NNoorrtthhaammppttoonn PPrriiddee ’’0099 EEnntteerrttaaiinnmmeenntt LLiinnee--uupp Photo by Arjuna Greist Courtesy of RJO Artist Relations & Management Photo by Amber Hobbs Photo by Girl Gang

Siistter Funk, the nation's Jonatthan Mendellsohn Giirll Gang is proof that Arjjuna Greiistt is an artist hottest all-female band brings a high ener- stepped onstage for talent night at women can rock on in their fifties. They for the people. Her music has a folky tone gy, entertaining stage show to a growing "Showtime at the Apollo," and he didn't will rock your socks off with their high- but a punk sensibility, blending progressive national following. For the past 6 years, allow the notoriously picky Apollo audience energy, tight performance of songs ranging politics with witty observations on life. Sister Funk has been headlining concert to see just how freaked out he was. from "Love Shack", "Shame", Combining spoken word poetry with songs arenas, clubs and music festivals. Sister Performing his soulful self-penned urban "Cinnamon Girl", "I Kissed A Girl", to both poignant and droll, her energetic per- Funk's music is best described as commer- tinged pop song "Over," he ended up win- "Shoop" and "One Way or Another". formances leave audiences inspired, moved, cial pop/rock, similar in sound & style to ning the competition not only that night but Girl Gang's members are four profes- and uplifted. In her acceptance speech for artists like Pink & Maroon Five. Their lat- every night thereafter for the entire season. sional female who came together the 2004 Just Plain Folks International est CD release Gossip, has been featured on Not bad for a young white boy singing a to play the music they love and to have fun Songwriting Award in the spoken word cat- Sirius Out Qs Hot Top 20 Charts for 15 homemade song that was otherwise that translates to their audience, and egory, arjuna enthused, "I am so honored, consecutive weeks, reaching #2. Sister unknown to the unruly urban crowd. leaves the crowd asking for more! Beth and so joyous... the fact that my queer- Funk's music is also featured in many inde- Jonathan went on to join forces with pro- Caurant guitarist and founder of Lilith, happy, anti-establishment, freakazoid, pendent films and on television: "A Word ducer Chris Brann, known for his successful one of the first nationally known all- punk-ass manifesta passed the muster of dance act Ananda Project. They wrote what From Our Sponsor", "Becoming Donna", women's bands who Bonnie Raitt went to my peers to win an award lets me know, in would become the rebirth of Brann’s other Montville Fair commercial and "Brining see and booked as her warm-up act and an official way, that messages of peace, and brainchild (Wamdue Project) that gave rise Golfing Back To Dinah Shore" which fea- said "I haven't been this blown away by a change, and hope, and non-violent revolu- to the #1 hit song “King of My Castle,” sell- tures a cameo appearance of SISTER band in a long time." Karen Koehler, a tion are both wanted and needed in this ing over 2 million copies worldwide. This FUNK alongside Michelle Balan of Last producer, studio engineer and bass player collaboration led to the song “Forgiveness,” world... we just need to keep getting loud- Comic Standing and Poppy Chaplin, Wamdue’s first single in a decade, which from NYC who played with members of er." incredible female comedian. Sister Funk's was an irresistible and timeless track that Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and 'Odd numbers,' Arjuna's latest release, long list of credits and accolades include: stood out, was always well received and left South Side Johnny. Susan Lyons, on lead has garnered accolades from fans and 1st Place Winners in the 2007 Emergenza the listener stunned by its brilliance. The vocals played in the Washington D.C., VA, media alike, as well as airplay on college, Music Festival, in 2006 became a featured song landed Jonathan a record deal with and MD area for many years. She was a community, AAA and internet radio in the artist on the Olivia Cruise roster, winners Sony’ BMG’s label “Music with a Twist,” solo artist and also sang with and for a vari- U.S. and abroad. In December of 2007, odd of the 2005 Hartford Advocates Best Pop and has been recently licensed exclusively to ety of well known Metro Washington numbers was ranked as the #2 top-selling Band, Best Bassist, Best Guitarist, Best the euro compilation giant “Fierce Angels” Groups. Laurel Blanchard who played local at Night Owl Records in Horn Player & Best Drummer, in 2004 set for worldwide release with remixes by drums for Lilith, Lou Miami and the Easthampton, MA. A longtime voted Favorite Out Band by National Eric Kupper and Rasmus Faber. Cosmetics, Caught in the Act and other Northampton resident, Arjuna is delighted Stonewall Society, in 2003 Crucify was Jonathan is also working on his brand based bands. to be performing at her home(o)town Pride. nomination for Best OUT Song by Out new solo album to be released in 2009/2010. Website: www.myspace.com/girlgangban- Website: www.myspace.com/arjunagreist Music NYC and in 2003 listed as One of the Website[s]: www.jonathanmendelsohn.com drocks Top 12 Artists on the Rise by GONYC & www.myspace.com/jonathanmendelsohn Magazine. Website: www.sisterfunk.com

