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Despite cancellations, Pride goes on with ‘OUTLOUD’ digital concert series

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With Pride Festivals and Parades across the nation cancelled or postponed indefinitely due to the COVID pandemic, the usual excitement felt by many as June approaches is sadly missing – but just because the community can’t gather in person to share the spirit of the season, that doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate together with some fierce and fabulous live entertainment.

Award-winning LA-based Event Producers JJ/LA announced last week that the Pride artist showcase OUTLOUD, which was slated to debut at the now-cancelled South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, has been reimagined as a 10-part digital concert series, now titled “OUTLOUD: Raising Voices.”

Helping to kick off Pride festivities worldwide, the 10-episode, 5-week concert series is a celebration of queer and allied artists, highlighting and elevating a diverse lineup of queer talent that is making an impact in the music industry, including Betty Who, Kesha, Candis Cayne, Grayson Chance, and many others. In addition, each episode of “OUTLOUD: Raising Voices” will also provide an opportunity to support local Pride organizations, which are struggling in the wake of festival and event cancellations due to the COVID-19 crisis.

JJ/LA founder Jeff Consoletti originally conceived the live concert concept for “OUTLOUD” with business partner Artie Kenney, Founder of AKT Agency Inc. Following the cancellation of SXSW, he recognized the opportunity to transition to an impactful digital format that would allow everyone to celebrate the 2020 Pride season.

“Now more than ever, it is important to find ways to feel united while still being mindful of current social distancing requirements. OUTLOUD: Raising Voices is a perfect opportunity to bring people together while also giving back to our communities around the country,” says Consoletti. “Pride festivals are often the biggest – if not only – fundraiser many local Pride organizations will have, and the loss of these events is potentially devastating. We hope the community will join us to celebrate Pride together with each other and these amazing artists and donate to some great non-profits.”

JJ/LA, known for its diverse roster of clients, has produced Los Angeles Pride (including its nationally-recognized parade and festival) for the past decade, as well as the two-day Pride Island music festival featuring headliner Madonna at WorldPride NYC.

The first two episodes of “OUTLOUD: Raising Voices,” hosted by “Grey’s Anatomy” star Jake Borelli, will present some of the artists originally scheduled to perform at SXSW, including headliner Betty Who, and featuring Madame Gandhi, Flavia, SWSH, Bang Bang Romeo, pineappleCITI, Pabllo Vittar, Ryan Cassata and Ariel View. Subsequent episodes will feature appearances and performances from Kesha, Candis Cayne, Allie X, Vincint, Greyson Chance, The Aces, and Wrabel, with additional details and performers to be announced weekly.

The digital series will be available exclusively on Facebook, where it will premiere on May 26. Episodes will drop twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesday at 5PM PST/ 8PM EST,  on LGBTQ@Facebook, OUTLOUD’s Facebook page and the JJ|LA Facebook page. Viewers will be able to donate directly using the Facebook “donate” button on the video, in order to lend their direct support to impacted communities including Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix, and Washington D.C.

Fans are encouraged to join the celebration using #WeAreOUTLOUD.

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Out & About

This queer comedy show will warm you up

Catfish Comedy to feature LGBTQ lineup

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(Promotional image via Eventbrite)

Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.

Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

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Arts & Entertainment

Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71

Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’

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(Photo courtesy of Pop TV)

Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.

O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.

In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.

In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”

Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.

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Calendar

Calendar: January 30-February 5

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, January 30

Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).

Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, January 31

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation.  Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Sunday, February 1

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, February 2

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam (adamheller@thedccenter.org).

Tuesday, February 3

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected]

Wednesday, February 4

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Thursday, February 5

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.  

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