Pride Guide 2016 - Brooklyn Pride 2016

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Brooklyn Pride Mission Statement
The mission of Brooklyn Pride, Inc. is to produce
Pride and community events that commemorate,
educate, promote and celebrate the spirit of the
Stonewall Riots.This is a year round endeavor, culminating with an Annual 5K Run, Multicultural Festival; Parade and After-Pride Parties.
Brooklyn Pride
PO Box 150508 • Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-928-3320
[email protected]
www.BrooklynPride.org
A significant percentage of the net proceeds from
these events are invested to support other organizations and events that celebrate the strength, diversity and reaffirm the value of all LGBT
Brooklynites; groups and all others who support
the struggle for equal rights.
Connect With Us!
Facebook: BrooklynPrideInc
Twitter: @brooklyn_pride
Instagram: brooklyn_pride
Brooklyn Pride is the premier LGBT community
based-service organization in Brooklyn, serving
the neighborhood communities, from Bath Beach
to Wingate.
Board of Directors
Co Chairs
Jamie Farnam & Mickey Heller
PARADE PARTICIPANTS
Treasurer
Jerry Allred
as of print time...more to come!
Secretary
Mohammad Hamad
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Antique Automobile Association
Brooklyn Women’s Rugby Club
CAMBA
Caribbean Equality Project
Cheer New York
Chip Shop
5th Brooklyn Scouts
Excelsior Bar
FDNY
Gay Men of African Decent-GMAD
Gay Men’s Health Crisis-GMHC
Ginger’s Bar
Greenpoint Reformed Church
Kings County Democratic Party
Kings County Pipes & Drums
Lesbian Herstory Archives
New York City Council
NYC Department of Education
NYC Pride/Heritage of Pride
Prospect Park Women’s Softball League
Public Advocate Tish James
Queens Pride
Rainbow Heights Club
Sirens Women’s Motorcycle Club
Turning Point Brooklyn
Xstacy Bar and Lounge
Member at Large
Tyler Evertsen
Run Coordinator
David Hooker
Volunteer Captain
Ariel Sanders
Pride Guide
Editors: Mickey Heller
Design and Layout: Rori Baldari
Production: Signature Litho, Inc.
Cover Design: Rowan Foley
Graphics: Rori Baldari
The Brooklyn Pride Guide is published by Brooklyn Pride,
Inc. Reproduction or use of editorial or advertising contents in any manner without the permission of Brooklyn
Pride, Inc. is strictly prohibited. Publication in the
Newsletter or Guide of the name or photograph of any
person or organization is not to be construed as any indication of sexual orientation or opinions of said person
or organization. Brooklyn Pride, Inc. shall not be held responsible for any typographical or reproduction errors
provided by the advertisers.
© 2016 Brooklyn Pride, Inc., Brooklyn, New York
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MESSAGES FROM THE CO CHAIRS
Jamie Farnam
Mickey Heller
What an honor it has
been to work with such
a tremendous group of
people who have the
passion for helping
Brooklyn Pride become
an organization that
serves all of Brooklyn’s
LGBTQIA+ family. The
growth I have seen in
these past four years has me so energized for the
future of Brooklyn Pride, Inc.
This year we were able to host a gala to celebrate
our 20th Anniversary. The Grand Prospect Hall, local
businesses that donated auction prizes, and all of our
guests truly made our dreams come true in March
by coming out to show their love and support for
Brooklyn Pride. I would be remiss if I did not take a
moment to recognize all of the thought, sweat, and
sometimes tears that have gone into making Brooklyn Pride what it is over the last 20 years.
This year’s board is no exception. Mohammad,
you have helped our group to consider all sides of
any issue that is up for a decision. Tyler, you have
been “entertaining” us all. Thank you for making the
music (and comedy, and) happen. Jerry, you started
this organization, and your passion and love for it are
apparent in everything that you do. My co-chair
Mickey, your ideas and dreams for this organization
are inspiring and I am excited to shape a vision for
the future of Brooklyn Pride with you. Thanks for
all of the coffee and cawfee tawk!
In addition to our amazing board, I have to give
some special ‘thank yous’ to a few folks who are contributing behind the scenes. To Ariel & Sharron for
their tireless work on our gala and anything and
everything else that we have needed.To Jill for keeping me up to date on so many goings on, for supporting and promoting Brooklyn Pride events, and
ensuring that more voices are heard in our planning.
To Lizzie at the Chamber of Commerce for helping
connect us with so many partners and all of your advocacy for the LGBT business committee. To Farid
at Bogota & Miti Miti, for your tireless work in our
community and beyond.To Michael at AHF, your support for this organization has gone far beyond sponsorship. To Kim from Old Stone House, provider of
space, smiles and camaraderie extraordinaire! Lastly
to our friends at Queens Pride, HOP/NYC Pride,
and Staten Island Pride for all of your support on so
many levels. What a wonderful Pride family to be a
part of!
Eight years ago, Jerry Allred asked me to do some
volunteer legal work for Brooklyn Pride and as
Stephen Sondheim wrote, “I’m Still Here”. I have
had the honor to work with many incredible people, and establish some wonderful relationships.
Now… our 20th Anniversary Year! There are so
many people to thank as we look back. To all of
the sponsors and advertisers who have opened
their hearts and purses to keep Brooklyn Pride
afloat, I hope you are proud of the growth of
these 20 years. To all of the volunteers; you know
that Pride could not go forward without the time
you give. Please continue to volunteer and bring
friends! To all of the past board members who
have endured so much to bring us here; thank
you is not enough but the appreciation and respect are heartfelt. To the current board, it has
been quite a year but somehow we survived.
Jamie…we made beautiful music together as Cochairs, Tyler…Yassssss, Mohammad, June 11, and
Jerry….we had a Pride! Thank you David for the
great job with the run and Ariel, your 2015 VOTY
Award was truly well deserved.
Thank you to Michael, Marco, Eddie and the
AHF/Out of the Closet Family. You came to
Brooklyn and asked “What can we do?”…and
you did! To Sheila (Ginger’s Bar), Mark & Richard
(Excelsior), Arturo (Club Xstacy), Farid & George
(Bogota/Miti Miti) and Chris (Chip Shop), your
support over the years has provided the foundation to keep us going. Mark (5th Ave. BID), Kim
(Old Stone House), Jerry (78th Pct), Irene, Zully,
Danny, Hank, and of course Queens Pride, NYC
Pride, S.I. Pride, NERP and InterPride, your guidance, support and generosity have helped us during some scary moments and continue to help us
grow.
Many heartfelt thanks to Cheer NY who rallies the parade marchers just before we start; the
Sirens who start us ‘gayly forward’ along 5th Ave,
Lisa, Jackson and the 5th Brooklyn Scouts who
follow right behind, you all fill my heart with joy
knowing the Parade has begun. To all of the various politicians and marching organizations who
have, and continue to show your support,…and
of course to Marty Markowitz….”Love is Love”.
