Starlight Cabaret ends Pride on ‘uplifting’ note


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Starlight Cabaret
Sunday, Oct. 9, 7:05 p.m.
Coca-Cola Stage in Piedmont Park
www.atlantapride.org

About 15 of Atlanta’s biggest drag queens have signed on to perform at this year’s Starlight Cabaret, which will also include a number by Jujubee, one of the standout queens from season two of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

“It’s great because it allows us to sprinkle in a little national headline talent into the cabaret,” said James Sheffield, executive director of the Atlanta Pride Committee. “Our local talent is so amazing that it’s hard to imagine how you could even build on that, but it’s nice to have this opportunity to have Jujubee, as well.”

Atlanta Pride fortuitously stumbled upon Jujubee, who was recruited by the Georgia Aquarium to perform at the official Pride kick-off party Oct. 7.

“The folks at the Georgia Aquarium actually took care of getting her here, and they’re the ones that made the connection,” Sheffield said. “And we figured that if we were going to have her here for the aquarium party, we would love to have her as part of the Starlight Cabaret.”

As the closing showcase for Pride, the Starlight Cabaret has generated a collaborative spirit among Atlanta’s drag queens, with several teaming up each year to produce elaborate ensemble pieces. This year’s show will include a special number featuring Ashley Kruiz that traces the gay rights movement over the past 40 years.

“It’s just a really fun show and the last few years I think it’s just gotten better with people working together and doing a lot of different group numbers and things that you normally wouldn’t see if you went to a bar,” Kearney said. “People just kind of bring it a little more for the cabaret, and it’s always a great, uplifting night.”

 

Top photo: Tony Kearney as Wild Cherry Sucret (by Laura Douglas-Brown)