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Entertainment Closing Ceremony Program
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| Keynote Address |
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Leigh-Ann Naidoo [ site
]
Leigh-Ann is the first Gay Games Ambassador from Africa. She lives in Cape Town, South Africa, after a short time living in Chicago with her partner. She was a member of the first African beach volleyball team in the 2004 Olympic Games. Her father, Derrick, was president of South Africa¹s first non-racial volleyball organization. Her other sports include javelin, shot put, discus, tennis, soccer and softball. |
| National
Anthem |
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BETTY [ site
]
Alyson Palmer, Amy and Elizabeth Ziff have been known for their "shimmering, spine-tingling harmonies" [Billboard] since 1986. As activist artists, they raise their voices demanding equal rights and a radical revolution to dance to since they met. Hear BETTY a'cappella or rocking with their hot band worldwide; touring their hit Off-Broadway show, BETTY RULES; and performing their theme song for and appearing on Showtime's, THE L WORD. |
| Speakers
/ Performers |
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ANT [
site ]
Hyper, irreverent, and "...so gay, he can put a lisp in the word 'cracker'", ANT has become one of America's most successful comedians. A regular guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, ANT is the only comedian to appear on all 3 seasons of NBC's "Last Comic Standing". Currently hosting VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club", he stars in "U.S. of ANT" on LOGO. His hit stand-up DVD, "ANT: America's Ready" is available in stores now. |
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Poppy
Champlin [ site
]
A cross between the sweet grooving persona of Ellen Degeneres
and Denis Leary's raunchy sarcasm, Poppy erupts onto the stage with
enough energy to take down the house in her first minute of comedy. Rapid
fire jokes and comedic songs keep her audiences loyal. From VH-1 to A&E,
she is known as one of the fastest witted female comediennes on either coast. |
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DC
Cowboys [ site
]
A 20-member-strong dance organization for gay men in Washington,
DC. Their style is a "trademark combo of Broadway-caliber verve,
sizzling sex appeal and rugged good looks." Internationally acclaimed,
they specialize in high-energy dance, contemporary country songs, club
mixes and musicals. They also provide free entertainment to HIV/AIDS nonprofits. |
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Ari
Gold [ site
]
R&B Pop Dance Artist Ari Gold is known worldwide as an openly gay singer/songwriter/producer, having been featured on VH-1, MTV, Top Of The Pops, & HBO. Two time Outmusic Award Winner, Ari's Billboard hit and new video "Love Will Take Over" debuted at #1 on LOGO. Ari's photobook/remix CD released everywhere solidified his status as a gay icon. |
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Ubaka
Hill [ site
]
Ubaka Hill (Ooo-bah'-kah) is a nationally known drummer, teacher, performer,
and visual artist. She began drumming professionally in 1974 at the age
of 18 in her home state of New Jersey. Hill has performed with various creative
artists and cofounded percussion performance groups. Hill has recorded with
various artists and on soundtracks for educational and creative videos.
|
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Eric
Himan [ site
]
Eric Himan delivers melodic poetry, acoustic rockin' riffs, dynamic vocals and vivid storytelling that cuts straight to the heart. His music is a whimsical mixture of folk, blues, rock, country, and jazz. His poetry and stories speak to his audiences and exposes emotions most of us push aside in our daily hustle and bustle. Eric has been featured in OUT magazine's "Top 100 of 2005", Instinct, Genre, and Curve magazines. |
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Jason & deMarco [ site
]
The pop duo is releasing their fourth album “Till the End of Time,” this summer on RJN/Centaur. Remixes of “Trying To Get To You” are already shooting up the Billboard dance charts. They have lent their talents to various organizations including the NGLTF, the Matthew Shepard Foundation, EQCA, and are featured on the HRC “Love Rocks” album. |
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Levi
Kreis [ site
]
Growing up in Eastern Tennessee, Levi was playing the piano by the age of
six, regularly performing shows by eight and by the time he turned twelve,
was writing his own songs. At fifteen, Levi recorded his first independent
album and began touring the south. Cast as Roger in the national tour of
RENT, Levi and Del Shores wrote "Stained Glass Window" for "Southern
Baptist Sissies" which has cultivated a faithful grass-roots following. |
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Cyndi
Lauper [ site
]
Lauper's thin, girlish voice and gleefully ragtag appearance became
one of the most distinctive images of the early '80s, which helped lead
her not only to the top of the charts, but also to stardom. The Body Acoustic,
a collection of stripped-down reinventions of previous hits, was released
last year. Lauper continues to tour the world performing live, and is noted
as an energetic live performer. |
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Sharon
McNight [ site ]
In a career spanning more than 25 years, Ms. McNight has won numerous awards.
