“We wanted to draw awareness and show LGBT people in a positive light,” said Pride Expo Vice President Ray McCreary. “We are a vital part of the community and shouldn’t be overlooked.”

The event’s creators hope to address the needs and interests of the LGBT community of the South while offering cultural and educational activities that inform, inspire and entertain. The expo will offer exhibits, informational break-out sessions, social networking events, shopping, dining and entertainment.

With the expo only a few months away, McCreary said organizers are busy lining up live entertainment and speakers. He confirmed one after party will be held at My Sister’s Room on Saturday, April 21, with a drag show, VIP room, food, beverages and a DJ.
“Things are coming along great,” he said. “Every day we’re getting more hits on the web site and people are calling in asking about tickets.”

Tickets should go on sale around February 1. Attendees will have three admission options and participation levels. General admission tickets will include attendance to the Pride Expo and all activities held within the exhibit hall. After-hours passes will allow guests the same daily events plus some of the most exclusive entertainment and after-hours parties in the city. The full-access VIP passes will provide an all-inclusive experience, including attendance at all Pride Expo events and all off-site activities. The exclusive VIP events include private entertainment venues, backstage access, food and wine tastings, private parties with celebrity entertainment, photo opportunities, signings and much more.

The Pride Expo will also partner with local non-profits, charities and organizations and will donate a portion of the proceeds generated from ticket sales to those groups. Currently, the event will benefit For the Kid in All of Us, but McCreary said opportunities to work with other charities are still available.

The Atlanta observance of this event will be held on the Washington Street side of the Georgia State Capitol on Sunday, November 20, at 7 p.m.

The annual event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, who was murdered in her Boston apartment on November 28, 1998. Her murder kicked off the Remembering Our Dead web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

This year’s Atlanta Pride entertainment line-up is a tasty buffet of fabulous treats. The cherry on top; dance music queen Deborah Cox. This woman has been pumping out booty-shaking beat after booty-shaking beat for more than a decade. The last few years has seen her shift her focus to the theater, but don’t worry she still plans on making fab music. Miss Cox took a few minutes from recording to give the low-down on her diva-self.

Fenuxe: You do a lot of prides and other LGBT events and you have a ton of gay fans. Does your connection with the LGBT community go deeper than music?

Deborah: Well, music is deep, to me, ya know, so to have such a following in the gay community is flattering because I know that they are the trend setters and they are the ones who set the standard of what is hot. I love that the fans have been so loyal throughout the years.

Fenuxe: Have you been to Atlanta before?

Deborah: Oh yeah, many time! I have just never done pride, but have been to Atlanta for different club events and radio station events.

Fenuxe: What do you love most about our city?

Deborah: Every time I go there I remember my first album. I spent like a good three months in Atlanta recording with Dallas Austin when we did “Sentimental”, “My Radio” and songs from the first album. There were some really, really great times. I remember the Waffle House. (laughs)

Fenuxe: We love the Waffle House.

Deborah: (laughs) Yeah, we were just so young and just having so much fun. I remember the late, late nights in the studio. All I remember was there were too many damn Peachtrees. (laughs) It was very hard giving directions, but really good memories when I think about Atlanta.

Fenuxe: GPS makes it a lot easier now, just so you know.

Deborah: (laughs) Right exactly. (laughs)

Fenuxe: What do you think has lead to your longevity while others have fallen by the way side?

Deborah: I think the fact that I have never compromised my integrity or the style that I loved to do, which has been R&B, Pop, Dance, Jazz. I do what I feel. I do what I love. I do the songs that resonate to me. I really kind of stick to my guns when it comes to music. I think that is why I am still here. I perform a lot. I do a lot of live shows and I show love back to the audience. I really appreciate all the fans that I have an, ya know, I don’t ever take advantage.

Fenuxe: You’re slated to do “Josephine” on Broadway. Is doing theater something you always wanted to do? Or was it just something that appeared and you were like, “Cool, I’ll do it”?

Deborah: A little bit of both. I did musicals in high school and I went to a performing arts high school. It wasn’t foreign to me, the stage and doing musicals and stuff like that. It was just a matter of what the part was. But when I did Aida it was an opportunity, really of a lifetime, to step into the role like that and do a show with Elton and Tim Rice’s music was a dream. It was like a Godsend it was just perfect timing on many levels. I jumped at the opportunity. Once I heard murmuring of producers, Ken Waissman, wanting me to do the role of Josephine I was like, “I have to do this.” It gives me the opportunity to originate a role. As an artist that is the biggest compliment to set the standard of what this woman’s life is going to be. To have me as part of that process is really, really gratifying. I am really looking forward to the show.

