Please tell us more about the theme. What was the inspiration for Wicked Wonderland?
needs.
The inspiration for Wicked Wonderland was to create a fun, bold theme that connects pop culture and allows our guests to express themselves! Drawing from fantastical elements with a wicked twist, and with the upcoming release of Wickedin November, connecting with the cultural moment.
What are some of the elements of the party that we can look forward to?
What other events and initiatives do you have planned for this year?
Attendees can expect a legendary costume contest, Dragfluencers Ellasaurus Rex and Brigitte Bidet, live entertainment by DJ Jazzy T., Champagne Skirt, a 360-degree photobooth, an exciting catwalk where they can show off their costumes, and inspiring stories from a few of our residents. There’s truly something for everyone!
Well, I can’t share all the details just yet, but I can tell you we have a very, very special ribbon cutting coming up in the spring. Because of the community and community partners’ support, there are often amazing opportunities to support us through their work as well. I encourage everyone to look up AV200 and Joining Hearts—supporting them is supporting us!
What will you be looking forward to at the party?
While the entire event promises to be a blast, I am most looking forward to sharing the incredible stories of four individuals whose lives were changed by Status: Home. Their stories of loss, redemption, heartbreak, triumph, and finally finding a place to call home at Status: Home are not to be missed.
The party will also be a fundraiser for your programs. Can you tell me a little about what the money will go towards?
All funds raised at the event will go directly towards helping us continue to provide a safe, stable home and supportive services to hundreds of people every day. Through our many partnerships and grant programs, we already have over 90% of the funds needed to do this work, and this event will help provide the final funds necessary to ensure we can meet all of our resident’s
If people can’t attend the party, how can they support Status: Home otherwise?
You can still support Status: Home and Wicked Wonderland by donating online at statushome.org/wickedfundraiser.
Status: Home’s Wicked Wonderland Halloween party is on October 26, at the Foundry at Puritan Mill. Tickets can be purchased at statushome.org/wicked.
Where’s the
The Atlanta Pride party is here! While you can’t possibly attend all the many events and parties, here are the events that we recommend and/or will be strutting our Pride stuff at. Check out the official Atlanta Pride lineup elsewhere in this magazine (don’t miss Ava Max, Monet X Change, and many More!), and make sure you come correct, tip generously, and act safe and respectfully so we can this Pride the best one yet.
Thursday, October 10
Golden Hour Deep
South Pride Kickoff
Clairmont Hotel Rooftop
6 – 11 pm
The Mayor’s Official Pride Reception
City Hall 8 – 10 pm
Pride Karaoke & Weekend Kickoff
Atlanta Eagle 8 pm – 3 am
Weekend Warm-Up
Future Atlanta 10 pm – 4 am
PARTY
Friday, October 11
Pride Kickoff
Georgia Aquarium
7 – 11 pm
Horse Meat Disco
Presented by Queen Butch & Deep South Future
10 pm – 4 am
Pride Friday
Atlanta Eagle 11 pm – 3 am
Official Kickoff After Party
The Heretic 9 pm – 3 am
Show Your Pride
Believe Music Hall 9 pm – 3 am
Saturday, October 12
Queer Your Gender
Dance Party
Community Stage 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Queen Butch Planet Tea
Underground Atlanta 2 – 8 pm
TUFF ATL PRIDE
Future Atlanta 10 pm – 3 am
Main Event (w. Phoenix & Rosabel)
Coca-Cola Roxy
9 pm – 3 am
Pride Saturday
Atlanta Eagle
11 pm – 3 am
Pride 2024 Party
The Heretic 9 pm – 3 am
Banshee Late Night Pride
With Deep South
Banshee EAV
10 pm – 2 am
Sunday, October 13
X Midtown’s Annual
Block Party
X Midtown
4 - ?
Tea Dance
Atlanta Eagle
4 – 9 pm
RANDY Tea Dance
The Heretic
4 – 9 pm
A Chaka Moment In the Park
Piedmont Park 3 – 7 pm
Starlight Cabaret
Coca-Cola Stage 7:15 – 9:15 pm
Sunday Service by Deep South
The Last Dance
Sister Louisa’s 6 pm – 12 am
Pride Closing Party
Atlanta Eagle 9 pm – 2 am
Pride Sunday Closing Party
The Masquerade 9 pm – 3 am
Pride 2024 Party
The Heretic 9 pm – 3 am
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
Pride is Political Why Celebrating Pride Matters Now More Than Ever
Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
As rainbow flags fly high, glitter fills the streets, and joy spreads through every corner of our LGBTQ+ communities during AtlantaPride, it’s easy to get lost in the celebration. Pride is a time for love, liberation, and unapologetic self-expression. But, as we gather this year, it’s crucial to remember that Pride was born from resistance. The first Pride was not a parade—it was a riot. In a political climate where our rights and identities are still under attack, it’s more important than ever to honor Pride’s radical roots and remind ourselves that celebration and protest go hand in hand.