To anyone I might have missed specifically, and to
everyone who attends Pride, whether throughout
the year or throughout Pride Week, thank you,
thank you, thank you. I am humbled and honored
to be able to serve this fantastic Brooklyn Pride
family!
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jamie Farnam
long way since then. To
think that a group of us
sat around and thought
how great it would be to
have our own LGBT Parade and Festival here in
Brooklyn. As one of the
Founding members of
Brooklyn Pride the
growth over the years,
pleases me greatly. 20
years of growth would not have happened without great people serving on our boards, our
sponsors, volunteers and you for attending our
events. This is a joint effort by everyone.Without
everyone’s dedication, patience and understanding we would not be where we are today. A lot
has happened over the last 20 years for our
movement of equal rights for all.
Recently, I was chosen to be honored as of
the honorees for Brooklyn Pride’s Gala Dance,
along with former Borough President Marty
Markowitz, and pride founding member Sonia
Galarza. It was a great event, enjoyed by many.
So many former board members, former volunteers pride and crusaders were there.
Hopefully you will be able to join us at some of
our events during Brooklyn Pride week. Remember Brooklyn Pride always needs new members,
new ideas and people to step up to the plate and
volunteer on our board. Come and be a part of
Brooklyn Pride for the next 20 years.
Co-Chair
Jamie Farnam is a Jersey girl
transplanted to Brooklyn
nine years ago. She currently resides in Park Slope
and loves how eclectic the
borough’s neighborhoods
are. She is a non-profit professional dedicated to
LGBTQIA+ causes, and is so excited to have been
able to merge these two passions by working with
Brooklyn Pride for four years and serving as cochair of the board of Brooklyn Pride, Inc. for its
20th year. She wishes to say a huge Thank You to
all of the volunteers and supporting partners and a
giant XO to her amazing wife, Jeana for all of her
love, support, and hard work helping to make
Brooklyn Pride so amazing. You are the best wife
and doggie mamma any girl could ask for!!!
Mickey Heller
Co-Chair
Mickey Heller, a Native
New Yorker originally from
the Bronx, has spent the last
32 years in Brooklyn. A
graduate of the HS of Music
& Art, Hunter College and
Brooklyn Law School,
Mickey has been practicing
law for approximately 25 years and says that he
will continue to practice until he gets it right! A
founding board member of the Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Mickey has been doing volunteer work for a number of non-profit
organizations, but says he is proudest of his work
with Brooklyn Pride. He started by driving the
truck/float in the Brooklyn Pride Parade for Borough President Marty Markowitz. That led to volunteering on the parade and 5K Run, and in 2010
he became, and currently serves, as the Parade
Coordinator. Mickey became Co-Chair of
Brooklyn Pride in 2012, Chair from 2013-2015
and is thrilled to be working with Jamie Farnam
as Co-Chairs this year.
Tyler
Evertsen
Board Member
Tyler has led a very adventurous and eclectic
life, and the road that
has brought him to
Brooklyn has been
fraught with both highs
and lows. However, at this time, as he pursues his
Ph.D., teaches at two colleges in New York, and
seeks a few precious moments to venture into the
community, he is content with contributing his time
and energy to keeping Brooklyn Pride a success.
The artist formerly known as Tyler Alyxander, he
has discharged the heels and dresses and is currently honing his skills in comedy. Only time will
tell where the new paths that are presently being
tackled will lead.
Jerry Allred
Treasurer
Wow, it has been 20 years since Brooklyn Pride
had its first Parade and Festival. We have come a
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Board of Directors - cont’d
tract new participants to this fantastic event. He is
honored to be able to organize this event, especially
this year, which marks the 20th anniversary. David
is also very thankful for all of the assistance given by
Front Runners New York, and wants to thank all of
the 5K Run participants, hoping they have an incredible time at the race.
When not serving Brooklyn Pride, David works
at Columbia University where he works closely with
students that want to advance their careers by providing assistance and information about pursuing
graduate studies. He enjoys mentoring others to
help them better themselves. David is an individual
that gives back to the community and enjoys helping
others.
Mohammad Hammad
Secretary
Mohammad Hammad joined
the Board of Brooklyn Pride in
February, 2015. He moved to
New York in the fall of 2013 to
pursue graduate studies in Sociology at The New School. He
makes an effort to stay informed
and proactive as an organizer on issues of social
(in)justice, especially those facing the United States and
Middle East, and has served on numerous academic
panels. Mohammad is currently an Adjunct Professor
at York College in Jamaica, NY and uses that role as a
platform to empower students, both intellectually and
socially. He currently lives in Downtown Brooklyn and
enjoys good local food and long walks, when the
weather permits.
GRAND MARSHALS – 2016
Hon. Debra Silber
ADDITIONAL BIOS– 2016
Ariel Sanders
Volunteer Captain
This Brooklyn native is
super honored to be a part
of Brooklyn Pride for a 2nd
year in a row. Being raised
by her parents to always be
warm, friendly and helpful,
coupled with strong community service values instilled by the Quaker High School education she
received,Ariel could not be more excited to be volunteering for an organization that represents 2 of
her biggest loves – Pride and Brooklyn! Editor's
Note: Ariel was the recipient of the 2015 Volunteer of
the Year Award at last year's Volunteer Party.
David Hooker
Run Coordinator
David was invited to attend
a community meeting for
Brooklyn Pride in 2012, and
ever since then he has been
involved in some capacity
with the organization.
Whether volunteering at
the many and various expos, pride booths and also
assisting in the setup process at different events,
David has been here to support Brooklyn Pride.
Brooklyn Pride invited David to coordinate this
year’s Brooklyn Pride 5k Run. He is looking forward
to bringing fresh new ideas to the table and to at-
Debra Silber was elected to
the NY State Supreme
Court in November of
2015. When she was first
elected to the Civil Court
in 1997, she was the first
gay or lesbian ever elected
in Brooklyn to a salaried
public office, as compared
to school board or district leader, which are not paid.
She was re-elected in 2007. She was appointed an
Acting Justice by designation in January of 2004 and
has been presiding in the Supreme Court, Kings
County, since January 1, 2010. Justice Silber hears both
jury and non-jury civil trials. In her 19 years on the
bench, she has presided over the Integrated Domestic
Violence Court on Staten Island, which handles Criminal Court, Family Court and divorce cases, spent a
year trying felony trials in Supreme Court Kings
County, Criminal Term, and for several years had a
custody and visitation part in the Kings County Family
Court. From 1999 - 2004 she was assigned to Kings
County Civil Court, where she heard all types of trials, including personal injury and landlord and tenant.