Fenuxe: When does “Josephine” open?

Deborah: Spring 2012. It has been a long process. The whole Broadway thing has taught me so much, especially originating a role. There are a lot of moving parts. There are a lot of people involved. The set designers, the costume designers, the director. There is a lot of work in progress. It is never really done until you put it up on stage.

Fenuxe: Will the play cover all of Josephine Baker’s amazing life or just a small part?

Deborah: It tells the story of Josephine Baker during four years of her life when she was getting ready to join the French resistance, when she was having her steamy affair with the prince of Sweden. It really shows the arch of her need for love and her distaste for racism during her upbringing in St. Louis in the early 20s. We focus on her fight and her patriotism to France and her journey of love.

Fenuxe: Is the play a mix of music, dance and traditional theater or is it mostly singing and dancing?

Deborah: We tell the story through song, but there is a lot of drama. A lot of drama!

Fenuxe: Who are your co-stars in the play?

Deborah: This amazing actor, Broadway and theater actor, named Tristan Sturrock, who is out of London. He is the co-star, but I am not sure who else has been cast in the Broadway production.

Fenuxe: Does this mean you are shifting your focus away from studio work and more on theater?

Deborah: I hope to do it all. I hope to do both. I hope to continue to maintain what I do on CDs and in music and also do the show. As an artist I get really bored very quickly. (laughs) I like to keep it moving and like to do different things. I like to keep it interesting and I don’t like to do one genre. I am doing another Jazz album. Of course I am in the studio right now trying to finish up the R&B/Pop album. We have our dance single that is brewing as well.

Fenuxe: What are the dance singles?

Deborah: A couple singles actually. One I did with Tony Moran called “Tenderness” and another one called “If it Wasn’t for Love” with Mixin Marc. I think it has been the happiest I have ever been musically, artistically, in my life. I have so many platforms to do what I love to do. Ultimately it is singing. Whatever the style is, whatever the genre, whatever that entails I am the most happy.

Fenuxe: Since you get bored very easily does the possibility of a three year run on Broadway terrify you?

Deborah: You know it is funny because I have always said that if I were to go back on Broadway to do something long term it would have to be something I loved. And I have to love the music. In the case with Aida I loved the music. I loved being there every night singing those songs. It didn’t feel mundane. This role is the most challenging because it is dancing, it is acting, heavy intense acting, and singing. So, that is not going keep me bored at all. (laughs)

Fenuxe: Thank you for taking the time away from the studio. We look forward to your performance at pride.

IMAGINE RIFLING AROUND in your late father’s belongings to find you have a half brother. Then imagine your surprise when you traipse halfway across the country only to find out that he is a different race. You’d probably think the story would make a great movie or play. Playwright Julie Hebert has beaten you to the punch and delivers this particular tale in a play called Tree. The best part: the play will be performed locally by Horizon Theater Company starting September 16.

Tree follows Didi, a white professor from the bayous of Baton Rouge, who travels to Chicago after finding a stash of letters which reveal the fact she has a half-brother named Leo. When she meets Leo in the windy city she finds out that he is African-American. Together they confront the truth of their parents’ hidden affair.

The story dives into what it means to be a family even if your family is new to you. Hebert explains it best: “In my family (and the one in this play), we have profound differences in our belief systems, our politics, our ways of life…and yet we find a way to sit at the same table. We keep each other honest. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes painful – and so it is with this play.”

Horizon’s Co-Artistic/Producing Director, Lisa Adler will direct a cast of well-known Atlanta actors including Donna Briscoe, Geoffrey Williams and Megan Hayes. Tree will also mark the professional stage debut of recent Spelman grad JJ Price. Adler says, “The play is a mystery, a ghost story and a family drama with plenty of humor that bridges generations and cultures.”

Atlantans should be proud that Horizon calls our city home because they continually produce plays relevant to all of our communities. Tree makes you laugh a little, cry a little and think a lot. The story is easily relatable to anyone with a family full of diversity.

Horizon Theatre
September 16 – October 16
Tickets $20-$50
www.horizontheatre.com

The Atlanta Pride starts off this year with Official Pride Kick-Off Party at the Georgia Aquarium on October 7th. Grab your tickets as soon as you can as each year it is a sold out event. This year promises to be a delectable night of dancing and drag queens. Dance beats will be provided by DJ Corey Craig, in his southeast live debut, and sexy hot DJay McKracken. VIPS will be able to shante their way into Jujubee’s Lounge where the “RuPaul Drag U” Professor will be hosting a meet and greet.

