Boston Pride : Entertainment

Entertainment at the 2010 Boston Pride Festival - June 12 - City Hall Plaza - starts at Noon

Come join thousands of participants at the 2010 Boston Pride Festival, June 12th, at Boston City Hall Plaza, starting at 12noon and finishing by 6pm. Boston Pride is proud to welcome many international and local artists to the Festival.

Cece Peniston

CeCe began her recording career with A&M Records. Her debut album, Finally, achieved U.S. RIAA GOLD certification. The album's first single, "Finally" was a #1 Billboard hit and went multi-platinum worldwide. In addition to being featured on more than thirty compilation albums, CeCe thrust passed the one-hit wonder mark and continued to achieve Billboard Top Ten status with singles like: "We Got A Love Thang", "Keep On Walkin", I'm Not Over You" and her hit single released in 2001 "Lifetime To Love" which skyrocketed to #2 on the Billboard charts. All of her other singles released have achieved Top 40 status including: "Inside That I Cried", "Crazy Love", "I'm In The Mood", "Hit By Love", "Movin' On", "Before I Lay (You Drive Me Crazy)" with MCA recording artist JoJo of KC & JoJo, "I Know That He Loves Me Too" and "Nobody Else".

CeCe continued to travel non-stop promoting her sophomore album release "Thought Ya Knew", and third release "Movin' On" and simultaneously touring to sold-out venues domestically and internationally in the Philippines, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Korea, Australia, South Africa and Italy. CeCe has made nine music videos, contributed her voice to numerous motion picture soundtracks, graciously allowed the Oprah Show to utilize two of her hits on request, performed live for the NBA, WNBA, and NFL. She also loaned her hit single "Finally" to the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia and made numerous guest appearances on: Regis & Kathy Lee, Rosie O'Donnell, Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall, BET with Donnie Simpson, Ricki Lake, MTV, ShowTime At The Apollo, and VH1.

CeCe has successfully toured with Grace Jones, Peabo Bryson, Tasha Scott & Tony Terry. CeCe has also lent her talents to the theatre, in plays like "The Wiz", "Treat Her Like A Lady" and "When A Woman's Fed Up". She has also been requested personally by former President Bill Clinton to perform at both of his Presidential Inauguration Ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and performed at the Vatican for Pope John Paul. CeCe made history when she was the first female artist to perform in South Africa following the end of apartheid. Most recently, CeCe lent her voice to a character in an upcoming animated movie as well as the soundtrack

In the midst of such overwhelming success, CeCe has also been bestowed numerous awards including: Billboard Best New Artist & Best New Song of The Year, ASCAP Song of The Year & Pop Songwriter of The Year & Most Performed Song of The Year, Annual Winter Music Conference's Best New Dance Artist & Best Dance Artist Solo & Best 12" Dance Record, BMI Urban Award of Achievement. CeCe also has been a member of ASCAP since 1991 and has been successfully running her own production and publishing companies for many years.

CeCe makes time for a true passion in her life too, her charitable work. CeCe founded the CeCe Peniston Foundation in 1997 and has helped to raise funding for many other organizations involving particularly HIV, women and children in need, and hunger and equality. After the 9-1-1 tragedy Michael Jackson requested her presence for his "United We Stand" concert to benefit the families of 9-1-1. She has blazed a track on jazz artist, Jeff Larbes's album and two Phoenix Merry Christmas Arizona albums, with proceeds going to Multiple Sclerosis. She had been requested to perform for U.S. troops on the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1993 and has continued each year since to travel to entertain the U.S. troops overseas.

CeCe Peniston has just begun to make her mark on the world. She has established herself as one of the paramount artists of the nineties and of the new century.

Kristine W

Kristine W – a fixture on the dance scene since her 1996 hit-packed, Rollo produced debut album, “Land of the Living” – is a rare blend: a showy singer with astounding vocal fire power and a confessional songwriters ethic. Her new full-length project, THE POWER OF MUSIC is a full length album comprised of 16 tracks – 12 brand new songs plus her last 5 Billboard #1 hits – “Walk Away”, “The Boss,” “Never,” “Love is the Look” and “Be Alright.”

