Dsquared2 Spring 2017 Menswear

Dsquared2 Spring 2017 Menswear PFW runway photos.

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MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL

Pictured (L. to R.): Anastacia McCleskey, Anthony Wayne and Jacqueline B. Arnold

Photo: Nathan Johnson

"Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical"Now playing Off-Broadway at Theatre at St. Clement’s

Pictured: Anthony WaynePhoto Photo: Joan Marcus

Pictured (L. to R.): Jacqueline B. Arnold, Anastacia McCleskey, DeAnne Stewart, Rahmel McDade, and Anthony Wayne.

Photo: Joan Marcus

Pictured (L. to R.): Anastacia McCleskey and Jacqueline B. Arnold

Photo: Joan Marcus

Pictured (L. to R.): Anastacia McCleskey, Anthony Wayne and Jacqueline B. Arnold

Photo: Joan Marcus

Pictured: Martha Wash and Anthony Wayne as Sylvester, from the Off-Broadway musical MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL.

Photo Credit: Matthew Rettenmund

Anthony Wayne as Sylvester

Photo: Nathan Johnson

MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL, the hit musical celebration of the life and music of the original 1970s “Queen of Disco,” Sylvester, continues to spread “DISCO HEAT” across America, and will next play a special one-night-only performance on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:00 PM) at The Variety Playhouse (1099 Euclid Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30307).  

Produced by AnthonyKen LLC and Sheryl Lee Ralph/The DIVA Foundation, MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL is written by and stars Anthony Wayne (Pippin, Anything Goes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) and is co-directed by Mr. Wayne and Kendrell Bowman, who also serves as the show’s costume designer.  

Sylvester James, Jr. (September 6, 1947 – December 16, 1988), better known as Sylvester, was an American disco and soul singer-songwriter. Known for his flamboyant, androgynous appearance, he became known in the United States as the "Queen of Disco."  Born in Watts, LA, Sylvester developed a love of singing through the gospel choirs of his Pentecostal church, which he left after being persecuted for his homosexuality.  His career started as an early founder of a group of black cross-dressers and trans women known as The Disquotays. After that group disbanded, he moved to San Francisco and embraced the counterculture, joining a drag troupe, The Cockettes, and he eventually produced solo shows heavily influenced by female blues and jazz singers like Billie Holiday and Josephine Baker. Sylvester left the Cockettes to focus on his solo career, and by 1978, his acclaimed album Step II spawned the disco classics "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" and "Dance (Disco Heat).”  He released 12 albums in his career, and had several more hits, including “Do Ya Wanna Funk,” and “Can’t Stop Dancing.” An activist who campaigned against the spread of HIV/AIDS, Sylvester died from complications arising from the virus in 1988.  In 2004, "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame, and one year later in 2005, Sylvester himself was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his achievement as an artist.

Anthony Wayne and Kendrell Bowman were inspired to create the musical after seeing the “Unsung” documentary about the artist on TV One in 2010.  Moved by his story – by Sylvester’s bravery to openly be who he was in an era in which that was not supported or encouraged by society - Mr. Wayne sought out his music.  Hooked, he discussed Sylvester's music and influence with Mr. Bowman and they both put their talents together with determination to bring the icon's story to the stage. 

*For Tickets ($65.00 - $75.00) Visit www.FabulousSylvester.com for tickets and information.

Get to know Sylvester a little bit better:

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Atlanta PRIDE 2010

[caption id="attachment_4986" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Atlanta proudly celebrated it's 40th Annual Gay Pride!"]

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The weather could not have been more pleasant for the

40th Annual Atlanta Gay Pride Weekend

. Saturday and Sunday, Piedmont Park was filled with people from all walks of life coming together for the most festive weekend of the year.

[caption id="attachment_4987" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Brian & Jenny Leahy"] 

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I had a prime location on 10th Street. Not only did I find shade, but found a party as well!  I was a guest of a colleague, Brian Leahy, who, with his wife Jenny, hosted a big cookout at their place. This was the way to go. Great company, great food and too many cocktails at a prime spot. Happy Pride!

The Pride parade which ran for a solid 90 minutes+ did not disappoint. The floats seemed more elaborate and colorful. As usual, there was a strong political and religious presence mixed in with all the drag queens, non-profits, restaurants, corporations, night clubs and radio stations.

Atlanta favorites, Baton Bob, Nicole Paige Brooks, Bubba D. Licious and Project Q's Matt Hennie were doing their enthusiastic and respective roles in the parade. And that's just to name a few. Check out the photo gallery to see all the incredible supporters.

[caption id="attachment_4988" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="One of my parade favorites are the "dykes on bikes" that start off the event and set the tone with such great energy!"]

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[caption id="attachment_4995" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="The fabulous Nicole Paige Brooks!"]

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[caption id="attachment_5001" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Wells Fargo went all out in a beautiful red horse drawn carriage to celebrate the 40th Annual Atlanta Gay Pride."]

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[caption id="attachment_5002" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Gay Pride wouldn't be the same without its share of eye candy!"]

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[caption id="attachment_5007" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Another Atlanta staple, Baton Bob, doing what he loves most, swirling his baton!"]

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[caption id="attachment_5010" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="The famous Armorettes!"]

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[caption id="attachment_5013" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Gay friendly Orbitz."]

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[caption id="attachment_5015" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="The Digging Dykes of Decatur!"]

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[caption id="attachment_5016" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="The 20th Annual AIDS Walk Atlanta is next Sunday October 17th!"]

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[caption id="attachment_5018" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="We three Queens, representing Pets Are Loving Support! Bubba D. Licious, Erica Lee, Deserie Storm!"]

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[caption id="attachment_5020" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Chris Kids, an important organization for GBLT youth, look into them."]

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[caption id="attachment_5023" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Youth Pride is another group for GBLT youth work checking out."]

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[caption id="attachment_5024" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Matt Hennie, the genius behind the very popular ProjectQ Atlanta, stop over to say hello and snap a picture, when I snapped one back!"]

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[caption id="attachment_5026" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="I have a thing for butterflies."]

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Gay Pride is a celebration of life and diversity. We need to go deeper than that. Now more than ever, we must go beyond tolerance and embrace acceptance. Human life is precious. One suicide, one beating is one too many. The hatred, violence and bullying must stop!

Take action and save lives through The Trevor Project.

[caption id="attachment_5027" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Please do your part to save a young life. Check out The Trevor Project."]

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