco Power Pride & Pop Oh My

SFGMC presents The Pride Concert “Power, Pride + Pop. Oh, My! A Musical Celebration of Trans & Nonbinary Voices” on Saturday June 21st at The Curran Theatre in San Francisco at 1P or 7:30P. Get ready to dance, sing & celebrate with their most joyful event of the year. This year’s San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus show is a high-energy celebration of Pride & queer brilliance featuring a spectacular soundtrack of anthems that span generations & genres from Bob Dylan to Chappell Roan & Pink pop bangers for an unforgettable night bringing together over 200 voices in a musical explosion of love, liberation & pure Pride joy. Joining the celebration will be Grammy-nominated Justin Tranter one of today’s most influential hitmakers. Tranter is the creative force behind chart-toppers by Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Sam Smith, Miley Cyrus & more racking up over 100 billion streams & now he's taking center stage with the chorus at the Curran Theatre. Tranter is one of the most in-demand producers & songwriters in music today & an ACLU Bill of Rights Award-winning activist & founder of Facet Records & Facet Publishing. This Pride SFGMC is turning up the volume & lifting up voices especially those of our Trans & Nonbinary community with music that inspires, unites & celebrates the beauty of being your authentic self. Uplifting, unapologetic & full of heart this is one of the most exciting concerts they've ever staged. Expect fierce choreography, unforgettable solo moments & the signature SFGMC sound that will leave you smiling long after the final note.
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Circus Bella 16th Annual Season

Escape from the politics with Circus Bella's new show HOOPLA! that runs now through July 20th celebrating its 16th annual Circus in the Parks Season in San Francisco, CA. This fabulous exhilarating show will delight & astonish audiences of all ages. Experience the mesmerizing magic of HOOPLA! offering a modern twist on one-ring circus & presenting a captivating blend of circus enchantment & madcap mayhem. Circus Bella’s diverse troupe of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers & clowns from the Bay Area & beyond performs to the lively tunes of performed by the Circus Bella All-Star Band. Circus Bella thrives in its mission to produce & present high-quality Circus Arts entertainment accessible to all audiences. Their vision is to be a classical circus attuned to the present. They pursue excellence in a modern one-ring circus combining past traditions with forward-thinking sensibilities & flair. Circus Bella honors diversity & universal human potential as a proud member of the multinational circus community. In celebrating the beauty of circus art they delight in unifying people with experiences that cross age, culture & language barriers with joyous performances. Their new show HOOPLA! is written & directed by Abigail Munn a founding member of the American Circus Alliance with costumes by Autumn Adamme. Performances run approximately 60 minutes & are free to the public but donations are welcomed & bring picnic blankets or small folding chairs to all locations since Circus Bella does not provide audience seating at events. Last year I talked to acrobat Toni Cannon about what he hopes to accomplish performing with Circus Bella & his spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN  

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New Comic Book Honors Brandi Carlile

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile is the latest artist of trailblazing women featured in TidalWave Comic’s Female Force series. Written by Darren G. Davis & illustrated by Elmo Rocko “Female Force: Brandi Carlile” delivers a compelling 22-page narrative that presents a compelling look at her life & legacy with a striking cover by renowned artist Pablo Martinena. Darren G. Davis stated, “When I lived in Bellingham, Washington, I got to know Brandi a little through her performances at events for the Evergreen AIDS Foundation, where I used to work. Even back then, it was clear she was destined to break through to the mainstream & she didn’t just break through she became a true role model & an extraordinary talent.” "Female Force: Brandi Carlile" is an empowering comic book biography that celebrates the life & career of this groundbreaking singer-songwriter. From her early days in rural Washington to becoming a Grammy-winning artist the comic highlights Brandi Carlile's resilience, authenticity & impact on the music industry. It also addresses her struggles as a queer woman in country & folk music as well as her advocacy for social justice & her role as a voice for marginalized communities. TidalWave's biography comic book series honors a range of influential individuals, spanning authors, business leaders, entertainers, journalists, politicians & activists. This latest release expands the company's impressive collection of over 400 biographical comics. "Female Force: Brandi Carlile” is available in both print & digital formats on Kindle, iTunes, ComiXology, Global Comics, Google Play, Overdrive, Nook, Kobo & other eBook retailers. For More Info… 

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Kate Rigg To Lead NYC Comedy Class

Manhattan Comedy School (MCS) announced an exciting new addition to its summer offerings led by acclaimed performer & writer Kate Rigg. ...

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