[OutVoice] Tallahassee, FL: "PrideFest features Estrada"

[thechorusboy at aol.com]

Tallahassee Democrat

PRIDEFEST FEATURES ESTRADA

By Kati Schardl
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

April 7, 2006

Read it online:
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060407/ENT/604070
313



The gay-pride parades and festivals that dot the world's cultural map 
are lively legacies of the Stonewall Rebellion in New York City.

The June 1969 raid by police on a gay gathering place called the 
Stonewall Inn triggered a spasm of violent protest and conflict between 
New York's gay community and police officers. The clashes marked the 
beginning of the Gay Liberation Movement, in which decades of anger and 
outrage at police harassment and brutality found a public outlet.

Most Pride festivities commemorating the anniversary of the Stonewall 
riots take place during the last week of June. But in Florida, the 
occasion is usually celebrated in the springtime, when the weather is 
glorious and university students haven't scattered for the summer.

The local lesbian, gay and transgender community bursts into bloom this 
weekend for Tallahassee PrideFest 2006. The festivities commence with a 
performance by the sumptuously entertaining Latin pop 
singer/comedian/cross-dressing historical interpreter Jade Esteban 
Estrada tonight at the downtown hotspot Paradigm.

Estrada packed the house last year for a performance of his "ICONS: The 
Lesbian & Gay History of the World, Vol. 1" at Paradigm. That means 
you'd better get there early to stake out a prime spot for tonight's 
"ICONS: The Lesbian & Gay History of the World, Vol. 2."

In the first edition of Estrada's absolutely fabulous interpretation of 
world history, he delivered hysterical portrayals of such historical 
and cultural figures as Sappho, Michelangelo, Oscar Wilde, Gertrude 
Stein and Ellen DeGeneres. In "Vol. 2," he puts his special spin on 
such characters as Queen Christina of Sweden, Billie Jean King, Susan 
B. Anthony, Harvey Milk, Alexander the Great and 9/11 hero Mark Bingham.

Estrada previously worked as lead dancer for the campy legend Charo and 
has tickled funny bones aplenty on Comedy Central's "The Graham Norton 
Effect." His original Latin dance music has been used on the soundtrack 
of the police drama "The Shield," and he has appeared on the PBS series 
"In the Life."

Estrada will preside over the PrideFest activities at Tom Brown Park on 
Saturday. There'll be a special Kids Zone for the youngsters, a Doggie 
Station and a variety of food, crafts and service vendors and 
exhibitors.

The day wouldn't be complete without live music to make the crowd strut 
and shimmy. The PrideFest lineup includes Ravens Gate at 11:30 a.m., 
Nunez at 12:45 p.m., The Grand Canyons at 2, Kristi Lee at 3:15 and 
South Florida recording artist the Diane Ward Band at 4:30.
IF YOU GO

What: Jade Esteban Estrada's "ICONS: The Lesbian & Gay History of the 
World, Vol. 2" and Tallahassee PrideFest 2006

When: 7:30 p.m. today; PrideFest takes place from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 
Saturday.

Where: Performance is at Paradigm, 115 W. College Ave. PrideFest is at 
Tom Brown Park.

Cost: $15 at the door for the show; free for PrideFest

Phone: 222-8555

www.GetJaded.com