The 26th Annual Celebration of the World’s Largest Black Pride commenced this past Labor Day Weekend with a host of community engagement, informative panels, cultural hightlights and numerous nightlife events.
While many events have already been documented, many are being displayed for the 1st time in this publication, such as the Inaugural Artists In The Afternoon, The 2nd Annual Trans Life Awards, Pure Heat’s Black LGBT+ Film Festival, OUT Georgia’s 1st Black LGBTQ Panel at The Gathering Spot, and snippets from the 11th Annual HBGA Pride Press Conference, which was held LIVE at Mixx Atlanta.
A Special SHOUT OUT and Thanks to Peach ATL Media for your contributions to our 2nd Annual Atlanta Black Pride 26 Recap! More Photo Coverage Online at: www.peachatl.com and www.facebook.com/historyblkgayusa.
ATLANTA BLACK PRIDE PRESS CONFERENCE 2022
THE INAUGURAL “ARTISTS IN THE AFTERNOON” PROSE & POETRY
Peach Scene @
PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBlOOD
With more than two decades of performing drag and female impersonation, Phoenix has worked tirelessly both on stage and backstage to put on an amazing show. Now, she is back with the drag competition Dragnificent at Future, which has grown bigger and better than ever after more than ten years while fostering some of the best drag talent in Atlanta and worldwide.
Phoenix, you have been a mainstay on the national and international drag scene for years, from your beginnings in the Atlanta drag scene to worldwide fame on RuPaul’s Drag Race. You’ve been a prominent presence on stage, and what many may not know, you’ve produced hundreds of shows over the years. Is there anything you haven’t done yet – or rather, is there anything you can’t do?
I’ve been doing female impersonation for over 20 years now, and I have done everything on stage to backstage. I don’t think any other queen in the scene has run more shows than I. Even before drag race, I produced shows for numerous venues. Over the years, I’ve run the entertainment for four different clubs. At one point in my career, I ran two clubs simultaneously, giving me about 40 queens and nine shows a week under my belt. Drag Race season was a crazy ride on its own, but it allowed me to do things I couldn’t have imagined.
How would you describe Phoenix as a drag queen?
Like the mythical creature, I have reinvented
myself several times throughout my career. Still, I have also honed in on my brand as a queen. Phoenix is high glam fit for the circuit scene, but I also have this androgynous look, and I like to recreate my looks and bring something new. If anything, I feel I have become more of an artist over the years.
Now you’ve brought Dragnificent back. For those not in the know, please tell us about it. Dragnificent is a drag competition that I got the idea for when I started my own drag experience. There used to be this weekly competition called Drag On The Edge at a bar called Metro hosted by Monica Layne, and she allowed these young queens on stage and gave them their moment. If you were any good, she would hire you to perform the following week and provide you with advice on improving your skill. So, when I got more established in the scene, I wanted to create something similar, and that’s how Dragnificent was born. It’s a competition where young queens entertain and compete, but they also get critiques from a panel of experienced judges. Someone wins, someone goes home, but they are all there to learn and get better.
How was Dragnificent evolved over the years? When we started, we gave away $500 in cash, and now we give away $5,000 in cash plus amazing sponsored prizes. The judging panel has also been perfected over the years because it is very important to really understand this competition. This year, we have the incomparable Tahjee Iman, who has won just about every title there is, and LaLa Ri, who won Dragnificent before and had her world debut on RuPaul’s Drag Race. They are both amazing because they are just so open to the amazing performers and what they create on stage. The host of the show is Brigitte Bidet, who also won Dragnificent and has made her own place in the drag scene.
Speaking of past winners: Dragnificent has genuinely been an incubator for drag talent in Atlanta. Queens like Violet Chachki, Biqtch Puddin, Abhora, Evah Destruction, LaLa Ri, and Brigitte Bidet have all competed – and many won! – Dragnificent. What is it about the competition that attracts talent like that? It has been amazing to see what contestants started out with and what they ended up with. When I interview potential contestants, I always ask them why they want to compete. Of course, it’s a stepping stone and a way to be noticed, but when I see the hunger and the potential to be an entertainer, that goes beyond just getting someone through the door. The critiques we give the contestants on stage may seem harsh, but they are meant to influence you and make you grow into something more. That mentorship element is very important to me, and that’s where success lies.
