State of Black Gay America Summit takes stock; workshops empower; and stars shine at tonight’s events
Atlanta pulls out all the stops over Labor Day Weekend for what is billed as the world’s largest Black Gay Pride celebration.
The non-profit In the Life Atlanta formed in 1996 to bring a cultural and educational component to Black Gay Pride, which began as an informal network of house parties, nightlife and other gatherings.
But the weekend also includes more than 100 events put on by other nightlife venues, party promoters, social organizations and community groups.
Events were still being added at press time, so be sure to visit our online calendar at www.thegavoice.com for more options.
How do you top a summer concert season that boasted such gay icons as Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper, Scissor Sisters and the B-52s? Atlanta’s live music venues appear poised to find out, with an array of fall shows scheduled to keep us dancing and singing along until we forget about the coming cold.
One of the biggest names of the fall season hits Atlanta twice in two days, with gay glam rocker Adam Lambert, who rocketed to fame on “American Idol,” playing back-to-back shows: Symphony Hall on Sept. 14 and the Tabernacle on Sept. 15.
September highlights also include two popular lesbian singer-songwriters — bluesy former Atlantan Michelle Malone and icon Janis Ian — at Eddie’s Attic.
Savannah is set to make history today when it holds its first Queer Power March
Savannah is set to make history on Sept. 10 when it holds its first Queer Power March, an event gay organizer Jesse Morgan calls “queerlicious.”
“Savannah has never seen anything like this before,” he said. “It’s time for Savannah to have a march. We want to show Savannah we are a large force.”
While Savannah will hold its 11th annual Pride festival the day after the march, on Sept. 11, the city has never had an LGBT march through the streets, Morgan said. Morgan helped organize Savannah’s largest LGBT equal rights rally that attracted some 400 people in May to coincide with the late gay activist Harvey Milk’s birthday.
An interview with Lil Kim on Kontrol Magazine’s website says the Queen Bee won’t be playing Atlant’s Black Gay Pride this weekend, but the promoter of the event believes the singer is trying to get more money for her appearance or possibly doesn't want to be the "opening act" for red-hot Nicki Minaj.
A podcast of the interview posted today quotes Lil Kim as saying that the promoters of the event were duped by a booking agent. She is part of Wassup N ATL’s lineup of entertainers for the weekend and is slated to play at midnight on Saturday at Vita in Buckhead.
In the interview, Lil Kim says a “psycho lunatic” has been representing himself as her booking agent and conned the promoters out of $15,000. She also said there was no way she could show up to perform now.
Lesbian twins open for rock group Paramore at Arena at Gwinnett Center tonight
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts take the stage at Chastain
Scissor Sisters play Buckhead Theatre tonight
Almost 35 years after the B-52s formed, the seemingly ageless group is still kicking it. Openly gay Keith Strickland and his fellow B-52s colleagues Fred Schneider (also gay), Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson will perform at Chastain Park next week alongside Blondie, combining classics hits such as “Love Shack” with newer material.
Although the band still tours regularly, they decided a few years back to do a new album.
“I think the idea was to come up with ideas to sing live,” says Strickland. “We needed new material and just decided to do it.”