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Read the press release here.

Global Singers and Jackson Heights Performer Highlight Pride Festival

By Katie Honan | June 6, 2014 10:15am
 Jackson Heights resident Brad Bradley, pictured, will perform three songs from his show, "B Squared," at the pride festival at Flushing Town Hall.
Jackson Heights resident Brad Bradley, pictured, will perform three songs from his show, "B Squared," at the pride festival at Flushing Town Hall.
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Brad Bradley

FLUSHING — Artists from all over the borough, with roots all over the world, have been selected for a show that celebrates the LGBTQ and immigrant communities in Queens.

Flushing Town Hall and Terraza 7, with support from Councilman Danny Dromm, have announced their lineup for the June 21 Pride concert, which includes actors, singers and other musicians performing songs and shows inspired by their experiences. The performers were selected from an open call earlier this spring. 

The two-act show is headlined by the Mahina Movement, a trio of singers that has performed with Immortal Technique, Harry Belafonte and others.

The three women, Gabriella Callender, Lorena Ambrosio and Vaimoana Litia Makakaufaki Niumeitolu, hail from Peru, Ireland, West Africa and Tonga and say their diverse backgrounds have lead them to create "passionate music tied to flesh and bone, straight from the heart."

The second act features a slew of performers including Brad Bradley, who's performed on Broadway in "Spamalot," "Annie Get Your Gun" and "Billy Elliot" and has lived in Jackson Heights for 10 years.

He'll perform three songs from his one-man show "B Squared," which has played at theaters in New York City and in San Diego. The songs represent his experience growing up as a closeted gay man during the AIDS crisis, when he feared who he was.

"I was petrified to be gay when I was 12, 14," he said.

"Now, I'm 40 — and I'm such a happy proud man. It's such a difference being a fearful child when I thought I had no future."

He's looking forward to sharing his art with other performers, who also represent the immigrant experience.

"I'm excited for the diversity," he said, then joked, "I'm looking forward to having a celebration of queens in Queens."

The pride show will be held on Saturday, June 21 at 7 p.m. at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for members can be purchased at www.flushingtownhall.org or by calling 718- 463-7700 extension 222.