Fenuxe sat down with two of the night’s performers to chat about what we can expect.

DJ Corey Craig

Fenuxe: Tell us about your involvement with the Atlanta Pride Kick-Off party.

Corey: I am the headlining DJ for the event. Incidentally, this party is my live DEBUT in the southeast (yay!). The podcasts have been floating around out there for years, now I finally get to serve the beats in person.

Fenuxe: For people who don’t know, what kind of music do you spin? 

Corey: It’s hard for me to nail or label my sound, but I’ve been described as “Post Circuit” or “Nu Circuit”. The styles I feature include Progressive House, Electro-Pop, Handbag Disco, Tech House, Remixed and updated classics. They all somehow congeal and help me stand out. Don’t be scared, I love a good catchy pop remix and plenty are throughout my set. Fun… familiar, yet fresh.

Fenuxe: What is the favorite remix you have ever done?

Corey: Early in my career, I was known for very quirky yet catchy mashups. I won’t call them remixes but they helped me grow… DJ/ Producer Saul Ruiz and I are “R2C2” and we worked on a spec remix of Robyn’s – “Indestructible”. I still proudly play that one and love the response.

Fenuxe: What are you listening to these days?

Corey: Adele, Beth Ditto, (non rap) Kelly Rowland, Katy B, Black Cards, Robyn, Florence and the Machine, Oh Land, Beyonce, Avicii

Fenuxe: Any music we should be listening to, but are not?

Corey: I think the industry is returning to actual stunning vocals that have very little touchup. Check out Katy B (when she hits stateside), Black Cards, Natalia Kills, Dionne Bromfield (Amy Winehouse’s god daughter… spooky vocal resemblance).

Fenuxe: What music do we need to stop listening to? 

Corey: Anything involving overused samples, auto-tune turned all the way up, sexist, homophobic artists, oh and that “cats and hammers in the dryer with boots” dance sound… No more pots and pans… the kitchen is closed… The real party is in the living room and later the bedroom.

Jujubee

Fenuxe: Tell us about the Pride Kick-Off party.

Jujubee: I am going to be hosting the VIP lounge area and they are calling it “Jujubee’s Lounge”, there will be food, and open bar. I will be hosting a meet and greet after I perform in the main event.

Fenuxe: How did you get involved with Atlanta Pride?

Jujubee: They brought it up to me and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I mean I love pride. Who doesn’t love a good pride? I have never been to Atlanta and of course I have a few sisters there. There’s Mariah, there’s Nicole and there’s Phoenix. I am really excited to see them if they are around!

Fenuxe: Do you keep in touch with them?

Jujubee: I do, I do. We don’t get to talk as often as I’d like to. Everyone’s schedule is pretty crazy, but it’s always nice to see each other because we have grown. We have all pretty much blossomed so it is always nice to see where we’ve been and to catch up and stuff like that.

Fenuxe: How has your life changed since the show?

Jujubee: It is a lot different than it was before and it’s more than I ever wanted. You know I always knew I wanted to do something that involved performance and drag and all that, but I didn’t know it would be to this magnitude. I mean, RuPaul’s Drag Race really made it for us. So, thank you RuPaul!

Fenuxe: Did you start doing drag at a young age or were you more of a late bloomer?

Jujubee: I started doing drag when I was about 18. And it was because I had this love for the stage. I always wanted to be an actor. I was always in theater. Drag was just the easiest thing to grasp onto because at that time I was in college. My studies were really, really crazy and I couldn’t find the time to actually do a play. So drag was the fastest thing that I could grab on to and perform and get that rush of adrenaline.

Fenuxe: What’s next for you?

Jujubee: I have been working on some music for a while. I haven’t found anything satisfying for me yet. I don’t want to release anything that is going to sound too robotic or too rushed.

Fenuxe: Do you play instruments?

Jujubee: Not anymore. What’s funny is I used to play the clarinet, but I thought it was the dorkiest thing so I gave it up.

Fenuxe: You can work that into your routine. You can be the clarinet playing drag queen.

Jujubee: And then I will learn how to juggle too and we can call it the Jujubee circus. (Laughs) That would be so hilarious.

“We are excited that there are so many events surrounding the Pride Festival,” said APC Executive Director, JP Sheffield. “These activities offer a wide range of options for anyone who may build their vacation around the Pride Festival, or for those local residents looking to get involved prior the weekend,” Sheffield added.

