Bridget McManus Creates New LGBT Web Series

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Bridget McManus about her new romantic web series “Maybelle” that premiers on tellofilms.com on Sunday December 13th. The story is about Maybelle Garris (Bridget McManus) who must learn to live for herself as a gay woman in the South and address the fact that she is still in love with her best friend from high school, Della Cain-Cumbee played by Frances Nichols. Maybelle quit school 20 years ago to take care of her ailing mother Ida, focusing all of her attention at home, detached from her first and only love Della. When her mother passes away Maybelle is left to reflect on her stunted life. Della married her college beau JW Cumbee but has always held a flame for Maybelle. In this original web series set in rural Virginia, Maybelle discovers herself for the first time and fights for the woman she loves. Bridget wrote and stars in “Maybelle” directed by Christin Baker. We talked to Bridget about her inspiration for this fabulous six episode series and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights McManus stated, “I think being out is one of the most important things that an LGBTQ person can do for civil rights. Obviously not everybody has the ability or feels safe enough to be out in their life and I’m not directing this at them because I think everyone should come out in their own time whenever they feel safe and supported. But I think the more you’re out the more people realize, wait a minute there’s nothing wrong with people who are different. My mind is always blown when people find out that I’m gay and find out I’m married. They almost switch their tone how they talk to me like their voice goes into a falsetto, why that’s nice you’re married to a woman like its kind of an alien thing. Being out is so important because the more visibility we have the more we let people know we are here and not going anywhere. I’m a stand up comic and I’ve done work all over the world. I was a correspondent for the 8th International Gay Games in Cologne, Germany. I hosted the 40th anniversary at Stonewall in New York. So I think doing as many gay events and representing and being visible is such an important thing to change the world.”

Bridget McManus is a television host, screenwriter and award-winning comedian. She hosted two television shows for the Logo Network “Bridget McManus Presents: That Time of The Month” and the award-winning comedy talk show “Brunch with Bridget”. McManus is one of the few female warm-up comedians in television. She was the warm-up comedian and the host's sidekick on CBS’s “The Queen Latifah Show” for two seasons as well as the warm-up comic for NBC’s “Last Comic Standing”, CBS’s “The Jeff Probst Show”, Fox’s “The Boris & Nicole Show”, ABC’s “Family Fortune”, HLN’s “Heads Up!”, ABC's “The FABLife” and CBS’s “Friends With Benefits”. “Maybelle” which debuts on December 13th will be the 4th scripted project Bridget has worked on with tello films known as the lesbian Netflix that leads the industry in developing new strategies for alternative distribution for not only lesbian-themed content but for all women in film.
For More Info: tellofilms.com

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Gay Latin Entertainer Migguel Anggelo Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Migguel Anggelo about his new CD entitled “La Casa Azul” and upcoming performance of “Another Son of Venezuela” at Joe's Pub on December 1st in New York City. In a similar genre to Justin Vivian Bond, Migguel has created a brand new production under Obie Award-winning director, David Drake which addresses his thoughts through music on national pride and a belief for a better future. Migguel has previously sold out seven shows at this fabulous venue. His second album, “La Casa Azul” was co-written and produced by music director Mau Quiros and is mixed by Grammy Award-winner Felipe Tichauer which was selected as a recommended favorite in People En Español. We talked to Migguel about how artist Frida Kahlo was the inspiration of his new CD and his spin on our LGBT issues.

Originally from Venezuela, when asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Anggelo stated, “I’m very proud to be gay and actually I told my mom when I was twelve years old. My mom she understands me a lot because she was a ballet dancer but my father no. My father was a very macho man for the farm and I don’t think he was happy that he had a gay son but he died when I was thirteen years old so we don’t have a good connection me and him, but I respect him. My mother always supported me. I told my mother when I was twelve years old I said, ‘Mom I like my neighbor’ and she said, ‘Your neighbor, who’s your neighbor?’ And I said, ‘My friend Juan Carlos.’ And she asked, ‘Why do you think you like him?’ And I said, ‘When I see him I feel butterflies in my heart.’ She hugged me and kissed me and said, ‘Well honey I know you’re very young right now but I will support you right now and forever, whoever you decide to be in your life.’ I was very lucky to have my mom. I’m very happy for example last year I got married to my partner and we are very happy so I hope everyone the same. When you love someone you want to decide to be with someone, I hope people can do it. In my country Venezuela, it’s a very beautiful country but right now they’re under the regime of Communism so I don’t think it will happen right now. It’s very difficult for gay people in Venezuela so whenever I am here, in Europe or in Africa or wherever, I will open my mouth to hear my voice to gay people and the LGBT community.”

Migguel Anggelo first fell in love with the theater as a child playing Pinocchio in a touring production of the show. As a Latin American theater star, Migguel perfected his commanding stage presence and electric performances after studying opera at the Conservatory of Music in Cologne, Germany. He received an invitation to attend after being discovered performing on the street and trained for a dozen years in classical ballet, falling in love with the drama and discipline of opera and the explosive whimsy of pop. His greatest influences are Luciano Pavarotti and Freddy Mercury and with his multi-octave voice, pays homage to them by jumping easily from operatic aria to rock anthem. Recently, Migguel completed a tour of the Midwest with Nuevo Tango group, “The Oblivion Project”, bringing to life the music of Argentine tango master, Astor Piazzolla. He’s currently working on this third CD to be released in the summer of 2016 and he will be performing at Joe's Pub on December 1st at 7P in NYC. (Photo Credit: Nico Iliev)
For More Info: migguelanggelo.com

