Special Events

Sunday

Bobby Jo Valentine Concert, 8:30pm

About Bobby Jo: Somewhere deep in the heart of everything lies a melody. It speaks to our truest selves, binds us together with the ones we love, and brings out the best part of who we are. Bobby Jo Valentine is a singer/songwriter who chases after this particular kind of music. He writes songs that travel light, but that “grow deeper and deeper with each further listen”, the music publication Soundtrack to My Day describes. The poetic nature and focus of his stories and songs is something that, along with notable awards, has resulted in an incredibly loyal following of true patrons to his art, supporting Bobby in every way as he seeks to write more music that means something good, and sounds like the beautiful, terrifying world that we live in.

Hope-folk. Soul-pop. Poetic rock. Bobby Jo Valentine’s music exists outside the lines of any genre, but the music’s thoughtful lyrics and catchy melodies reach listeners on all paths of life. The authentic, universal, uncanny nature of his songs have won him Songwriter of the Year at West Coast Songwriter’s Association twice – in 2011 and 2015. He’s sold 16,000 albums and performed more than 500 concerts—all without a record label—and all because of devoted groups of fans and friends who grow in number after every concert.

His wide range of expression has made it hard for the industry to package, but it’s the same reason his songs are gaining a loyal following around the nation. A few songs have broken through the static. Bobby’s music has appeared on radio and television, including a commercial for the recent Ford Fusion ©, ABC’s The Morning Blend, and the award winning film The Groom’s Cake. His music has received airplay from KGO, KRSH, and other radio stations nationwide.
Born into a Baptist church of strict lines and sharp edges, and coming out of that culture to discover who he really is, Bobby is now a believer of a different sort: a believer in the wild, strange, beautiful nature of the world. Faith has come to mean something much deeper, wider, and less cut-and-dried than when he started. Now, Bobby finds that he often has more to learn from the people who don’t believe as he does than from those who do. Along with theatres, house concerts, and many other venues, churches around the nation frequently invite Bobby to offer his stories and songs, challenging us to question why we believe what we do and, most importantly, how that helps us be better humans in the world around us. Among others, he has been invited to perform for The Wild Goose Festival, the national Gay Christian Network conference, the international 2016 Emerge conference, the Kinship Festival, and the 2016 UCC Gathering in Southern California. He is ecstatic any time he can discuss the big questions, challenge the easy answers, and inspire people to move closer to love.

Speaking of love, Bobby loves a good love song, and is in great demand as a performer for weddings gay and straight, all over the country. He was named “Best in 2015” for ceremony music by The Knot, and has received more than 35 five-star reviews for his romantic, soulful singing on a couple’s big day.

Bobby is a proud supporter of equal rights for all people. He believes that we’re all in this together; that “the arc of the universe is long, but bends toward justice”; and that real justice means justice for everyone. Bobby is a constant supporter of LGBT rights and performs at Pride festivals and benefits and for LGBT youth programs all over the US. He has also been invited to perform for many child protection, child homelessness, and domestic violence prevention non-profits, including the national Safe Place Network.

When he isn’t touring the nation singing his songs for everyone who will listen, Bobby lives on the windy coastline of Northern California. His new album “Fox Eyes, Whale Heart” is available worldwide on iTunes and on his website.

Monday

Meet the Candidates Opening Reception, 9:00pm in Expo Area. There will be a cash bar.

Tuesday

Comedian Vickie Shaw, 9:30pm

Vickie Shaw’s beautiful Southern Style belies her sharp edged wit and hilarity. She says things no one else can say because she says them so nice! Audiences love her humor, not just because she’s funny but because it’s all true. From her stories about her partner Sgt. Patch, tales about her kids and grandchildren, and life in Texas with it’s ups and downs.

Vickie Has been featured on various television shows, Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend”, Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, WE TV, Wisecracks Specials on LOGO as well as 2 other comedy specials on LOGO-“You Can’t Take the Girl Out of Texas” and “Vickie Shaw Live – Sick and Wrong Tour”. She has started in the Award Winning Movie, “Laughing Matters More”. She also just released her 3rd DVD, “I’m Not Your Role Model“.

She has been performing all over the US, Cruises, Resorts, Comedy Clubs, Colleges, Corporate and Political fundraisers, Churches fundraisers, Yes Churches! And just about everywhere else. This is a comedian you don’t want to miss!

Wednesday

Upstairs Interno, Film Screening

From award winning director, Robert L. Camina and Executive Producers behind “Back on Board: Greg Louganis”, “Kiss Me, Kill Me”, “Beautiful Something”, “Raid of the Rainbow Lounge” and “Southern Baptist Sissies”, comes

UPSTAIRSINFERNO, a haunting and emotional documentary chronicling the horrific 1973 New Orleans gay bar arson: and event many consider the Largest Gay Mass Murder in U.S. History.

Camina Entertainment is honored to announce that UPSTAIRS INFERNO will screen during General Conference. 

The film illustrates a very dark chapter, not only in LGBT history, but in the history of the Metropolitan Community Church.  UPSTAIRSINFERNO features Metropolitan Community Church Reverend Elder Troy Perry and several other Metropolitan Community Church clergy.

