Entertainment
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8th
Annual Jersey City LGBT Pride Festival
Saturday,
August 23, 2008
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Ben Lerman Ben Lerman is an NYC-based musical comedian who tours the country armed only with his twisted pointed of view and his ukulele. He released his debut CD "Ukelear Winter" (a fusion of uke and nuke) to critical acclaim in November 2007. He's coming to Jersey City Pride fresh off his two-month, 50-show summer tour, "The Ukelear Meltdown." Ben is finishing a second CD with a full instrumental range, including a hot disco track that is going to take the clubs by storm in fall 2008. Ben was a founding member of the gay comedy rock band the Isotoners, who were picked as the “Best of New York” by the Village Voice in 2004. He ventured out on his own in 2006, while developing an online audience as well with his hilarious music videos (“Vagine” and “Anderson”) and off-the-cuff tour blogging at www.benlerman.net. |
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Jackie Monahan Spontaneous combustion are two word's that best describe Jackie Monahan's comedy. She has headlined nationally with both the Lesbians of Laughter tour and Dykes on Mics. She co-hosts GIRLS on GIRLS on heretv.com and watch for her on One Night Stand up, an Andrea Meyerson production, this fall. Called the perfect cross between Emo Philips and Sarah Silverman, Jackie killed audiences on the Maury Povitch show, is a regular on Red Eye - the Fox News late night television show and is a repeat guest on maxim and Out Q Sirius satellite radio. Currently headlining the national LOL tour, Jackie will soon be featured on Andrea Meyerson's "One night Stand Up." |
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DJ Fred Pierce A Jersey City native, Fred Pierce has been a dj and party promoter in the New York Metro area for some 14 years. He remains a constant name in the minds and hearts of his party constituents throughout the Metropolitan area. Fred took over operations as promoter for the event in July 2001 after the previous promoter decided to pursue other options. Fred kept a successful event going at Albert’s until its closing in Winter 2003 and then a reopening of the club under the Rascals name in 2005. Fred continues to create promotional venues throughout the New York/New Jersey area in locations such as, (Brooklyn Café) in Brooklyn, and the other in Jersey City (Albert’s). Thursday nights at 2 Steps Down in Brooklyn Successful out-of-state promotion events include Houston, Atlanta and Washington, DC. along with dj gigs in Japan, Germany and Italy. Fred Pierce, P.O. Box 3039, Bayonne, NJ 07002 |
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Art of Dating Dujuana Sharese the artist exception has pushed creative boundaries through performance art. As an explosive spoken word artist, she has founded DSae which produces artistic and cultural events such as: The Cypher Movement (live art and poetry slam venue), Sound Lounge (interactive music venue), Got Gayme (live dating game show). In her spare time she Host events such as the African American Festival, and Gay Pride of Festival Jersey City. |
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Michi Cardenas Michi Cardenas is a young aspiring artist making her first public debut. Involvement in LGBT activist causes, connection to Jersey City, and your connection to the LBGT community in Jersey City in Particular: My uncles are Miguel and Paul and ever since I was little I have been extremely supportive of them and what they have done for the community. Within my own circle of friends I try to encourage them to attend youth outreach programs and I invite them along to events such as the festival or this years' "White Party." |
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Dani Dani, she's a songstress, lyricist, spokenword artist, but more than that, she's on a journey, one not of her own. "God's got me and is in charge of this thing, it's just my time...finally!!! Thanks big dude." Step into my world and maybe you’ll see what I/we see, from R&B, to the club scene, to the spoken word. Sit back and you’ll be swallowed up in the infectious Grooves from Joe Flame, and the lyrics from Yours Truly. if you ain`t deep than maybe my journey ain`t for you, but if you dare to be real and look for the Truth!!!!!??? Come inside, enjoy, and ya’ll come back now ya hear. “Lyrics should inspire, and I’m too serious to be other than real." |
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Martina Downey A thorough blend of rock, rhythmic soul, and ambience, her sound can be best described as alternative. Her first CD, “Whatever it Takes,” flows seamlessly through an ambient soundscape. Born in Paterson, NJ, Martina grew up listing to R&B and Rock of the 60s and 70s. Writing songs since age 17, she taught herself how to sing by imitating her favorites over and over again. 2003, she appeared at the Provincetown Theatre. In 2004 she made her theatrical debut at the Harlem Theatre in B. Lois Wadas’ WomenWording. In summer 2005, Martina appeared at the WOW Café. In August 2006, Martina opened for Jersey City’s Pride 2006. No doubt Martina has proven that she can master any genre of music |
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Tom Goss Tom Goss (Washington, DC) makes edgy acoustic pop that appeals to diverse tastes and evokes a wide range of emotions. His muscular, intelligent songs match sounds that make you move with words that make you think. His new EP, Rise, showcases Goss’s stylistic flexibility. From the urgent growl of “Morning Sun” to the sparklingly unadorned declaration of love in “King of Something Right”, there is something for everyone’s tastes. This soulful and energetic musician—whose former life as a Catholic seminarian gives him an unusual perspective on life and love—is winning him new attention and fans. Involvement in LGBT activist causes, connection to Jersey City, and your connection to the LBGT community in Jersey City in Particular: I have not connection to Jersey City or the LGBT community in Jersey City, however, I am a gay singer-songwriter performing nationally and on each occasion I consider it of great importance to set an example of tolerance and acceptance both in person and through my music. When called upon, I strive to be a positive mouthpiece for the LGBT community at large. In addition I have worked extensively with the gay and transgendered homeless community in Washington DC. |
