When queer folks couldn’t find a stage, they built one—and turned it into a 2,000-seat celebration filled with creativity and fun.
In the mid-1980s, a group of gay and lesbian people began A Gay Evening in May. Within a few years, the event gained popularity and was hosted at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. The variety show featured musical performances and skits. Many performers were new to the stage, but this event gave them the support they needed to slay the day.
Even when it wasn’t safe to be out and proud, this event said, “We’re here and we’re queer.” It gave a space for creativity, community and self-expression.
After its last hoorah in 2002, due to not enough people on the production staff, that same spirit is taking center stage again.
In celebration of 50 years of Pride in Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz Pride and Kuumbwa Jazz are partnering to present A Queer Evening in May
Akindele Bankole is a Nigerian-American poet and composer who mixes Western classical music with the melodies of his Yoruba heritage to make his “Classical Fusion.” He first started learning music theory from his uncle in the 1970s while living in Lagos. His uncle was a well-known Nigerian composer named Ayo Bankole.
During his 20s, Bankole began vocal training at Sacramento State and proudly made his opera debut as Smiley in The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Since then, he’s performed with Sacramento City Opera and Opera San Jose, and has composed artistic songs in Yoruba and full orchestral pieces along with other pieces. Currently he is working on an opera called Lola’s Wedding.
Jazz the Dog is a local Santa Cruz band featuring Rick Zeek, Patti Maxine, Rhan Wilson and of course the late Jazz the Dog. Fun fact: the band name comes from Zeek’s dog, who used to sit in on rehearsals and was said to have had great taste in music. They’ve been playing around town for years, known for their energetic sets and flair. Think local jam band meets funk, with some nicely done covers thrown in.
Riley Nicholson is a musical composer, pianist, and arts management professional who has a wide range of work on experimental sound and emotional storytelling. He’s written music for events such as string orchestras, films, contemporary ballet and electronic performances. His pieces have been performed across the country. One of his most notable works was Shimmer, which blends piano, visuals and electronics. This toured nationally in 2018. That same year he was named California Association of Professional Music Teachers’ Distinguished Composer of the Year. Currently he is the executive director of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music—the longest-running orchestra festival dedicated to new music.
Singer-songwriter Christie McCarthy has a soulful, poetic vibe that is often compared to Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant and Bob Dylan. Her music has this cool ’70s feel but with a fresh perspective. McCarthy has released six full-length albums, and the most recent, Force Majeure, earned awards from the International Song Door Competition and West Coast Songwriters. Over the years, she’s played in Bay Area venues like Freight & Salvage and the Great American Music Hall, and she also has opened for other musicians like Melissa Etheridge and Janis Ian. Additionally, she is part of the electronic music group called Of Love and Lust, where her song “Calm in Your Eyes” has gotten more than 250,000 streams on Spotify.
Jorge Torrez originally planned to pursue a career in health care, but after joining the choirs at Cabrillo College, he instantly fell in love with classical music and gradually shifted to that. Over the course of almost eight years at Cabrillo, Torrez immersed himself into teaching youth chorus, learning cello and violin, choreographing musicals, co-founding a student vocal ensemble and opera singing. With encouragement from his mentors, he transferred to the University of the Pacific’s Conservatory of Music, where a voice lesson led to the discovery of his rare countertenor range. A countertenor is a type of classical male singing voice that can reach the same high notes as some female singers. He’s since performed at national opera conferences, studied Baroque performance in Germany, and sung in South Africa with the Cabrillo Traveling Choir.
Red Keener (they/them) is an independent audio designer, musician and producer based in Santa Cruz. They graduated with honors from UCSC in 2023 with a B.A. in Film Production and a minor in Electronic Music, and has a focus on bringing stories to life through sound. Keener has worked on everything from short films and video games to podcasts and house shows where they gained experience in writing, recording, mixing, and mastering music and SFX. They do work in their home studio where they build custom tools and experiment with electronic music instruments to create unique textures. Whether they’re recording a sci-fi short or crafting soundscapes that blend synthesis with storytelling, Keener is always exploring new ways to connect sound and narrative.
Diane Syrcle is a soprano opera singer who is a beloved performer with Ensemble Monterey and the Cabrillo Symphonic Choir. She has a long history of opera and performance, including performances at the Portland Opera, Oregon Symphony, Dallas Opera, and Houston Grand Opera where she has captivated audiences across the country. Syrcle holds an MBA in Organizational Development from Marylhurst University, a master’s in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas, and a bachelor’s in Music Education from West Texas A&M University. While offstage, she likes playing her banjo in the garden and currently serves as the Chief Mission Officer at Hospice of Santa Cruz County.
Attendees can look forward to a lively evening of entertainment and connection, celebrating the resilience and creativity of LGBTQ+ people in Santa Cruz County.
“It’s an exciting and profound time. There’s pushback against difference in America, but our community is standing strong, pushing forward and doubling down on what we do,” said Tom Ellison, producer of A Queer Evening in May. He talked about the importance of the event, especially since it happens during the 50th anniversary of Pride in Santa Cruz County, the 50th anniversary of Kuumbwa Jazz, and at a time when there’s political tension across the country.
Ellison believes that the event will bring people out, whether it’s for the community connection, the throwback feel, the diverse and talented lineup, or simply just to show up for the LGBTQ+ community.
Pin Curlz was a follow-up event to A Gay Evening in May, held in October at the London Nelson Center. This event hosted drag shows and skits that ran from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. In a recent interview with the Santa Cruz Queer Podcast, Mark Grantham and Mike Tossy explained that Pin Curlz was a show meant for people of all ages. Grantham mentioned that drag at the time wasn’t as controversial as it is now. “Just as drag is an art form for all ages to enjoy,” Grantham said. It was seen mainly as art and performance.
Both Pin Curlz and A Gay Evening in May donated their proceeds to the Santa Cruz AIDS Project.
As A Queer Evening in May makes its comeback, it’s not just about nostalgia and reminiscing. It’s an opportunity to honor the event’s history while showcasing the future of LGBTQ+ artistic expression. With strong community support, it continues to provide a platform for connection and visibility, fostering creativity and a sense of belonging for future generations.
The event takes place on Saturday, May 29 at Kuumbwa Jazz Center, with tickets available online ranging from $31.50 to $52.50, and discounted student tickets for $18.50. Tickets for A Queer Evening in May are available for purchase through the Santa Cruz Pride and Kuumbwa Jazz websites.
READ ALL THE STORIES IN OUR PRIDE ANNIVERSARY COVERAGE
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