Official Charlotte Pride Guide 2014

Race to the Rainbow!

Welcome On behalf of Charlotte Pride, we would like to welcome you to the Queen City and the fourteenth annual Charlotte Pride Festival and second annual Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade. We have much to celebrate – last year’s phenomenal success of our inaugural parade was just the beginning! This year, our expanded PNC Bank Festival Zone has provided more room for small businesses, corporate partners and community organizations. The Wells Fargo Stage will host our biggest stars yet, LeAnn Rimes and Sevyn Streeter, as well as many other top-notch talents Charlotte Pride booked this year, many of whom are being presented by longtime Charlotte Pride sponsor The Scorpio.

Our Charlotte Pride VIP Experience, presented by Time Warner Cable, has also grown. Altogether, Charlotte Pride is growing like never before – because of community members just like you. We hope you’ll enjoy the event and join us at all the wonderful activities in the lead up to the festival and parade. If you’re new to Charlotte or a visitor, welcome!

Richard Grimstad 20134 Co-Director richard@charlottepride.org

Craig Hopkins

2014 Co-Director craig@charlottepride.org

Charlotte Pride Executive Committee & Board of Directors Richard Grimstad .......................... Co-Director Craig Hopkins ............................... Co-Director Tara Moser .................................... Treasurer Marshall Varner ............................. Secretary Dave Webb.................................... Parade Chair Gary Carpenter ............................. Community Development Co-Chair Ryan Kingston ............................... Community Development Vice-Chair Jonathan Hill ................................. Entertainment Co-Chair Douglas Lowe ............................... Entertainment Co-Chair Matt Comer ................................... Media, Marketing Chair Paul Kelly ...................................... Technology Chair Patrick Paige ................................. Operations Co-Chair Jeff Sampson ................................ Operations Co-Chair Marc Alexander ............................. Volunteer Chair

Charlotte Pride Committee Volunteers Board of Advisors .......................... Chris McCleod, Rosalyn Allison-Jacobs, Nina Lipton Champions of Pride ...................... Shane Windmeyer Development................................. Jamie Hildreth Entertainment ............................... Thom Hall, Jerry Reed Media & Marketing ....................... Kimberly Brent, Stephanie Dula Operations .................................... Robert Ervine, Riley Murray, Billy Reasor, Kyle Snipe, Che Shearin Parade .......................................... Natisha Griffin Pride Guide Design ....................... Tommy Feldman Vendor Coordinator ....................... Donna Fischer VIP ................................................ Brian Griffith Volunteers ..................................... Neil MacAulay, Richard Moss, Mark Muzzio

Charlotte Pride, Inc. PO Box 32362, Charlotte, NC 28232 charlottepride.org Charlotte Pride is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Charlotte Pride extends a special thank you and note of gratitude to the staff and congregation of Caldwell Presbyterian Church for their continued hospitality in hosting our organization’s meetings and other events.

Welcome Dear Charlotte Pride Attendees, Welcome to Charlotte! On behalf of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) and the Charlotte community, we are honored and privileged to host such a vibrant event that celebrates the LGBT community here. We send the warmest welcome to attendees, organizers and guests who will be joining us for the Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade August 16 - 17.

With so much to explore in Charlotte, you will be captivated by the cultural, entertainment and dining options that abound in our thriving cityscape. During your visit, I encourage you to make a pit stop at some of our finest attractions like the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Levine Center for the Arts, and Discovery Place to experience the people and places that make our city shine.

The Charlotte community holds events like Charlotte Pride in high esteem, and we’re looking forward to showing you the southern hospitality we’ve become so well known for. We hope you enjoy your time celebrating this event in the Queen City and wish you many happy returns.

Sincerely, Tom Murray, CEO Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA)

Sponsors Presenting Sponsors Presenting the Wells Fargo Stage

Presenting the Charlotte Pride VIP Experience

Presenting entertainers Sevyn Streeter and RuPaul’s Drag Race

Presenting the PNC Bank Festival Zone

Presenting the Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade

Sponsors Leadership Sponsors

Visibility Sponsors

Equality Sponsors

Sponsors Empowerment Sponsors

Creativity Partners

Media Partners

To learn more about becoming a Charlotte Pride sponsor for future events, please visit charlottepride.org/sponsors/.

Charlotte Pride 2014

Race to the Rainbow!

