Theatre nets grant
[Ed. Note (April 27, 2015) — This brief has been updated to more accurately reflect and clarify the relationships between the Carolinas Pride Theatre Ensemble, Pride Youth Theatre Alliance and the Mukti Fund.]
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolinas Pride Theatre Ensemble, a member of the Pride Youth Theatre Alliance, has obtained $15,000 in grant money from the Mukti Fund.
Jermaine Nakia Lee serves the group as its founder and artistic director.
Created for youth and young adults on society’s fringe, the ensemble gathers together to enjoy theatre activities, mentorship by theatre professionals, Broadway touring shows and staging of original work each season free of charge.
Members include those who are people of color, economically challenged, LGBT individuals and allies, immigrants, women and the physically challenged. It is open to school-aged children and up to 29-years-olds.
The organization said it was “dedicated to giving voice to many who are silenced because of the pervasive homo and trans* phobia that exists in this region.” It is committed to diversity through the use of shared themes which they hope will “change hearts and minds.”
The ensemble is a project of The Freedom Center for Social Justice and is one of 24 groups across the U.S. and Canada. The Pride Youth Alliance holds an annual conference with this year’s event is being hosted by Company Q out of Lexington, Ky., from Aug. 13-16. Workshops sessions are currently being developed and information about them is forthcoming.
It is currently holding open casting calls. Participants should be willing to make a nine-month commitment to developing and performing theatrical, dance and voice pieces based upon social justice issues. It is open to those from 7-70. Prior to performances which are held every four to six weeks, practices are held twice a month for two hours. Those interested in casting for the ensemble should contact Norena Gutierrez.
info: Norena Gutierrez, ngutierrez@fcsj.org. 980-729-8454. fcsj.org.
PFLAG welcomes Curtis
CONCORD, N.C. — PFLAG Concord/Kannapolis will host Jamie Curtis, eastern regional field director for PFLAG National, at its meeting on May 12, 7 p.m., at Central United Methodist Church, 30 Union St. N.
She will discuss LGBT issues from a national level.
Curtis also is involved in PFLAG’s outreach to faith communities. She is a graduate of American University, Washington, D.C., with a Bachelor’s degree in international relations.
info: ckplag@gmail.com.
Chorus sings ‘big’
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte will present their “Big Gay Sing 3: Dancing with Dorothy,” on April 25, 8:04 p.m., at the Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St.
Enjoy listening to tunes from the past 40 years that showcased the LGBT historical movement in song and dance. Celebrate the music that shaped LGBT culture and culture at large.
Delighted Tobehere, formerly known as Roxy C. Moorecox, will provide levity to the evening’s program.
Tickets are $25-35/reserved and $10/children under 12 and are available online at carolinatix.org/events/detail/big-gay-sing-3-dancing-with-dorothy or at the CarolinaTix box office in the lobby. Call 704-372-1000 for more information.
info: gmccharlotte.org.
Etheridge to hit Queen City
CHARLOTTE — Blumenthal Performing Arts Center has announced that lesbian recording artist Melissa Etheridge will perform at the Knight Theatre, 430 S. Tryon St., on Aug. 23, 7 p.m.
Out on the Town LGBT affinity group members have priority access to the show. Call 704-372-1000 and mention “email club priority” to participate.
This is Etheridge’s “This Is M.E. Solo” tour. Tickets start at $20.
For those who want to join the group, send name, email address and address via email outonthetown@ncbpac.org. Club members receive special ticket discount offers, as well as free mixers either before or after certain performances.
info: blumenthalarts.org.
Pride gets ‘Tupperware Party’ night
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Pride and Blumenthal Performing Arts Center are teaming up on July 9 for an evening’s performance of “Dixie’s Tupperware Party” at 7:30 p.m. in the Booth Playhouse at 130 N. Tryon St.
The partnership allows for discounted tickets to the show. Orders enable Charlotte Pride to receive a portion of the ticket sales as part of its fundraising efforts.
Out on the Town will host a post-show for attendees after the performance. It will include appetizers and two free drinks for those who purchase theatre tickets through bit.ly/1xUUWRz. Tickets start at $18.
info: charlottepride.org.
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Share your news with us
Does your organization or special interest group have events or great information to share with our readers? If so, be sure to send in your information to specialassignments@goqnotes-launch2.newspackstaging.com. In the upcoming months, we’ll feature one of you in our news notes section in each issue. Are you a part of a Meetup, Yahoo or Google group and do you do something that’s really newsworthy? Do you provide a service for the community or hold fundraisers for worthy causes? Do you educate the public about LGBT issues or concerns? Of course, this is only a sampling of things we are interested in. It’s the aim of these pieces to inform, enlighten and educate our readers about what we’re doing here in the Carolinas to champion LGBT rights, as well as offer resources for those who may be interested in what your group is doing.