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San Francisco Band’s Universal Concert

The Universal Language Concert will be led by Matthew Fell the newly appointed Artistic Director of the San Francisco Pride Band on Sunday March 22nd at 3P at Herbst Theatre San Francisco, CA. Fell stated, “I have been blown away not only by the musicianship of the ensemble, but by the community & connections I felt in the group before, during & after rehearsals. The San Francisco Pride Band is deeply engaged in the community & I look forward to being a part of it.” Chris Hewes Board of Directors President concluded, “Matthew’s experience as an educator gives him an understanding of what it means to be a strong LGBTQ+ ally & how to foster a safe, welcoming environment for a diverse group of musicians. We’re so excited to get started on this next chapter for the Concert Band!” Fell chose music for The Universal Language – Winter Community Concert from composers that are rooted in & inspired by human experiences & informed by the links between shape, movement & identity. Music, movement & identity have always been inextricable. Whenever humans are traveling across oceans, toward opportunity or even inward in search of identity & hope music has been part of the process. The program features A Sky So Boundless by Katahj Copley, Shenandoah by Omar Thomas, Of Endless Miles & Empty Rafts by Michele Fernandez & more. " Since 1978 the San Francisco Pride Band provides for the education & musical development of its members, promotes visibility of our LGBTQ communities & with its allies fosters understanding among diverse communities through public performance. 
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Monster Party New Interactive LA Play

Monster Party is an interactive play that puts guests in the center of a supernatural sociopolitical melodrama that runs April 16th to 25th at Rita House in Los Angeles. The show is set in Washington D.C. against the backdrop of McCarthyism of the early 1950s specifically the moral panic that would later be known as the ‘Lavender Scare’ when government employees were outed & fired due to being perceived as ‘national security risks’ due to institutional homophobia. The show is designed to both entertain & provoke challenging audiences to confront their own monstrous tendencies. Writer, director & producer Matt Dorado stated, “Monster Party is very near & dear to my heart. I’ve been working on this fully realized version since the day after we wrapped the proof-of-concept back in October 2024. It’s been incredibly rewarding to develop, fundraise for & ultimately get to produce a show that is so authentic to my deranged inner-creative. Unfortunately, the show’s themes have become strikingly more relevant since then, as we’re mired in a new era of violent political upheaval, unfounded moral panic & deep division. So although it’s rooted in schlocky melodrama, I’m hopeful that Monster Party will challenge audiences – perhaps in new & unexpected ways – while also allowing them an evening of gonzo entertainment. I’m genuinely thrilled to unleash this lurid, campy immersive piece into the world!” The cast includes Dasha Kittredge as The Baroness, Sidney Franklin as Charlie, Benjamin Berg as Bernard, Bukola Ogunmola as Patricia, Emily Yetter as Loretta, Misha Reeves as Helena, The Butler & Darren Herczeg as Stanley, The Maid. 
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Desert Hearts 40th Anniversary Event

Donna Deitch’s classic film Desert Hearts is kicking off NewFest’s annual 5-day retrospective series on March 26th at BAM Cinemas 30 Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn, NY at 7:30P. Queering the Canon: We're Out Here runs March 26th to 30th in NYC. Desert Hearts is one of the greatest love stories of all time & will be presented in a new 2K restoration. The cast includes Helen Shaver, Patricia Charbonneau, Audra Lindley & Andra Akers. The film takes place in 1959 when Professor Vivian Bell arrives in Reno, Nevada for a divorce. There she meets Cay Rivers a wild short jean wearing sculptor/casino employee who is brazenly herself. These 2 opposing forces circle around each other falling in lust & love as Cay dares Vivian to take a risk for something more. The film is directed & producer by Donna Deitch with producer Cami Taylor & written by Natalie Cooper. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Donna Deitch. NewFest is NYC’s largest presenter of LGBTQ film & media & the largest convener of LGBTQ audiences in the city. Their mission is to give voice & visibility to the wide scope of LGBTQ experiences through films & programs that entertain, educate & empower. In 2017 when The Provincetown Film Society honored Deitch I talked to her personal commitment is to LGBTQ equality. Donna stated, “My personal commitment to LGBTQ equality is 100% but I think that I am most useful in terms of my commitment & my production to making that come about is just making movies that tell these stories.” Listen To Full Podcast  
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SFGMC 48th Season Presents Totally 80s

