“First Ladies of Disco” to headline OKC Pride 2016 concert

by Michael Clark
OKC Pride President

While OKC Pride is active year-round providing leadership for the LGBTQ community through education, advocacy and outreach, we are still best known for the annual OKC Pride Celebration in June. This year’s celebration is shaping up to be one of the biggest Pride events ever in the state of Oklahoma. The weekend kicks off on Friday, June 24 with a free Block Party and Concert on 39th Street featuring the world premiere of the “First Ladies of Disco” show.

The First Ladies of Disco is an all-new show featuring some the vocal powerhouses of the disco era: Evelyn “Champagne” King, Martha Wash and Anita Ward as a Special Guest Performer. Each is well known for their chart-topping hits. The trio has released a new single and video entitled Show Some Love. Each of these women have championed the causes of equal rights and diversity throughout their careers and that is one of the primary reasons they have selected OKC Pride to debut this new world tour.

Many may recall Martha Wash’s outstanding performance a few years ago at OKC Pride. Wash, known as “The Original Weather Girl” is best known for the gay anthem It’s Raining Men, as well as a myriad of hits throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s with groups Two Tons of Fun, The Weather Girls, Black Box and C&C Music Factory. Probably the sweetest woman we have had perform at OKC Pride, Martha Wash has a voice that will keep the crowd dancing.

Evelyn “Champagne” King is an icon of the disco era with dance hits like Shame, Love Come Down and I’m In Love. Her Billboard R&B and Dance hits continued through the 80s and this Grammy-Award-winning Diva is sure to keep 39th Street moving. Anita Ward reached #1 on the Pop, R&B and Dance charts with Ring My Bell. She joins the First Ladies of Disco to debut this world tour at OKC Pride.

The OKC Pride Concert and Block Party is presented for our community free of charge by OKC Pride, Inc. We are the largest and oldest LGBTQ organization in Oklahoma and are staffed entirely by volunteers. The festival, concert, parade and other events are funded each year by your generous, tax-deductible donations. To donate, volunteer, enroll as a vendor or parade entry, and for any additional information, please see our Facebook page and www.OKCPride.org.

The Gayly – May 6, 2016 @ 7:30 a.m.