Slurping on spaghetti and shouting out “Bingo!” as the numbers are called by Atlanta drag legend Diamond Lil at MondoHomo’s fundraiser is a “queerlicious” way to kick off the spring events season in LGBT Atlanta. Queer storytelling from elder activists as you daub your numbers adds icing to that cake.
“Each year, one of the fantastic things MondoHomo encompasses is community love. Our first event, Spaghetti + Bingo + Queer-Story, is dedicated to this exchange of queer lovin’,” says Jesse Morgan, MondoHomo organizer.
The event also brings together different generations of queer who break bread and share their stories.
“On this fabulous night, the MondoPosse is dedicated to creating a night that recognizes the need for intergenerational support and education for community sustainability. Recognizing and understanding our queer roots is imperative to embrace and tighten the connection of those who have impacted our history,” Morgan explains.
The MondoHomo fest celebrates its sixth anniversary this year May 24-27 with the theme “Queer Justice! Queer Beats!” created by new organizer Edric Figueroa.
“I definitely encourage other people to get involved. MondoHomo has benefitted my life, socially, politically, sexually, the list goes on!” Morgan says. “We have so many organizing and volunteer opportunities for a diverse array of people. You can show community love, meet people, find a date or two, get political, and more! Email me at: heyqueer@mondohomo.com for more information.”
Music matters
From “Queer Beats!” LGBT Atlanta can jump to a “Gleeful Noise” with the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus Spring Concert, “Gleeful Noise: Celebrating Glee Clubs, Then and Now” on March 30-31.
“So many members of the LGBT community are followers of the television series ‘Glee.’ It exemplifies our experience, especially the experience that many gay men, including myself, had in high school,” said long-time AGMC artistic director Kevin Robison.
The concert includes many of the same arrangements from the TV show, including Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” as the Warbler’s performed it. The concert also includes productions of “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “A House is Not a Home,” and the “Viva la Diva” medley — a montage of songs by Madonna, Lady Gaga and Beyonce — that the girls sang on the show.
“And while our ‘Single Ladies’ may not be as butch as the football team’s was in ‘Glee,’ it’s still going to be a blast. We’re not pulling many punches here,” Robison says.
Atlanta Eagle flies high at 25
It’s also a year to celebrate the quarter-century mark for gay bar the Atlanta Eagle.
The Atlanta Eagle kicks off its celebration with a party on April 6 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the bar being owned by Robby Kelley and Richard Ramey. The bar will be rolling back the prices and the music to 1997 for a memorable event, Kelley says.
The 25th anniversary of the bar takes place April 14-15 and coincides with Leather Pride, which includes the Mr. Atlanta Eagle contest as well as the return of the Ms. Atlanta Eagle contest after an 11-year absence.
“I think it’s great [to celebrate 25 years] considering everything the bar has been through,” Kelley says. In 2009, the bar was raided by the Atlanta Police Department. A federal court ruled the raid unconstitutional.
Gay US Senate hopeful named keynote speaker for HRC Dinner
Also celebrating 25 years is the Atlanta HRC Gala and Auction, set this year for May 5 at the Hyatt Regency with the theme “Be Part of Equality.” The keynote speaker is U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), who is making a bid to be the first openly gay senator.
“Tammy is a dynamic speaker, and is incredibly passionate. She understands the work it takes to go against the ‘grain’ and break down barriers,” says Matthew Garrett, co-chair of the HRC Atlanta Gala and Auction.
Details for the dinner are still being hammered out, but the gala expects some 1,000 people to attend, more than 15 corporate sponsors as well as 200+ auction donors.
“The 25th Anniversary is a huge milestone for Atlanta,” Garrett says. “The fact that Atlanta has the second oldest HRC event in the country speaks volumes to the leadership, vision, courage, and passion of our friends and colleagues.”
MARCH
MondoHomo Spaghetti Dinner, Bingo and Queer storytelling
Tuesday, March 20
7-10 p.m. at Sauced Atlanta
753 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307
www.mondohomo.com
Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus Spring Concert
‘Gleeful Noise: Celebrating Glee Clubs, Then and Now’
March 30-31 at Cannon Chapel, Emory University
515 S. Kilgo Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322
www.agmchorus.org
APRIL
Atlanta Eagle’s 25th anniversary and Leather Pride
April 14-15 at the Atlanta Eagle
306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308
www.atlantaeagle.com
Joining Hearts Change of Seasons Tea Dance
April 15, 4-9 p.m. at The Georgian Terrace Hotel
659 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
www.joininghearts.org
Atlanta Bucks Purple Dress Run
Fundraiser for Lost and Found Youth
(formerly Saint Lost and Found)
April 21, details TBA
www.facebook.com/atlantabucks
Pride Expo
April 21-22
Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart
www.theprideexpo.com
Party with Impact for Positive Impact
April 21, 7 p.m. at The Wimbish House
1150 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
www.positiveimpact-atl.org
AGMC presents ‘Encore: A Night of Music’
April 22, 5:30 p.m.
Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center
800 Spring St. NW, Atlanta GA 30308
www.agmchorus.org
MAY
OutlantaCon
May 4-6 at Holiday Inn Perimeter
4386 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30341
www.outlantacon.org
25th Annual HRC Gala and Auction
May 5 at the Hyatt Regency
265 Peachtree Center Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303
www.atlantahrcdinner.org
Pet Cotillion for PALS
May 6, details TBA, www.palsatlanta.org
MondoHomo fest
May 24-27, Locations: TBA
www.mondohomo.com
Top photo: Atlanta drag legend Diamond Lil calls bingo numbers with MondoHomo organizer Jesse Morgan at the 2011 spaghetti dinner, bingo and queer storytelling fundraiser. (by Dyana Bagby)