In 1998, she covered a Criminal Court part in New
York County. Before her election, Justice Silber was
in private law practice for fourteen years, and served
on many boards and commissions. In her private
practice, she specialized in representing members of
the LGBT community in all matters, including wills,
estates, real estate and family law. In 1992, she was
appointed by Mayor David Dinkins to serve as a (parttime) Commissioner on the NYC Civilian Complaint
Review Board, which is the agency that hears complaints of NYC Police misconduct. She served on that
Board for four years. Justice Silber also served on her
local community planning board, Board 2, on the
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GRAND MARSHALS – 2016
board of her synagogue, Kolot Chayeinu, and has
been active in community affairs her entire life. From
1977 to 1979, she worked for Carol Bellamy, who
was elected Council President in 1977, now called
Public Advocate. In 1978, she, along with other early
leaders of the Brooklyn LGBT community, formed
Lambda Independent Democrats, Brooklyn’s borough-wide democratic club. Debra was on the LID
board for many years, and was Lambda’s Treasurer
for six years until she had to resign when she was
elected to the Civil Court. She is a graduate of the
University of California, Hastings College of the Law
(1982) and New York University (1975). A native of
Brooklyn, she lives in Boerum Hill with her life partner and their two children.
son Heights. Dromm co-founded the Queens Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays (P-FLAG), as well as the Generation Q Youth
Services Program in Astoria. He also helped found
the Queens Pride House.
A fluent Spanish-speaker, Daniel has been honored
by the Sociedad Puertorriquena de Queens. He is a
member of the NAACP - Corona/East Elmhurst
branch and has also been honored by the KoreanAmerican Association of Central Queens. Dromm
has been honored by DRUM - Desis Rising Up and
Moving and by APICHA - Asian Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS. In October of 2006, Dromm received a Community Leadership Award from the
Times Ledger newspapers.
Daniel Dromm
GRIOT Circle
Daniel Daniel Dromm has
been a progressive leader in
Queens for over 20 years.
An award-winning public
school teacher, Dromm was
elected to the New York
City Council in 2009 and
represents District 25 (Jackson Heights & Elmhurst). He serves as the Chair of
the Education Committee.
In the City Council, Daniel has been a tireless advocate with a proven record of delivering for the community including:
•$4 Million to Elmhurst Hospital to create a Cardiac
Care Unit and expand the Emergency Room.
•$6 Million to double the size of Travers Park in Jackson Heights, adding much needed green space.
•Led the effort to enact Local Law 6 in 2010, certifying that all undocumented immigrant in City foster
care get put on a path to citizenship.
•Reformed Stop and Frisk policies - and implemented
real policing solutions.
•Led the effort to create IDNYC, the city's first government-issued identification card.
Prior to his election, Dromm was an award-winning
New York City public school teacher at PS 199Q in
Queens from 1984 to 2009. In 2006, Dromm was
chosen as "Outstanding Teacher of the Year" by his
school's principal and in 2009 he was chosen as "Educator of the Year" by the Kiwanis Club of Sunnyside.
He has also received the Marsho-Raimo Award from
the United Federation of Teachers (UFT).
Dromm is the founder of the Queens Lesbian and
Gay Pride Committee and organized the first
Queens LGBT Pride Parade and Festival, which he
still participates in on the first Sunday in June in Jack-
GRIOT Circle (Gay Reunion in Our Time) is a
diverse
community
based service organization dedicated to advocacy and empowerment
of LGBT elders of color.
Founded in 1996, GRIOT, meaning storyteller and
keeper of oral history in West African culture remains the only staffed organization in the country exclusively dedicated to serving the needs of LGBT
Elders of Color. GRIOT Circle’s mission is to provide
programs and services to assist its members in removing the isolation and fear around aging in both
the LGBTQ People of Color communities as well as
the larger community and to eliminate discrimination
wherever it exists.
The objectives of GRIOT Circle are to:
1.Identify and prioritize the social, emotional and
health needs of the membership and provide advocacy and other support systems to aid in alleviating
those needs.
2.Provide an integrated and coordinated resource/referral service and establish linkages with existing
agencies and organizations that compliment GRIOT’s
advocacy, programs and services.
3.Provide workshops, information/discussion groups
and social and cultural activities that will serve to reduce the level of isolation and fear within constituency groups, enhance their quality of life and
promote community involvement.
4.Provide culturally competent workshops and trainings to aid in promoting broader community/public
understanding and acceptance and serve as public advocates on issues and policies as they relate to POC
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GRAND MARSHALS – 2016
GRIOT Circle con’t
LGBT elders. GRIOT currently serves over 375 registered members. The physical site is located in
Brooklyn, N.Y but members live across New York
City. 60% reside in Brooklyn with 40% residing in
Harlem, Queens, and the Bronx. GRIOT members
range in age from their mid-50’s to late 80’s. Over 90
% of all members are from low-income households
and over 50% are retired and live on fixed incomes.
Approximately 70% of members are female/lesbians.
Based on a recent survey 90% of GRIOT members
identify as being Black, African-American, or
Caribbean-American, with the remaining 10% identifying as Latino/a, white or other. While GRIOT’ mission focuses on the needs of LGBT elders of color, all
services and programs are open to everyone
GRIOT Circle is celebrating its 20th year and in
carrying out its mission the organization understands
that community collaborations are key to the organization’s success. As such, it has intentionally created
several strategic partnerships with community based
organizations that have aligned missions in order to
increase service provision and further enforce the
rights and protection of the LGBT aging community.
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BROOKLYN PRIDE THANKS YOU...
Brooklyn Pride offers our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the individuals,
groups and organizations that provided us
unwavering support and assistance in bringing this year’s pride event to Brooklyn.
PO Box 230087
Ansonia Station
New York, NY 10023
Brooklyn, NY 11201
www.frny.org
Without your support, encouragement
and belief Pride 2015 would not have
been possible.
• Det. Jerry Gallante
Det. Brian Laffey
78th Pct. Community Affairs Office
65 6th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 636-6410
• The dedicated volunteers of
Brooklyn Pride, Inc. and
• Craig Hammerman, District
Manger, Community Board #6
260 Baltic Street
Brooklyn NY 11201
(718) 643-3027
www.brooklyncb6.org
• Kimberly Maier, Exec. Dir.
Kim Fenwick, Docent
The Old Stone House
Washington Park
336 Third Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
The Park Slope Civic Council
357 Ninth Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 783-1723
www.parkslopeciviccouncil.org
• Louis Greco &
The Park Slope Volunteer
Ambulance Corp
453 Bergen Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 398-4500
www.psvac.org
• Mark Caserta Executive
Director
5th Avenue BID
172 Fifth Avenue, Box 124
Brooklyn, NY 11217
www.parkslopefifthavenuebid.com
Borough President Eric L. Adams
Eileen Newman, Karen Ford,
Rob Yulfo
Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 802- 3700
• Lawrence A. Timberlake,
Jasmine Haynes,
Nicole Phillip
City of New York Parks and
& Recreation
Litchfield Villa
95 Prospect Park West
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 965-6993
www.prospectpark.org
PLEASE patronize and support the
various businesses and organizations that
placed ads in this Pride Guide. They
support Brooklyn Pride and help us
continue to get better every year.