Miss Charlotte Pride 2014 Kassandra Hylton and Miss Charlotte Black Gay Pride 2014 Carrie Chanel

Members of the Charlotte Pride Planning Team race to enjoy all Charlotte Pride 2014 has to offer!

Miss Charlotte Pride 2014 Kassandra Hylton

1st Runner up to Miss Charlotte Pride 2014 Bella Nichole Jade

Miss Charlotte Black Gay Pride 2014 Carrie Chanel

Faces of Pride Faces of Diversity is an international art enterprise that breaks down stereotypes using art. As part of Charlotte Pride’s community development initiative, Faces of Diversity will be used to encourage respectful dialogue and understanding among the LGBTQ and ally community. Artist Edwin Gil will collect over 10,000 thumbprints from festival attendees to create a 16-foot by 8-foot collage. He will also be collecting pictures and individual stories to incorporate into his “Faces of Diversity” project, which celebrates the endless depth of experiences in communities around the world.

“Faces of Diversity Charlotte Pride will join the other 10 “faces” around the globe and the more than 10,000 thumbprints and numerous heartwarming stories that make up this project,” says Gil. “It’s a great honor as an artist and gay man to support the community in which I live and work.” The collage is modeled after the winner of the “Face of Pride” social media photo contest, which ran from July 28 - Aug. 8, 2014.

This project is made possible, in part, with funding from the Arts & Science Council, the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art. www.facebook.com/FacesOfDiversity www.artsandscience.org/ Learn more about the project and see a gallery of Face of Pride contest submissions online at charlottepride.org/faceofpride/.

PNC Bank

Festival Zone Attractions Family Zone Tryon St., between 3rd & MLK Stop by the family zone for kid-friendly games and fun times, including interactive activities from Discovery Place on Saturday, Noon-6 p.m.

Campus Pride LGBT-Friendly College Fair Levine Avenue of the Arts Learn more about LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities across the region and nation. Learn more at campuspride.org.

Know Your Status & Learn More Tryon St., between MLK and Levine Be sure to stop by our various HIV/AIDS service organizations and educational groups to get tested and learn more about HIV awareness, prevention and treatment.

Food Court Tryon St. at 4th St. Charlotte Pride has an expanded and more friendly food court this year, with abundant seating and more food options.

Bud Light Experience 3rd St. “The Perfect Beer for Whatever Happens� campaign to stock an entire town with people who are - you guessed it - up for whatever. Bud Light will be at Charlotte Pride collecting auditions at the Bud Light Experience.

Build A Bar MLK Blvd.

Grab a seat in the shade and a cool drink while you take a break from all the festival fun. But, be sure to get re-energized quick!

Coutdown to Pride

Charlotte Pride Week August 8 Charlotte Pride Youth Dance 7:30 p.m.

LGBT Center

August 10 Buff Faye’s Sunday Drag Brunch Noon Cathode Azure

Pride Interfaith Service August 9 Charlotte Roller Girls 5:30 p.m.

Grady Cole Center

4 p.m.

Caldwell Presbyterian Church

August 14 Young At Heart Lunch Noon Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

A Night at the Museum, Sip and Play 2014 Presented by Charlotte Black Gay Pride 7 p.m.

McColl Center for Visual Art

SHIPROCKED! With Cakes Da Killa, ANGI3 & Bethannn Phetamine 10 p.m.

Snug Harbor

GET MORE DETAILS about these events and more in our online calendar at charlottepride.org/calendar/.

Coutdown to Pride

Charlotte Pride Week August 15 Science on the rock 5 p.m.-9p.m.

Discovery Place

Pride Basketball Game 5 p.m.

Naomi Drenan Recreation Center

Golds Gym Elite “Body Attack on Hate Live 2014” 5:30 p.m.

Golds Gym Epicenter

Charlotte Pride Takeover 7 p.m.

The Westin

Buff Faye’s I Dream in Color Pride Party Bus 7:30 p.m.

(Begins at The Bar at 316)

Electric Rainbow Carnival 9 p.m., L4 Lounge

August 16

Charlotte Pride Festival Noon-10 p.m.

Campus Pride LGBT Friendly College Fair 1-4 p.m.

PNC Bank Festival Zone

Official Charlotte Pride After Party With Sevyn Streeter & Bianca Del Rio 10 p.m.

The Scorpio

Glitter Girl 10 p.m., L4 Lounge

August 17

Charlotte Pride Festival Noon-6 p.m.

Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade 1-3 p.m.

DragOn In Pride Party 6 p.m., Petra’s

Worship & Reception 7 p.m.

New Life Metropolitan Community Church

Official Charlotte Pride After Party

10 p.m., Petra’s

With Sharon Needles & Alyssa Edwards 9 p.m.

The Scorpio

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

$2 off admission all day

$2 off admission all day

Mirror Moves

Rocky Horror Pride Show 11:30 p.m.

Cinebarre at the Arboretum

GET MORE DETAILS

about these events and more in our online calendar at charlottepride.org/calendar/.

Festival Map and Parade Route

Charlotte Pride

VIP Experience presented by Time Warner Cable VIP Passes are available for $125 each! Limited quantities are available for pre-purchase online at charlottepride.org/vip/. Don’t wait! Only a limited number will be available the day of the event.

Charlotte Pride is the largest opportunity for local LGBTQ and ally organizations and businesses to gain exposure. The annual event is made possible by the generous support of corporate and community sponsors, donors and people like you. Proceeds from your VIP pass purchases help sustain our operations and make Charlotte Pride the biggest, brightest and best LGBTQ celebration between Atlanta and Washington, D.C.!

VIP pass holders receive exclusive access to the Time Warner Cable VIP Lounge during the two-day event, Aug. 16-17, including all of these great perks: • • • • • • • •

Complimentary Beer and Wine Reserved outdoor restrooms DJ Entertainment VIP Gift Package** Meet and Greets*** Exclusive Access to VIP Stage Viewing Area Exclusive Access to the Charlotte Pride Parade VIP Viewing Area Delicious food provided by Your Custom Catering & Events, LLC

** Subject to availability and while quantities last. *** Meet & Greets in VIP subject to change and/or cancellation; Charlotte Pride makes no guarantee as to which entertainers may make appearances and is unable to publish times for specific appearances in VIP. The VIP Meet & Greet explicitly excludes LeAnn Rimes.

2014 of Pride Champions

Tonda Taylor Harvey Milk Award Tonda Taylor is a Charlotte native who in 1991 founded Time Out Youth, a support and advocacy organization in Charlotte for LGBTQ youth. For the next 14 years she worked as executive director of the organization. With the help of the brave gay and straight Board Members and staff, and the inspiration and courage of the youth members, together they created the organization that Tonda wished had been here when she was growing up.

The Rev. Dr. Nancy Kraft Outstanding Ally Award The Rev. Dr. Nancy Kraft has served as pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood since 2005. As pastor, she has sought full participation for LGBTQ members on a denominational level and they have been the home for Time Out Youth. Currently, Kraft is challenging religious discrimination against same-gender couples who wish to be married in her congregation as one of the clergy plaintiffs in the General Synod of the United Church of Christ v. Cooper lawsuit.

Andraya Williams Young Catalyst Award Andraya Williams is a Charlotte native and, at the age of 22, has become a leading voice for change and inclusion, speaking with courage and conviction this year after facing anti-transgender intimidation and discrimination as a student at Central Piedmont Community College, spawning student-led movements to increase inclusion.

LEARN MORE about our Champions at charlottepride.org/champions/

Bank of America

Charlotte Pride Parade Charlotte Pride Parade For the second year, the Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade returns to Uptown Charlotte. The event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 17, 1-3 p.m., marching down Tryon St. and through Independence Square, where parade emcees and judges will host the parade. For more information on the parade, visit charlottepride.org/parade/

Grand Marshals The Hon. Patsy Kinsey Charlotte City Council, District 1 Patsy Kinsey is serving her sixth term as a member of Charlotte City Council from District 1. In July 2013, Kinsey became Charlotte’s second female mayor after being appointed to the office by her colleagues on City Council to serve out the remaining term of former Mayor Anthony Foxx from July to December 2013. Foxx had resigned his post as Mayor to serve as U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Kinsey was the first Charlotte mayor to ride in the Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade and to issue a Charlotte Pride Weekend mayoral proclamation.

The Hon. LaWana Mayfield Charlotte City Council, District 3 LaWana Mayfield represents District 3 on Charlotte City Council. She was elected in 2011 as the city’s first openly LGBT elected official. She is serving in her second term. Mayfield has long been involved in community organizing and advocacy, chairing the Youth and Gang Violence subcommittee of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee, serving as a steering committee member with the Mecklenburg LGBT Political Action Committee and as a community advocate with the Charlotte Community Justice Coalition.