Speaking about talent – can you tell us about the contestants?
This season, from week to week, I have no clue what the cast is going to bring to the stage. It is the most diverse cast ever, with queens, drag kings, and male entertainers. I love it because me and the other judges truly never know what we’ll get when we set a challenge. We don’t go backstage, so we don’t get any ‘spoilers,’ and we can give them honest reactions when they perform. No matter their style of drag, we’re open to it, and this season it is just so unexpected and talented. The craziness and creativity of it all is out of this world.
Besides having Dragnificent at Future, you produce several other shows there. Can you tell me about the collaboration with Future? When Keith Young decided to open Future, he called me and asked if I would be the Entertainment Director for Future. We’re longtime friends and deeply respect each other as business partners. Of course, when Future started, Covid started, but we made it through and created some amazing stuff over the years. We have a full cabaret lounge and restaurant where we host Fantasy Girls, Disco
Dollz, and many other kinds of shows. Bigger shows, like Dragnificent, are hosted on the main dancefloor stage downstairs. That’s also where the big circuit parties and dance parties take place. It’s the only multilevel club in ATL, and we welcome all and have lots of things planned.
Pride is coming up – where can we see you? I love Atlanta Pride, and I’ve watched how it’s grown over the years. It’s good to see it’s almost back to its old self now! I’ll be all over the damn city, either performing or putting on shows!
Ok, so I have an event Friday at Future; it’s the Disco Dollz featuring Brooke Lynn Hytes. Saturday during the day, I’m Producing the Big Gay Brunch at Park Tavern. It’s the fifth year I’m doing it, and I have a fantastic cast of girls – Brigitte Bidet, Destiny Brooks, Coco Iman Star, Raquel Rae Heart, Aspen York, and Cici Nicole – and with special guest star Heidi N Closet. Saturday night, I have the Fantasy Girls with Latrice Royale at Future. Then I’ll be performing at the main Pride event at Pullman Yards. Sunday, I am producing and hosting the Starlight Cabaret to close out Pride from the main stage in the park. I’ve done it for six years and getting the call to learn I was taking over the Starlight Cabaret is one of those core memories in my drag career. We’ll have 20+ entertainers, this is the first year back in person, and I’m very, very excited to perform.
Oh, and after Atlanta Pride, I go to South Carolina Pride, and when that’s done, I’ll sleep for a week!
That is a lot! Pride is high season for a girl like you!
It really is! You have to think about all the work that goes into putting on a show. It’s not just the girls on stage but all the hands working backstage too. Drag is a business now, and it’s really crazy to see where drag is today compared to just ten years ago. It’s crazy – and really wonderful - to see what drag has become. It’s a lot of work, but I will forever try and continue the amazing legacy the Atlanta drag scene has had for decades.
Photo: Russell Bowen-Youngblood
Dragnificent is at Future every Tuesday at 9 pm. Tickets and table reservations at future-atlanta.com. A Dragnificent winner will be found in mid-October.
Peach Scene @
BOYS OF SUMMER FINA l E
PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBlOOD
Peach Scene @
The Boys of Summer Finale!
Over the summer, Felix’s has been searching high and low for the Boys of Summer while raising funds for Positive Impact Health Centers.
Every Thursday night, local boys signed up for the competition that included a talent portion.
On September 1, the three finalists competed for the top spot, and Mark took home the first prize and took home $2,000 in prize money after a convincing performance on the dancefloor that wowed the judges and audience.
Throughout the summer the Boys of Summer has raised $3,280 for Positive Impact Health Centers to benefit the
organization’s AIDS Walk Atlanta team.
Thank you to Felix’s and Positive Impact Health Centers – and congratulations to Mark and all the other contestants!
Learn more about Positive Impact Health Centers and their services at positiveimpacthealthcenters.org.