There are SO many people to thank,
and if we accidently omitted anyone, we
apologize greatly, but appreciate all of
your support.
• Daniel Ferguson,
Gilbert Gaona, Jr.,
Steven Waldron
Front Runners New York
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For over 20 years you have been dedicated to
creating a space where seniors
can step into their truth and live authentic and
empowered lives and for that we thank and salute you.
In gratitude,
The Board of Directors of GRIOT Circle
GRIOT Circle is an advocacy and service organization committed to the dignity,
well-being, and quality of life of LGBTQ people of color as we age.
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MONDAY
DAYTIME
FREE EVENT
MONDAY
NIGHT
FREE EVENT
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TUESDAY
NIGHT
FREE EVENT
WEDNESDAY EVENING
WATER
WED, June 8th
6:30Pm with
kelli dunham
NY’s first and longest
running LGBT
storytelling series
giving voice to our
collective queer
experience
256 5th Avenue
(Carroll & Garfield)
FREE EVENT
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THURSDAY
NIGHT
NO COVER FEE
FRIDAY NIGHT
FREE EVENT
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AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the largest AIDS service organization in the world, currently providing medical care and services to more
than 600,000 individuals in 15 states and 36 countries worldwide including
the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific region and Eastern
Europe.
AHF operates the Out of the Closet thrift store chain and acquired the MOMS Pharmacy chain of pharmacies in 2012. In 2013, they rebranded the chain as AHF Pharmacy.
In 2013 AHF approached Brooklyn Pride to inform us that they were coming to Brooklyn and wanted to be a part of Brooklyn Pride. They participated with a bang in the
2013 parade bringing the 18 wheeler truck "Condomnation" which was the hit of the
parade! In 2014 they brought the one minute rapid HIV test to the Brooklyn Pride Festival, the first in the region to have it.
Located at 475 Atlantic Ave., between 3rd Avenue and Nevins Street, AHF operates the
Out of the Closet thrift store, AHF Pharmacy, and most recently, the AHF Healthcare
Center, providing complete HIV medical care and access to the additional specialists,
medications and services needed to be as healthy as possible.
In addition to being the host of our Friday night "Open House at Out of the Closet",
Brooklyn Pride appreciates all the help and assistance AHF has given over these past
years. Brooklyn Pride is also proud to have AHF as our Rainbow Sponsor.
www.aidshealth.org; www.outofthecloset.org
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As the third decade of Pride commemorations
was coming to a close, it became evident to communities outside the big meccas that they could
tap into a community-based celebration of the
movement that started at the Stonewall Inn over
three nights at the end of June 1969. Residents
of Brooklyn have historically had a strong sense
of community, and as a result, in the fall of 1996,
the idea of a Brooklyn Pride celebration was conceptualized and planning began. With little time
to spare, the short span between the first structural meetings to the initiative becoming reality
seemed daunting at best. With a lot of perseverance, cooperation with sister Pride organizers in
Queens, quick forming relations with borough and
city officials, and dedicated volunteers throughout
Brooklyn, June 14, 1997 saw the premiere of what
would become the borough’s annual Pride event!
As daunting as the inaugural event would prove
to be, subsequent years have proven that with
time, things get better. As the years have demonstrated, a good idea coupled with dedicated individuals are the perfect recipe to producing great
events. The brainchild of those who were there
at the beginning, most notably, Dale Gates, Sonia
Galarza, Jerry Allred, and the initial members and
volunteers of Brooklyn Pride, Inc., demonstrated
that smaller, more intimate Pride celebrations can
be embraced as warmly as the larger, more historic events. Subsequent organizers, members
and volunteers have captained the ship through
the years to set sail onto sometimes turbulent,
momentarily calm, but always warm waters. Of
course, there were times when the water came
from the sky and made the gathering wetter than
others!
Changes over the years have brought the annual Brooklyn Pride incarnation to its present
form. Chairs and Co-chairs throughout the years,
including the founders, as well as Jean Ambroise,
Steve Gradman, Donna Guzzardi, Mickey Heller,
Ira Ortiz, Millie Ramos, Fran Rolan, Zully Rolan,
and Curt W. Taylor, as well as current co-chairs,
Jamie Farnam and Mickey Heller, have given of
themselves tirelessly. The others on the current
board, which consists of Treasurer Jerry Allred,
Secretary Mohammad Hamad and Board Member
at Large Tyler Evertsen, continually try to take
Brooklyn Pride to the next level. Strong bonds
with sister borough pride organizers in Queens,
Staten Island and the Bronx, as well as New York
City’s Heritage of Pride, have proven invaluable to
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our ability to network and flourish.
Year after year, for the past 19, Brooklyn has
enjoyed events, not only in June, but throughout
the year, including our monthly “Dine With Pride”,
to promote “Equality Through Visibility” as the
first year’s theme boldly stated, as well as showing
the community at large, that the LGBTQIA+
Community is flourishing and is an integral part
of the borough. In June, Brooklyn Pride has expanded to become an entire week of events on
the second Saturday in June with our big Pride
Saturday. Starting at 10:00am the 5K Run in
Prospect Park has sold out for the past few years
with a portion of the proceeds going to an
LGBTQIA+ Organization. Our fabulous MultiCultural Festival begins at 11:00am and takes
place on Fifth Avenue between Third and Ninth
Streets, book-ended by two stages which feature
a wide-array of entertainment throughout the day,
and our Kids’ Space just renamed “Family Fun
Zone” near the Old Stone House provides a
grand collection of child-focused happenings. The
evening culminates with our Twilight Parade,
which begins on Fifth Avenue at Lincoln Place at
7:30pm sharp, and marches ‘gayly forward’ along
Fifth Avenue to Ninth Street. The day’s events
have become the cornerstone of capping off
Brooklyn Pride Week.
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Brooklyn Pride
Throughout the Years
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Bye Bye Brooklyn!
HMI BIO 5K Run
Community Grant
Recipient
A landmark is leaving Park Slope. Only
this time, it's not a building being torn
down, or a business closing or factory relocating. This time, a true "Son of Park
Slope" is leaving Brooklyn. After 16 years
at Gingers Bar, lifetime Park Slope resident Michael Shane Connor, is saying
goodbye to his native Brooklyn, and moving down to Florida.
With family ties to Park Slope dating
back to the 1850s, Shane was born and
raised in the neighborhood. He's been
bartending since the age of 17 getting first
chance at the former Leila's Bar in Brooklyn Heights. In the 1990s Carry Nation
was the name of the gay bar at 5th Avenue
between 5th & 6th Street and Shane was
friends with many of the bartenders
there. But in early 2000, while Shane was
helping some his bartender friends at
Carry Nation, he met Sheila Frayne and
they became fast friends. Sheila had purchased the bar and in March, 2000 turned
it into Ginger’s Bar. One night, a few
months later, when a bartender didn’t
show up, Sheila asked Shane to ‘help her
out’ and he has been behind the bar ever
since.