Pride Began as a Riot
In June 1969, the Stonewall Riots erupted in response to the police raids at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. Led by trans women of color, like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, LGBTQ+ people fought back against years of harassment, violence, and discrimination. These riots marked a turning point, igniting the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement and proving that our community would not be silenced. Pride was never just about celebration—it has always been about demanding our rights, standing up to oppression, and creating visibility for our communities. Today, we must carry that same spirit of defiance, especially as LGBTQ+ people continue to face political and social challenges.
Celebrating Pride in a Volatile Climate
The political landscape has grown increasingly hostile for the LGBTQ+ community, with antiLGBTQ+ legislation being introduced across the country. Trans rights, in particular, have become a battleground, with efforts to ban gender-affirming care, limit sports participation, and restrict education about queer identities in schools. The hateful rhetoric from certain political figures has only fueled this environment of division and fear.
Yet, in the face of these challenges, we must not back down. Pride festivals today are more than just colorful marches; they are acts of resistance. Our presence in the streets, our visibility, and our joy
are all forms of protest against a system that wants to erase us. Pride is a reminder that our community has survived through struggle, and we will continue to rise, fight, and thrive, even in the most difficult times.
Make Your Voice Heard: The Power of Voting
With a critical presidential election looming, the importance of Pride extends beyond the streets and into the voting booth. The rights we celebrate at Pride—our ability to marry, to live freely as our authentic selves, and to access healthcare—are all represented on the ballot. History shows us that political tides can turn quickly, and if we want to protect the progress we’ve made, we must be active participants in shaping our future.
Voting is one of the most powerful tools we have. It’s not just about electing officials who support LGBTQ+ rights; it’s about sending a message that we refuse to be pushed back into the shadows. Every vote is a voice, and in a political climate as volatile as ours, silence is not an option. We owe it to the LGBTQ+ pioneers who fought for our rights—and to future generations—to make our voices heard.
Pride is Both Celebration and Protest
As you take to the streets this Atlanta Pride, wear your rainbow with pride, dance with joy, and love freely. But remember that Pride is also a political act. Every time we gather in public, we assert our right to exist, to love, and to live authentically. Our joy is resistance. Our visibility is protest. And our celebration is a reminder that we will never be erased.
So, let’s celebrate with intention. Let’s remind ourselves that our history is rooted in resistance, and that while we’ve come a long way, the fight is far from over. And as we march, let’s remember that real change doesn’t just happen on the streets—it happens at the ballot box, too.
This Atlanta Pride, let’s make it clear: our voices, our votes, and our visibility matter. We’ve fought too hard to turn back now. Happy Pride!
Let’s Get Soaking Wet
By Tim Blankenship
URGE Miami Festival returns this Thanksgiving weekend with three massive nighttime events and two sizzling daytime fetes including the Royal Palm Pool Party and the legendary Beach Party on the sands of South Beach. The LGBTQ+ festival weekend will take place November 29-December 2 and will feature a list of the world’s most famous circuit DJs playing at the city’s most prestigious venues. “URGE is not only a music festival,” says one the event’s producers, Luis Morera. “Throughout the years, it has become a place where friends, old and new, meet up to celebrate gratitude. URGE offers a space like no other where everyone has the freedom to express themselves while dancing to the sounds of the greatest DJs of our time.”
One of the DJs at this year’s URGE Miami Festival will be gay influencer Eliad Cohen. He will spin the Saturday pool party at the weekend’s host hotel, The Royal Palm South Beach, alongside Yazz Burrell and DJ Jerac. The annual bash is one of URGE Festivals’ most anticipated events. We spoke with Eliad Cohen from his home in Miami.
You’re known as a model, actor, fashion designer and Papi party producer. When did you add DJ to your resume?
Music has always been a passion of mine, but while producing PAPA Parties, I couldn’t DJ since I had to manage the entire event—lights, visuals, opening shows, dancers, and coordinating the DJs. When Covid hit, I took the time to focus on music and started learning how to produce my own tracks.
How did you go about launching your DJing career?
Over the past few years, I’ve played at some massive events, like Rio New Year, Circuit Festival, and other big festivals around the world. However, I officially started releasing my own music last February, and since then, I’ve been putting out a new track every month. I already have seven songs out, which have collectively reached three million streams on Spotify. I’m incredibly grateful and happy with how things are progressing.
What excites you most about performing at the Urge Miami Festival this year?
I’ve been working with Urge Festival for twelve years now, and it’s always exciting to see the event grow each year. The festival attracts a beautiful crowd from all over the world, and I’m thrilled to be part of the celebration.
How does the energy at Urge Miami Festival compare with other festivals you’ve DJed at around the world?
