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Janis Ian Film Brings Us Back & Forward

In this new must-see documentary “Janis Ian: Breaking Silence” available on VOD platforms April 29th, director Varda Bar-Kar takes the audience on an intimate journey over decades from Ian’s perspective. Through Janis’s narrative, archival footage, dramatic reenactments & celebrity interviews an important retrospect is presented for our viewing consumption. I first became aware of Janis Ian in 1965 with her hit single "Society's Child" a song about an interracial relationship written & recorded by Ian when she was just 13 which was later featured on her debut album in 1967 with cover art above by Joseph Solman. The film begins with an introduction by Leonard Bernstein who learned of Ian after she performed "Society's Child" at “The Gaslight” during the vibrant Greenwich Village music scene of 1960’s. The intro was part of a segment of “Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution” a 1967 CBS television special about new pop music. The documentary then addresses the turbulent civil rights movement of our past, through Vietnam War protests & into the current wave of achieving equality for all. One of the most significant factor in this documentary is showing a talented female artist's lifelong survival in this world by staying true to their art & themselves. There are notable interviews with Joan Baez, Lily Tomlin, Jean Smart, Laurie Metcalf & many more Janis encountered during her journey. Janis Ian won her first Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1976 for “At Seventeen” & her 2nd Grammy Award in 2013 at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony for Best Spoken Word Album for her audio book "Society's Child” when I talked to her about her career in this exclusive audio interview. LISTEN 
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Drama Desk Awards Benefit Event

The 2025 Annual Drama Desk Awards benefitting the Entertainment Community Fund have announced that stage & screen stars Debra Messing & Tituss Burgess will host the event that takes place on Sunday June 1st at NYU Skirball 566 LaGuardia Place in NYC beginning at 6:15P. The creative team for this year’s Drama Desk Awards has also been announced. Lorin Latarro (The Who’s Tommy; The Heart of Rock and Roll; The Producers in the West End) returns as director of the evening and Steve Rosen & David Rossmer (The Other Josh Cohen) will again be writing the show. Musical direction is by Dan Lipton, lighting design is by Abby May, production management & sound design is by Five Ohm & video design is by Ido Levran (The Lifespan of a Fact), Ira Mont (Jagged Little Pill) is the production stage manager. Co-Executive Producers Staci Levine & Jessica R. Jenen stated, “We are absolutely thrilled that Debra Messing & Tituss Burgess are hosting this year’s Drama Desk Awards, along with a stellar creative team led by Lorin Latarro. The Drama Desk Awards are a very special event, celebrating the entire theater community. With all net proceeds donated to the Entertainment Community Fund, the Drama Desk Awards benefit the very community being celebrated." The Drama Desk Awards are the only major NYC theater awards for which productions on Broadway, Off Broadway & Off-Off Broadway compete against each other in the same categories honoring all aspects of New York’s professional theater. The Drama Desk Nominations will be announced on Wednesday April 30th. 
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Mamie Van Doren Feature Documentary

It’s been announced that a new documentary is in the works about the life of one of Hollywood’s most glamorous stars Mamie Van Doren who is on board as executive producer. The film entitled “Mamie Exposed! The Life & Loves of the Last Blonde Bombshell” is the first authorized documentary of the legendary Van Doren & is being produced by Alan Eichler, Stephen Israel & Marc Saltarelli who also directs. This is the same team that brought audiences the award-winning 2024 documentary “Studio One Forever.” Van Doren stated, “I have been fiercely private my whole life & at 94 I’ve decided to throw caution to the wind & reveal intimacies, secrets & never before shared moments from my incredible life as the last original Hollywood Blonde Bombshell. Marc Saltarelli & his exceptional team are truly talented stewards of my documentary life story. Together we’re going to reveal & celebrate a provocative, entertaining, & indelible life journey.” Marc Saltarelli concluded, “It’s an absolute honor to collaborate with the magnificent Mamie Van Doren to tell her life story – for the first time authorized for the big screen. She’s a true Hollywood trailblazer & pioneer silver screen goddess. I can’t wait to celebrate her uncompromising life & also share many surprising moments that the public has never been privy too before.” Still dynamically engaged with contemporary culture into her 90’s Van Doren has an active online presence. In 2024 she released the bestselling single with orchestral band Pink Martini "I told ya I love ya, now get out!" on Heinz Records. The film currently in production will be completed by the end of 2025.
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Victory Fund DC National Brunch Event

Tim Gunn will be joining U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride & U.S. Rep. Mark Takano at the Victory Fund’s National Champagne Brunch that takes place Sunday April 27th at The Ritz Carlton Washington, DC from 11A to 2P. Tim as the beloved mentor from Project Runway is a champion of self-expression & a powerful voice for authenticity. Now he’s bringing his wisdom, charm & signature “make it work” attitude to Victory Fund’s biggest event of the year. Other feature speakers will also include U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, U.S. Rep. Emily Randall, U.S. Rep. Mark Takano, California Attorney General Rob Bonta & Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. In these challenging times this is more than a fabulous event it’s a call to action. Victory Fund is working tirelessly to elect & support LGBTQ leaders at every level of government as they ensure our voices are heard where decisions are made. Your attendance helps fuel that mission & empowers the next generation of LGBTQ candidates. At a time when our rights are under attack & our democracy hangs in the balance LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is fighting back as the only national organization working to elect out LGBTQ leaders at all levels of government who will stand up for us in the halls of power. The Victory Fund recruits, trains & supports pro-choice LGBTQ candidates who will make a difference in our communities. Since 1991 LGBTQ+ Victory Fund has helped elect thousands of LGBTQ people to positions at all levels of government. These LGBTQ voices have made significant contributions to advancing equality for LGBTQ Americans from passing non-discrimination laws to defeating amendments to ban marriage equality. 
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Stonewall National Museum Events