Shane has been an incredible supporter and cheerleader for Brooklyn
Pride for many years, and while we are sad
to see him and his partner John leave
Brooklyn, we at Brooklyn Pride wish them
both the best as they embark on their
next chapter!
The Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI) is the
nation's oldest (37 years, founded in
1979) and largest nonprofit organization
that provides life-saving services to atrisk lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and
questioning (LGBTQ) youth ages 13-24.
They offer young people a supportive
community that fosters positive youth
development with pioneering programs
to promote physical health and mental
well-being, emotional resilience, academic
achievement, job readiness, and
artistic/cultural creativity. HMI serves
more than 2,000 at-risk youth each year
from over from 350 zip codes in New
York and New Jersey, an additional
12,000 young people through outreach
efforts, and countless lives changed by advocacy around the globe.
Through a comprehensive package of direct services and referrals, Hetrick-Martin seeks to foster healthy youth
development.Their staff promotes excellence in the delivery of youth services
and uses its expertise to creative innovative programs that other organizations
may use as models.
• Annually more than 2,000 youth participate in HMI Programs.
• 300 youth participate annually in Arts
and Culture programming.
• Close to 100% of HMI youth take part
in our innovative Health and Wellness
Program, including HIV-prevention.
• 8,000 hot meals were served last year.
• Lead partner and host agency for the
Harvey Milk High School
www.hmi.org FB: HetrickMartin
Note: Hetrick-Martin is the recipient of
the 2016 Brooklyn Pride 5K Run Community Grant
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Left to R
ig
Co-Cha ht: Treasurer
J
irs Mick
ey Helle erry Allred, Sec
r & Jam
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ie Farna tary Mohamm
m, Tyler
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Evertse d Hammad,
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Brooklyn Pride’s 20th Annual
Pride Celebration
June 6th – 11th, 2016 - SCHEDULE
SUNDAY JUNE 5th • 12:00 pm Queens Pride Parade
37th Avenue & 89th Street – Jackson Heights
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to help Brooklyn Pride carry the huge rainbow flag! Meet at starting line
at 11:00am!
MONDAY JUNE 6th • Brooklyn Borough Hall 209 Joralemon Street
12:00pm - Flag Raising Ceremony
Calling all Veterans and borough LGBTQIA+ organizations! Join us as we raise the
Pride Flag above Borough Hall.
6:00pm – Borough President Honors Co-sponsored by
Borough President Eric L. Adams
Boro Pres. Eric Adams honors Gay Men of African Descent, Hetrick-Martin Institute,
& Audre Lorde Project followed by reception in the Rotunda. Bring your dance shoes.
TUESDAY JUNE 7th • 7pm – 9pm Open House & LGBTQIA+ Food + Art + Performance + Fun
Sponsored by Brooklyn Community Pride Center - 4 Metrotech (Willoughby & Gold Streets)
Featuring Elise Peebles, LGBTQ New Americans & Gabrielle Royal. Learn about BCPC’s
Work
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8TH • 6:30pm Queer Memoirs with Kelli Dunham
Oyster Bar Brooklyn – 256 5th Avenue (Carroll & Garfield) NY’s first and longest running
LGBT Storytelling series giving voice to our collective queer experience. Theme: Water
THURSDAY, JUNE 9TH • 5K Run – Packet Pickup 4:00pm – 8:00pm • Comedy Show 6:30pm
4:00pm – 8:00pm Out of the Closet 549 Atlantic Avenue - Runners get your
Pre-Race Packets
6:30PM - Brooklyn Pride Comedy Show Produced and Hosted by Lois Thompson
Branded Saloon 603 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Laugh With: Chewy May, Elsa Waithe, Emma Willam, Sal Caprizzi, JC Knows Best, Sydnee
Washington, and Pat Brown
FRIDAY, JUNE 10TH • Out of the Closet 549 Atlantic Avenue (Nevins & 3rd Avenue)
5K Run – Packet Pickup 4:00pm – 8:00pm - Runners get your Pre-Race Packets
6:30pm – 9:30pm OPEN HOUSE
Learn about AHF/Out of the Closet Thrift Shop • Refreshments, Music, Drink, Shopping!
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BROOKLYN PRIDE 2016
PARADE ROUTE and FESTIVAL LOCATION
Saturday, June 11th
The 2016 FESTIVAL starts at 11am ON 5th Avenue, between 3rd & 9th Streets.
The PARADE will kick off at 7:30 pm at its starting point:
5th Avenue and Lincoln Place
PLEASE JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE PRIDE, BROOKLYN STYLE!
www.brooklynpride.org
Facebook: Brooklyn Pride, Inc.
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PRIDE DAY
Saturday, June 11th, 2016
SATURDAY, JUNE 11TH • Pride 5K Run - 10:00am
(Check -in begins at 8:00 AM registration if not sold out)
Prospect Park Loop – Enter at 15th Street Bartel Pritchard Circle
Run over the beautiful rolling hills of Prospect Park for the LGBTQ+ community & friends in a
festive and inclusive environment.
SATURDAY, JUNE 11th • Multicultural Festival / Stage Entertainment (11am – 5pm)
Multicultural Festival / Stage Entertainment (11:00am – 5:00 PM)
5th Avenue from 3rd to 9th Streets
A cross-section of the borough’s business, community and city-wide organizations are
boarded by 2 stages of entertainment.
TWO Stages of local, national and international talent
SATURDAY, JUNE 11th • Family Fun Zone (11:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Old Stone House / J.J. Byrne Park, 5th Ave. between 3rd & 4th Streets
Fun family activities, music, face painting, arts & crafts and more!
SATURDAY, JUNE 11th • Twilight Pride Parade (7:30 PM Start)
5th Avenue - From Lincoln Place to 9th Street. – MC: RonB as Tina Turner
Join the fun with the ONLY “Twilight Parade in the Northeast; a celebration of our Pride and
Heritage
SATURDAY, JUNE 11th • OFFICIAL AFTER PARTIES
DANCE FLOOR WARRIORS
Analogue Brooklyn - 177 Second Avenue (Cor 14th Street)
www.saintatlarge.com
HOT RABBIT/BAD HABIT
Lot 45 - 411 Troutman Street
(St. Nicholas/Wykoff)
FB: BOYWONDEREVENTS
Brooklyn Pride Board of Directors
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Many thanks to our
Dine With Pride Hosts
Chip Shop
129 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11201
www.chipshopnyc.com
Miti Miti
138 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217 www.MitiMitinyc.com
Wheated
905 Church Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11218
www.wheatedbrooklyn.com
Bogota Latin Bistro
141 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
www.bogotabistro.com
[email protected]
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ENTERTAINMENT STAGES
Stage Hosts:
cializing in classicrock,
blues-rock,
blues covers including artists like The
Beatles, The Allman
Brothers
Band,
Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric
Clapton, The Eagles, Santana, Grand Funk and
many others.