“This album was truly a labor of love,” explained Kristine W from her home in Las Vegas. She describes it as a musical journey through a kaleidoscope of musical styles mixing dance, pop, R&B and rock styles together to capture and express the myriad of emotions that people are feeling at this turbulent time in history. “The songs on the album explore universal human emotions like joy, fear, love, strength, life and death. Woven together, they show the emotional power of music and represent the rollercoaster of emotions most people are experiencing today. At a time when people all around the world are feeling more vulnerable than ever, I really wanted to create an album where I could perform songs that capture those universal emotions.”

The ultimate chameleon artist, Kristine has proven she can survive. She’s topped the Billboard dance chart fourteen times; nine of which were consecutive, breaking records previously held by Madonna and Janet Jackson.

She is a fourth generation entertainer hailing from Pasco, Washington. After winning titles as Miss Tri-Cities, Miss Washington and placing first in the talent competition at the Miss America pageant, Kristine went on to pursue her educational and musical dreams in Las Vegas, where she found success headlining her own show at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Numerous awards followed, including several 'Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year' wins and being officially sanctioned as the entertainer who performed more live shows at the Las Vegas Hilton than any other performer in its history - including Elvis. This award led to June 28th being officially sanctioned Kristine W day in the state of Nevada.

After conquering Las Vegas, Kristine reached the top of the dance charts in 1994 with the now classic anthem "Feel What You Want" landing at #1 on Billboard's Dance Chart and holding at the top five in more than ten countries worldwide. Signing with RCA Records and releasing the 1996 critically acclaimed album, LAND OF THE LIVING, Kristine catapulted to the top of the dance music spotlight with two more singles, the beautifully spun "One More Try", which won Kristine an ASCAP Award for co-writing, and the album's title track "Land Of The Living", in which the artist shares real experiences of survival and overcoming life's obstacles.

Finding herself in the executive producers chair for her second RCA studio album, Kristine W recorded the smash follow-up album STRONGER. Released in 2000, the savvy collection of rhythmic tracks, encompassing dance floor grooves, neo-soul and unadulterated pop, again placed the versatile performer at the top of the Billboard Club Play Charts. The album's title track "Stronger" and the timeless single "Lovin' You" both added to Kristine's vault of number one singles.

Overcoming a two-year battle with leukemia, Kristine W then completed work on her next album FLY AGAIN. While in that process, she recorded and released her sixth chart topping single, "Some Lovin'." The track quickly became a hit both in the US and overseas and was a featured single for the hit SHOWTIME series QUEER AS FOLK. The music video featured Kristine with the cast, including award-winning actress Sharon Gless. Kristine eventually passed superstars Madonna and Janet Jackson (each with seven #1 dance songs in a row) to rack up eight consecutive chart-toppers. When her 2005 single “Wonder of It All” went all the way, it became her ninth #1, breaking her own record. “Walk Away”, released in late 2007 was her tenth number one. “The Boss”, her eleventh Billboard topper, was a completely handmade project. Her 12th number one occurred in February 2009 – the self-penned song “Never.” And #13 – “Love is the Look” topped the charts in April 2009. Her #14 hit came in September 2009 – the uplifting “Be Alright.” Kristine’s latest chart topping feat ties Mariah Carey for 4th place among artists with multiple #1s on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play List. “Be Alright” is also in the Top 15 of the Adult Contemporary charts.

In December 2009, Billboard Magazine published both their Year End and Decade End Charts announcing Kristine’s triumphant achievement: The 3rd place position on the Decade’s Best of 2000s Dance Club Play Artists List with only Madonna and Beyonce ahead of her in the first and second positions. Added to this accolade was the achievement of garnering two positions on the Top 50 Dance Club Play Songs of the Decade; “The Boss” placed #36 on the list and “Some Lovin’” took the 48th position. For the end of 2009, Billboard placed her 5th in the artist category with her tune “Be Alright” taking the 47th spot in the song category.