Rita Mae Brown author of the 1973 autobiographical classic novel “Rubyfruit Jungle” will be the star of 2 exclusive Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library events during Wilton Women’s Week & Lesbian Visibility Week. Both events take place on Sunday April 27th starting with ‘Here’s to the Ladies Who Brunch’ that takes place starting at 11:30A followed by 'An Afternoon with Rita Mae Brown’ from 2P to 3:30P at the Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Funds raised will help further support efforts by The Stonewall National Women's Fund to ensure parity between women & men in the archives, library, programing & exhibitions on a national scale. Every story needs to be told if we are truly respective of our history & culture. The Women's Fund operates chapters across the country. I met Rita Mae Brown when I escorted her to a Gay & Lesbian fundraiser back in the 1980’s in NYC. Now 80 Rita isn’t slowing down, actually just last month she helped launch Stonewall National Museum’s The Banned Aide Project a social media campaign banding people together to “free” banned books locked out of America’s public schools & libraries. Brown has received multiple accolades including the Writer’s Guild of America Award for I Love Liberty. In 2015 she received the Lambda Literary Pioneer Award for her LGBT+ literature & the Lee Lynch Classic Book Award. Attendees of these fabulous events will get a one-of-a-kind personal look into Brown’s career as an author, a life-long activist & the importance of continuing to fight for an equal future for all. 
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Reflections Of Pope Francis Passing

Waking up to the news of Pope Francis passing I felt an immediate loss of one of the last compassionate gatekeepers on Earth. The first news I heard from our LGBTQ community was from the UK’s Peter Tatchell Foundation. Tatchell stated, “I extend my condolences to Catholics worldwide on the passing of Pope Francis. While we often disagreed on issues of LGBT+ rights, I acknowledge his more compassionate tone towards sexual minorities. His recent moves to allow blessings for same-sex couples, albeit with limitations, signaled a small but significant shift in Church doctrine.” Then I turned on “Good Morning America” to see a segment with Father James Martin, S.J. the founder of Outreach & the editor at large of America Media who shared his documentary “Building a Bridge” with our global OUTTAKE VOICES™ audience in 2022. I talked to Martin about his 2019 meeting with Pope Francis in our podcast when he & Pope Francis discussed LGBTQ issues. When Martin asked Pope Francis “Holy Father, is there anything I can do for you?” Pope Francis replied, “Yes, you can continue your ministry—in peace.” Today James Martin, S.J. reflected on Pope Francis’ request stating, “I have tried to do that ever since & will try to continue to do so, now with his prayers. Thank you, Pope Francis, for your kindness to me, for your kindness to our LGBTQ brothers & sisters & for your kindness to millions of people around the world. May you rest in peace with the Father who loved you into being; with Jesus, in whose Society you labored for so long & with the Holy Spirit, whose voice you listened to in the lives of those who prayed for a pope who would finally listen to them.” LISTEN  
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American Revolution 250th Anniversary

In the midst of America’s Constitutional Crisis, in Massachusetts where our freedom in this country began, we're celebrating our historic 250th anniversary of the first battles of the American Revolution on this epic Patriots’ Day Weekend. Massachusetts is celebrating this milestone with events that honor unity, history & the enduring spirit of revolution & liberty. Governor Maura Healey stated, “This anniversary is a chance for Massachusetts to remind the world where the fight for liberty began. Patriots’ Day weekend invites us all to reflect on our past, honor those who stood for freedom & celebrate the values that continue to shape our democracy today. We welcome everyone to experience this historic occasion and take pride in the state’s enduring legacy as the place where liberty lives.” Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll added, “This Patriots’ Day, we’re not just looking back, we’re rallying together to celebrate the revolutionary spirit that still defines Massachusetts. It’s a chance for all of us to share in the story, the energy & the pride of being part of something bigger.” Kate Fox, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism concluded, “Massachusetts will be the place to be this Patriots’ Day weekend. Whether you are stepping back in time at a Revolutionary War reenactment, diving into our vibrant cultural celebrations or cheering on runners at the iconic Boston Marathon, there’s no better time to explore all the history, energy & hometown pride our state has to offer. Come be a tourist in your own backyard or make Massachusetts your Revolutionary destination.” The 250th American Revolution Anniversary weekend events include reenactments, parades & the 129th Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon concludes the weekend 250th anniversary celebration on Monday April 21st.
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Janis Ian Film Brings Us Back & Forward

In this new must-see documentary “Janis Ian: Breaking Silence” available on VOD platforms April 29th, director Varda Bar-Kar takes the audie...

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