Mark-Alan and Tym
Moss
Mark-Alan
Mark-Alan has been a
NYC Cabaret/Piano Bar
staple for over 25 years.
He is the recipient of 2
BistroAwards and 5 MAC (Manhattan Assoc of
Cabarets) awards. He is an accomplished stage
actor, singer and vocal impressionist and has
played such venues as the Kennedy Center (DC),
SurflightTheatre (NJ), The Taj-Mahal (Atlantic
City) the Debbie Reynolds Theatre (LV) and a few
Off-Broadway houses, street corners and men's
rooms across the country. In addition, he occasionally teaches theatre arts and improvisation.
He is currently residing in Brooklyn under the
Verrazano Bridge. He is too young for a comeback so call this an extension. He is currently single...but not bitter. (Yeah,right)
Bey and Jay's Big
Gay Day
Beyonce Knowles-Carter
and husband Jay-Z CarterKnowles are renewing their
marriage vows this summer,
and it just so happens to be
the same weekend as
Brooklyn Pride. Basically,
they're finally getting gaymarried! We have dozens of
exciting comedy stars from
Comedy Central, MTV, UCB, SNL, IFC and more
attending to show their love for this dynamic duo
via stand-up, song, sketch and more. After the
"ceremony," a magnificent Super Bowl-sized singalong will take place with a live band! Anyone is
invited to get up and sing the house-down-boots.
Tym Moss
Tym Moss is a dynamic
performer and force in the
LGBT Community. He has
performed on stages
around the country. He
brings high energy and a
pure authenticity to his
performances. He was the
founding and former President of the Board to create a New Bronx LGBT
Center for 1 1/2 yrs. Tym is a Singer/Actor/Songwriter/Radio and Television Host/LGBT Activist.
He appears in Theater, Film,Television,Webisodes
and performs live on stage. Some of the films he
has appeared in can be found on Netflix. His new
singles Free Again and Buy And Obey are climbing
the charts. His internet radio show Artists Exposed with Tym Moss can be heard weekly. Also
some of his video interviews can be seen on
Stagebuddy.com. He interviews some of the top
and rising stars in Entertainment and the LGBT
community. One thing is for sure. Once you see
Tym Moss perform, you won't forget it.
Boy Radio
Boy Radio is a Brooklynbased pop artist who has
been a featured performer
at many of New York’s most
electric shows including The
GMHC Latex Ball, Strut @
Acme, Frankie's at The Jane
Hotel, and NYC's annual
(David) Bowie Ball. Boy
Radio was recently a Next
Magazine Cover Boy, and
profiled in the OUT 100
printed issue of OUT Magazine as a “Pop renegade” and one of the "One's
to watch" this year. Boy Radio's debut Ep “Pretty
Hot Things” is a mix of dance and R&B sounds
that take the listener through Radio's sultry, trueto-life experiences and explore the depth of pop
art and the human pleasure principle set against
electro-house beats. "Pretty Hot Things" and
other songs can be digitally streamed or downloaded at: www.soundcloud.com/RadioMusik.
Barry Brian
Barry Brian is a guitarist/vocalist, a member of a
very popular classic-rock cover band from
Brooklyn, NY called The Friends In Sound, spe-
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ENTERTAINMENT STAGES
Cicely O'Kain
Cicely O'Kain has
been singing since the
age of two. The Denver, CO native's
music is rooted in
pain and reality, which
explains her connection to music influences like Chaka Khan, Yolanda Adams, Donnie
Hathaway and Whitney Houston. Cicely's single,
"Self Letter" released 3/9/2015, and has recieved
over 30,000 Youtube views; 60,000 views worldwide.The Cicely O'kain Pandora station has over
100,000 streams. Cicely has released an electrifying dance EP entitled, "Like Bass" 1/15/2016. She
recently performed her single, "Like Bass" and
other songs from the album at the Bluebird Theater in Denver, CO, leaving her audience mesmerized! Cicely O'kain is currently on tour,
promoting the "Like Bass" EP and her new Hip
Hop driven single, "Livin LIfe". Cicely's music is
produced by Billboard charted producer, Marv
and distributed worldwide via Big Top Entertainment LLC / RedeyeUSA.
well as at the Escada Christmas Gala and the
Monaco Grand Prix Cruise. Classically trained in
vocals and piano, Emergency Tiara is inspired by
the power of music to uplift audiences, having developed her love of singing through early performances with the likes of leading performers
including Japanese vocalist, Ken Nishikiori, on La
Damnation de Faust, conducted by Seiji Ozawa
(now musical director of Vienna State Opera).
With a voice that crosses the fire of the Ronettes
with the freedom of Gwen Stefani, Emergency
Tiara defines girl power and is an experience that
gives pop/soul music proper residence in the 21st
century.
Fiama
Brooklyn
singer-songwriter Fiama writes about
the ups and downs of life,
love, and destiny. Her
work explores the polar
emotions that come with
being in love: happiness
and pain, possession and loss, trust and betrayal.
In her upcoming record, "Way to Happiness"
Fiama holds nothing back.
Dolly Trolly
Dolly Trolly is
back again at
Brooklyn
Pride to serenade you with
the big harmonies of Gerard Kouwenhoven & Tara Lynne,
highlighted by Tami Johnson’s beats that will make
you wiggle. They welcome special guest Mary
Feaster on the bass for this special sampling of
their sophomore album “Please Ask, Please Tell!”.
Dolly Trolly is honored to be involved with
Brooklyn Pride, as they have been for the past 6
years, often seen blowing up the Branded Saloon
Pride float!
Genderswag
“I’m ok with ME - so I
don’t mind YOU.” That’s
GENDERSWAG! GENDERSWAG - The New
LGBT & Allies Social
awareness
Movement
founded by singer songwriter, activist SCANDELLE - is dedicated to raising awareness to the
issues that concern us such as bullying, suicide,
hate crime, transgender support, politics & more.
Thru music , art and social media such as Genderswag Radio,TV,Concert Series and Leadership
forums their message of change thru unity is
spreading! Catch the spirit - find out about Genderswag! www.facebook.com/genderswagmedia
Emergency Tiara
Fashion pop artist Emergency Tiara has packed
spaces ranging from Canal
Room and the Living Theatre, to the De Beers
Christmas Event (for
which she has done two
solo performances) as
Jae Sam
Jae Sam is a Pop/HipHop
artist born and raised in
NYC. After dancing all my
life, At age 20 i began
recording and choreographing dance routines
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ENTERTAINMENT STAGES
and performing them at my community events in
Queens,NY.Till this day i have been working hard
and now have a new project due this summer and
a bunch of amazing performances waiting to be
showcase. To be one of the greatest entertainers
in the world is what i strive to be and I will work
hard at achieving that while staying true to myself.
and Nancy Cassaro
(“Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding”). He has produced and performed
comedy since his college days at New York
University, and has a
blog (“The Gay Crumudgeon” at thegaycrumudgeon.blogspot.com) and has been
featured in other websites. He is currently working on an audio guide of NYC, as well as writing
a walking tour of the East Village based on his
book “New York Trilogy.” He can be found on
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, as well as at
http://home.earthlink.net/~paulhallasy/index.html.