Are You Ready to Be a Digital Minimalist
By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
The average American checks their phone more than 50 times a day, and most people’s current relationship with their phone is the feeling of always having it handy. Unfortunately, being tied that closely to your digital device has consequences that reach your sleep, focus, and relationship with yourself. Now, it’s unlikely that you’ll do a 30-day digital detox, but there are ways to reduce your phone time and turn it into much-needed ‘me time.’
Cut Back on Scrolling
Do you endlessly scroll your phone only to realize you’ve spent hours doing only that? Ask yourself if you achieve a feeling of accomplishment? Hardly, right? Make a conscious decision to only scroll for 15-20 minutes, and then put your phone down. Also, if you tend to scroll on your phone when watching a TV show or a movie, make sure to put your phone away and focus on the bigger screen instead.
Digital Wind-Down
Do you look at your phone when you go to bed and check it the moment you awake? Deliberately create a wind down for your brain before you go to bed and stop checking your phone at least an hour before bedtime. Place your phone in another room when you go to bed to avoid looking at your phone before you go to sleep and the first thing in the morning. And if you’re using your phone as an alarm, get a classic alarm clock instead!
Clean Up Your Apps
The fewer apps you have on your phone, the less you are likely to check your phone. Clean up the apps you don’t use (you can always download them again) and commit to only using others on your laptop or desktop. For example, instead of checking social media on your phone, only have the social apps on your computer. That way, you won’t feel the urge to check them constantly, and you will become more deliberate when engaging with them.
Get Back to Basics
Remember the time before you checked your device compulsively? What habits were lost to your phone? Maybe you should reintroduce reading a book, writing, cooking, or visiting with friends again.
5 Ways to Get Instantly Healthier
By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Living healthier does not mean you have to hit the gym daily, meal prep, and never veer from the strict path you’ve set for yourself. More minor lifestyle changes will have a significant impact on your health too. In fact, a few uncomplicated habits and consistency are vital to getting you healthy here and now and going forward.
1. Move Daily
You don’t need to spend hours on a treadmill or get that 5K in every day. You could go for a brisk walk with your dog, bike the beltline, or even mop your floors with a little more movement and speed. Being conscious about how much you move every day will benefit your health regardless of your actions.
2. Balance your Diet
A balanced diet does not equal a strict caloric intake or stringent meal prepping. Focusing on whole foods instead of processed foods and putting more veggies than meats on your plate will go a really long way. Also, eating a healthy diet can be balanced with the occasional cheat meal(s).
3. Check Up On Good Sleep
Most of us need 6-9 hours of sleep to feel rested. If you feel tired and unmotivated, you should consider getting more sleep. Setting regular bedtimes, shutting down electronics before bedtime, and cutting down on caffeine are all three factors that can improve your shuteye significantly and quickly.
4. Drink Water
Getting enough water is essential for your body to function – it’s really as simple as that. Water helps regulate your body temperature, lubricates joints, promotes mental focus, and cleanses your system, to name a few significant advantages of proper water
intake. Three quarts of a gallon is usually enough, but if you are active, you should probably aim for more like a gallon. Swapping out fizzy drinks with water, setting reminders, and flavoring your water are easy ways to up your water intake.
5. Unwind!
Life is busy, and we forget too easily to take time to unwind and reset. It doesn’t have to be a week-long vacation but booking a massage or taking time to do some of your favorite activities, like cooking, reading, or going for a mental health walk, are simple ways to create those moments of resetting for yourself.
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Out On Film: Bros
@ Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema | September 22, 7 pm – 9 pm
This fall, Universal Pictures proudly presents the first romantic comedy from a major studio about two gay men maybe, possibly, probably, stumbling towards love. Starring Billy Eichner, the first openly gay man to co-write and star in his own major studio film and featuring an entirely LGBTQ+ principal cast, including Luke Macfarlane (Killjoys), Ts Madison (The Ts Madison Experience), Monica Raymund (Chicago Fire), Guillermo Díaz (Scandal), Guy Branum (The Other Two) and Amanda Bearse (Married …with Children).
Brandi Carlile
@ The Fox Theatre | September 22, 8 pm
Six-time Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, performer, producer, and New York Times Best-Selling author Brandi Carlile brings her “Beyond These Silent Days” tour to the Fox Theatre with special guest Amy Ray Band.
