OUT MONTCLAIR ANNOUNCES STAGE LINEUPS, ADDITIONAL SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS AND LOCAL LGBTQIA+ TALENT FOR THE INAUGURAL MONTCLAIR PRIDE, JUNE 11TH IN DOWNTOWN MONTCLAIR

Among the newly-announced guests, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, County and Township Officials, join Outpost in the Burbs, School of Rock, Apex Ensemble, Hillside Elementary’s Drums of Thunder, Jazz House Kids and the Vanguard Theater as just some of the local institutions supporting performances on Montclair Pride stages

Audi USA joins Montclair Center BID as official Presenting Sponsors of the first-ever Montclair Pride festival

(Montclair, NJ – May 31, 2022) – Out Montclair, a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization established in 2021 to provide community, support, and solidarity for LGBTQIA+ people and host of the first-ever Montclair Pride Festival on June 11th, today announces 15+ hours of performances and special guest addresses across three Pride stages, as well as announces Audi USA has signed on as Presenting Sponsor for Montclair Pride.

Audi USA joins Montclair Center as Presenting Sponsors of Montclair Pride, to be celebrated Saturday, June 11th, in Downtown Montclair. Event Sponsors include West of Hudson Real Estate, GO Magazine, Montclair Film, BDP Holdings, The George, Studio042, and The Wellmont Theater.

“At Audi, we are committed to driving progress through equity and inclusion,” said Audi Regional Marketing Manager Jennifer Kircher. “We believe that everyone should have a voice and we are proud to show our support for the LGBTQIA+ communities and organizations like Out Montclair in creating a more inclusive future for everyone.”

Out Montclair also announces the stage lineups for Montclair Pride on June 11th, with 15+ hours of guests, performers and local LGBTQIA+ talent on the Main Stage, School of Rock Stage for kids and families, and Pride Concert stage at the Wellmont Theater. Special guests include New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, along with Montclair Town Councilors Lori Price Abrams, Bob Russo, Robin Schlager and previously announced guests State Senator Nia Gill, Rep. Donald Payne, Jr., Deputy Mayor Bill Hurlock, and Mayor of Montclair Sean Spiller.

Out Montclair Founder and President Peter Yacobellis, who is also Montclair’s first out Town Council Member, will deliver the “Be You. Be Heard.” address, which is the theme of Montclair Pride 2022. Yacobellis will center the importance of diversity and unity in Montclair at a time of increased state-sponsored discrimination and violence against LGBTQ people and youth across the country, and how every community and every American benefits when all are able to live free as their authentic selves. Yacobellis is a longtime civil rights leader having helped lead efforts to marriage equality, the reversal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and creating a next generational wave of supporters and funders for The Trevor Project.

The Vanguard Theater Company cast of Rent will also perform show favorites as well as the Broadway cast of Jagged Little Pill, who will close out the main stage. Comedian Judy Gold will emcee, with additional performances from Dyllón Burnside from Pose FX, actress/trans activist and GLAAD Board Member Miss Peppermint, Carmen Carrera from RuPaul’s Drag Race, and dozens of other local and national artists like Laura Benanti, Randi Driscoll, APEX Ensemble, School of Rock Montclair, Jazz House Kids, Drums of Thunder from Hillside Elementary School in Montclair, along with local LGBTQIA+ talent Lady Keyante, Robert Bannon, Eddie Nicholas and Luis Rodriguez.

The historic event on June 11th culminates in the capstone Montclair Pride Concert at the Wellmont Theater with international headliner Betty Who, and supporting artists Jordy and Fab the Duo. Lineups for the stages can be found at www.montclairpride.org. Tickets are required for The Montclair Pride Concert at the Wellmont and start at just $29.50, showtime begins 7pm ET.

“Pride festivals are as important now as ever before,” said Out Montclair President and Montclair Town Council Member, Peter Yacobellis. “With anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and laws taking place across America, we have to come together in a town like ours in celebration of who we are and in solidarity with our allies. Our 2022 theme “Be You. Be Heard.” is all about inviting people to come as their true authentic selves and express themselves through opportunities our festival will provide — from enjoying performances, to creating art, to registering to vote, to simply convening with fellow community members. With over 150 vendors and sponsors from all over Montclair and surrounding areas participating, Montclair Pride will also be a showcase of the best of Montclair with all of our major institutions and everyone from elementary school kids to seniors participating.”

The 12-6pm festival and stages are free and take over most of Downtown Montclair with street closures of Bloomfield Avenue from Church St. to Midland, S. Park from Church to Bloomfield Ave., Park from Bloomfield Ave. to Portland Place and Church from Bloomfield Avenue to S. Park. A Guide to Pride. Additional logistical information will be published on www.outmontclair.org / www.montclairpride.org in the coming days and included in the June 9th print edition of Montclair Local. 

ABOUT MONTCLAIR PRIDE

The Montclair Pride festival, hosted by Out Montclair, will raise awareness and strengthen ties in our community and among all LGBTQ+ people and allies in the region, as well as provide a celebration filled with art, culture, food, music and live performances to uplift LGBTQ+ people, issues and history. Montclair Pride will be held Saturday, June 11th, in downtown Montclair from 12-6pm. Visit www.montclairpride.org to see the 9 days of events leading up to this first-ever festival.

ABOUT OUT MONTCLAIR

Out Montclair is a nonprofit and volunteer-run organization created in 2021 to raise awareness and provide support and solidarity for the LGBTQIA+ community of Montclair. We offer educational and charitable activities and events to promote inclusivity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, non-binary and gender-fluid youth and adults. Additionally, we are a safe space where our community and our allies can come together and celebrate who we are. www.outmontclair.org