Thursday, June 11, 2015
Nick Jonas replaces Iggy Azalea at PrideFest
Pop singer Nick Jonas is the new headliner at this Saturday’s Pride in the Streets.
The Delta Foundation’s annual Downtown dance party on Liberty Avenue has been the subject of controversy ever since it announced its original headliner, Australian pop star Iggy Azalea. Weeks of protest followed about long-deleted tweets by Azalea that critics called racist and homophobic.
The choice of Azalea also had helped re-ignite longstanding displeasure with Pittsburgh Pride organizer Delta Foundation, which critics say caters to only a small segment of the LGBT population, gay white men, and does especially little to involve people of color and transgender people. Read CP's coverage of the issue here.
On Monday, Azalea abruptly canceled her planned appearance. Jonas, an actor and top-selling recording artist, was announced as the replacement last night.
“Nick had heard about Pittsburgh Pride in the media and called us on Tuesday and said he would like to come and perform,” Delta Foundation president Gary Van Horn said in a press release. “He has been a supporter of the LGBT community, and he wanted to make sure that the community and Pittsburgh had a Pride event that they could be proud of.”
Saturday’s event will also feature DJ Digital Dave, DJ Strobe, Thea Trix, Chance Encounters, and Steel Pan Pittsburgh and other performers.
Ticket prices have been reduced to $35. Tickets are available here or by calling 412-322-2800 x 2.
If you’ve already bought tickets, you’ll receive two beverage tickets at the gate. Requests for refunds for Iggy Azalea must be submitted by 8 a.m. Fri., June 12, to www.pittsburghpride.org/refund.
Pride in the Streets will take place from 7 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Liberty Avenue will be closed between 9th and 10th streets for the event.
Roots Pride Pittsburgh, the group that led protests against the choice of Azalea, and criticism of Delta, plans to continue with its own alternate celebration of Pride weekend, which includes a “Shut It Down!” protest of Pride in the Streets. Details are here.
The Delta Foundation’s annual Downtown dance party on Liberty Avenue has been the subject of controversy ever since it announced its original headliner, Australian pop star Iggy Azalea. Weeks of protest followed about long-deleted tweets by Azalea that critics called racist and homophobic.
The choice of Azalea also had helped re-ignite longstanding displeasure with Pittsburgh Pride organizer Delta Foundation, which critics say caters to only a small segment of the LGBT population, gay white men, and does especially little to involve people of color and transgender people. Read CP's coverage of the issue here.
On Monday, Azalea abruptly canceled her planned appearance. Jonas, an actor and top-selling recording artist, was announced as the replacement last night.
“Nick had heard about Pittsburgh Pride in the media and called us on Tuesday and said he would like to come and perform,” Delta Foundation president Gary Van Horn said in a press release. “He has been a supporter of the LGBT community, and he wanted to make sure that the community and Pittsburgh had a Pride event that they could be proud of.”
Saturday’s event will also feature DJ Digital Dave, DJ Strobe, Thea Trix, Chance Encounters, and Steel Pan Pittsburgh and other performers.
Ticket prices have been reduced to $35. Tickets are available here or by calling 412-322-2800 x 2.
If you’ve already bought tickets, you’ll receive two beverage tickets at the gate. Requests for refunds for Iggy Azalea must be submitted by 8 a.m. Fri., June 12, to www.pittsburghpride.org/refund.
Pride in the Streets will take place from 7 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Liberty Avenue will be closed between 9th and 10th streets for the event.
Roots Pride Pittsburgh, the group that led protests against the choice of Azalea, and criticism of Delta, plans to continue with its own alternate celebration of Pride weekend, which includes a “Shut It Down!” protest of Pride in the Streets. Details are here.
Tags: Nick Jonas , PrideFest , Pride in the Streets , Delta Foundation , Iggy Azalea , Roots Pride Pittsburgh , Image
