Ben Nelson
Stories (58/0)
Only 1 Percent of Charting Dance Music Makers Identify as LGBTQ+
Jake Resnicow launched Utopia Festival in 2019 with the mission to elevate the gay festival experience by introducing top-charting artists like Diplo, Purple Disco Machine, Galantis, SG Lewis, Sofi Tukker, and Kim Petras to the community. When he approached LP Giobbi to headline his 2022 show, she was thrilled at the opportunity to headline - at first. Upon deeper reflection, she worried that she might be taking a job away from a deserving LGBTQ+ artist. An ardent feminist and an advocate for gender equality, LP Giobbi brought her concern to Resnicow and their solution was to create the Theresa Velasquez ‘Fundation’ Scholarship with programming designed to create new pathways for LGBTQ+ artists to top the charts and become future headliners.
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Beat
This Heartthrob Millennial Is Bringing Back the Rock & Roll Teen Idol Craze
Chris Ruggiero was 18 when he received a phone call from Doo Wop radio host TJ Lubinsky, inviting him to perform on the televised special Lubinsky was producing for PBS. Ruggiero says he was excited to perform the show, but admits that he had no idea it would be a pivotal career-changing moment, until he arrived on set.
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Beat
When Brunch is Meant to be a Drag
Tell anyone about your recent trip to Miami Beach and you will inevitably be asked if you experienced the Palace brunch. Experienced is the right word because Palace is much more than a delicious eatery; it is a place to let loose, meet new people, enjoy amazing performances and make memories that will last a lifetime.
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Feast
This Queer Artist Demands to Be Seen and Heard. Top Story - June 2022.
Talia Keys’ trademark fire and brimstone stage presence is an amalgam of her journey, identity, and musical influences. Growing up, she and her brother were raised by a single mother in Utah. Her dad struggled with addiction and his battles forced Talia to grow up sooner than typical kids her age. Still, she was gifted with a big imagination and whether she was pretending to be Michael Jordan or impersonating Elvis Presley, Talia could entertain herself for hours. She began piano lessons at age 9, drums at 11, guitar at 16 and mandolin at 22. Music was always very prevalent throughout her youth, beginning with The Beatles and turning to Bob Marley in middle school. Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, and Talking Heads were some of the other artists that played a big role in her musical development. She even had a Kris Kross phase (and yes, she wore her clothes backwards for a time). It opened Talia up to rap and hip hop and she became a huge fan of Tribe Called Quest, The Fugees and Blackalicious.
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Interview
May is Masturbation Month
The flowers won’t be the only things blooming this May. May begins Masturbation Month. Yes, you read that correctly. The first national recognition day was held on May 7, 1995, in honor of Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, who had been fired in 1994 by President Bill Clinton for suggesting masturbation be part of the sex education curriculum for students. In 2005, the annual Masturbation Day officially moved to May 28 but in recent years, it has been celebrated the entire month of May.
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Pride
FIU's Chaplin School Offers Students Hands-on Experience in Event Design and Production
This semester, Factory360 and Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management forged a partnership of the first ever experiential incubator between a university and an experiential agency.
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Education
These Drag Queens Are Being Called the Next David Guetta!
Kali Forni-Kate and Sabrina Babyslut met five years ago, performing in a Britney Spears tribute show in Melbourne. They knew right from the start that they had loads in common. They shared a passion for musical theatre, came from similar socio-economic backgrounds, and began their individual adventures in drag young - right out of high school!
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Beat
This show is like the People’s Choice Awards, but super gay, and with way more drag queens
“We have so much to celebrate this year,” says Dan Tracer, Editor in Chief of the popular LGBTQ entertainment news site, Queerty.com. Earlier this month, they hosted their 10th anniversary Queerties award show in Los Angeles. It will begin streaming on Revry and YouTube this Wednesday. “The LGBTQ community made significant strides in pop culture that will have a lasting impact on the next generation of queer youth.”
By Ben Nelson2 years ago in Pride