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Hedwig and the Angry Inch The internationally ignored songstress is back again in JC. Hedwig and the Angry Inch returns to Jersey City after much demand, helping to celebrate Jersey City pride with the Gays! All the songs you love and all the shiny red lipstick you wish you wore with a fresh glam-punk-rock look! Jonathan Whitton, 2008 MAC award winner, is guaranteed to take his place among the very best to ever perform this glamorous role! Involvement in LGBT activist causes, connection to Jersey City, and your connection to the LBGT community in Jersey City in Particular: The producer 3S Theatre Collective, is a non-profit theatre company based in Jersey City. Watch them on www.youtube.com |
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Lady Clover Honey Lady Clover Honey has emerged as one of the most versatile, multitalented Drag Diva personalities! The Lady is known for her role as a fun and glamorous television correspondent on the international TV series Under the Pink Carpet, reporting at the hippest and most glamorous events, from the Emmy Awards to Erotic Expos. She has invoked glamour and laughs at Comedy Clubs and Cabaret Rooms like Caroline’s, World Famous Laugh Factory, Gotham Comedy Club, Don’t Tell Mama, Reprise Room at Dillon’s, Rockwood Music Hall, Danny’s Skylight Room, the Duplex and the legendary Carnegie Hall, where she made history as the first Drag Queen to conduct an orchestra at the famed concert Hall. Her voice is heard as a regular guest commentator on OutFM WBAI radio 95.5 FM. Lady Clover Honey is sometimes called the Queen of Television, but her sweet charisma gets broadcast wherever she goes! |
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Mara Levi Come see Mara and ask about being included in her What Are You? Project or check it out on her website. |
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Lovari Lovari's debut single received airplay on NY’s WKTU (103.5 FM) and in 2006, Lovari independently released "All I Want Is You," which reached # 1 on Hot 96FM in Portland. In 2007, FM and internet radio added his single "I Feel You" into rotation and I-Tunes began to carry his tracks. His work appears in the artist database at Billboard.com He will be appearing in Sydney Pollack's "The Interpreter" and in Viceroy Andrew's "The New York Strangler." Lovari directed and wrote the screenplay for "ShoreThing." Articles about Lovari have been featured in The Tribune, OUT In Jersey, The Courier, and The Village Voice. He has also branched out into political activism. Lovari's second album will be released in the summer of 2008. |
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Mega Body Tahjaleenie Tahji aka Mega Body was born in the Bronx, NY and raised in Wyandanch, Long Island. Mega comes from a musical background family that was surrounded by gospel singers and musicians. He knew since he was a child, he wanted to be a celebrity and on stage entertaining people. Mega has appeared on the Ricki Lake, Maury Povich, and RuPaul shows. He also became the first African-American male dancer to turn author of his self-published book titled: G-String Dreams: True Confessions of a Male Exotic Dancer, which is based on his true life story. Mega’s ready to make it happen with his new CD titled ‘Don’t Stop Dreaming Bigger’ featuring his booty shakin’ single Shake Ya Hips and reggae single Missin’ U Lovin’ U. |
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Lori Michaels |
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Naommon |
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Odd Girl Out |
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Xavier-Raye With his debut album “Formal Introduction” reaching completion this winter, Xavier-Raye’s music has a maturity that appeals to an older demographic while maintaining its core fan base in young America. Xavier-Raye is truly a rising star headed straight to the top. |
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Rhythm Locura |
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Brendan Velasquez At Nineteen, Brendan Velasquez knows what he wants. It all started when he was old enough to vocalize. From elementary school through high school, Brendan performed in choir and multiple musical productions. Music became a natural part of life. Soon he got into music production with the help of his step dad, who introduced him to the wonderful world of home studio. At the age of 16, Brendan started producing his own fusion of electronica, rock, and pop. His demos were heard by artist manager Raymon Smiley. Impressed by the music, Raymon began working with Brendan on a full length CD that will be released summer 2008. Brendan is not your average teenager. After the tragic loss of his father in 2006 to AIDS he decided at that moment to share his story with the youth of the world. One of his hopes is to educate others on the importance of this issue and to help enlighten young people about safer sex practice. |
Check back soon for updates to this year's Entertainment Line Up For performance information contact: Darryl Hill, Entertainment Coordinator at: entertainment@jclgo.org For
media information contact: Jim DeAngelis, Media Coordinator at: media@jclgo.org
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