Our very own New York Public Library and Souleo Enterprises, LLC celebrate June, Gay Pride Month with some super nifty events I think you might want to know about. As NYPL Adult Programming Specialist Kelly Yim relates: “These programs bring into light important issues in the LGBT community, such as marriage, and also highlight some of the talents within the community.â€
Below is the full calendar:
6/4, 5 p.m. The Last Taboo: LGBT Hip-Hop, Tompkins Square Library, 331 East 10th Street (near Avenue B)
Cultural critic, Greg Tate, and CEO of Digiwaxx Media, Corey “CL†Llewellyn, will join LGBT talents, including award winning electro and hip-hop artist, Baron, and Baltimore’s openly gay lyricist, Go DDm to discuss the challenges faced by the LGBT community as they aim to expand the hip-hop genre. DJ Baker, creator/producer/host of Da Doo-Dirty Show, moderates.
6/5, 6:30 p.m. It Gets Better: Healing Through Improv, Mid-Manhattan Library, 455 Fifth Avenue (at 40th Street)
The hilarious National Comedy Theatre presents an interactive program where improvisational actors will recreate scenes from the LGBT experience based off of suggestions from library patrons.
6/7, 2 p.m. Styled by Literature, Seward Park Library, 192 East Broadway (at Jefferson St.)
Literary inspired makeovers will be given by some of NYC’s top drag queens including “Showbiz Spitfire†Paige Turner, Ebonee Excell and Yuhua Hamasaki, while special guest Mr. Mickey, Paper Magazine editorial director, provides expert style tips in this fun, fabulous and fierce interactive event. Raffle giveaway prizes include Sephora make-up and other gifts.
6/11, 5 p.m. I Love You, Now Marry Me: Marriage in the LGBT Community, Tompkins Square Library, 331 East 10th Street (near Avenue B)
Heed the words of Dr. Darcy Smith Sterling, contributing writer for Psychology Today and columnist for GO Magazine as he provides patrons expert advice on how to know when it’s the right time to marry, what to prepare for and how to make it last after the honeymoon.
6/14, 6:30 p.m. It Gets Better: Healing Through Improv, Jefferson Market Library, 425 Avenue of the Americas (at 10th St.) See 6/5
6/15, 6:30 p.m. Styled by Literature, Jefferson Market Library, 425 Avenue of the Americas (at 10th St.)
See 6/7 with added Hedda Lettuce and special guest Bevy Smith, social media socialite.
6/16, 2 p.m. The Last Taboo: LGBT Hip-Hop, Riverside Library, 127 Amsterdam Avenue (at W. 65th St.)
See 6/4 with added VIBE Senior Editor, Clover Hope, and Kathy Iandoli (Music Editor of HipHopDX and writer for MTV, MSN Music, VIBE and The Source) and LGBT hip-hop artists Foxxjazell and Soce The Elemental Wizard.
6/16, 2 p.m. Love Thy Diva: Madonna & Bette Midler, Tompkins Square Library, 331 East 10th St.
Madonna impersonator, Vivian Belle, Bette Midler impersonator, The Divine Grace, and Clay Cane, radio host of Clay Cane Live on WWRL 1600AM and entertainment editor at BET.com, critique, analyze and celebrate diva worshipping in the LGBT community. Michael Musto moderates (say that 3 times fast!)
6/20, 5:30 p.m. I Love You, Now Marry Me: Marriage in the LGBT Community, Mulberry Street Library, 10 Jersey Street (Between Lafayette & Mulberry Streets)
Same as 6/11 but different location and hosted by Charlie The Matchmaker, Huffington Post blogger.
6/22, 5:30 p.m. Styled by Literature, Mid-Manhattan Library, 455 Fifth Avenue (at 40th Street)
See 6/15 and 6/7 dates. In addition to guests above, Lindsay Weiner provides expert style tips on this day.
6/23, 2 p.m. Love Thy Diva: Whitney Houston & Beyonce, Riverside Library, 127 Amsterdam Ave. (at W. 65th St)
Whitney Houston impersonator, Tyra Ross, Beyonce impersonator, Charley Marie, and Edward Wyckoff Williams, political analyst (MSNBC, TheGrio.com & Huffington Post) critique, analyze and celebrate diva worshipping in the LGBT community. Clay Cane moderates.
6/ 23, 2 p.m. A Moment of…LOUD: Lip-Syncing w/John Epperson (Lypsinka’s Maid) Webster Library, 1465 York Avenue (near E. 78th St.),
Legendary drag entertainer, John Epperson (Lypsinka’s Maid), conducts a master class celebrating the art of lip-syncing.
6/30th, 2 p.m. A Moment of…LOUD: A Fashion Reinvention w/Beau McCall, Riverside Library, 127 Amsterdam Avenue (at W. 65th St.)
Reinvent your old and worn T-shirts in this interactive fashion workshop led by creative artist, stylist and fashion designer, Beau McCall (featured in Women’s Wear Daily). Patrons are advised to bring their favorite large sized T-shirt, a pair of scissors and a seam ripper. T-shirts will be made available for sale to those that wish to purchase ready-to-wear items.
For details on the events, visit: www.nypl.org or www.souleouniverse.com.
