David Magazine v9_i17 | All About Bear Hugs

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Nothing’s Gonna Stop This Bear

DJ Jace M Brings ‘Pride with a Purpose’ to Atlanta

Miami-based DJ and producer Jace M is bringing his signature high-energy sound to Atlanta May 25. His appearance comes at a pivotal moment in his career, as he celebrates the release of his latest dance track, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us,” a collaboration with internationally renowned DJ Toy Armada. The song is a bold and uplifting remake of Starship’s 1987 hit, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” a track that became a cultural touchstone when it was featured in the classic film Mannequin.

For Jace M, the song’s message of resilience and unity is more important now than ever, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. He believes that music has the power to unite people in the face of adversity and hopes this new version of the song can serve as a rallying cry for those facing discrimination. The new single features vocalists Chandler Mogel and Zoe Lyons Nieves, whose powerful performances recapture the magic of the original while adding a modern flair. Toy

Armada, known for his uplifting productions, worked alongside Jace M to preserve the track’s emotional core while transforming it into a dance anthem fit for today’s clubs and festivals.

Atlanta clubgoers can expect a night of electrifying music at Heretic, where Jace M will take over the decks and deliver a set packed with soaring vocals, pulsating beats, and anthemic melodies.

Jace M has established himself as a force in the dance music world, drawing from his roots in Washington, D.C., and Detroit before making Miami his home. By day, he works as a computer engineer, but his passion for music has led to collaborations with industry heavyweights like Joe Gauthreaux, Mauro Mozart, and Toy Armada. His ability to blend nostalgic elements with fresh, vocal-driven house music has made him a favorite among club audiences. Toy

Armada, a Billboard #1 remixer, producer, and international DJ from Quezon City, Philippines, has built an impressive career performing at global LGBTQ+ events, including White Party Palm Springs, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, NYC WorldPride, and Miami’s Winter Party

Festival. His signature style, marked by thunderous tribal beats and soaring vocal anthems, has led him to work with some of the biggest names in pop music, including Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Kylie Minogue, Cher, Demi Lovato, and Nicki Minaj.

Beyond its dancefloor appeal, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us” also serves a deeper purpose. Jace M and Toy Armada have partnered with the National LGBTQ+ Task Force and Winter Party to support the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Proceeds from the song’s sales and streaming revenue will directly benefit the Task Force, ensuring that the music makes an impact both on and off the dancefloor.

The remix package for “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us” includes versions of the track in Afro House, Big Room, Piano House, and Tech House by Brady Prince, Oscar Velazquez, and Erick Ibiza.

Follow Jace M on Instagram: @JaceDJ Follow Toy Armada on Instagram: @djtoyarmada

DJ Toy Aramada

Big Love, Bold Vibes: Atlanta Bear Pride Roars Into Town

Atlanta is set to host the 10th annual Atlanta Bear Pride from April 25 to 27, 2025—a vibrant, threeday celebration of bear culture that draws LGBTQ+ individuals from across the Southeast and beyond. This milestone event promises an inclusive atmosphere filled with themed parties, social gatherings, and opportunities to connect with the diverse bear community.

What Is Bear Pride?

Bear Pride is more than just a party—it’s a cultural movement rooted in body positivity, selfacceptance, and community. The “bear” identity within the LGBTQ+ spectrum celebrates men who are typically larger, hairier, and often older, but it also embraces a wide range of expressions, including cubs, otters, chubs, and chasers. At its core, bear culture challenges narrow beauty standards and fosters a space where people of all body types and backgrounds feel seen, valued, and celebrated.

The International Bear Brotherhood Flag, with its multicolored stripes and paw print, symbolizes this inclusivity and the diversity of the bear community.

Why It Matters

Atlanta Bear Pride is a celebration of authenticity and community. In a world where mainstream media often promotes narrow ideals of beauty, bear culture offers a refreshing alternative that honors diversity in body types, ages, and identities. The event provides a safe and welcoming space for individuals to express themselves freely, build lasting connections, and support one another. It’s not just about the parties—it’s about fostering a sense of belonging and pride in who you are.

Event Highlights

Atlanta Bear Pride 2025 offers something for every kind of partygoer, from high-energy

after-hours raves to laid-back socials and outdoor tea dances. The weekend kicks off Friday with a welcome social at Woofs, a favorite neighborhood spot where bears, cubs, and admirers gather to mingle. As the sun sets, the scene shifts to high-octane nighttime revelry, including one massive blowout at Heretic, the city’s legendary dance venue. Saturday brings the ever-popular afternoon tea dance—a chance to enjoy music and sunshine with new friends—followed by more late-night dancing and afters for those who like to keep the party going until sunrise. Sunday slows

things down with a relaxed crowd back at Woofs before wrapping up the weekend with a signature tea dance at The Atlanta Eagle, where the community gathers one last time to dance, laugh, and celebrate together.