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White Party Week Supporting Care Resource (AUDIO)

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Jonathan Welsh, Marketing and Development Manager with Care Resource about their event the White Party Week in Miami, Florida that takes place November 25th to November 30th. Since its inception in 1984 the White Party Week has raised millions of dollars for Care Resource, South Florida’s oldest and largest non-profit community health care focusing on HIV/AIDS research, prevention and currently extending medical services to encompass children, youth, families and seniors with an emphasis on our LGBT community. White Party Week is a series of fundraising events over the long Thanksgiving weekend. This year they’re pulling out all the stops, bringing in guests from all over the world, premiering a mega-yachting White Party and once again raising this dance party event to a whole new level. On Saturday November 28th at 6P guests will board the Grand Floridian Mega Yacht, the largest, newest and most elegant yacht in South Florida for the premier event of the year, the 31st Annual White Party “Anchors Away” fundraiser benefiting Care Resource.

We talked to Jonathan about the fabulous White Party Week of events and his spin on our LGBT issues. When asked what he would like to see happen for LGBT equality in the next few years Welsh stated, “I am very proud of the community for what we’ve done regarding marriage equality. It was a long battle; it was a hard battle but we stayed committed and so much was done. Now we have an opportunity to focus on other issues in the LGBT community like transgender issues. Transgender issues are huge here in South Florida when it comes to employment, when it comes to health, when it comes to a whole array of issues and this is an opportunity for us to really focus on that group because the LGBT community, it’s different groups coming together for a united purpose and maybe for too long the ‘T’ transgender issues under that umbrella of LGBT perhaps took a back seat for awhile. This is an opportunity now to focus on those issues and do some good stuff for that community as well.”

Jonathan Welsh, a University of Miami alumnus, has served in South Africa with the United States Peace Corps and has campaigned for various environmental and health initiatives both in Washington D.C. and in Tallahassee before joining Care Resource. The White Party Week fundraiser features one week of amazing events with superstar DJs beginning on Wednesday November 25th with “White Heat” at Bailo Nightclub and for women there’s the “Wonderlust Kick-Off Party”. On Thursday November 26th the party continues with “White Journeys” at Heart Nightclub. Then on Friday November 27th witness a stellar night with “White Dreams” at Club Space and for women there’s the Freza Dance Party. Saturday November 28th kicks off with “White Splash Pool Party” at the Aloft South Beach Hotel followed by The White Party Anchors Away and “White Starz” at Score Nightclub. The Official Women’s White Party “Cirque Blanc” takes place on Saturday November 28th at Nikki Beach in Miami. Then on Sunday November 29th there’s the “Muscle Beach Party” on the sands of South Beach followed by the infamous “Noche Blanca” party at Story Nightclub in Miami Beach. All the events benefit Care Resource, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit community health care provider with offices in Downtown Miami, Little Havana, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale.
For More Info & Tix: whiteparty.org

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Ann Hampton Callaway Changing The World With Music

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway about her upcoming concerts and new jazz CD entitled The Hope Of Christmas. Ann will be performing at The Tyler Clementi Foundation’s 2015 Upstander Legacy Celebration on Monday November 16th at Studio 450 in NYC. Tyler Clementi was the accomplished violinist who took his life after being cyber-bullied by his Rutgers roommate for being gay. Callaway’s concert schedule is non-stop including returning to Feinstein's/54 Below with her new show Feminine Persuasion: Ann Hampton Callaway Celebrates Women Songwriters from November 22nd through the 28th in NYC. We talked to Ann about her new CD, upcoming tour and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Callaway stated, “Well I don’t think it gets more personal than getting married. November 7th last year I married the love of my life Kari Strand and that was a big decision for us because I think both of us never thought Oh I need a piece of paper to prove I love someone, and we went through eight years together thinking that. But when we realized we were in this point of history and how much we love each other and what a gift it was, we had to step into this commitment in a historical, politically active way and say This is our moment to stand and shine and be part of something that will hopefully inspire a new wave of courage and joy for other couples. And it’s had a much more powerful effect in our relationship than we realized. It was such a sense of giddy joy about it and also a renewed responsibility and I don’t mean that in a serious way like Oh now I must do my duty as a wife, I mean that in the sense that I really want to be the best partner I can possibly be and the intention behind that and I know Kari shares that it is something that has really touched our lives in many ways. We had an amazing celebration that I’m glad that you and Marilyn could be part of. It was just an incredible experience to share that. I feel living your life out loud and not being afraid to share what matters to you is a great quiet revolution for this time when we’re really trying to make a world more inclusive for everyone and a world that accepts that love belongs to everyone. In fact I recently wrote a song with Michelle Brourman called Love & Let Love and I think it comes out of the spirit of this that each of us is here to be exactly who they are and Kari and I getting to share our relationship in a bigger way with marriage has been quite a ripple effect.”

Ann Hampton Callaway is a champion of the great American Songbook whose gifts as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator and producer have given her one of the most unique careers in music today. Callaway won the Theater World Award and received a Tony nomination for her starring role in the Broadway musical Swing! Known for writing and singing the theme of the hit TV series The Nanny, she’s written over 250 songs including the Platinum Award winning hits for Barbra Streisand At the Same Time, I've Dreamed of You and Christmas Lullaby. Currently Ann and her sister Broadway star Liz Callaway have been nominated for their London engagement of Sibling Revelry for a Broadway World UK Award for Best Theatrical Event of the Year.
For Tour Info & CD: annhamptoncallaway.com

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