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Friday, August 23, 2024

Mariah Hanson Talks The Dinah Inspiring Women (AUDIO)


 





In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Mariah Hanson, founder and producer of The Dinah the most renowned annual music festival for queer women that’s celebrating its 33rd year and takes place September 25th through September 29th in Palm Springs, CA. The Dinah is continuing its legend with a show-stopping entertainment line-up at one of Palm Springs’ most historic hotels the Margaritaville formerly The Riviera. This glamorous venue will host The Black and White Ball in the Grand Ballroom Friday night September 27th with award-winning artist Lauren Jauregui the multi-platinum Cuban American singer-songwriter and former member of girl group Fifth Harmony. Then on Saturday night September 28th performing at The Hollywood Party is the multi-talented Brooklyn native Iniko who will take center stage as a proud non-binary artist. Iniko uses their music on behalf of the queer community after rising to fame in 2018 and amassing a huge following on TikTok crossing the 4 million follower mark. Iniko’s songs “The King’s Affirmation” and “Jericho” achieved viral success by reaching over 25 million Spotify streams. That success led to a nomination for Outstanding Music Artist at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards and a Billboard chart debut. Also bringing glitz and glamour to the Dinah’s Hollywood Party is Lauren Sanderson. Of course during the daytime there will be The Dinah’s legendary pool parties showcasing a string of galvanizing queer emerging performers. Whitney Peyton the multi-Billboard-charting, Grammy Award Winning contributing rapper, songwriter and performer will kick off the pool party weekend series Friday afternoon September 27th. The Dinah will also present world-famous DJs, go-go dancers, red carpet events with celebrity guests, dance parties, meet & greets and so much more. We talked to Mariah about what she hopes to accomplish with The Dinah this year and her spin on our LGBTQ issues. 

Mariah Hanson continues to utilize The Dinah as a platform to mobilize our LGBTQ community around humanitarian and social issues especially during this crucial election year. An exemplary community leader she has single-handedly revolutionized her industry, overturned tradition and raised the bar on female achievement with an event that is entirely produced by women for women. OUTTAKE MEDIA has been a proud Media Sponsor of The Dinah for the last eight years. For More Info & Tix…





 
 
 




Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Toni Cannon Talks Circus Bella 15th Park Season (AUDIO)


 





In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with transgender acrobat Toni Cannon about Circus Bella's new show "WOW!" that’s happening now through July 20th celebrating its 15th annual Circus in the Parks Season in San Francisco, CA. This fabulous exhilarating show that launched last month continues to delight and astonish audiences of all ages. Experience the mesmerizing magic of "WOW!" offering a modern twist on one-ring circus and presenting a captivating blend of circus enchantment and madcap mayhem. Circus Bella’s diverse troupe of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and clowns from the Bay Area and beyond performs to the lively tunes of Rob Reich and the 6-piece Circus Bella All-Star Band. Circus Bella thrives in its mission to produce and present high-quality Circus Arts entertainment accessible to all audiences. Their vision is to be a classical circus attuned to the present. They pursue excellence in a modern one-ring circus combining past traditions with forward-thinking sensibilities and flair. Circus Bella honors diversity and universal human potential as a proud member of the multinational circus community. In celebrating the beauty of circus art they delight in unifying people with experiences that cross age, culture and language barriers with joyous performances. Circus Bella new show "WOW!" is written and directed by Abigail Munn with music composed by Rob Reich and costumes by Autumn Adamme. We talked to Toni about what he hopes to accomplish performing with Circus Bella and his spin on our LGBTQ issues. 