Miami has a unique energy, and Urge Festival is no exception. The production is always top-notch, which makes it stand out compared to other events.
Can you tell us about any special tracks or mixes you’ve prepared specifically for this event?
I’m currently working on my first album and have five new tracks that I haven’t released yet. I’m super excited to debut some of them for the first time at Urge Festival.
Why is Miami the perfect city to celebrate Thanksgiving weekend?
The weather, the people, the locations... It’s Miami! It’s hard to find a better place to celebrate. I’ve been living in Miami for five years now, and the big festivals here, both gay and straight, have definitely influenced the sound and energy I bring to my sets.
As someone who’s been involved in the gay scene for some time, what does it mean to perform in front of your legions of fans?
It’s the best feeling ever to play my own music in front of my crowd. What’s even better is hearing them sing along to my original songs. Knowing they know the lyrics by heart—it means the world to me.
Tickets for Urge Miami Festival are available online at UrgeMiamiFestival.com
The Last Dance for Sunday Service
By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
All Photos Courtesy of Royce Soble
Documenting 14 years of Sunday Service
Se many more photos from 14 years of Sunday Service at DavidAtlanta.com. All photos courtesy of Royce Soble.
After over 14 years of monthly and seasonal Sunday parties at Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Bar, the revered Sunday Service, founded and hosted by Vicki Powell, is having its last dance at the close of this year’s Atlanta Pride festival. We spoke to Vicki about the significance of the longest-running queer party in Atlanta talked future plans for Vicki and the Deep South DJ collective.
Atlanta’s queer community had shock waves going through it when it was recently announced that the Pride Sunday Service party would also be the last. Can you share al little bit of background as to the impressive tenure and significance that this party has had in the last 14 years?
14 years ago, when Grant decided to open Church, I had a concept called “Sunday Service” that I thought would be perfect for the venue. At the time, I had a Sunday event on Edgewood at Noni’s called Sunsets. Initially, Grant wasn’t sure about having DJ’s at Church. He always envisioned Church being a dive bar with a jukebox and no TVs. With a bit of reluctance, he gave me the go ahead to try it out one Sunday, and it was an immediate success, so he agreed to have us back.
What elements do you think have contributed to the success of Sunday Service?
I believe the long-running success of the party has always been about the joy and fellowship that people felt during Sunday Service. It truly has been a place to celebrate queer joy and has never charged a cover. A true labor of love for the community. We are proud to have been the longest-running queer Sunday dance party in Atlanta.
Can you also share why you and the Deep South crew have chosen to end the party at Sister Louisa’s?
We as a collective h ave always been exploring new ideas and concepts, and as the party grew in size over the years, we had to make the difficult decision to pivot and evolve to support the comfort and integrity of our artistic vision. We realized that it was time to maybe reinvent our concept a little while still keeping the sense of community that a Deep South and Sunday Service party embodies. We will forever be grateful to Church for the space they have provided us for the past 14 years. Sunday Service can never be replaced, but because we are ending it on a high note, we have the best possible foundation to create a new party space out there. The dance floor lives on.
Looking back, what have been some of your favorite moments from the party in the last 14 years?
By far one of my favorite moments was Fred Schneider of the B-52’s walking in on Easter Sunday wearing a huge Easter Bonnet and dancing his ass off all night.
For this last dance for Sunday Service on Sunday, October 13 at Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living do you need a ticket for entry and when does it start? And what can we expect?
The party starts at 6 pm and it is free, but space is very limited so arrive early to secure entry. Please bring cash and be patient with the bar staff and each other. Tip well. Laugh. Love. Dance. Look out for one another, because it will be bumper to bumper on the dance floor.
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
Dini
BARS & CLUBS MIDTOWN
BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE
BULLDOGS
893 Peachtree St NE
FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl.com 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
CHESHIRE SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE ANSLEY
BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1000 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste A GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com
1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE FITNESS MIDTOWN
URBAN BODY FITNESS
urbanbody tness. com
500 Amsterdam Ave N
CHESHIRE GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com 2201 Faulkner Rd NE
SPAS/BATHS ADULT
FLEX SPA exspas.com 76 4th St NW
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’ Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page. Want to join in on the b*tch session? Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.
Hiiiii (with the intent of telling you that I’m flaking on our plans).
I SAID YES! I asked myself if I wanted to go to another concert!
I might have “stirred the pot”, but you’re the one that gave me the ingredients.
Watching an old person struggling with a jar and saying “allow me” just to tighten it even more.
Every day I arrive at work with good intentions and a great attitude. And then idiots happen.
Got hammered last night. Let’s see what we got cooking in the drafts.
I went to report a video, but there’s no “cringe” option, so I just picked terrorism.
Sorry I didn’t respond to your texts. I’m wearing nails for Pride.