God-Des and SHE

God-des and She have always been unique; A female hip-hop/soul duo whose sound varies as widely as their subject matter. With their third album, appropriately titled Three, God-Des (the rapper) and She (the singer) now embark on a journey to cross over from substantial underground success to the mainstream. In making that transition, the group has managed to both hone their existing sound and expand into an eclectic mash-up of other styles, including hyperactive dance music ("Drum Circle"), all-American rock ("Change"), anthemic electro ("Radio Up"), and feel-good, windows-down pop ("Get Your Bike").

While delving into so many genres on one album could easily sound disjointed, a confident identity forged over years of working together, as well as sure-handed production from Hardgroove resulted in a cohesive, dynamic set of songs. "So many of our fans comment on how much we grow every time they see us live or hear the next song we are working on. Our first two records were great in their own ways, but we hadn't truly found our voices or sound. Three cannot be compared to any other artist.. It sounds totally unique and crosses all boundaries and is hard to even put into a style of music."

God-des and She found an ideal partner in producer and current member, bandleader, and bass player of Public Enemy, Brian Hardgroove, who has worked with such veteran acts as Wu Tang, Burning Spear, and Aerosmith, and also plays with Bootsy Collins. "He gave us a lot of freedom but guided us and made the songs better. He has an incredible ear and totally understood and supported our vision for the music. He didn't try to box us in to one genre." While the duo may have initially been star struck in working with Hardgroove, the legendary producer was impressed as well. "They are easily as good as the best that hip-hop has to offer," Hardgroove says of the duo, "and far more interesting."

Bred in the Midwest, God-Des and She have played to packed venues all over the world, from Lacrosse, Wisconsin, to Stockholm, Sweden. Ever since they appeared on Showtime's The L Word four years ago, performing their infamous single "Lick It," the pair haven't had a moment's rest, selling over 30,000 albums, and holding down the #1 song spot on MTV LOGO with their song "Love You Better." God-Des and She's new album, Three, will be available November 3rd via G&S Records.

All The Kings Men

The wildly popular, award winning, all female cabaret troupe All The Kings Men (ATKM) is both thrilled and proud to be performing for the third time on the Boston Pride stage for the 40th Anniversary! From London to New York to LA this Boston based troupe has been performing to sold out crowds and standing ovations since 2002.

Two parts Tracey Ullman, a cup of Carol Burnett, a hint of Jim Carrey and a huge dose of inspiration, these Victor/Victorias master every point on the gender spectrum with a collection of performances as poignant as they are audacious. Outrageous, hilarious, dynamic and gifted, a whole lotta woman AND man, an All The Kings Men show will have you laughing long and loud and will also make you think. Back in town for the summer, ATKM will be performing full shows May 28-30 at Art House in Provincetown and more locally in Cambridge on June 6 at Oberon. Always come expecting the unexpected and count on hilarious and provocative characters, spot on dance, tongue-in-cheek burlesque, biting satire, and poptastic performances in a modern Vaudevillian spectacle that critics call "just plain amazing".

Booty Vortex

Booty Vortex is a musical powerhouse of funk, soul and disco – playing the best dance tunes from the 70’s, 80’s and beyond. Their high-energy, fun-filled shows compel anyone with a pulse to get up and shake their groove thing! The band was started in 2004 by a group of friends who just wanted to play good music and have a good time. Since then, Booty Vortex has sold out clubs around Boston and shared its special mix of fun and funk at fundraisers, private parties, weddings and corporate events throughout New England and New York. By day, its 11 members are computer engineers, music teachers, a construction worker and a video producer. By night, they throw on their funkiest fashions, grab their instruments and put on a musical extravaganza that guarantees to get every booty on the dance floor!

Kit Yan

Recently Featured in the HBO Documentary Asians Aloud, Kit Yan tell stories through slam poetry from the lens of a transgender Asian American from Hawaii now lost in the big city of New York. Through touching love poems, dirty sex accounts, and comedic tales of his childhood –Kit takes you on a journey that is raw, real, heart-wrenching, and unforgettable.

Curve magazine describes his work as “incredible slam poetry” and Bitch magazine says: “The eloquence of Kit’s spoken-word delivery lies in the anti-racist, anti-homophobic, gender-inclusive, language that ties his lyrics together.”