16 NORTHAMPTON PRIDE 2009 • northamptonpride.org ...... EEnntteerrttaaiinnmmeenntt LLiinnee--uupp ccoonnttiinnuueedd Photo by Tomas Photo by Lynn Berry Photo by Lynn Photo by Gina Gale Photo by Annie Adjchavanich

Nedra Johnson is a Jesse Molliina started Emiilly Nyman developed Tomas Singer, producer, actor, singer/songwriter multi-instrumentalist playing the guitar and writing songs at an her musical talents performing in her choreographer, few titles escape this socially born & living in . Her early age. She began performing under the hometown of Wareham, . conscious entertainer who is equally as unique style of guitar playing is unmistak- name "Jesse X" in Washington , D.C. , and She attended UMASS Amherst and comfortable on stage singing, dancing or ably informed by her many years as a pro- has since performed at Pride Festivals and Bridgewater State College, obtaining a acting as he is behind the scenes making it fessional bassist and keeps her live solo Women's Music Festivals on the West Coast Master's degree in Psychology and then all happen. By combing powerful pop acoustic performances more on an R&B tip and Hawaii. She has also played regularly at moving to Vermont in 1990. While intern- vocals, with thoughtful and non-stop then what one might expect of a "girl with local venues such as the Iron Horse Music ing as a Guidance Counselor, Emily met grooves, Tomas' music not only moves your a guitar." Nedra's self-titled sophomore Hall, PACE, the Yellow Sofa, and Sam's on Lynn Berry, Guidance Counselor, Artist, behind, but also your mind. His talents and release is a joyful mix of R&B, funk, rock Main Street Northampton. Her songs are an and published poet. When Lynn shared commitment to equality for exceeds the and gospel. Featuring lush background eclectic mix of politics and passion dedicated her poems and Emily shared her music, dance floor, however. Tomas is also a pow- vocals and danceable grooves, Nedra makes to the thousands of young men and women more than a songwriting team was born. erful diversity trainer/presenter who pres- the personal political and the erotic down- who have lost their lives and their voice Emily has entertained audiences from ents at corporations and colleges across the right spiritual. because of ignorance and homophobia over the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont to the US. Website: www.allabouttomas.com/ Nedra has performed internationally at the years. Her band this year consists of her Jersey shore, including New Hampshire, jazz, blues, pride & women's music festivals friends ..."Johnny Orbit" on lead guitar, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, as a solo artist and a tuba player/vocalist Becky Dimino on drums and Kris Coia on Pennsylvania, and Quebec. She has Piioneer Valllley Gay with her father Howard Johnson & his electric bass. appeared on the CBS/WCAX TV Morning group, Gravity. She surprised and Music Showcase and Tim Kavanaugh's Men''s Chorus is a casual Website: www.jessexmolina.com group of gay men living in or near the impressed jazz audiences in Paris, Nime, Late Night Saturday show. Her music has Music: www.myspace/jedimusique.com Pioneer Valley who enjoy singing. The Berlin, Vienna, Kassel, Macedonia, been aired on Vermont public radio, Chorus welcomes those who identify as gay, Muchen, Leverkusen, Los Angeles, New WOMR Provincetown, 365 Internet radio, bisexual, or transgendered, or any man who York & New Orleans when she put down Rainbow World Radio and Sirius Out Q wishes to sing in a proudly gay-identified her tuba and sang original songs with radio, earning top 40 and finalist status for group. Members' experience range from Gravity garnering such praises as from The favorite lesbian in the Pride in extensive to just beginning. New members Orange County Register, "A little thing [an the Arts Award. are always welcome. The chorus sings bar- original from the CD Testify] called Website: www.cdbaby.com/cd/nymann bershop style (4-part) harmony of all kinds Working Hard for the Joneses had the of music, with a fondness for show tunes. crowd on its feet and whooping." As a There are weekly rehearsals in soloist, she has performed in New York, Los Northampton or Amherst where a good Angeles, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, time and camaraderie are shared by all Oakland, Cleveland, Madison, Chicago, attending. Website: New Caledonia and more! launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/pvgmc/ Website: www.nedrajohnson.com

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