Toni Cannon is consistently working on finding new ways to express himself through acrobatics. He finds the challenge thrilling and very relatable to life’s challenges. Toni started his circus career later in life however that didn’t stop him from diving deep into his newfound love and passion. He has been lucky enough to train under some great coaches like Master Lu Yi and Dominik Wyss learning disciplines like Chinese pole, partner acrobatics and Hand-to-hand. He has been a part of some amazing companies and productions like Topsy Turvy Circus and Circus Bella where he also performs during their Winter Big Top Spectacular “Kaleidoscope” coming in December. Don’t miss "WOW!" the 15th annual Circus Bella Park Season now through July 20th. Performances run approximately 60 minutes and are free to the public but bring picnic blankets and small folding chairs to all locations since Circus Bella does not provide audience seating at events.    For More Info… 





 
 
 

Monday, June 24, 2024

LGBTQ Filmmakers Talk Diversity In Provincetown (AUDIO)


 









In this exclusive audio montage Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with filmmakers at the 26th annual Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) press luncheon that took place at the Boatslip Resort & Beach Club in Provincetown, MA. First we talked to director Stephen Soucy about his documentary “Merchant Ivory” that pulls back the curtain on the fascinating lives of filmmakers Ismail Merchant and James Ivory. Their unique partnership on and off the camera produced 43 groundbreaking films over 4 decades that left an indelible mark on the LGBTQ and arthouse cinema. The documentary features interviews with Vanessa Redgrave, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Helena Bonham Carter and many others who were lucky enough to move in the orbit of Merchant and Ivory’s fabulous filmmaking. Next we chatted with director Fawzia Mirza and producer Andria Wilson Mirza about their feature film “The Queen of My Dreams”. The film is about a Pakistani Canadian woman who has had a strained relationship with her parents since coming out as lesbian and undergoes an emotional journey after the sudden unexpected death of her father. Her grief plunges her into a Bollywood-style examination of her family’s past and present. Then we talked with director Taylor James, actor Kanoa Goo and producer Katie White about their short film “ILY, BYE” about when an unemployed, down on her luck woman (Megan Stalter) gets a life-changing job opportunity but she can't seem to get her foot out of her mouth long enough to get her foot in the door. 
Next we talked to Tyler C. Peterson about his short film “Stan Behavior” about a drag queen (Ginger Minj) embarking on a quest for better workplace rights but finds herself in a dicey situation when her new lawyer (Yvonne Zima) a tone-deaf straight woman is revealed to be a drag super stan. Then we talked with director Sarah McCarron and music producer Rascal Miles about their short film “The Bend” about a trans man migrating from Tennessee to Minneapolis who gets stranded in rural Wisconsin and encounters a fisherman. We then chatted with director Marco Calvani about his feature film “High Tide” that was shot in Provincetown about an undocumented Brazilian immigrant searching for purpose when he encounters Maurice creating a memorable tribute to love and loss. We concluded our conversation with veteran producer Christine Vachon who produced the 2023 Oscar nominated film “Past Lives” about what films she has coming down the pike. We also talked with all the filmmakers about their spin on our LGBTQ issues as we approach the crucial 2024 presidential election. 
The Provincetown Film Society, Inc. (PFS) is a non-profit year-round organization and home of the Provincetown International Film Festival. PIFF creates a unique international platform for the west and east coast entertainment industry to experience the diversity and community of Provincetown. PFS is also dedicated to showcasing the work of acclaimed and emerging directors, producers and actors. For Info…

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Kristen Lovell Talks Stonewall Riots Reenactment (AUDIO)


 





In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with filmmaker Kristen Lovell about the historic Stonewall Riots Reenactment that takes place on June 29th at the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The reenactment is part of a floor to ceiling interactive Stonewall Inn Bar installation that runs now through September 2nd 2024 before kicking off a national tour. Lovell of HBO's “The Stroll" will portray Gay Liberation Activist Marsha P. Johnson for the reenactment. Johnson was one of the prominent figures in the Stonewall uprising of June 28th 1969 when police raided the establishment resulting in arrests, riots and fire sparking the global LGBTQ human rights movement. Johnson was a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) and co-founded the radical activist group Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) alongside close friend Sylvia Rivera. For the first time NYC’s iconic Stonewall Inn will become a nationwide traveling time machine and the set of the historic Stonewall New York Experience reenactment on Saturday June 29th from 4:30P to 7P with local police and other community members playing a role in the reenactment. Visitors are also asked to dress in their 1960s best and consider wearing gender bending clothing which was illegal in 1969. The Stonewall New York Experience was created to remind us all how important bars like the Stonewall Inn and bar culture are to our LGBTQ community. Many of these establishments were a safe haven, others a place to forge friendships, find love and enjoy the freedom of acceptance. As the beloved Stonewall Inn burned to the ground the Stonewall Riots ignited a united front to ban together, to fight together for the indelible human rights that unfortunately many take for granted. We talked to Kristen about what she hopes to accomplish with this historic Stonewall Riots reenactment and give us her spin on our LGBTQ issues. 