Kit’s work has been taught at universities coast to coast, from San Francisco State to Harvard. He spoke to over 200,000 from the stage of the 2009 National Equality March, performed on the San Francisco Pride main stage, and earned a spot in as a top three finalist at the National Queer Slam. Kit Yan is the reigning Mr. Transman 2010, the first person to ever hold this national title.

MEandJOANCOLLINS

MEandJOANCOLLINS are a four-piece indie rock band from Cambridge, MA fronted by singer/guitarists Bo Barringer and Jen Grygiel. The band released their acclaimed debut album, “Love. Trust. Faith. Lust.” in 2009. Full of 60’s-pop-by-way-of-80’s-college-rock hooks, their album also betrays a love for prickly post-punk, glam rock riffing, and shoegazing grandeur, inviting comparisons to groups likes Spoon, Pulp and Of Montreal. These tendencies are sweetened by the pair’s prominent boy/girl harmonies (her Blondie to his Bowie). The band is anchored by the veteran rhythm section of Jim Collins (bass) and Jason Marchionna (drums) who bring dynamics and muscle to the group’s “bravado-oozing, glam inflected Britpoppy rawk.” (Boston Phoenix) Their live show has received accolades like, “the best band from Boston right now …a compelling package of music and charisma that’s hard to deny.” (cheapthrillsboston.blogspot.com) The band is wrapping up the follow-up LP, due out this fall, which promises even more “face-melting riffage” (thelimitsofscience.wordpress.com/) coexisting with “heart-on-sleeve vulnerability." (Boston Phoenix) The album features songs written by both Barringer and Grygiel and a cover of Sparks’ new wave-era classic, “Angst in My Pants.” For more information please go to: http://www.myspace.com/meandjoancollins

Mrs DANVERS

MRS DANVERS is a real rarity: a gimmick-free all-female band who makes unashamedly catchy, genre-bending dance/rock. Borrowing their moniker from Hitchcock’s sinister maid in Rebecca, MRS DANVERS’ sound is dance-y and melodic, and reflects the varied influences and trained musicianship of its members. They count Elvis Costello, The Beatles, Metric, Meshell Ndegeocello, Django Reinhardt, Of Montreal, and Cake as prime influences.

Having formed a year ago, MRS DANVERS has already built a cult following in Boston, headlined at the Boston Dyke March, opened for The Cliks at the Middle East Downstairs, shared their music beyond Boston in Brooklyn and Martha’s Vineyard, and began a college tour, playing at Harvard, Emerson, Wellesley, and Simmons Colleges. Their music and following has earned them buzz from blogs and publications such as The Weekly Dig, TeaParty | boston, Boston Band Crush, Cheap Thrills Boston, Bay Windows and Metro. Mer+ge clothing, a t-shirt company which specializes in graphic tees with a message, responded to the band's empowering music and diverse lineup, and sponsored the band.

In the fall of 2009, MRS DANVERS released their debut EP, “WHAT DID I DO” The EP, which was recorded by LA-based producer, Drew English, features the title track, a dark disco-pop anthem as well as fan favorites "Trophy Fuck" and "Wicked One." The CD is available for purchase at MRS DANVERS shows and digitally on iTunes and other online retailers.

NEMES

*Nemes is* a 5-peice violin driven pop punk band originally from Worcester, MA now living in Boston, MA. Many of us started playing because we love to play and connect with others through music and it is all that we want to do with our lives, plus it’s fun.

The band has a wide array of influences from Blink 182 and Four Year Strong to Foo Fighters, Underoath, and even Nuetral Milk Hotel.

Nemes started with Dave Anthony (vocals, guitar) and his brother Chris Anthony (drums), later the two met Josh Knowles (vocals, violin) in high school. After a lot of line up changes the band found the right chemistry with another highschool friend, Sam Corner (guitar) and a local promoter by the name of Greg Mckillop (bass). After this current line-up got together we put out our first official release “865” and have been playing awesome shows ever since.