Indulge at The W
Presented By Chris Coleman Enterprises
Thursday, September 8: 8pm-2am
Whiskey Park @ The W Midtown Hotel: 188 14th Street
Atlanta Pride comes out to The W Midtown to raise awareness of this year’s Pride Celebration. Enjoy $5 drink specials all night and no cover charge.

Crazy Bitch Bingo
Thursday, September 15: 8pm-10pm
Las Margaritas: 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road
Come have dinner at Las Margaritas and enjoy a round of Crazy Bitch Bingo. Crazy Bitch Bingo has it all: comedy/music videos, live karaoke, and even a bit of humiliation. This isn’t your mother’s bingo. Free to play. Cash prizes for top 3 teams. Tequila shots and a portion of all Twister drink sales benefit Atlanta Pride. 10% of your total bill also benefits Pride!

Dragamundo: Dinner & A Show de Mami’s
Monday, September 26: 8:30pm-9:30pm
Las Margaritas: 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road
-Free drag show featuring Phoenix (Rupaul’s Drag Race), Mrs. Bubba Dee and cast with a special $8.99 dinner menu $5 mojitos. Come early to get your table, show starts at 8:30pm. Tequila shots and a portion of all Twister drink sales benefit Atlanta Pride. 10% of your total bill also benefits Pride!

Papi’s Pride Pride Kickoff Brunch
Sunday, October 2: 12:30pm-3:30pm
Las Margaritas: 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road
Enjoy the beats of DJ Mike Pope and Papi’s $10.95 all you can eat (or $17.95 all you can eat and drink mimosas) gourmet buffet brunch with eggs, omelets, and banana fosters made to order on the patio. Tequila shots and a portion of all Twister drink sales benefit Atlanta Pride. 10% of your total bill also benefits Pride!

Free Pride Legal Forum
Sunday, October 2: 2:00pm-4:00pm
The Phillip Rush Center: 1530 Dekalb Ave NE, Atlanta
Jeff Cleghorn of Kitchens New Cleghorn, LLC and Kathleen Womack of Kathleen M. Womack, P.C. present: DON’T GET CAUGHT AS AN UNDOCUMENTED GAY OR LESBIAN: Know your legal rights in Georgia. Topics presented include Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, Domestic Partnership issues – Agreements and “Gay Divorce,”Second Parent Adoption, Low cost or No cost ways to protect your Domestic Partnership, Gay Marriage/Civil Unions/Domestic Partnerships in other states. At the end of the forum Jeff and Kathleen will be available to help participants fill out the Free Georgia Advance Directives for Health Care. For further information, contact Kathleen Womack at 404-303-0130 or email kathleen@kwomacklaw.com

A Night with Out on Film
Screening: “We Were Here”
Tuesday, October 4- 7:20pm
Midtown Art Cinema: 931 Monroe Drive
2011 marks 30 years since AIDS descended. We Were Here focuses on five individuals who lived in San Francisco prior to the epidemic. Their lives changed in unimaginable ways when their beloved city changed from a hotbed of sexual freedom and social experimentation into the epicenter of a terrible sexually transmitted plague. From their different vantage points as caregivers, activists, researchers, as friends and lovers of the afflicted, and as people with AIDS themselves, the interviewees share stories which are not only intensely personal, but which also illuminate the much larger themes of that era: the political and sexual complexities, the terrible emotional toll, and the role of women – particularly lesbians – in caring for and fighting for their gay brothers.

Atlanta Pride AIDS Vigil
Wednesday, October 5- 7:00pm-8:00pm
St. Mark’s UMC: 781 Peachtree St. NE
This years vigil theme, “Compassion, Commitment, Community- 30 years of AIDS” and is hosted by St. Mark’s UMC. Please join us as we remember the history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and those we have lost.

Graphic Intervention: 25 Years of International AIDS Posters
Wednesday, October 5: 8:15pm-9:45pm
Museum of Design Atlanta: 1315 Peachtree St., Atlanta
Immediately following the Pride AIDS Vigil, join us at the Museum of Design Atlanta for a special viewing of Graphic Intervention. The exhibit presents a comprehensive overview of the diverse visual strategies employed by government agencies, community activists, grassroots organizations and motivated citizens to educate the local population. These posters demonstrate the different approaches used around the globe for discussion of a socially complex subject. $10 Admission.

Commitment Ceremony
Presented by Macy’s
Thursday, October 6: 6:30pm-7:30pm
W Atlanta Midtown: 188 14th Street
This non-denominational ceremony gives couples the opportunity to pledge their commitment to each other publicly before friends and family. Couples who wish to register pay a small fee and receive a certificate marking the occasion. Visit www.atlantapride.org for details and registration

Indulge at The W: Post Ceremony Celebration
Presented By Chris Coleman Enterprises
Thursday, October 6: 8pm-2am
Whiskey Park @ The W Midtown Hotel: 188 14th Street
Immediately following the Commitment Ceremony, head upstairs to Whiskey Park for music and drinks. Enjoy $5 drink specials all night and no cover charge.

