About Me

Ann Hampton Callaway Performs Fever

Ann Hampton Callaway BroadwayWorld’s 2022 Entertainer of the Year & one of the leading pop/jazz singers of our time has created an exciting night of songs celebrating Peggy Lee at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston. Ann stated, "I am excited to return to one of my favorite jazz clubs, Sculler’s this Saturday, April 8th at 7P for my critically acclaimed show “Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration!” It began as a 100th birthday celebration of one of my inspirations, the beloved & trailblazing woman who gave the world “Fever" through six decades of iconic songs from sultry to sizzling. But the show has deepened since I’ve taken it across the country & it now includes highlights from my new hit Peggy Lee CD on Palmetto Records. I am giving an intimate solo performance where I invite my Boston musical family to fall under the spell of love songs from Peggy's swinging Benny Goodman days, through decades of hits from film & recordings that earned this iconic artist her powerhouse nickname, "The female Frank Sinatra.” I weave fascinating stories about Peggy that make the songs come to life & highlight her amazing songwriting to honor how she became the first famous female singer-songwriter. I will also do a meet-and-greet after the show to sign CDs, take selfies & catch up with the wonderful friends I’ve missed. Can’t wait!" Callaway will channel her own personal stamp on Lee compositions like “I Love Being Here With You,” “Johnny Guitar,” “Is That All There Is,” “Why Don’t You Do Right?” “Black Coffee” & more. 7P show tickets are $35 to $55. 
No comments:

First Ever Newark LGBTQ Film Festival

The organizers for the first-ever Newark LGBTQ Film Festival have announced the full line-up for the event which runs April 14th to 16th at various venues throughout downtown Newark, NJ. Beatrice Simpkins, Executive Director of the Newark LGBTQ Community Center stated, “Our narratives are part of the fabric & history of Newark, New Jersey & the United States. This film festival will liberate us & provide a platform for speaking the truths of our important & diverse lives, while also bringing a focus to the City of Newark. We want to empower LGBTQ+-BIPOC creatives who use film as their vehicle of artistic expression & honor their important contribution to culture, art & improving the lives of others.” The festivities kick off with an Opening Reception on Friday April 14th from 5:30P to 7P at the historic Newark Museum of Art hosted by the inimitable Harmonica Sunbeam & featuring DJ No Request spinning the beats. Immediately following at 7:15P the festival’s opening night feature “The Inspection” & after the screening will conclude with a special panel discussion featuring local LGBTQ Veterans touching upon their experiences in the military. The festival concludes with “Mama Gloria” a look at Chicago's Black transgender icon Gloria Allen who blazed a trail for trans people like few others before her. Presented by the Newark LGBTQ Community Center the mission of the Newark LGBTQ Film Festival is to amplify the voices, vision & works of film that would otherwise struggle to find a mainstream audience but which have a significant impact in raising awareness around lives & issues of queer people & LGBTQ communities of color. 
No comments:

Transgender Day of Visibility In 2023

International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall-Crocker is held annually on March 31st celebrating transgender & non-binary people worldwide living openly & authentically while raising awareness around the discrimination & violence they still face. Laverne Cox stated, “In 2023, we are at the height of the backlash against trans visibility. We have way more people who are educated about trans folks, but there’s also been a rigorous misinformation media machine... The backlash is ferocious.” So far in 2023 more than 100 bills have been filed in America that would prevent trans youth from accessing age-appropriate medically-necessary gender-affirming care & several of these bills have already become law in a year when more than 425 anti-transgender bills have been introduced around the country. Kelley Robinson, HRC President concluded, “Every year, we set aside a moment in time to celebrate transgender & non-binary people in all their resilience & ferocity. But the truth is they deserve more than a day. Transgender & non-binary people are our family & friends, our colleagues & our loved ones & above all, they’re people who deserve full lived & legal equality. On the same day we celebrate the power & visibility of transgender & non-binary people, we must also acknowledge an exceedingly dangerous moment: legislators around the country seemingly competing to be the cruelest to our trans siblings. On this Transgender Day of Visibility, we all must recommit ourselves to fighting against those seeking to upend their lives & marginalize them for being their truest selves.” 
No comments:

Kinsey Sicks Are Drag Queens Gone Wild

The Kinsey Sicks will present the world premiere of “Drag Queen Storytime Gone WILD!” on Monday April 10th at 8:30P at Birdland in NYC. The country’s most potty-mouthed & politically outspoken drag quartet has somehow been put in charge of morning assembly at your local elementary school. The new show features a cavalcade of Kinsey classics & new parodies to ruin your childhood favorites. You’ll never be able to hear nursery rhymes & other classic children’s songs the same way again. This Dragapella musical has been rated HW for Hilariously Wrong. The Kinsey Sicks say, "After our sold-out appearance last year, we can't WAIT to return to Birdland Theater with this timely & hilarious a cappella musical that would send Ron DeSantis into shock!" In this challenging political climate this children’s show is totally unsuitable for children & may provoke strong reactions among people named DeSantis or Taylor Greene. The Kinsey Sicks has served up a feast of music & comedy to audiences at performing arts centers, music venues & comedy festivals throughout the US & internationally for over 25 years. Their phenomenal performance record includes an Off-Broadway show, an extended run in Las Vegas, two feature films & three concert DVDs, ten albums & appearances in over 40 US states, Canada, Mexico, Europe & Australia. The Kinsey Sicks’ award-winning a cappella singing, sharp satire & over-the-top drag have earned them a diverse & devoted following. Birdland is located at 315 West 44th Street in NYC. There is a $40 music charge & a $20 food & beverage minimum. 
No comments:

ASA Diversity Award For SAGE & HRC

The American Society on Aging’s (ASA) Diversity Equity & Inclusion Award has been presented to the fabulous LGBTQ orgs SAGE & the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF) at this year’s On Aging 2023 conference in Atlanta, GA. On Aging is the largest multidisciplinary conference in the aging field & hosts more than 1,500 diverse aging professionals from across the country from March 27th through March 30th. SAGE & HRCF were selected from more than 5,000 nominations for their work improving the experiences of LGBTQ+ elders as they seek long-term care & services through the Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI). Michael Adams SAGE’s CEO stated, “As the world’s largest LGBTQ+ aging organization, we are honored to receive the American Society on Aging’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award with our partner, the HRC Foundation. Inclusive & equitable care is crucial for LGBTQ+ elders & that’s what the Long-Term Care Equality Index is all about. We strongly believe that the LEI helps both LGBTQ+ elders & the providers who take responsibility for their care.” Kelley Robinson HRC President concluded, “The HRC Foundation’s Health & Aging team, alongside our partner SAGE, continue leading the way to ensure that LGBTQ+ folks are welcomed, feel safe & included in long-term care and senior housing. This recognition from the American Society on Aging is not only well deserved, it also uplifts the everyday impact of this crucial work on our community. By 2030, we’ll have about seven million LGBTQ+ adults over age 50 in the U.S. Our goal is for every LGBTQ+ person to grow old with dignity & to access the care they need without discrimination or bias. We look forward to continuing this critical work with SAGE.” 
No comments:

Red Party Event Supports LGBTQ Youth

The North Shore Alliance for GLBTQ+ Youth (NAGLY) is once again presenting its infamous signature fundraising event the Red Party III on April 22nd at the Colonial Hall at Rockafellas 227 Essex Street in Salem, MA from 7:30P to 11:50P. The event is ratcheting up the bar even higher this year featuring a red-hot lineup of some of the region's hottest drag performers all competing to see who can snatch the coveted Red Party Crown. Kris Knievil of Jacques Cabaret fame is hosting & partygoers will have a chance to use their tips to vote for their favorite performer. After the performance Salem's favorite disc jockeys DJ Andrea & Jimmy Tilt will rock the house & keep the dancing going until midnight. DJ Andrea stated, “When it comes to DJing events, I consider Salem Ma. my second home. Being involved with this year's ultra popular Red Party is an absolute honor & I cannot wait to watch all of you dance the night away for such an amazing cause!” The night will also feature a dessert buffet, prosecco punch, a live & silent auction & a cash bar. NAGLY is a place where LGBTQ youth can discuss issues of importance to them, explore their identities, build self-awareness & learn skills for being safe & healthy. Youth of all sexual orientations, gender identities, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, classes & abilities are welcome & celebrated. Red Party III is a 21+ event so be sure to bring an ID. Last year's event sold out & had a lengthy waiting list so get your tickets now. Tickets are VIP $150 & general admission is $50. 
No comments:

Florida Trans Youth Medical Ban Lawsuit

Four Florida families have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the Florida Boards of Medicine & Osteopathic Medicine’s new rules banning the medically necessary healthcare for their transgender children's needs. Last summer Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo & the Department of Health asked the state Boards of Medicine & Osteopathic Medicine to adopt a categorical ban on all treatment of gender dysphoria for people under eighteen years of age. In February & March of 2023 the Boards adopted formal rules prohibiting all access to safe, effective medical treatments for transgender youth who have received a gender dysphoria diagnosis but who have not yet begun puberty-delaying medication or hormone treatments. Surgeon General Ladapo & all members of the Florida Boards of Medicine & Osteopathic Medicine are defendants in the families’ suit challenging the ban. The bans contradict guidelines established through years of clinical research & recommended by every major medical association including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association & the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Sarah Warbelow, Human Rights Campaign Legal Director stated, “It’s alarming to see such a concerted, top-down effort to target a small & vulnerable population. The Florida Surgeon General, Department of Health & Boards of Medicine should be focused on the real & serious public health issues Florida faces, not on putting transgender kids & their families in harm’s way.” Shannon Minter, Legal Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights concluded, “Parents, not the government, should make healthcare decisions for their children. This policy crosses a dangerous line & should concern anyone who cares about family privacy or the ability of doctors to do their jobs without undue government interference.” 
No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Featured Post

 NewFest 37TH New York Film Festival

NewFest announced the full lineup for the 37th edition of its annual New York Film Festival with a total of 130 films including 28 narrative...

Popular Posts