Jessica Marie Courts
Jessica Marie Courts (J. Jig
Cicero), 2015 Ohio Hip
Hop Award winning best
female artist was born Jan
11 in Cincinnati, Ohio and
was reared in both Cleveland and Dayton, Ohio. Jig
is a talented multidimensional songwriter and explosive performer of
several different musical genres specializing in
rap/hip hop. She is also a songwriter and performer of r&b, neo soul, and poetry.This talent is
truly one to keep an eye out for as she narrates
about love, life, gains and losses and the societal
state as a young adult in the global community.
Ray Isaac
Ray Isaac is an independent Singer-Songwriter-DJ
with intoxicating lyrics
and an insanely energetic
performance style. His
third single “Who I Am” is
an empowering ballad he
wrote about being free
and fighting for equality and acceptance in our society. It is also used for AntiBully campaigns in US
and Indonesia. Ray’s new single ‘Travolta’ is a disco
pop flash which was just endorsed by John Travolta himself who said he is flattered by the song
and supports the release on Vevo. Ray’s music will
be featured in the new mega dance film ‘Dancin’
Its O’n written and directed by the original ‘West
Side Story’ actor, David Winters.
Melli B
Melli B is an artist in the
truest sense, he exudes
passion for the creation of
genuine music. He does
not create songs, his
lyrics, beats and melodic
hooks are audio stories.
Simply put: His songs are
jewels for the ears, a gateway to an emotional experience. His current releases include his new
single "Shorty" and a Freestyle Promo track
"Cover Story". He is currently in the studio
working on his highly anticipated Freshman EP, set
to release Spring 2016. Melli B will be going on a
"Pride" 2016 Summer Tour, performing his debut
hits along with records from his new EP. It will be
the positive energy people crave to celebrate a
life of being true to one's self and feeling sexy
while doing it.
Ron B
Ron B Nationally known
actor who sits on two national committees for
SAG/AFTRA, television
host of “No Boundaries:
Up Close and Personal”
on Time Warner Cable,
celebrity tribute artist,
and Official MC of the
Brooklyn Pride Parade!
Ron is also active in the national LGBT Committee and the national Native Americans Committee as an openly transgender actor and Activist,
who continues to work in many major film and
Paul Hallasy
Paul Hallasy, a Long Island native, is an accomplished performer and writer. He has performed
with such actors as Edie Falco (“The Sopranos”),
Phil Rosenthal (“Everybody Loves Raymond”),
cont’d on p. 39
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To find directory on line go to:
http://comptroller.nyc.gov/help/lgbtq-directory/
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ENTERTAINMENT STAGES
Sarah Factor
ySarah Factor is a Brooklyn-based
singer/songwriter who will get you
right in the feels with her
soulful sound and catchy
melodies. Originally from
Toronto, Canada, Sarah is
an international artist frequenting such historical
venues as Rockwood Music Hall and Pianos.
Sarah's live performances are energetic and
packed with fans, as she engages her audience to
sing along to their favorite tunes. Sarah's recently
released single and EP showcase her clever songwriting and can be found on her website and various digital platforms. Sarah Factor looks forward
to the release of her full length album following
her tour this coming fall.
television projects and is the longtime host of the
Original LGBT Expo produced annually at the
Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Ron is also
a celebrity tribute artist, who performs as the legendary Tina Turner. This year Ron has been chosen as one of the Grand Marshals of Staten Island
Pride 2016. “I'm so honored to continue to be
part of the 20th anniversary of the Brooklyn
Pride Festival and Parade. Just Simply The Best.”
Run Jenny
Run Jenny, the explosive, all-female,
commercial-pop,
contemporary-rock
band hit the original
music scene in 2014
with the release of
their highly anticipated debut CD, Therapy Sessions. Run Jenny’s
music knows no boundaries. Crossing pop, rock,
blues and country genres, it offers something for
every music lover. Newly formed…not exactly,
more like re-branded.This line up has been rocking out national stages for more than a decade
under the name Sister Funk. With the unveiling
of their newly created sound a new name
emerged. Run Jenny's CD, Therapy Sessions, has
been described as simply – complicated; simple,
catchy melodies layered with complicated emotion-provoking lyrics.
Silver Silver
When it comes
to music nothing
is
impossible.
That pretty much
sums up the
motto behind Silver Silver, the
newest boom of high energy pop rock from
NYC. The group consists of vocalist Allison
O'Braza, guitarists Nick Santini and Roxane Pacifico, bassist Danny Wujcik, and drummer John
Fenrich. Their debut EP, entitled “Livin Dreamin”
was released in October 2015 and features 6
songs which are nothing short of well written
pop rock tunes. With tracks like "T-Shirt and
Jeans" and "Cest La Vie" the group’s ability to capture the audience’s ear is simply uncanny. Other
straight in your face rock songs include "Flood
In" and "Livin Dreamin". Don't be fooled as the
band can also write great ballad pop songs like
"Existential.”
Russell Elliott
During a wildly
successful kickstarter campaign
the
Huffington
Post noted that
Russell
Elliot's
dusky, gritty, minimalist R&B has the "potential to be
groundbreaking." The young Brooklyn artist and his
loyal fan base of culturally progressive, cutting-edge
and mindful audiophiles are celebrating the recent
release of Elliot's debut EP and music video for infectious lead single, Around (premiered with OUT
Magazine). Elliot maintains artist residency relationships with The Hilton Millennium in New York City
and ArtPeace Studios in Nashville. See him perform
around NYC in venues such as Webster Hall, Mercury Lounge, The Knitting Factory, and Pianos. For
more information and upcoming show dates please
visit www.russellelliot.com
SIREN
"Gorgeous!" –RuPaul "You haven't lived til you've
seen SIREN perform" -Next Magazine SIREN
sets your favorite pop tunes to a country beat.
Using clever arrangements and intricate harmonies, they re-imagine hits by Michael Jackson,
Katy Perry, Alanis Morissette and more! They play
lively and tuneful original music, and their stage
shows are full of charm, heart, giggles and a little
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ENTERTAINMENT STAGES
others to explore themselves to find their inner
animal and live life to the fullest. With a mix of
pop, hip-hop, soul and dance, his lyrical content
matches his high-powered personality and Tony
is making his own way in the LGBT music scene.
Tubafresh
Sing-song melodies and
orchestral strings lying
somewhere
between
RnB, Soul and Hip-Hop
creates
the
organic
sounds of tubafresh.