Kristen Lovell is a trans rights activist, filmmaker and former sex worker. After experiencing homelessness as a teenager in NYC during the late 1990s and early 2000s she went on to work for various organizations advocating for the rights of trans people and sex workers. After studying filmmaking at Lincoln Center she went on to co-direct the documentary film “The Stroll” currently streaming on MAX based in part on her experiences. For over 50 years the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in Fort Lauderdale has tirelessly fought to tell the stories of our LGBTQ community ensuring it holds its place in the historic record. For More Info… 




 
 
 


Monday, April 29, 2024

Alison Burgos Talks Girls In Wonderland Weekend (AUDIO)


 





In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Alison Burgos about the 23rd anniversary of Girls In Wonderland that takes place May 30th through June 3rd in Orlando, Florida. Girls In Wonderland was founded in 2000 by the trio Amy Alonso, Yesenia Leon and Burgos the women behind Pandora Events. This powerhouse lesbian event production company from South Beach has created and produced some of the hottest LGBTQ soirées and music festivals in the US. In a little over two decades the iconic event has become a force on its own with over 10,000 attendees coming from near and far representing all colors of the rainbow and taking over a 700-room resort. The event brings together some of the most influential LGBTQ artists, celebrities, athletes, influencers and changemakers from around the country including Leisha Hailey, Kate Moennig, Fortune Feimster and Chante Wayans to name a few. This year’s event kicks off with a Welcome Happy Hour on Thursday May 30th from 6P to 8P for a mix and mingle with live music by Deb Hundseder followed by the Traffic Jam opening party with special guest DJs Pat Pat, Dlux & Zehno. Friday begins with the Wet Pool Party with Chloe Star performing live, followed by Citizen Jane performance at the L-Lounge Happy Hour and then comedian Kristin Key takes the stage who has appeared at The Improv and on the series Last Comic Standing and Bring the Funny. Friday concludes with Snow Tha Product performance and then the Afterhours Afterglow Party. There will be more epic pool parties and fabulous events throughout the weekend. We talked to Alison about what she hopes to accomplish with Girls In Wonderland this year and her spin on our LGBTQ issues. 

Alison Burgos has been a luminary in celebrating lesbian culture, creating spaces like Girls In Wonderland in Orlando, Aqua Girl and the Women’s White Party. Alison's role in advocacy is as dynamic as her event planning. She was a guiding force on the National Advisory Council for the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and takes on leadership roles as the Vice Chair of the Kindred Pride Foundation. Pandora Events commitment to advocacy continues donating over $30,000 each year to support our LGBTQ community including Aqua Foundation for Women, HRC, Care Resource, NVEEE and the National LGBTQ Task Force. For More Info & Tix…


 
 
 

Friday, April 19, 2024

LGBTQ Leaders & Advocates Talk New Title IX Rule (AUDIO)


 

 

 