Join the Celebration

Whether you’re a longtime member of the bear community or new to the scene, Atlanta Bear Pride 2025 invites you to be part of a weekend filled with joy, acceptance, and unforgettable experiene. For tickets, venue details, and the full schedule, visit atlantabearpride.com.

6 Tips For App Exhaustion!

Y’all. Who here has opened up the apps and resurfaced three hours later in a haze of dick pics and broken promises for a hook up? I see you. App exhaustion is a real thing, and it is, well, exhausting. Listen, I am very pro-app. I met my partner on Scruff, I have met some great friends on Grindr, and as for the sex, them ATL peaches aren’t playing! But the dating/sex apps (like most apps) are designed to keep us engaged, and it’s your job not to let them win.

Here are six tips on maintaining a healthy relationship with the apps:

It’s them, not you!

If someone ghosts, stops responding, or blocks you, that is on them and what they are going through. Do not let that ruin your day. Yes, it can be annoying, but I just take a deep breath, shake my head, and send them positive vibes, because they are going through something that is not about me.

Check in with yourself

If the apps are making you feel icky, take some time off from them. Connect with friends IRL and do things that bring you joy. All of the tapping, messaging, picture sharing, and sexting can be exhausting.

Limit your time

Practice self-love/compassion

When you get on the apps for some fun, give yourself 30 minutes and then put down your phone and be present with what is happening right in front of you. The same is true for Instagram. Move your body, play with your pup, get outside. Don’t let them consume your day.

Turn off all alerts!

This applies to your whole phone. When you are ready, check your apps. If you respond every time that Grindr chime goes off, it’s controlling you.

Be respectful of people’s time

If you engage for hours and then can’t respond when I ask when you want to meet, you need a life coach! It’s one thing if you are engaging and eager to get to know someone better to possibly start a relationship/friendship, but if you ask me for every fantasy scenario and then ghost—girl, no.

There will always be someone on there with more abs than you. That’s ok! Value what you bring to the table. If someone rejects you, do not take it personally. We never know what someone else is going through. It’s not a reflection on you. Apps can be debilitating for mental health, so go in there with an open mind and heart and know when it’s time to put her down.

Do you have more questions about mental health? Send them to cator@ davidatlanta.com and check back each week to see if your question was selected. We promise never to publish the name of the person who asked the question. Also, are you a Grindr Ghoster? I would love to hear from you. Anything you share will be confidential, of course.

Peace and Love Y’all!

eatu he Divas of Lips

ring the magic of Lips Celebrit y Imperso ed esd , April 30 2

BARS & CLUBS MIDTOWN

BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE

BULLDOGS 893 Peachtree St NE

FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl.com 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com 66 12th St NE

X MIDTOWN xmidtown.com 990 Piedmont Ave NE

THE T modeltatlanta.com 465 Boulevard SE

CHESHIRE

HERETIC hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road

BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE

WESTSIDE

MARQUETTE 868 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW

840ATL

840 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd

ANSLEY

ATLANTA EAGLE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE

FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

THE HIDEAWAY 1544 Piedmont Ave NE

MIXX mixxatlanta.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE

OSCAR’S oscarsatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE WOOFS woofsatlanta.com 494 Plasters Ave NE

TRIPPS fb: tripps-bar 1931 Piedmont Cir NE

EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD

MARY’S marysatlanta.com 1287 Glenwood Ave SE

SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH sisterlouisaschurch. com 466 Edgewood Ave SE

LORE ATLANTA loreatl.com 466 Edgewood Ave loreatl.com

DINING

MIDTOWN

CASA ALMENARA 991 Piedmont Ave NE casa-almenara.com

OLIVE BISTRO olivebistro.com 1050 Juniper St NE #4

LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com

900 Monroe Dr NE

TUK TUK THAI FOOD LOFT TUKTUKATL.COM 1745 Peachtree Rd NW

DEKALB

LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE

RETAIL

MIDTOWN

BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1000 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste A

ANSLEY

BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com

1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE

FITNESS MIDTOWN

URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbody tness. com

500 Amsterdam Ave N

CHESHIRE GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com 2201 Faulkner Rd NE

SPAS/BATHS ADULT

FLEX SPA exspas.com 76 4th St NW SOUTHERN NIGHTS

2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood

We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’ Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page. Want to join in on the b*tch session? Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.

You can’t call yourself a snack when everyone’s had a free sample.

Give me a shot of grey goose. Actually, give me three shots! Ah hell, just give me a flock of vodka.

Girl, were you born on a highway? Because that’s where most accidents happen.

At my funeral, I want a big ‘live, laugh, love’ sign but with the live crossed out.

You may take away my rights, but youʼll never be able to take away this phat ass.

Cinderella only had to take off one shoe to get her prince, and here you are taking all of your clothes off with nothing to show for it.

I think I’m addicted to Viagra. No one is taking it harder than my husband.

I say “long story short” and then proceed to tell the double VHS Titanic version of the story.

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