“Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil “

Pittsburgh, Pa (July 24, 2017) True T Entertainment presents #BlackOUT Weekend 2k17 on Friday, August 11 through 13, 2017. This years theme of “#Blacking Out the Bullsh.. – Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil, See No Evil” brings collaborations amongst an assortment of community organizations and friends including  Kelly Strayhorn Theater, Empire Entertainment, Bad Boys PGH,  Central Outreach Wellness Center, Sisters PGH and more! –  A multi-day, multi-venue festival providing a platform for queer artist, connecting community members to meaningful resources, and bringing together a diverse mix of people in celebration of queer people of color.

This years celebration – the only of its kind in Pittsburgh – carries on for 3 days and features vogue workshops, dance parties, a kiki ball, a picnic, and performances. #BlackOUT Weekend 2k17 features a diverse mix of queer friendly activities that encourage networking and celebrating the many amazing people, and things, that come from our LGBTQ communities.

Highlighting #BlackOUT Weekend is none other than Legendary Ballroom Icon and New York native; Leiomy Maldonado, the newest face of NIKE’s #beTRUE Equality campaign. Her repertoire of gravity-defying back flips, spins, and dips has earned her the nickname “La Mujer Maravilla” or “Wonder Woman”. Fans are often left in awe of her abilities. Leiomy has “spun” and “dipped” her way all over the globe, visiting countries such as Germany, Italy, France, and the Czech Republic to judge international dance competitions and balls, as well as to perform and teach her iconic style of dance.

“As a trusted resource of our queer POC it was important to us that not only do we continue to curate events that serve as a platform for queer artist of color, but to also continue to spread the notion of unity and the power of diversity.” says True T Co-Executive Director; Duane Binion. “This year we were able to partner with, and bring together organizations that haven’t necessarily always seen eye to eye, though we fight the same battles. It’s time that we stop seeing each other as competitors and realize that we are stronger together. – BlackOUT weekend promotes blocking out the negative energies and coming together with beautiful people to explore, learn, and ultimately have a great time!”

In addition to the performances, join us for pre-show mixers, workshops, panels, artist discussions and more. Details can be found by visiting us on Facebook at True T Entertainment.
+++

#BLACKOUT WEEKEND 2017 WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY SUPPORT FROM OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER, CENTRAL OUTREACH WELNESS CENTER, HOT MASS PITTSBURGH AND OTHER COMMUNITY DONATIONS.

ALL BLACK
KICK-OFF PARTY!
Presented in Collaboration with BadBoys Club PGH and Hot Mass

The official kick-off to #BlackOUT Weekend 2k17! Vibe to the beats of guest DJ Jeremy DjRictor, as we party until sunrise with your favorite hits from new school Hip Hop to the Baltimore House music. Join us draped in all black, and lets have an unforgettable night. #BYOB, this is 21+ event proper ID is a must!

DETAILS
Date – Friday, August 11, 2017
Time – Midnight – 5am
Location – Hot Mass (1139 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, Pa)
Tickets – $10 General | $5 for all #Leos

#BLACKOUT2K17 #BADBOYSPGH #HOTMASS

LEIOMY MALDONADO
Legendary Leiomy, Iconic Vogue
Presented in Partnership with Kelly Strayhorn Theater
Described as “electrifying,” “fearless” and “inspirational,” internationally celebrated vogue dancer, and new face of Nike’s #beTRUE campaign,  Leiomy “Wonder Woman” Maldonado delivers one of her signature performances—the kind of trailblazing dancing that had led to Leiomy’s domination of the underground Ballroom scene for more than a decade. The evening starts off with special performances by Pittsburgh’s own LGBT performance ensemble #kNOwSHADE, in this tribute the Iconic Mother of Vogue, a highly-stylized, modern house dance that took form in the late 1980s, a form that evolved out of the Harlem ballroom scene of the 1960s.

DETAILS
Date – Saturday, August 12, 2017
Time – 6pm Doors | 7pm Performance + Post Show Discussion
Location – KST’s Alloy Studios (5530 Penn Ave, Pittsbsurgh, PA, 15206)
Tickets – Pay-What-Makes-You-Happy 🙂

IN CONJUNCTION:
Voguing Workshop with Leiomy Maldonado

This all-levels workshop is your chance to learn from Legendary Ballroom Mother Leiomy Amazon, recognized from Season 4 of “America’s Best Dance Crew” and her 10+ year domination of the Ballroom scene.

Followed by a complimentary lunch and conversation with the artist.

DETAILS
Date – Saturday, August 12, 2017
Time – 11am Doors | 12pm Workshop | 1pm Artist Lunch + Conversation
Location – KST’s Alloy Studios (5530 Penn Ave, Pittsbsurgh, PA, 15206)
Tickets – Pay-What-Makes-You-Happy 🙂

#BLACKOUT2K17 #BETRUE #LEIOMYMALDONADO

THE PEOPLE’S PICNIC
Presented in Partnership with Central Outreach Wellness Center and SisTers PGH
What’s a more perfect way to cap off your hot Summer afternoon than with a community picnic. Your admission is FREE and includes an adventurous day outdoors filled with group activities, live DJ and performances, vendors, confidential HIV and STI testing, plus lots of yummy food courtesy of Central Outreach Wellness Center and friends!

DETAILS
Date – Sunday August 13, 2017
Time – Noon – 5pm
Location – Prospect Shelter (Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, pa)
Tickets – FREE

VOGUE PITTSBURGH PANDEMONIUM
Presented in Partnership with Empire Entertainment
The annual vogue night of #BlackOUT Weekend returns, this year with 7 categories giving away $500+ in cash prizes! Vogue Pittsburgh Pandemonium kicks off this year following “The People’s Picnic”. The theme this and every year is to “Black Out The B.S” within our community as we align in solidarity with “Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil, See no Evil!

For a detailed list of categories please visit us on Facebook at True T Entertainment.

DETAILS
Date – Sunday August 13, 2017
Time – 6pm Doors | 7pm LSS
Location – Glitter Box (460 Melwood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213)
Tickets – $10 at the door

ABOUT LEIOMY MALDONADO
In 2009, Leiomy made history as the first transgender woman to appear on MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” (Season 4) as a member of the openly gay dance group “Vogue Evolution”. Although eliminated in episode 5 of the season, “Vogue Evolution” garnered an international fan base. Not only did their appearance reintroduce the world to the art of voguing, but also to Leiomy’s immense talent, grace, and iconic hair flips. Among those struck by Leiomy were the A-List actor couple, Will & Jada Smith. In 2010, when it was time for their daughter, Willow, to shoot the music video for her hit single “Whip My Hair”, the Smiths invited Leiomy to appear in the video and show the world how to whip their hair accordingly. Her signature move, the “Leiomy Lolly”, has inspired choreography performed by Britney Spears and Beyoncé. – http://www.leiomym.com