Get ready to tap your toes, bop your head, and shimmy your shoulders! Come out and enjoy live Jazz, R&B, and Pop music surrounded by your friends in an intimate local LGBTQ+ venue! This Saturday, The Pride Center at Equality Park launches the 2023/2024 Season of “Jammin’ at The Center”.
“Jammin’ at The Center” is an eight-concert series by consummate artists who delight our diverse communities. This Saturday’s kick-off features local fave Jon Davis. Then from November through May, you can enjoy a different fantastic concert on the third Saturday of the month.
“I love attending the Jammin’ concerts each month,” says Robert Boo, CEO of The Pride Center. “I’m absolutely blown away by the level of talent at the shows. Each month is next-level musical entertainment.”
You can purchase individual concert tickets for $25 per person or Season Package Tickets at $175 per person. All tickets include two beverages and free parking. Visit PrideCenterFlorida.org for more details!
The Pride Center Board Chair Christopher Bates helps curate and produce “Jammin’ at The Center” using well-honed knowledge, artist relations, and concert management experience.
“Because South Florida lacks venues that showcase the talents of these Jazz and R&B artists, we serve an underserved intersection of communities,” says Bates. “Enthusiastic audience feedback has identified that the series fills several community gaps, supporting local musicians, and gathering LGBTQ+ audiences for diverse live cultural events.”
Bates has nearly 30 years of demonstrated experience in event planning and concert production during his life in DC. When he retired to South Florida in 2013, he befriended owners and artists where live performance, specifically Jazz and Blues, occurred. In 2017, Bates served as events coordinator at the historic Hampton House in Miami, an African American museum and community center that served as a central place “to be and be seen” in the Miami Black community. Bates produced and secured artists for jazz concerts, a true spotlight for musicians to perform. In late 2018, Bates first began work with The Center to offer a jazz concert series on campus. On a shoestring budget, the first two jazz concerts were held Spring 2019. Bates hosted six additional concerts at The Center from September 2019 to March 2020. Last year, with the help of The Our Fund Foundation, The Pride Center expanded the concerts and launched the successfully received “Jammin’ at The Center” series.
This program was made possible by a grant from The Our Fund Foundation, an LGBTQ community foundation.
“The Our Fund Foundation is excited to support Jammin'; at the Center because the series works on several levels,” says David Jobin, President; CEO of The Our Fund Foundation. “In addition to bringing awareness of The Pride Center to a diverse community, Christopher Bates; talent lineup attracts an audience who might otherwise not interact. It's an event I try never to miss.”
Upcoming concerts include:
10.07.23 Jon Davis
11.18.23 Joey Gilmore Blues
12.16.23 Davis & Dow
01.20.24 Jack Brandfield Trio
02.17.24 Leesa Humphrey
03.16.24 Valerie Tyson Band
04.20.24 Tal Cohen Trio
05.18.24 Jesse Jones Jr.
Just as Jazz and R&B are collaborative art forms, our “Jammin’ at The Center” series feature collaborative work. In addition to the participation of incredible musical artists, Miami Jazz and Film Society works with The Center on cross-promotion. The Society organizes and hosts Jazz shows at the historic Olympia Theater in downtown Miami.
“Step into our intimate venue, nestled on the campus of Equality Park!” says Paula Lauriano-Stiehm, Event Coordinator at The Center who helps produce the concert series. “These small group and solo performances will transport you to a world where every note is a love letter to your senses.”
The Pride Center at Equality Park is located at 2040 N Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, Florida, 33305. This year, The Center celebrates 30 years of service as your local LGBTQ+ community center. Its mission states: “We provide a welcoming, safe space — an inclusive home — that celebrates, nurtures, and empowers the LGBTQ+ community, and our friends and neighbors in South Florida.”
To learn more about “Jammin’ at The Center” or to purchase individual concert or season tickets, please visit PrideCenterFlorida.org!