StageSchedule Saturday, Aug. 16 1pm 2pm 3pm 4:30pm 5pm 6pm 7pm 7:30pm 8pm 9pm

Miami Dice SHIPROCKED! Blake Lewis DJ Ghost The Scorpio with Bianca Del Rio and Alyssa Edwards Eryn Woods & Pastele Luciana Rye Rye Sevyn Streeter Block Party

Sunday, Aug. 17 3pm 4pm 5pm

The Reason You Stayed LeAnn Rimes The Scorpio with Sharon Needles and Alyssa Edwards

2014 Charlotte Pride Emcees

Roxy C. Moorecox

Big Mamma D

Joanne Spataro

Read more detailed bios about each of our emcees and entertainers at charlottepride.org/entertainment/

Wells Fargo Stage

Entertainers LeAnn Rimes Headlining the Wells Fargo Stage Sunday, Aug. 17, 4 p.m.

Presented by Charlotte Pride

LeAnn Rimes made her breakthrough into Country music in 1996 with her debut album, Blue, which reached number one on the Top Country Albums chart and was certified multiplatinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album’s eponymous leadoff single, “Blue,” became a Top 10 hit and Rimes gained national acclaim for her similarity to Patsy Cline’s vocal style. When she released her sophomore studio effort in 1997, You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs, she moved towards Country Pop material, which set the trend for a string of albums released into the next decade. Rimes has won multiple awards, including two Grammys, three awards from the Academy of Country Music, an award from the Country Music Association, 12 Billboard Music Awards and one American Music award. She has released ten studio albums and three compilation albums and two greatest hits albums, one released in the U.S. and the other released internationally, and placed over 40 singles on American and international charts since 1996. She has sold over 37 million records worldwide, with 20.3 million album sales in the U.S. according to Nielsen SoundScan. Billboard ranked her 17th artist of the 1990-00 decade.

In 2011, Rimes released Lady & Gentleman, an album covering popular songs from singers like Vince Gill, who co-produced the album, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings. Her latest album, Spitfire, was released in 2013, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart.

Wells Fargo Stage

Entertainers Sevyn Streeter Headlining the Wells Fargo Stage Saturday, Aug. 16, 8 p.m., Presented by The Scorpio

“Music is emotional. Your job is to make people feel something. The best way to do that is to sing and speak from something they’ve personally been through.

That’s where I write from,” Amber ‘Sevyn’ Streeter says.

The 28-year-old has already lent her pen to tracks for an elite roster of R&B players including Chris Brown, Brandy, Kelly Rowland, Alicia Keys, Ariana Grande and Estelle.

She wrote some of Brown’s hits like “Yeah (3X),” “Next To You (featuring Justin Bieber),”, “Fine China” and Ariana Grande’s Top 10 breakthrough “The Way” (feat.

Mac Miller). She was awarded with several ASCAP awards for her work.

Aside from the work she’s done with other artists, Sevyn has made a name for herself with hits including her breakout single “It Won’t Stop” which was a mainstay atop urban radio airplay charts nationwide and number one for 9 consecutive weeks. Her current single “nEXt” featuring Kid Ink brought in over a million views in the first three days of its release.

She’s appeared on various stages across the nation including the Essence Music Festival, BET awards, Arsenio Hall show, VH1 morning buzz, as well MTV, Revolt, and Fuse.

Her EP, “Call Me Crazy, But...” was released to fans last year and she’s currently in the studio working on her debut album.

Wells Fargo Stage

Entertainers Luciana

Headlining the Wells Fargo Stage Saturday, Aug. 16, 7 p.m.

Luciana, “The Queen of Electro” is one of the world’s most prolific electronic & commercial music recording artists. She has stood at the forefront of the electro nu-wave movement with a supercharged sound that has infiltrated dance floors across the globe, particularly the United States where she consistently rises to the top of the Billboard dance charts.

Blake Lewis

Headlining the Wells Fargo Stage Saturday, Aug. 16, 3 p.m.