Drawing from a wideranging array of influences, Chanell Crichlow
creates an alt-pop auditory landscape with catchy
melodies and haunting textures leaving room for
live improvisation. www.tubafresh.com
attitude. Raised in small town USA, the ladies of
SIREN came together in New York City after
years of friendship and collaboration. Each accomplished solo performers, they soon became
mainstays of the Manhattan nightlife scene. SIREN
has headlined at some of the city's premiere venues, including Joe's Pub, the Iridium Jazz Club, and
New World Stages.Shanna Sharp- Vocals, Guitar,
Colleen Harris- Vocals, Percussion, Miscellany,
Lindsay Morgan- Vocals, Sass.
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Stephanie Mann
Hailing originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, this
Americana/Country
songstress now calls New
York her home and is
aiming to make a name
for herself in the USA.
She has recently been
recording her new EP in
Nashville at Zac Brown's
studio, Southern Ground. Americana is described
as a comfortable blend of Country, Folk and
Blues, and critics have compared her vocally to
Karen Carpenter, Colbie Caillat, Sharon Corr and
Chrissy Hynde. Self-taught, she performs on guitar or ukulele to deliver mature, introspective
songwriting complimented by her warm, intimate
and very capable vocal ability. Whether thoughtprovoking or foot-stomping, this alt-country
songstress never fails to deliver a soulful performance.
Tony Banks
A vocalist and producer,
Tony Banks has awakened
the musical world with a
new and unique sound;
embracing, rather than
tossing aside the sexual
power of music. But his
music is more than just
about sex, it encourages
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COMEDY SHOW LINE UP
Chewy May
Chewy May is a New York
City based comedian who
has performed all over the
major
clubs(Broadway
comedy Club, EastVille)
and a couple of the city
colleges as well as the
most NYC public access
channels (MNN, BCAT, Queens Public access)
Emma has appeared on the Investigation Discovery channel (Deadly Affairs and True Detective),
Oxygen, and the Lifetime network plus Channel
7 news. She studies acting at The Barrow Group
in NYC. In addition to her stand-up gigs around
the country, she’s also just launched The Sensible
Show in Brooklyn with comedians Josh Gondelman, Evan Kaufman, and Chris Duffy, which will
feature a variety of talented, funny friends.
JC
JC is a comedian and
writer based out of NYC,
known for completely
disregarding the limits.
His interesting take on life
comes from being an ex
preacher within a strict
sect of Christianity, an ex
husband, and an ex corporate drone. This "fall
from grace" as he calls it, allows him to be refreshingly honest about everything from his ambiguous sexuality to his controversial political
views. A New Jersey transplant, JC burst onto
the NYC scene 2 years ago and hasn't looked
back. Even though he hasn't had his big break yet,
JC has established himself as a definite comic to
watch. He plans to be in this business for a really
long time, or as he says, till he's 35. Follow JC on
Facebook/JC Knows Best, & Twitter/Instagram:
jc_knowsbest
Elsa Waithe
Elsa Waithe is a comedian
and activist from Norfolk,
VA currently residing in
Brooklyn. Elsa's comedy is
a mix of critical but lighthearted jabs at race and
homosexuality, but she
mainly talks about herself
and weed. She's been on NPR's "This American
Life ", the She-Devil Comedy Fest and the Laughing Devil Comedy Fest.
Emma Willmann
Emma Willmann is a name
to watch in 2016. One of
the top new comedians
coming out of NYC, she
has a variety of projects
happening, including her
own comedy show, The
Check Spot, on SiriusXM
starting in March. Her First Time podcast – a hilarious show dedicated to women talking openly
about their first periods – will return for a second season and feature other talented guests
such as MTV’s Carly Aquilino and Awkwafina,
Comedy Central’s Kerry Coddett, Sarah Benincasa, and Ashley Fetters from GQ.
Lois Thompson
Lois Thompson originally
hails from Queens, NY
where she could grew up
in a lively CaribbeanAmerican household. She
says, "I was 13 years-old
before I realized I was actually in America!". Lois
has been honing her craft on her friends and family for years and now shares her talents with a
newfound audience. She has appeared at Caroline’s, Gotham, & New York Comedy Club in
NYC. With her troupe, Comic Diversity, Lois
performs in a monthly show at the Grisly Pear in
Greenwich Village. She also self-produces & hosts
the wildly popular BlackLight Comedy Show at
Brooklyn Moon Cafe. When not making folks
laugh, Lois is selling real estate in the world’s
greatest city, Brooklyn!
Recently selected to perform at the prestigious
Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, she’s also appeared at The Glasgow International Comedy, the
SiriusXM South Beach Comedy Festival, and the
New York Comedy Festival. Willmann beat out
hundreds of comedians to be named one of the
“10 Funniest Comics in NYC” by Caroline’s on
Broadway as part of the New York’s Funniest
Competition and was named by Time Out NY as
one of the “10 Funniest Woman in NYC,” and
“100 Woman We Love,” by GO Magazine.
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COMEDY SHOW LINE UP
2016 SPONSORS
Pat Brown
Pat Brown grew up in Kansas
City, MO with her parents,
two brothers and a sister.
Between 1999 and 2013, she
appeared 8 times on BET’s
Comic View. In 2001-2002
Pat became a cast member
and writer for BET’s The Way
We Do It, starring Rickey Smiley, and in 2004, was
a regional Winner and National Finalist in the
Bacardi By Night Comedy Competition. Pat won
the 2007 Las Vegas Comedy Festival “Best Female
Comic”.
Appearances include: Comedy Central’s Jamie
Fox Laffapalooza,Three Can Play That Game with
Vivaca Fox, Guest Host Hot 97 Atlanta, AXS TV
Gotham Live, Bounce TV’s Off The Chain, Bob
and Tom Show Radio Show, regular on Sirius The
Foxhole and the 2013 WINNER of the She-Devil
Comedy Festival. Most recently, Pat appeared on
the stand up show Laughs on Fox, 2014.
Sal Capizzi
From being a former fat
kid born and raised in
Buffalo, NY. Sal Has become a regular at Comedy Clubs across New
York City. He Has Appeared on MTV, VH1 and
even more frequently on anything Public Access.
Filthy and Charming, He is not only a Stand-Up,
but also a Stand-Out.
Sydnee Washington
Originally from New York
City but raised in Oakland, California. Growing
up with a backyard & a
big wheel really has made
her more approachable
than most New Yorkers.
When she isn't performing in various Pizza Shops and comedy clubs, Sydnee co-hosts a high energy monthly Comedy
show with Marie Faustin(comedian) in the Lower
East Side called "The Warm Up". The PIT Presents' Stand Ups in Residence for 2016. Has appeared in AustinMartinez Music Videos on TruTv
"Late Night Snack" and various YouTube videos
for GQ and Elite Daily.
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