New Stages' HEROIC LIVES to Feature LGBT Seniors

The LGBTQ movement has had its heroes and heroines - the people who fought, and sometimes died, for the sake of liberation. Sometimes, it's the everyday people, living out lives in a non-accepting world, who are the real heroes.

New Stages' Heroic Lives, an evening of stories and songs featuring LGBTQ seniors, directed by Mark Salyer and Kay Cole with musical direction by Debbie Lawrence, will be presented at the West Hollywood Council Chambers, June 22 and 23 at 7:00PM.

New Stages is a Los Angeles-based arts program for LGBTQ seniors with an emphasis on music, storytelling and theater. "These beautiful individuals and their life stories are really what gay pride is all about, so it's wonderful that we are a part of the Pride arts festival in Los Angeles," says co-director Mark Salyer.

Heroic Lives is presented as part of the City of West Hollywood's One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival, which this year celebrates the theme 'I Remember.' More than 30 events and exhibits take place from Harvey Milk Day (May 22nd) through the end of June Pride month. For more info and to see a full roster of events please visit www.weho.org/pride or follow on social media @WeHoArts. One City One Pride is organized by the City of West Hollywood's Arts Division.

"The City of West Hollywood is proud to continue to support New Stages, which offers a great opportunity for our local seniors to showcase their talents and share compelling stories about their lives," said City of West Hollywood Mayor John J. Duran. "This is especially relevant this year as we celebrate those who paved the way for the rights we hold dear with "I Remember" serving as our One City One Pride theme."

Heroic Lives is the culmination of seven weeks of workshops in voice development, music and storytelling. "The fact that each person has the opportunity to make their voice heard in such a personal and intimate way, that's what makes this program special," says Broadway veteran Kay Cole.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center co-sponsors the programs of New Stages each year. The performers are part of the Center's Senior Services program which provides more than 100 events monthly to LGBT older adults at the Village and Triangle Square apartments. New Stages is an integral part of Senior Services at the Center and a signature Pride month event.

"New Stages has become an integral part of Senior Services at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. This heartwarming Pride season event is now a much loved tradition, " says Tripp Mills, Deputy Director of Senior Services at the LA LGBT Center. "We can't wait!"
New Stages is a program of Oasis Theater Company, a Los Angeles based collective of artists dedicated to cultivating creative communities.

"This is what NewStages has created, a community formed around the creative process," adds Salyer.

For more information about contributing to or joining New Stages' workshops, please visit us at www.newstages.org. For reservations to Heroic Lives, please call 323.860.5830 or by email to seniors@lalgbtcenter.org.