In this exclusive audio podcast Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ participated in a virtual press briefing with LGBTQ leaders, legal experts, civil rights leaders and student advocates about the implications of the highly anticipated release of the new Title IX rule. Today the U.S. Department of Education published its final regulatory updates that clarify Title IX protections for LGBTQ students, student survivors of sexual assault and pregnant and parenting students. Consistent with the reasoning of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Bostock v. Clayton County decision in 2020 the Department now clarifies that harassment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics violates Title IX’s mandate for federally funded schools to prohibit sex discrimination. In March 2021 President Biden issued Executive Order 14021 beginning the process of undoing the Trump administration’s harmful actions undermining Title IX and protections for LGBTQ students and sexual assault survivors. In this virtual press briefing Shiwali Patel, Director of Justice for Student Survivors and Senior Counsel, National Women’s Law Center conducted this intimate informative session joined by Brandon Wolf, Human Rights Campaign, National Press Secretary, Olivia Hunt, National Center for Transgender Equality Policy Director, Kenyora Parham, End Rape on Campus CEO, Kel O’Hara, Equal Rights Advocates Senior Attorney, Emily Bach & Andrew Davis who are student organizers with Know Your IX A which is a project of advocates for youth and concluded with Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, GLSEN’s Executive Director. 

As we celebrate this important milestone to protect our LGBTQ youth there’s still much more work to be done. Schools have also been hampered by extremist efforts at the state and local level to target LGBTQ youth especially transgender, nonbinary and gender-expansive youth. This year alone we’re already dealing with more than 470 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures nationwide mostly targeting our transgender youth. The new Title IX Ruling also does not protect the rights of transgender athletes to play and be part of a team. Every student including LGBTQ students should have equal access to educational opportunities throughout the entirety of their school experience. For More Info…


Friday, March 22, 2024

Author Rossi Talks Punk Rock Queen of the Jews (AUDIO)


 





In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with author Rossi about her new memoir “The Punk Rock Queen of the Jews” published by She Writes Press to be released on April 23rd. “The Punk Rock Queen of the Jews” is filled with fabulous rich characters, hilarious dialogue and takes the reader on a ride into a secretive oppressive Jewish Orthodox world and beyond. Rossi grew up in New Jersey where she was expected to just marry a nice Jewish boy and to be a good kosher Jewish girl but by the age of 16 the rebellious Rossi was more interested in exploring the punk rock scene of the 80’s and her sexuality. Then her adventure seeking days came to a screeching halt when her parents kidnapped her and dumped her with a Hasidic rabbi known for reforming wayward Jewish girls in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Rossi was forced to relinquish her pink hair and Sex Pistols T-shirt for maxi skirts and long-sleeved blouses in this repressive, misogynistic culture straight out of the nineteenth century where she endured not only bone-crushing boredom but also outright abuse and violence. Fortunately Rossi knew there was a better future for her as she broke free from her oppressors and made her way to NYC where she thrived. Beginning as a bartender the opportunity arose in the catering industry as she talked her way into any cooking job she could get. Rossi a self-taught chef and self-made entrepreneur ended up launching The Raging Skillet one of the most sought-after catering companies in NYC that Zagat dubbed as “the wildest thing this side of the Mason-Dixon Line”. We talked to Rossi about her inspiration for writing “The Punk Rock Queen of the Jews” and her spin on our LGBTQ issues. 

Rossi is the catering director, owner and executive chef of The Raging Skillet for over three decades. She has earned a reputation as the go-to company for out-of-the-box catering and weddings. The Raging Skillet has been voted one of New York's Top Five Wedding Caterers by The Knot from 2009 through 2023. Her first memoir, “The Raging Skillet: The True Life Story of Chef Rossi” was published by The Feminist Press in 2015 and turned into a stage production “Raging Skillet” by playwright Jacques Lamarre that toured nationally. Currently Rossi has written two full-length plays, a number of one-act comedies, a one-woman stage adaptation of Queen of the Jews and numerous screenplays.       For More Info…


 
 

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Ann Hampton Callaway Talks BGMC Concert (AUDIO)


 