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Totally 80s!” on March 21st at The Curran Theatre in San Francisco, CA for 2 performances 1P & 7:30P. Set to the electrifying soundtrack of the 1980s this spring concert features the iconic anthems by Madonna, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Tina Turner, Queen & more. The program blends high-octane joy, intimate storytelling & communal remembrance structured in 2 acts with an intermission. Through the power of music these songs & stories honor both the exuberance & complexity of our LGBTQ community then & now. Also after nearly a decade of extraordinary memories & milestones Chris Verdugo will conclude his time as Chief Executive Officer of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus at the end of Season 48 on June 30th. Verdugo stated, “Since 2016, it has been the honor of my life to lead SFGMC through seasons of growth, resilience & transformation. Over the next year, I look forward to celebrating what we have built together & helping to ensure a smooth & successful transition for SFGMC’s future.” The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Board of Directors has launched a national search for SFGMC’s next Chief Executive Officer in partnership with Arts Consulting Group. This leader will guide the organization into its next chapter of artistic excellence, community impact & national visibility. Since 1978 the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus has not only persevered in the face of persecution & intolerance but have also inspired an LGBTQ choral movement around the world. “Totally 80s!” presenting sponsors are Richard Atkins & Cindy Samuels in honor of Bobby & Michael Kim. Tickets run from $35 to $160. 
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Chasing Grace Limited NYC Engagement

The World Premiere of Elizabeth Addison’s compelling & highly relevant new musical “Chasing Grace” will play a 3-week limited engagement at Off Broadway’s ART/NY Mezzanine Theatre for performances starting Thursday March 12th through Sunday March 29th. Chasing Grace captures the lived reality of women navigating addiction, healing & self-definition with a score blending contemporary musical theatre, pop & R&B. Addison who also directs the production stated, "Chasing Grace is about having faith in your vision & keeping true to your story even when the world wants the easier version. The show sings in the voice of recovery - fierce, funny & honest." Inspired by author Addison’s time in treatment & chasing her own Broadway dreams with her first musical Chasing Grace examines recovery not as a fixed destination but as an ongoing practice, one shaped by community, memory, perseverance, accountability & choice. The play stars Gabrielle Beckford (Once Upon A One More Time) & Harper Miles (Caroline or Change) with music direction by Jacinth Greywoode. The production features choreography by Brian Harlan Brooks, lighting design by Athziri Morales, sound design by Jasper Percy Pollinger & stage management by Avery Wood. Chasing Grace is presented by SheNYC Arts a nonprofit org that fights for gender equity in the arts & entertainment industry by focusing on original playwrights, composers & producers to get more women, trans & non-binary people in the roles that decide which stories get told on stage & screen. Chasing Grace Opening Night is Saturday March 14th at 7:30P & tickets begin at $35 & are available. 
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Women's History Month Jazz Events

In celebration of Women's History Month Boston’s fabulous new venue “Long Live Roxbury” will present Thursday Jazz Night with women headliners throughout March from 6P to 9P. Producer Sue Auclair stated, “We're celebrating Women's History Month at Long Live Roxbury with all 4 Thursdays led by women. Join us for the month-long celebration. It’s free admission & parking courtesy of Feldman Geospatial!” The celebration kicks off Thursday March 5th with Safiya on vocals featuring a 9-piece band including Tariq Nicholson on keyboards, Aaron Seymour on drums, Dom Dove on bass, Zion Rodman on guitar, Andy Bergman on tenor saxophone, Brian Paulding on trombone, Brandon Mayes on percussion & Dillon Zahner also on percussion. Then on Thursday March 12th Zahili Zamora & Friends will perform followed by Myanna on Thursday March 19th & Teresa Ines performs on Thursday March 26th. Then in April the celebration continues with guitarist Sheryl Bailey & Friends on Thursday April 2nd & Barbara Martinez on Thursday April 9th. Michael Feldman, Chief Executive Officer of Feldman Geospatial added, “It has always been my dream to bring high quality jazz & world music to our building in Roxbury & by making it free to all we are hoping to continue to create a community space for food, drinks, arts & culture for everyone to enjoy.” In addition to brewing the beer served in the taproom there are food pop ups to go along with the live entertainment that supports many brilliant & internationally respected musicians who live in the Boston area & NYC & all without a cover charge. Long Live Roxbury is located at 152 Hampden Street in Boston, MA. 
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Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival Star

Queen Latifa the Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe-winning & Oscar-nominated powerhouse will headline the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s 21st Annual Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival that takes place in Fort Lauderdale Beach on Saturday, March 21st. Queen Latifah stated, “I am thrilled to continue to lend my voice in the on-going fight against HIV/AIDS. We all must continue to raise our voice & funds to keep awareness & prevention services accessible for all.” Tracy Jones, AHF Southern Bureau Chief concluded, “We are honored to have Queen Latifah join us again & lend her star power to help raise awareness & funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS. Now more than ever, we need to make sure the service organizations tending to our most at-risk populations have the support they need to keep up the fight against HIV & AIDS. While we have made progress since Florida AIDS Walk started over two decades ago, South Florida continues to see disproportionately high incidents of new HIV diagnoses. The money we raise through FAW helps people get educated, get tested, get into care & stay in care – all keys to helping stop the spread, end the HIV epidemic & save lives.” The annual 5k walk & concert has raised millions for local nonprofit HIV/AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) serving people living with HIV in the South Florida region & is on track to continue this impact again this year. Rinasere the hot new recording artist will kick-off this year’s beachfront event. AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s 21st Annual Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival is presented by AHF Pharmacy, Fed Ex & Wells Fargo. 
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