On June 24, 1973, an arsonist set fire to the Up Stairs Lounge, a gay bar located on the edge of the French Quarter in New Orleans, LA. The result was the deadliest single event to affect the gay community in U.S. history.  Despite the staggering historical significance, few people know about the tragedy. Thirty-two people were killed and some bodies were never identified. One-third of the New Orleans chapter of the Metropolitan Community Church were killed in the blaze, including two clergy.  The primary suspect was never charged with the crime. The tragedy did not stop at the loss of lives. There were also the delayed injuries: lost jobs, fear, public ridicule and severed families. The devastation was compounded by the homophobic reactions and utter lack of concern by the general public, government and religious leaders. The fire permanently altered lives and was the root of many lifelong struggles.

UPSTAIRS INFERNO (96 minutes) is the most comprehensive and authoritative film about the fire and its aftermath. However, UPSTAIRS INFERNO isn’t simply a stagnant exposition of facts. UPSTAIRS INFERNO brings humanity to the headlines by shining a light on the very painful effect the tragedy had on survivors, witnesses and loved ones.  Their interviews are gut wrenching, yet insightful.  Some of the people interviewed in the film haven’t publicly discussed the fire until now, especially on camera. The film is narrated by New Orleans’ own New York Times Best Selling Author, CHRISTOPHER RICE.

Audiences should expect to see a balance between investigative reporting and very intimate profiles of people lost or affected by the tragedy. The victims are more than statistics, more then names in a newspaper clipping or even names on a plaque.    These were unfinished lives, tragically cut short by a senseless act.   The victims and their families and friends left to cope with the aftermath deserved better treatment than what they got.

This is a gruesome story, there is no way around it.  Hopefully, through it all, people walk away with a renewed call for compassion: Compassion for those unlike us. Compassion for those who are hurting. Compassion for those in need.  Because they’re definitely wasn’t a lot of compassion when this tragedy happened.  In addition, I hope the film acts as a stark reminder that we need to seize the day.  We need to make sure we tell our loved ones every day that we love them, because we don’t know what lies ahead.  Life is fickle and unpredictable. Today may be our last chance.

The film recently received the JURY AWARD: BEST MEN’S DOCUMENTARY FEATURE and AUDIENCE AWARD: BEST MEN’S FEATURE at the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the BESTDOCUMENTARY FEATURE AWARD at the Long Beach QFilm Festival, the JURY AWARD: BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM at the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, the  AUDIENCE AWARD: FAVORITE DOCUMENTARY at the North Louisiana Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and was ranked a FILM FESTIVAL FAVORITE at Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival and at Out on Film in Atlanta, GA.

Some of the images in UPSTAIRSINFERNO are graphic in nature and may be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

Thursday

Performance by Jade Estrada, 9:00pm, Tortilla Heaven

Tortilla Heaven is a one-person play performed by solo theatre artist Jade Esteban Estrada (as seen on Comedy Central). The seven-character show is a comedic yet very real story of first, second and third generation Mexican-Americans trying to relate to one another. The first generation lives a humble life and strives to make home feel more like home, the second generation abandons its roots in order to assimilate to big city life and the third generation tries to understand it all without knowing the native language of its people. When generations finally meet and collide, speaking the same language seems to be the easy part of a difficult journey of understanding why each generation is so different. Family: whether you love them or hate them, they’re going to be there when you need help the most!

More about Jade Estrada:

By the time Out Magazine christened Jade Esteban Estrada “the first gay Latin star” in 2001, the actor, singer and LGBT activist had already earned a notable place in the history of the modern gay rights movement. From Cannes Film Festival premieres to appearances on Comedy Central and Bravo TV, Estrada has maintained a sterling presence in the entertainment world as a headlining attraction at concerts, theatres and comedy clubs around the world.

Estrada lent his golden voice to the Human Rights Campaign’s 2002 “Being Out Rocks” compilation CD where he joined such artists as Cyndi Lauper, Sarah McLachlan and Taylor Dayne in observance of National Coming Out Day and was awarded the Premio Estrella at 9th Annual Encuentro Awards in Miami for outst
anding visibility and achievement in the entertainment industry as an out Latino. NBC News calls him “America’s Prince of Pride.”

Perhaps best known for his widely-traveled solo theatre endeavors, Estrada has starred in award-winning shows like “ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol 1,” “A Lullaby for Ryan: The History of HIV/AIDS in America,” “Tortilla Heaven” and “Gay Christian, Gay Muslim, Gay Jew.”  Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine calls him “one of the finest solo theatre artists of the 21st century.”

In 2006, Kentucky governor Ernie Fletcher paid tribute to Estrada by commissioning him the title of Kentucky Colonel, the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which acknowledges outstanding ambassadors of goodwill and fellowship around the world. Estrada joined other honorary colonels such as Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope, Joan Crawford, Mae West, Johnny Depp, Muhammad Ali, and Pope John Paul II.

During the first Obama Administration, he was invited to The White House to attend the State Arrival Ceremony welcoming the President of Mexico, Felipe Calderón and First Lady Margarita Zavala.

A fixture in the current international burlesque revival, Estrada was recently crowned 2015 King of the Great Southern ExpoLearn about Jade at www.getjaded.com.

Friday

Closing Reception and Dance Party, 8:oopm