Charlotte
Primetimers celebrates 16 years
CHARLOTTE — Primetimers of Charlotte, a social organization for gay men, celebrates its 16th anniversary on May 16 at Latta Plantation from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The group meets on the second Sunday of every month at Metropolitan Community Church at 1825 Eastway Dr. It has two bowling teams, a theater group and organizes game nights, one-day and weekend trips and dines out at local area restaurants twice a month. There are currently 54 members.
It also supports local groups and charities, such as the House of Mercy in Belmont.
“Primetimers is a vibrant, active group of men who enjoy the experience of exploring places and attending events, whether it be the North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in Durham, a long weekend to Chicago or a Gay Mens Chorus fundraiser in Charlotte,” said Frank Kalian, current president of the Charlotte chapter. “Aside from the many activities that are offered monthly, many long term friendships have resulted from the camaraderie that this group embraces. It is truly a pleasure to be a part of this group.”
For more information, call 704-563-0684 or email ss7533@earthlink.net.
Event unveils changes
CHARLOTTE — Pride Charlotte has announced that it has undergone a makeover to broaden its appeal, complete with a new logo, website, programming and Pride Charlotte Pageantry System.
The website is currently being updated to reflect the new Pride Charlotte image and offer visitors a more user-friendly environment to find the latest Pride Charlotte information and events.
In addition to the updated website, Pride Charlotte announced that Justin Fowler was the winner of this year’s “name-that-event” theme contest to be “Out Is In…” at Petra’s Piano Bar, 1919 Commonwealth Ave.
Finally, Pride Charlotte announced in Fall 2008 that it would expand its programming beyond the traditional annual festival in July. In an effort to stay true to this new mission, it has developed the 2009 Pride Pageantry System, as well as adding a new mass choral concert.
The 2009 Pride Pagentry System is a new series of competitions that will award the title of Miss Pride Charlotte (a pageant for drag queens) and Mr. Pride Charlotte MI (a pageant for drag kings). Contestants will be required to compete in preliminary pageants across the Charlotte region and the preliminary winners will earn the right to compete in the Miss Pride Charlotte Pageant on July 10. More information on theme, registration and performance times are available on the Pride Charlotte Pageantry System MySpace page at www.myspace.com/pridechltpageants.
The 2009 mass choral concert will be a community gathering of choruses that will perform at a one-night-only concert during the 2009 Pride Week and at the 2009 Pride Festival on July 10. Pride Charlotte will send letters of inquiry to local choral groups. If interested, contact Pride Charlotte Committee Co-Chair Clay Smith at clay@pridecharlotte.com.
For more information, visit www.pridecharlotte.com.
Coastal
RuPaul slated as top performer
WILMINGTON — Wilmington Pride has announced that it is accepting applications for its 2009 Pride Dinner Show Extravaganza & 2009 Pride Sponsorships.
Headlining will be RuPaul who is slated to kick up the annual event festivities several notches on June 13 at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside.
The first people who visit www.outwilmington.com/155137/180037.html and make a reservation will get stage-front seats at the Dinner Show Extravaganza with back-stage passes to the “U-Paul-Know-Ru-Who” celebrity-hospitality suite.
That’s the good news. The not-so-good news is that half are already sold.
More information on the five-day event will appear in an upcoming Q-Notes issue.
To become a member, sponsor or volunteer, visit www.OutWilmington.com.
Triad
Song and praises
WINSTON-SALEM — The Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship will hold its spring young adult and youth revival, “Chasing the Call of God,” on April 29-May 1 at 7 p.m. at 1005 Burke St., Suite B, Lower Level. This three-day event will have as its guest, Rev. Lesley E. Jones, founder and pastor of Truth and Destiny Covenant Ministries of Cincinnati, Ohio.
In other news, the church will hold its Prom 2009, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” on May 16 from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Winston-Salem, 4055 Robinhood Rd. Advance tickets are $15 single, $25 couple.
For more information, call 336-631-1331 or visit www.chsfnc.org.
Triangle
It’s fun-da-mental
RALEIGH/DURHAM — The Triangle Couples Without Kids Social Group (DINKs-if we must) has announced a series of events for its members and others who wish to join in.
On April 24 at 7 p.m., get light on your feet as you enjoy free ballroom dancing lessons and a party afterwards at an undisclosed location.
Skip over to May 17 and change those shoes to more comfy ones while exploring the Sarah P. Duke Gardens tour and brunch at 11 a.m. This 55-acre “crown jewel of Duke University” is recognized as one of the premier public gardens in the U.S.
Finally, on May 23 at 1:30 p.m., grab your hiking stick as the group hits the trail at Hemlock Bluffs in Cary. A free wine tasting will follow at Anytime Wines.
To secure your spot, click on the appropriate RSVP button at childfree.meetup.com/286/calendar.
Western
Student group celebrates milestone
BOONE — The Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) at Appalachian State University held its 30th anniversary event on April 15. Guest speaker was author, openly gay businessman and activist Mitchell Gold.
On April 9 SAGA held a meeting entitled “Violence & Silence” which looked at the impact of violence in the LGBT community in preparation for their participation in the National Day of Silence on April 17. They staffed a table at the student center.
The end-of-term semi-annual drag show will be held on April 24. The theme is “Boot Camp” and it will be held at Legends, a division of the Department of Student Programs, Room 231, Plemmons Student Union at 8 p.m. Attendees are asked to BYOB. Check with university officials to find out about the alcoholic beverage policy or visit legends.appstate.edu.
For more information, email asusaga@gmail.com or visit www.asusaga.org.
Campus Scene
Blog launched
STATEWIDE — Campus Pride officially launched its national blog, Campus Q, on April 7. The blog is written and moderated by a team of LGBT and ally college student leaders from across the nation. As the name Campus Q implies, the blog provides a forum to ask questions and get answers.
The only blog of its kind for and by college student leaders, Campus Pride operates the blog through its Campus Q Team. The team consists of nearly a dozen LGBT and ally student leaders chosen from across the country, who serve as active, visible resource persons in various regions. Any student who is part of the Campus Q Team may be a featured blogger.
“Campus Pride views the Campus Q blog as a platform for college activists as well as an organizing tool for LGBT and ally student leaders at colleges and universities. The blog sheds light on important issues to young adults and allows their voice to be heard in a prominent manner in national discourse,” said Christopher Bylone, Campus Q Team Coordinator for Campus Pride. “This blog will be the hub for what’s happening queer on and around college campuses.”
To learn more about Campus Pride or about how to join the Campus Q Team to be a blogger, call 704-277-6710, email info@campuspride.org or visit www.CampusPride.org.
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