McNight has become one of cabaret's superstar divas with cult status enjoyed
by few others. She is a powerhouse performer and consummate singer that
moves her adoring audience from introspective soaring to bawdy, irreverent
wisecracking that packs each performance she gives. |
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Nanae [ site
]
Nanae is a world renowned artist of Middle Eastern and Oriental dance. Born in Tokyo, she began dancing at the age of three, and holds a master's degree in performing arts from Tamagawa University. Nanae, an exclusive MAQAM® artist, has traveled the world performing the ancient art of Arabic and Middle Eastern dance and has worked with the legendary performers and choreographers of Caracalla. |
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Kristine W [ site ]
Internationally acclaimed recording artist Kristine W is back on top of the charts with her latest album, FLY AGAIN. She holds the Billboard Magazine record for most consecutive # 1 dance hits - besting the record previously held by Madonna and Janet Jackson. In addition to being an amazing singer, Kristine is also an accomplished musician, songwriter and producer. |
CHICAGO ROCKS - with Chuck Panozzo & Dylan Rice
Ensemble Performance of "The Faces Of Victory"
(words and music by Dylan Rice) |
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Chuck Panozzo [ site
]
Chuck Panozzo is bass player and co-founder for the rock band STYX. After 30 years as STYX only bassist, in 1991, he announced he was gay, living with HIV, and starting his own personal campaign for AIDS awareness and gay rights. A Chicago native, Chuck continues his campaign, performs and now resides in south Florida with his partner, artist/AIDS-activist Tim McCarron. |
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Dylan Rice [ site
]
Dylan Rice has captivated audiences with his sultry vocals and driving guitar rhythms, drawing comparisons to Chris Isaak and Morrissey. The Advocate voted his debut CD, "Wandering Eyes," one of the “Top 10 Indie CD's of 2005." Dylan will perform his song “The Faces of Victory,” written inspired by the Gay Games, with STYX bassist Chuck Panozzo and Chicago GLBT rockers." |
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Anne-Marie Akin
Gary Airedale
Andrea Bunch
Ripley Caine
Scott Free
Lisa Hernandez
Katie Jacobson
Martie Marro
Amy Matheny
Beazley Phillips
Ellen Rosner
Aerin Tedesco
Jinx Titanic
Me Kole Wells
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| Creative
Team |
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Kile
Ozier, Ceremonies Director [ site
]
Kile has a solid reputation across a spectrum of industries wherein effective,
experiential storytelling is a key component. Significant work includes
the 1992 Candle Light Vigil for the NAMES Quilt in DC and the landmark 1994
NYC Opening and Closing Ceremonies for Gay Games IV. Formerly Creative Director
at Universal Studios Florida, he is the founder of Academy of Friends. |
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Ben
Patrick Johnson, Voice of GGVII [ site
]
Among the busiest voice-over actors in Hollywood, Ben is a signature primetime promo voice for FOX and CBS and is heard on thousands of movie trailers and TV spots yearly. The author of several novels set in Los Angeles, including the bestseller Third and Heaven, Ben uses his health & fitness celebrity and cover model status to benefit civil rights organizations like IGLHRC and EQCA. |
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GiGi
Grose - Music Producer [ site
]
Her career in the arts focused on dance, choreography, live entertainment
and music production. Born funky, she has been a Vegas showgirl and choreographed
for commercial, film, theater and the sports arena. In 1999 Gigi began working
with Antigravity---eventually wearing many hats; as a Production Coordinator,
Associate Choreographer, Casting Director, Music Editor and "right
arm" of the Artistic Director. |
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Shelly
Bomb - Costume Designer [ site
]
Ms. Bomb has designed costumes for Anti-Gravity for more than 100 shows.
She is the personal costume designer for Kate Pierson (B-52s) and has costumed
the dancers for major concerts. Shelly started her design career with extravagant
club coutere fashions in the late 1980s. Shelly's awards include a "Best
Costumes of the Year" award from Sports Illustratedand the title of
"Style Setter" by the Ladies Home Journal. |
| Creative
Team - Closing Ceremonies |
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John McCall, Producer [ site
]
need bio & site. |
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Michael
Schwandt [ site
]
Michael is one of the hottest creative visionaries for movement
and direction in Hollywood. His extensive body of work can be seen in
commercials, corporate industrial films, television, award shows, special
events, and various recording artist projects. Michael is the Creative
Director of FUSION entertainment, a company that provides dancers and
specialty circus acts for live events. |
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GiGi
Grose - Assistant Choreographer [ site
]
Her career in the arts focused on dance, choreography, live entertainment
and music production. Born funky, she has been a Vegas showgirl and choreographed
for commercial, film, theater and the sports arena. In 1999 Gigi began working
with Antigravity---eventually wearing many hats; as a Production Coordinator,
Associate Choreographer, Casting Director, Music Editor and "right
arm" of the Artistic Director. |
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Joseph
Nadeau - Choral Conductor [ site
]
Joe recently received a master's degree in choral conducting
from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Joe has directed many instrumental
and vocal ensembles on the community level and on regional/international
tours of New England, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Canada, Austria,
Germany, Switzerland and France. |
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Pam Wolfe - Band Director
Before relocating to Oahu, Hawaii in January of 2006, Pam Wolfe was Assistant Artistic Director for D.C.'s Different Drummers for five years. She was a member of the Florida State University Marching Chiefs, spent four years in the Indiana Army National Guard Band, and marched with the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band in the 2001 Inaugural and Super Bowl parades. |
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