Up & Coming Weekly

June 14, 2022

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM JUNE 15 - 21, 2022 UCW 21 It will be a night of drinks, laughter, fun and PRIDE in downtown Fayetteville on Saturday, June 25. Cool Spring Downtown District will host its inaugural Heyyy Gurl Hay Comedy Trolley featuring the comedic stylings of three fabulous North Carolina Queens: Amanda LaRouxx, Michelle Michaels and Aida Stratton. Immediately following PRIDE in the Park, the comedy trolley will depart from Blue Moon Cafe at 7 p.m. Drinks will be permitted on board as the trolley makes its way through downtown. Cool Spring Downtown's Director of Marketing and Events, Lauren Falls, is excited about this event and notes that it speaks to the heart of Cool Spring's mission to bring diversity and inclusivity to its events. "e Cool Spring Downtown District's mission is to not only create an arts and entertainment district but to promote an inclusive environment for our di- verse community," she explained. "Our downtown community will display their PRIDE flags, and next to the Cool Spring Downtown District's office is a PRIDE photo station for all to enjoy." Up & Coming Weekly also spoke with Amanda LaRouxx and Michelle Michaels, and both shared their excite- ment for the upcoming event and their thoughts on the importance of LGBTQ visibility. "We've been told to go all out," joked current Miss NC PRIDE, Michelle Mi- chaels. "I would definitely say this is an adults-only event." "Everyone and anyone who likes to have a good time should jump on the trolley," echoed Amanda LaRouxx. "I want people to go home with sore abs from laughing so hard." With over 35 titles and over 30 years of performing experience between them, LaRouxx and Michaels shared their love of drag and the stage. "I have been performing in drag for eight years," LaRouxx said. "e one thing I love about drag is the transforma- tion and the art form." Michaels, whose been performing as that character for nearly 25 years, shares a similar sentiment, saying, "e artistry is beautiful; nothing like seeing a dedi- cated performance and having it move you. I love the audience interaction and the emotional ties I can have with them." In its modern interpretation, PRIDE originated from riots (most notably, Stone- wall) as people in the gay community fought for their rights and fair treatment from the government and police throughout the 1970s. In keeping with the tradition of strength, pride and resilience, PRIDE marches turned into the global parades and celebrations more well-known today. It is precisely due to the bitter roots and violent history of PRIDE that LaRouxx and Michaels feel empowered and responsible for holding up a legacy of visibility. "Visibility is everything," Michaels explained. "It's PRIDE month, and we're not celebrating who we sleep with. We celebrate our community becoming fuller than those before us. We celebrate the lowering of fear walking down a street, not being harassed or beaten up just by living. I celebrate the struggles and hard work of the generations before us who fought to make it a little freer." LaRouxx agrees, saying, "LGBTQ vis- ibility is so important, to be able to show the diverse, inclusive community we have built. We want to let those who feel invisible know they are seen and heard." Ultimately, both performers want peo- ple to come out and have some laughs and a good time with one another. Tickets for the event are $30 and include one adult beverage. is event is restricted to those 21 and older. Blue Moon Care is located at 310 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville. Tickets can be purchased at www. eventbrite.com/e/heyyy-gurl-hay-come- dy-trolley-tickets-346149461357. EVENT Comedy Trolley set to deliver laughs, visibility and pride by ASHLEY SHIRLEY ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200 Owned & Operated by TWO BROTHERS Catering I n t i m on y a t T h e V i n e P riva te • R o m a n tic • A f f o rd ab le C u st o m C a teri n g by T w o B r o t h ers Intimony at THE VINE Event Venue Wedding Packages Meeting & Party Facilities CALL 910-584-9892 to host your event CALL 910-584-9892 eVineNC.com or TwoBrothersCateringNC.com 806 Katie Street Fayetteville NC (Of f Owen Drive behind O-Reilly's) M areena & J a m es F&B Publications is looking for a new Up & Coming Weekly Editor We are looking for someone with: -writing and editing experience -working knowledge of layout and prof iciency in Adobe InDesign -time management skills and the ability to prioritize projects and set realistic expectations, priorities and deadlines Interested? Send your resume and three writing samples to editor@upandcomingweekly.com The Editor leads the eort to produce Up & Coming Weekly and oversees the website and contributing writers. The successful editor should have a bachelor's degree in journalism or a related eld, and possess writing and editing skills at a master level. Education and Training Requirements

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