Anyone who tuned in to season six of American Idol knew to expect the unexpected of Blake Lewis. The Washington native, who admitted he hadn’t watched a single episode before auditioning in Seattle, arrived in Hollywood without a hint of a plan, other than to be himself. Yet through talent, instinct, creativity and unapologetic brashness, Blake managed to make it all the way to the finale as the first runner-up to Jordin Sparks, each week showcasing a different side to his endlessly eclectic musical identity. Two years later, the beatboxing extraordinaire released a fully realized follow-up to his 2007 debut, Audio Day Dream, which sold more than 350,000 copies.

RuPaul’sDrag Race Presented by The Scorpio Bianca Del Rio - Saturday Aug. 16, 5pm Self-proclaimed as a “clown in a dress” Bianca Del Rio (Roy Haylock), Season 6 winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, emerged on the New Orleans’ gay entertainment scene in 1998 and nearly immediately became a premiere nightlife entertainer. As an experienced costume designer, comic and theatrical performer, Roy seamlessly merged his multifaceted talents to create the beloved Drag Queen persona, Bianca Del Rio. Sharon Needles - Sunday Aug. 17, 5pm The reigning season four winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race and professor on RuPaul’s Drag U, Sharon Needles has performed throughout North America on an eighty-city tour, popping out of caskets everywhere. Needles went on to host Logo TV’s weekly horror picture show FEARce! She announced a forty-city world tour, extending her “Every Night is Halloween Ball” into Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States in 2013. Sharon Needles remains on the cusp of an international career as a performer, model, and songwriter.

Alyssa Edwards - Saturday Aug. 16, 5pm Alyssa Edwards is the drag mother of fellow RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Shangela. Edwards appeared in the 2008 documentary Pageant. In November 2012, Logo announced that Alyssa Edwards was among 14 drag queens who would be competing on the fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Also on the show was former friend and pageant rival, Coco Montrese. As part of the show, Edwards sang on the “We Are the World”-inspired song “Can I Get an Amen?” The song’s proceeds helped benefit the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. Her mantra is “Imagine, Create and Inspire! Don’t Dream It...Be it!”

The ScorpioReview The Scorpio Review - Saturday Aug. 16, 5pm & - Sunday Aug. 17, 5pm The Scorpio is Charlotte’s longest running nightclub complex (46 years) catering to the LGBTQ community. The doors are open to all. The Scorpio is home of the legendary Miss Gay NC America Pageant, one of the most prestigious state preliminaries of the Miss Gay America pageant system. The club is rich in history and has been supporting many local LGBT organizations through it’s long standing, proud existence. Immensely proud of it’s many awards and commendations throughout the years, which can be seen on display in the fabulous, shining, lobby trophy case.

The Scorpio continues to offer a great high energy dance experience as well as the best shows for the gay community around. You can see the best in national titleholders and reality TV show entertainers as well as the best in local female impersonation. The club features four bars and two dance floors with the best up to date light system on the main dance floor, in the Southeast!

It is with this success and high standards that the Scorpio is proud to present some of the finest entertainers from RuPaul’s Drag Race which airs on the Logo Channel.

On the Wells Fargo Stage this year, host Tiffany Storm and DJ Ghost will review the best of the best of The Scorpio, featuring entertainers from RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Wells Fargo Stage

Entertainers Rye Rye - Saturday Aug. 16, 7:30pm Performing since the age of 16, this Hip Hop star is moving and shaking, with her April 2012 single ‚“Boom Boom,” reaching number eight on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs.

Eryn Woods - Saturday Aug. 16, 6pm With her unique style and youthful voice, singer Eryn Woods is ready to dominate the world with her eclectic brand of pop punk.

Pastele - Saturday Aug. 16, 6pm Pastele is an edgy hybrid of reggae pop and indie art, and draws her inspiration from disparate influences such as Gwen Stefani and Andy Warhol, Bruno Mars and Keith Herring.

SHIPROCKED! - Saturday Aug. 16, 2pm For seven years, SHIPROCKED! has been the wildest weekly event in underground Charlotte. Every Thursday night at Snug Harbor, host and D.J. Scott Weaver spins a killer variety of rock & roll and dance music and a cast of hot go-go pirates gyrate the night away!

Miami Dice - Saturday Aug. 16, 1pm An Italo disco-influenced dance project, Miami Dice incorporates vintage synth sounds, laid-back beats, minimal vocals and a vibe that evokes the neon-lit after-hours world of the late 70’s and early 80’s.

The Reason You Stayed - Sunday Aug. 17, 3pm The Reason You Stayed, an all girl rock band, formed in 2013 through Ballantyne School of Music.

charlottepride.org