In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway about her performance with the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) at Jordan Hall in Boston, MA. The concert entitled "Melodies for a Movement" highlights the "Tyler’s Suite" that sheds light on the devastating impact of cyber-harassment and bullying that our LGBTQ youth continue to face. Tyler Clementi was the accomplished violinist who took his life in 2010 after being cyber-bullied by his Rutgers roommate for being gay. This powerful performance will feature a suite in nine movements for chorus with a solo violin performance dedicated to the memory of Tyler Clementi. The "Tyler’s Suite" was created under the leadership of Composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin) and explores the voices and experiences of Tyler and his family through the music of eleven of today’s top composers including Ann Hampton Callaway. "Melodies for a Movement" also features a cabaret set by Callaway one of America's most gifted and prolific artists. Through the stirring composition of "Tyler’s Suite" and the mesmerizing performance by Ann Hampton Callaway this fabulous concert event will evoke empathy, foster understanding and promote acceptance. Especially in these difficult times with over 600 anti LGBTQ bills in states across the country, women's rights continue to be on the chopping block, antisemitism and hate crimes on the rise all as we head toward the 2024 presidential election. We talked to Ann about what she hopes to accomplish with her music and her spin on our LGBTQ issues. 

Ann Hampton Callaway is one of America’s most gifted artists in pop and jazz. A leading champion of the great American Songbook she’s made her mark as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer. Voted by Broadway World as “Celebrity of the Year” and two years in a row as “Best Jazz Vocalist” Ann is a born entertainer. She is best known for Tony-nominated performance in the hit Broadway musical “Swing!” and for writing and singing the theme song to the hit TV series “The Nanny.” Her latest CD “Finding Beauty, Originals Volume 1” premiered number 1 in Jazz on Amazon. Currently Ann is working on “Finding Beauty, Originals Volume 2”. The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus founded in 1982 is one of New England’s largest and most successful community-based choruses consisting of over 200 voices. "Melodies for a Movement" honors Tyler Clementi's memory while igniting the flame of positive change to build a world where every individual is cherished for exactly who they are. For More Info & Tix...

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Jason A. Rodriguez Talks New Way Vogue Events (AUDIO)


 




In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with dancer/actor Jason A. Rodriguez at the 2024 National LGBTQ Task Force Creating Change Conference that took place in New Orleans, LA. Creating Change is the foremost political, leadership and skills-building conference for our LGBTQ social justice movement. There are also fun events especially when Jason A. Rodriguez the talented dancer/actor from the hit FX series “Pose” presented a workshop on the history, importance and elements of Vogue. This year’s conference theme was “Queer Power, Action & Joy” and Jason delivered the joy conducting workshops on New Way Vogue. Jason who played Lamar on “Pose” also served as the movement coach for all three seasons. Currently Rodriguez conducts New Way Vogue classes at the Ailey Studios in NYC. The workshops Jason led at the Creating Change Conference gave the attendees an opportunity to learn the three styles of Voguing. Stretch and precision are key to New Way Vogue allowing the voguers to show off contorted and flexible poses with precision and grace. It’s all accomplished by learning arm controls to show off your control of creating lines, shapes, illusions and face framing movements to the beat of the music in addition to poses, floor work, cat walks, duck walks and dips. Jason also served as one of the judges at the Conference’s “Agents of Change –A Night of a Thousand Stars Mini-Ball” which presented professional and novice Voguers to strut their stuff down the runway. We talked to Jason about his inspiration to carry on the Voguing tradition and his spin on our LGBTQ issues. 

Jason Anthony Rodriguez is a Dominican-American born and raised in Washington Heights in New York City. He was trained in voguing by Benny Ninja, Dorit Koppel and Kevin Wynn. Besides being a series regular on “Pose”, Jason also guest-starred on HBO's The Deuce as Enrico. Rodriguez has taught vogue in various institutions throughout the states as well as internationally in Dominican Republic, Vienna and Japan. Next year’s Creating Change Conference will take place in Las Vegas, NV January 22nd to the 26th, 2025. We want to thank New Orleans and Company for sponsoring our coverage of the 2024 National LGBTQ Task Force Creating Change Conference. For More Info…