Macy’s Men’s Designer Event
Friday, October 7: 4pm-6pm
Macy’s Lenox Square
Take a first look at the newest Designer and Impulse Collections for Men including Hugo Boss, Armani Jeans, French Connection and more! Enjoy fashion presentations from Project Runway All-Star Anthony Williams as well as a special performance from your favorite housewife Miss Lawrence. Save $5O, plus receive a complimentary gift bag filled with gifts from our designer with your purchase of $2OO or more in Men’s Designer and Impulse. Make a $10 donation at the event to Pride and receive a $10 gift card for Macy’s.

Yom Kippur Services with Congregation Bet Haverim
Friday, October 7
St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church: 1790 LaVista Rd. NE, Atlanta
Intergenerational Kol Nidre Service: 6:00pm
Ma’Ariv Service: 8:00pm
Join Congregation Bet Haverim for Kol Nidre services at St. Bartholomew’s. Out of town guests are welcome. These services are open to the public. There is no charge for services, but donations are accepted. For questions, please call CBH: 404-315-6446

Atlanta Pride VIP Party
6:00pm-8:00pm
The Georgia Aquarium: Enter Ocean Ballrooms
INVITATION ONLY EVENT. Atlanta Pride’s Annual VIP Party features complimentary food and drinks. This event is our premier event for our individual donors and sponsors. For details about on how to receive tickets for the party, please visit our website and click “donate now”. Location and further details will be sent to our ticket holders.

Official Atlanta Pride Kickoff Party
Friday, October 7: 6:30pm-11:30pm
The Georgia Aquarium: Enter Main Entrance
Join us for the 3rd Annual Official Atlanta Pride Kickoff Party at The Georgia Aquarium. The party features 2 DJs: DJ COREY CRAIG in the Atrium & DJ JAY MCCRACKEN in the Oceans Ballroom Lounge. NEW for 2011 – JUJUBEE from RuPaul’s Drag Race and Drag U will be doing a performance in our Oceans Ballroom and then sashays over host her own lounge. (Jujubee Lounge ticket required).

The Official Atlanta Pride Kickoff After Party
Presented by Jungle Club Atlanta
Friday, October 7: 9pm-3am
Jungle Club Atlanta
The Second Annual Official Kickoff After Party @ Jungle Club Atlanta features beats by DJ Ed Bailey into the early morning hours. Don’t want to wait to get into the evening’s hottest dance party? Purchase your $20 VIP ticket in advance to skip the line and to receive a drink ticket. More details available here: www.JungleClubAtlanta.com

For further information and details, please visit www.atlantapride.org

This year the Atlanta Pride Committee teamed up with WiLD FM (105.7 and 96.7) which helped them entice and secure a fantastic list of up-and-coming performers (Alexis Jordan, Wynter Gordon and Kim Sozzi) and one big superstar (Deborah Cox). APC Executive Director, JP Sheffield said, “Atlanta Pride works very hard to establish and maintain great relationships that benefit everyone involved. We are excited to add Clear Channel and specifically, WiLD to the list of those positive and productive partnerships.”

Check out the line-up below and start making your plans today.

Bud Light Stage

Saturday, October 8

Literary Event
Nubia Soul GODdess
SHADE
The Sexual Side Effects
Promise
Slick and Rose

Sunday, October 9

Bridge 19
Katie Quick
Hemming and Hawing
The RoboDrum

Coca-Cola Stage

Saturday, October 8

Hannah Thomas
Justin Utley
The Orkids
Gurufish
Michelle Malone
Alexis Jordan
DEMIZES
Wynter Gordon
Deborah Cox

Sunday Sunday, October 9

Michael Jon’s Band
Kim Sozzi
Beverly McClellan
God-Des & She
Ari Gold
Starlight Cabaret

Ingredients:
- 1.5 fl oz SMIRNOFF Black Cherry Flavored Vodka
- 3 fl oz Cola

Directions:

Add ice to tall glass. Introduce SMIRNOFF BLACK CHERRY VODKA to the cola. Mingle well.

Download the EP from Dr. Rosen Rosen’s website by clicking here.

Check out Kay’s music.

Check out Jessie and the Toy Boys.

And checkout Sky Ferreira’s music here because her brother took these fabulous pictures.