We released “865”, a 4 song EP in the summer of 2008. In 2009 we went into the studio with Mike Poorman of Strangeways Studios (Therefore I Am, TREOS) and recorded a 2 song EP including ” Pipe Song” and “Sheep “Sheep”. Shortly after we released “865 Squared”, a remastered, repackaged album including the 2 previous EPs with one extra song. This upcoming summer we are releasing a new album with some un-recorded fan favorites and a few brand new songs. Nemes was voted the #5 best unsigned act in the country by readers of Alternative Press, and have shared the stage with some amazing acts like The Ataris, Therefore I Am, From First to Last, and Lights. We have also had the honor of becoming very involved with amazing local scenes all around the northeast and can’t wait to tour further.

Odaiko New England

Odaiko New England (ONE), based in Woburn and established in 1994, has become one of the premier Japanese taiko drumming groups on the East coast. By combining Japanese aesthetic sensibility with the bold American spirit, ONE is forging its own modern distinctive style and voice as it challenges the very definition of the art of taiko.

Through a wide range of powerful and interactive programs including workshops, school demonstrations, residencies, corporate programs, recreational classes, and full-length concerts , ONE proudly shares its heritage in the hopes that it will enrich the lives of those who are touched by the sound of the taiko.

Offering over 100 performances and cultural enrichment programs annually, ONE shares its energy, spirit, and heart with hundreds of thousands of people throughout the northeast. Their most notable clients include; the Boston Red Sox, Herb Chambers, Boston Pride, the Walk for Hunger, Boston Children's Museum, Dragon Boat Festival, Bank of America, First Night, and the Cambridge River Festival.

Experience the visceral power of Odaiko New England as the drummers move and drum in unison, creating a sensation that can be felt as much as seen and heard.

The powerful sound of taiko, combined with dynamic movement, makes for an exuberant and energetic performance that is sure to delight and mesmerize audiences of all ages and cultural backgrounds.

For more information, please see at www.onetaiko.org

Sariah

Sariah's royal bloodlines can be traced back to Queen Elizabeth, Nefertiti, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Superstar. Sariah's story begins when she fled the court of her native land at the age of 16 and stowed away in the cargo of a Club cruiseliner. After befriending the crew and learning the ways of club life, Sariah stepped courageously onto the docks of Manhattan's steaming, gritty urban club scene. With her gem encrusted crown stuffed safely into her bag, Sariah slowly started to break every rule ever made for her. To make ends meet, she joined a hip-hop dance troop, honed her stunning voice and studied choreography by candlelight in her basement room. Belting out fresh and experienced lyrics, she began to pop & lock her way to the top of the pile. Soon, sharing the stage wasn't enough. And so, true to royal tradition, she decided to don her crown- one last time- and take her rightful place. What else was a Queen to do?

Today she is an urban pop empress, serving up gem-encrusted beats to dancing girls, pretty boys, hip-hop heads, and street elite. Sariah floats effortlessly amidst genres. Her debut single, Deep N Luv, is produced by Mass Ave Productions and transcends labels like urban, hip-hop, diva-soul, or dance princess. Sometimes an epic love ballad, sometimes an anthemic banquette stomper, Sariah’s music is always straight from her heart. Whether she’s igniting the dance floor or igniting the flame of a new romance, one thing is certain: this Queen of Hearts has just begun her reign of nightlife supremacy.

TraniWreck

TraniWreck is a Boston's boundary busting, drag, burlesque, performance art, variety show and dance party. The all gender, all genre extravaganza features MC Heywood Wakefield with Becca D'Bus, Frieda Fries, Johnny Blazes, Stella Swingline, Madge of Honor and a special guest or two. Plus Boston’s hottest established DJs paired with Boston’s up-and-coming DJ stars. You’ll be lovingly assaulted by brilliantly revealing costumes, hair extensions of astronomic proportions, polyester, gold lamé, opera, comedy, aerial arts, debauchery and more attitude than a $13 cocktail. TraniWreck was named Boston's Best Gay Night 2002 by the Boston Phoenix. Come see why! You can find more information at Truth Serum Productions www.truthserum.org. Our next dates are Friday July 16 and Friday August 13 at OBERON.