Anything special planned for the 5-year anniversary event, especially after missing out last year due to COVID-19? Yes, for sure. Before COVID hit, I had a fresh lineup of diverse, international DJ talent that I was quite proud of. Due to uncertainty surrounding travel due to COVID, I had to re- vamp the entire lineup to ensure the events could proceed without further changes or delays. This gave me an opportunity to focus on the talent with which I have developed a healthy working relationship over my years as an event producer, while ensuring the flow and vibe of the events could proceed with faith that my lineup would provide a soundtrack of epic proportions, designed to remind our patrons what “dance floor therapy” is and how it can positively impact their lives and produce the sense of belong- ing, connectedness and healing that I’ve personally experienced in nightlife days gone by. I have been able to have very meaningful,
creative conversations with my team of talent to ensure we are all on the same page about that goal for this year. Additionally, I used the eagerness of our audience to return to the dancefloor as motivation to create something truly unique and special this year. The result will be a sunset harbor cruise called #UNITED WE GROOVE. We do love a Pride boat cruise, so what else can you tell us about it? This will be the West Coast debut of one of
photo by Isaiah S. Walter
the most beloved Miami Music Week events for the last five years, Kristina Sky’s #UNITED WE GROOVE. The event will be a sunset groove cruise for 1,000 guests through the beautiful San Diego Harbor on board the largest yacht in SoCal, the Hornblower Inspiration. We will present an experience like none
other, featuring cutting-edge technology and sound, a diverse musical landscape, festival style stage and production, abundant sea creature dancers in custom Shokra costumes, and friendly, but intense, mixed-crowd energy from start to finish. We are excited to feature talent from within and outside of our LGBTQ+ community. The music will begin as we board with local favorite Jinx Mirage’s deep and groovy house vibes before progressing to Kristina Sky’s feel-good melodic trance and progres- sive house. Following KSky (as she is lovingly known in the scene), our headliners, nightlife legends Gabriel & Dresden, will take the melodic and progressive vibes to another level for a 1.5-hour set as the sun begins to lower behind their Grammy-nominated beats. Then, LGBTQ+ nightlife royalty Calagna will finish us off with their hypnotic and euphoric blend of music from across the dance music spectrum. Finally, the event will feature a 45-minute performance by none other than multi-talented gay icon Todrick Hall. Todrick will conclude our voyage with a fully produced stage show complete with his
signature show-stopping style, six world- class dancers, and endless costume changes. Todrick embodies the vibe of UNITE! and puts on an impressive, intense performance that I’m confident will have many talking for a long time to come. What would you say to someone who is thinking about attending UNITE! for the first time? Prepare to be jaw-dropped by the music,
production and vibes! Even if you haven’t always felt comfortable at LGBTQ+ nightlife events in the past, I hope you’ll come with an open mind and heart and prepare to make new connections. I encourage everyone to live and let live, express their unique, fabulous selves in any way they choose, and to connect with and uplift others. I hope these sentiments are seen and felt through- out the weekend. Anything else you would like to let us know? I want everyone with a desire to share in the vision and vibe of UNITE! to be able to attend. This year’s presales have been unlike any in the past, and that’s not just a promoter sales pitch. We have less than 40 weekend passes remaining before they are sold out and most individual event tickets are close to selling out as well. I encourage everyone to pre-purchase tickets as the prices will be much higher at the door and will be extremely limited.
unitesdpride.com
Event Producer Kaleb Nicola
22
www.rage.lgbt | JULY 2021
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