Can’t get Kylie out of my head
Apr. 17 — The LGBTQ+ community was out in force last Friday night for the Kylie Minogue concert at State Farm Arena. The Australian pop star has been a favorite for 40 years, so seeing her live was on my bucket list.
A set of hits old and new, swirling disco balls, lots of dancing, and a roaring, appreciative crowd made for a great two-hour escape – and we certainly need that whenever possible. You can read my review and see photos of the show here.
🍻 The Atlanta Pride Committee held a Halfway to Pride gathering on Saturday to mark six months until the celebration and parade on Oct. 11-12. The organization is looking for event volunteers, and you can sign-up here.
🏳️⚧️ House Republicans advanced two anti-transgender bills last week, one that would out students in public elementary and middle schools to their parents and a second covering grades K-12 that critics have dubbed the “don’t say trans” bill.
👠 Did you see the season three trailer for “And Just Like That…”? The “Sex and the City” spin-off is horrible, but I can’t stop watching it. Che Diaz is out (hooray!), but I doubt we’ll get another Samantha cameo. Sigh.
Thanks for reading!
Collin
🐾 The Midtown Mutt Gala returns Sun., May 4! Inspired by the Met Gala, enjoy food, music, vendors, and costumed dogs on the red carpet. Free to watch; small fee to enter your pup, register by May 1. Details here! SPONSOR MESSAGE
Dennis Dean Catering to preserve Retzleff’s legacy under new ownership
🍽️ Following the death of culinary powerhouse Dennis Retzleff, Annie Duncan and Adam Shoemaker (pictured) are preserving his legacy as the new owners of Dennis Dean Catering.
The takeover by Duncan and Shoemaker, the company’s general manager and director of sales, respectively, had been in the works for several months prior to Retzleff’s death due to his worsening illness.
“Dennis was very private about his illness, understandably so, but a lot of people didn’t realize that for the past eight or nine months before he passed away, he wasn’t even in the office. We were running the show,” Duncan told Rough Draft. “Nobody saw any difference in anything that was happening around here. They didn’t see any difference in the quality of their events or anything like that, because it was very important to us that that didn’t happen.”
➡ Find out more about the future of the company here.
A CSA that’s more than just a subscription
SPONSORED BY LOVE IS LOVE COOPERATIVE FARM
👩🌾 The worker-owner farmers of Love is Love Cooperative Farm invite you to join their Community Supported Agriculture (“CSA”) Group.
🥬 In its 18th year, the CSA is more than just a weekly vegetable subscription. It is a community of conscientious humans who enjoy certified organic produce and supporting local businesses.
Members who subscribe to Love is Love Cooperative Farm report that they enjoy eating high-quality, certified organic food; knowing their farmers, and helping take care of the earth! All appreciate the rewarding relationships and sense of belonging.
Out on Film reveals recipients of Filmmaker Fund
🎥 Out on Film, Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ film festival, has announced the recipients of its annual Filmmaker Fund.
This is the second year that Out on Film has held the fund, which was started as a way to champion queer artists, and this year’s group consists of nine filmmakers.
Each filmmaker has received up to $2,500. This year’s grants totaled over $15,000, made possibly by a 2024 Kickstarter campaign.
➡ Click here to see the recipients of the award.
Embracing senior status at age 55
➡ “I turned 55 today and would like to sign up.”
That’s what columnist Melissa Carter told the receptionist at the front desk of her local senior center last month. She learned the minimum age to join was 55, and she hit the ground running on that birthday.
Carter is not ashamed to say she joined the senior center, since she’s never adhered to ageism in her life. However she does get odd looks from friends, especially younger ones, surprised that she voluntarily placed herself within that grouping.
💥 Read more in Melissa’s “That’s What She Said” column on how she embraces senior status.
🐾 The Midtown Mutt Gala returns Sun., May 4! Inspired by the Met Gala, enjoy food, music, vendors, and costumed dogs on the red carpet. Free to watch; small fee to enter your pup, register by May 1. Details here! SPONSOR MESSAGE
Best Bets
📖 Charis Books & More in Decatur welcomes Karen Finley in conversation with Agnes Scott Art professor Nell Ruby tonight, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. for a discussion of “Covid Vortex Anxiety Opera Kitty Kaleidoscope Disco,” a poetic meditation on the extraordinary time of loss, isolation, and bizarre rituals of the pandemic and its aftermath.
💃 Puff Puff Pass: A Queer 420 Dance Party hosted by Southern Fried Queer Pride is set for April 19 from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. at Eyedrum Gallery.
😂 Here to Pee – A Trans Comedy Protest Tour is touching down in all 50 states to flush hate, fight bathroom bills, and fund queer organizations. The tour stops at The Atlanta Eagle on April 21 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.
Social Follow of the Week
📸 Hilarious lesbian comedian Jessica Kirson’s new standup special “I’m The Man” drops April 25 on Hulu, but be sure to follow her on Instagram for a taste of her bawdy crowd work.
