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Grand Cities Pride Celebrates with Top Notch Entertainment
Live Music Alert: Heidi Barton Stink 1:30 pm, Suzen Juel 2:30 pm, MJ Kroll 4 pm, Town Square, Grand Forks ND FREE; Drag show and dance, Sensations, Grand Forks ND, 8 pm, $7 21+
MJ Kroll
This year’s two day Grand Cities Pride Event has expanded into two days. Saturday will feature live music once more in Town Square in Grand Forks ND in a family event and a drag show and dance at Sensations for those 21 and over. Sunday offers an all-faith multidenominational service and community potluck at Riverside Park (Indoor Community Room). Sponsored by UND Ten Percent Society and Champagne Dreams Productions, Grand Cities Pride is celebrating its third year, showcasing community activism as the local GLBTQ community joins hands with supporters from the wider community.
O
nce more, event organizers are bringing in talent from Minneapolis for the event. Heidi Barton Stink will take the stage at 1:30 pm. A hip-hop artist, Stink is also Trans-Radical-Queer, writing and performing songs about transgender rights, addiction, and the shame and tribulations transgenders face growing up in a gender-normative so-called liberal Midwestern city. [Note: You can download her new EP, The Familiar Pattern, FREE at http://bartonstink.bandcamp.com/ or join her on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BartonStink
Taking the stage following her is Suzen Juel, a.k.a. JueL Resistance, a self taught musician and artist who has been performing since she was 13. Drawing from a family of French musicians, artists, and writers, Juel made a name for herself in the 90s, playing local clubs sucah as The Fine Line and The Loring Bar, releasing an album during that time.
She married and took time off to raise her husband’s four sons, returing to the guitar and her love of music recently. She has also built a following in the visual art world for her paintings, drawings, and photography displayed at Second Life, a virtual art presence. In addition, she owns and performs at the infamous Living Room #13 where she has headlined and hosted Naked Acoustic Sessions for almost 2 years, bringing in only the finest seasoned and raw musicians of Second Life. Her instrumental work has a raw edge and her vocals are reminisent of Victoria Williams.
Highlighting the day is MJ Kroll, a strong singer/songwriter with a soaringly beautiful voice, who was one of the featured entertainers for last year’s Pride Day. She sang selections from her first CD, Resonate, that was released in 2007 and some new material. She was accompanied then by Adena Brumer from her backup band, The Believers.
- MJ Kroll and Adena Brumer
Her newest, a six-song EP, Wondering, is out now, and like her previous album, features songs ranging from poignant ballads to acoustic folk to danceable pop tunes. But always, Kroll sings of hope and possibility even though she might be indicting America or shaming the hard-hearted neighbor next door. She is a polished performer but with a most approachable sound and message.
Her song “Believe,” from Resonate, has been formatted for the Rockband game and will be available for Xbox download this spring. “Show on HBO” from the new EP was written and produced with arranger Benji Conklin and Monroe’s former frontman Tony Ortiz and is a song about an older musician trying to revive a former career. It is a reflection of the economic unrest in the country and the changes within the music industry.
MJ’s music can also be heard at www.myspace.com/mjkroll and via online radio at www.twincitiesradio.net
Check out all of these talented musicians at Grand Cities Pride Saturday May 22.
Schedule Saturday, May 22, 2010
Town Square Park (Water Wheel Park)
Corner of 3rd St & DeMers Ave, Grand Forks, ND
1:00 PM – Welcome, Vendors, Tables, Kids Activities
1:30 PM – Live Music by Heidi Barton Stink
2:30PM – Live Music by Suzen Juel
3:30 PM – Award Presentation
4:00 PM – Live Music by MJ Kroll
5:00 PM – Closing Ceremony
5:30 PM – Community Clean-Up of Town Square Park
8:00 PM – Drag Show (21+)
Drag Show Presented by Champagne Dreams Productions
Time: Doors Open at 7:00 PM, Show starts at 8:00 PM
Details: $7 Cover, Must be 21+
Sensations Night Club
4220 5th Avenue North
Grand Forks, ND
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Riverside Park – Indoor Community Room
100 1st Avenue North, Grand Forks
11:00 AM – All-Faith Multidenominational Service
12:00 PM – Community Potluck (Bring a dish to share!)
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