The Windy City will play a starring role in spotlighting gay and lesbian music when it hosts the 2005 Outmusic Awards Show honoring the year’s best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) musicians and songs Sunday, June 12. Now celebrating its fifth year, this is the first time the event will be held outside New York City.
The show will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Chicago’s Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. Preceding the show will be four days of citywide events celebrating LGBT music. Awards will be given in 12 categories: New Recording (Female, Male, Duo or Group, Band, Chorus or Choir, and Instrumental); Debut Recording (Female and Male); Producer; Songwriter; Outsong on the Year; and Outmusician of the Year.
Co-hosting the awards ceremony will be singer/actress/comedian Lea DeLaria and Chicago singer/songwriter Jinx Titantic.
In addition, several LGBT music legends will be honored with special achievement awards at the show. Lesbian guitarist June Millington will receive the Outmusic ‘Heritage’ Award. Pamela Smith will receive the ‘Outstanding Support’ Award that recognizes the invaluable contributions of non-musicians to promoting LGBT music. In addition, The Village People’s
Randy Jones and gay singer/songwriter Tim Cain will each receive an Outmusic ‘Special Recognition’ Award.
Outmusic is a worldwide network formed in 1991 that actively works to support and promote the works of LGBT musicians through open mics, showcases, seminars, CD samplers and music festivals as well as sponsoring the Outmusic Awards.
Cost to attend the Outmusic Awards is $25 for Outmusic members; $35 for non-members. Costs and donations for other events vary. Cost of an all-events awards week package is $50 for members; $80 for non-members. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.ticketweb.com. For more information on Outmusic and June awards show week activities in Chicago, visit www.Outmusic.com or call (773) 435-6829.