Albuquerque PrideFest 2010

Besides wonderful weather, Albuquerque Pride offers nationally recognized entertainment, events, attractions and a Main Street with vendors selling an assortment of food, treats, gifts, toys and more!

This year Friday night’s entertainment includes Martha Wash and BeBe Zahara Benet.
Wash began her music career as a backing singer for Sylvester. With fellow backing singer Izora Rhodes, she was half of “Two Tons O’ Fun”, who would later be renamed The Weather Girls. When the singers left to pursue a career on their own, they achieved success with a handful of successful disco-oriented tracks, culminating with the 1982 release of “It’s Raining Men” which still receives regular play in dance clubs and R&B radio.

Later, when the Weather Girls disbanded, Wash continued to lend her vocals to various dance and house music tracks. Several of them became massive pop, R&B and dance hits. She sang lead vocals on all three of Black Box’s U.S. top-forty hits, including the top-ten smashes “Everybody Everybody” and “Strike It Up”, and The C+C Music Factory’s “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)”, which hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991. At the time Wash was not credited as the vocalist on these recordings.
Then bad times hit. Wash’s image had been labeled “unmarketable” because of her size. Undaunted, she successfully sued to receive proper credit and royalties as the vocalist on all the records she had performed on. Wash’s courtroom efforts spurred legislation making vocal credits mandatory on CD’s and music videos. It also awarded her a recording contract with RCA Records, which led to her debut, self-titled solo album in 1993. The album scored three top ten club/dance hits including “Carry On”, “Give It to You”, and “Runaround.” Of which the first two hit number one.

Wash, a notable star within the gay community, continues to record new music into the 21st century such as her first new single in more than 5 years, “You Lift Me Up” – a fusion of gospel and house, which is the first song produced on her own label, Purple Rose Records. Wash performed in the opening ceremony of the World’s first OutGames in Montreal in July 2006. She has also performed at numerous Human Rights Campaign events in the U.S. In 2006 Wash appeared as a guest on GSN’s I’ve Got a Secret, and performed “It’s Raining Men” for the all-gay panel.
She was a performer at the annual Big Gay Day in Brisbane, Australia on March 9, 2008. She also performed at the Chicago Gay Pride Street Fest on June 28, 2008, at the Nightingale as part of the Birmingham, England, bank holiday festival on August 23, 2008, at Washington, DC Capital Pride on June 14, 2009, and at the Opening Ceremony of the NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series in Milwaukee, WI on August 31, 2009. Most recently Martha Wash was seen as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race (2nd season). She makes her debut on the Main stage for Albuquerque Pride Friday, June 11.

Nea Marshall Kudi is BeBe Zahara Benet. Nea was born and raised in the Republic of Cameroon on the West African Coast and is now settled in Minneapolis. Before moving to the United States, he began working in France as a male runway model. It was there that Nea was first exposed to the art of feminine illusion. During a show when some of the female models did not show up he was asked to step in as a female. Bebe Zahara Benet was born. As a recording Artist, Bebe brings to the scene an eclectic infusion world music that pulls in her roots from West Africa and merges them with sensibilities of traditional house, dance, and R&B flavors.

Bebe Zahara Benet was last season’s winner on RuPaul’s Drag Race. She appeared on RuPaul’s latest album on the track “Covergirl” and is in the video along with fellow finalists, Nina Flowers and Rebecca Glasscock. Bebe is currently performing around the country and booking shows. Benet makes her Albuquerque debut on the Pride Main Stage Friday.
On Saturday morning the Pride Parade steps at 10:30 am running from Central and Girard to Central and San Pedro into Expo New Mexico. The Parade is one of the few events on Historic Route 66 so organizers say to bring some water, shade, and camera for Pride fun!

This year’s Grand Marshal is Mike Ruiz. Ruiz is a New York-based photographer best known for his high-impact, surreal brand of celebrity and fashion photography. He has worked with everyone from Betty White, Dolly Parton and Dennis Hopper to Lindsay Lohan, The Jonas Brothers and Zac Efron.

“Most people trying to foray into the hip-hop world try to conform to the stereotypes,” says GO NYC magazine. “For God-Des & She, by bucking the standard, they created their own. In other words, while most aspiring rappers try to set the bar, God-des & She ARE the bar.”
A hip-hop/pop/soul duo bred in the Midwest, God-Des & She now play to packed venues all over the world, from Lacrosse, Wisconsin, to Stockholm, Sweden. Ever since they appeared on Showtime’s The L Word three years ago, performing their infamous single “Lick It,” the pair hasn’t had a moment’s rest, selling over 30,000 albums, holding down the #1 song spot on MTV LOGO with their song “Love You Better,” and signing autograph after autograph for eager fans. With their new unreleased album, God-Des & She are about to blow up—big. Produced by Brian Hardgroove (Public Enemy, Wu Tang, Burning Spear, Aerosmith), their new album confirms their status as an underground act about to hit the mainstream. Experience God-Des and She will be performing on Saturday. They are also one of Albuquerque Pride’s 2010 Grand Marshals.
There is something for everyone at Pride. Some of the ongoing activities include the very successful Dance Tent, which will continue to bring you the latest twists, turns and tunes.

The Youth Dance will take place from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Because it was such a hit last year, this event has been moved to the Dance Tent. This free event includes food and drink. Only individuals who are under 21 may attend. Security will be provided for this safe, special and fun event.
Our furry friends are not excluded from celebrating Pride. The 2010 Pet Parade will be held on Friday at EXPO New Mexico. Registration opens at 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm and is located in front of the Pride Office. You may fill out the event form during registration. Ribbons will be award for “best of” categories. Lizards, iguanas, snakes, fish in bowls, and birds in cages are welcome! Dogs and cats can come, too. Fish do not have to be put on a leash.

Albuquerque Pride reserves the right to have any animals removed for any reason. Entrance fees will not be reimbursed.
Pets are welcome in the 2010 Pride Parade, but it is a 2.7 mile rout in June. Please have a plan if the pet cannot make the entire route.
No pets are allowed at the Pridefest on Saturday, with the exception of working/service animals. Do not leave your pet in a car at EXPO NM.
Enter the Sixth Annual Albuquerque Pridefest Queer Bake-Off and Recipe Auction on Saturday in the Creative Arts Building on Heritage Avenue, between Main Street and Tingley Coliseum.
The absolute deadline for entries is 12:45 GDT (Gay Daylight Time) the day of the event.

Ribbons will be awarded in the following Categories:Best PieBest Cake

• Best Cookies
• Best Bars/Brownies
• Anything else
• AND
• Best of Show
• Over the Top
• Queerest

Depending on the number of entries, some sub-categories may be added.

Just after the Bake-Off, stay put and listen to New Mexico’s best queer poets. You may also bring your poetry. A round robin open mic follows the featured poets and is open to every queer poet, published or unpublished, seasoned performers and those who’ve never read before.
Get your tickets early. Go to Albuquerque Pride, www.abqpride.com for tickets and more information.