Heretic Harness Party w/DJ Seth Breezy
@Heretic | September 23, 10 pm – 3 am
Time to break out those harnesses for the Heretic Harness Party with DJ Seth Breezy.
House by Definition feat. Cindel
@Future Atlanta | September 24, 3-6 am
A new event that celebrates all genres of House music. This new event promises to bring the best of the best in the house music scene featuring local and international DJs and producers. Experience state-of-the-art sound in this amazing new venue for a night of authentic House Music. Tickets available at future-atlanta.com
East Atlanta Strut
@East Atlanta Village Farmers Market | September 24, 9:30 am – 6 pm
Come out for the neighborhood party that includes a parade of families and their furry best friends and an After Pawty that you won’t want to miss. Join local artists and vendors for pet-related goods and services, enrichment activities for your pups, refreshments for everyone, contests, and more!
The Rainbow Ball - Let’s Get Kinky!
@Out Front Theatre Company | September 24, 6:30 pm
Strap on your boots and kick up your heels because The Rainbow Ball gets Kinky this year! Hosted by Ginger Minj from RuPaul’s Drag Race and Gidget Galore, with special appearances from the cast of Kinky Boots, this high-heeled evening of friends, fun, and
food (plus drinks) features an exclusive VIP cocktail hour, an out-of-this-world seated dinner, and the most exciting auction in the city! Tickets at outfronttheatre.com.
Utica Queen and Aiden Zhane
@ My Sister’s Room-MSR | September 24, 9 pm – 2:30 am WUSSY returns to My Sister’s Room with two of our favorite queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race -- Utica Queen and Aiden Zhane! Meet & greets with Utica are available. Tickets via Eventbrite.
Black Out Party DJ Stan Jackson
@Heretic | September 24, 10 pm – 3am
Time to dim the lights and see what happens in the dark! No cover
Atlanta Disco Society XII
@The Basement | September 24, 10 pm – 3 am
Let’s disco, Atlanta. Join NonsenseATL behind the velvet rope for a night of glamour, debauchery, and disco dancing. Anything goes on the light-up dance floor, and everyone who’s anyone will be there.
Marti Frieson at Future NO COVER!
@ Future Atlanta | September 24, 11pm – 3 am
This no-cover event will have you dancing the night away to the best circuit beats.
XION w/ GSP at Believe Music Hall
@ Believe Music Hall | September 25, 3–7 am
Close out the night with Atlanta’s most popular afters at Xion.
Bottom’s Up! Drag Brunch featuring Utica
@City Winery Atlanta | September 25, 11:30 am
Enjoy this boozy drag brunch featuring special guest Utica from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Meet & Greet available, tickets at citywinery. com.
Free MPX Vaccine Event
@X Midtown | September 25, 4–8 pm
X Midtown joins forces with A Vision 4 Hope and Gilead to help get our community vaccinated against MPX. The free vaccine event will happen every Sunday until October 2. No appointment needed - first come, first serve—more at avision4hope.com.
A Special SNEAK PREVIEW of Meak Productions’ Fall Season
Other Model Photos courtesy of Miko Evans for Meak Productions, Inc.
I have been having some trouble with family lately. We have never truly seen eye to eye on everything because I am gay, but things have recently escalated. They don’t want to come and see me, they didn’t text or called for the past week and a half, and it seems they only reach out to me if they need something. Am I dumb to think they want anything more than a “convenient” familial relationship?
I am glad this is being brought up right before Atlanta’s Pride. First of all, happy early Pride! You need to take this time to really celebrate who you are and what you’ve been through. No one will ever take that away from you. You are a unique individual with a unique story that deserves to be celebrated. This is your time to do just that. Now, with your family. Many families feel the need to keep lines of communication open because they are “family.” People don’t seem to understand that there is often toxicity that we push aside because of that bloodline. Do not allow yourself to fall victim to this way of thinking. You are your own person, and you can act autonomously. You likely persevered for years on your own, and you can continue to do so. It’s time for you to focus on your chosen family who supports and loves you!
