Clay Aiken Joins DDD Cast, Panel for Outfest 2011

Clay Aiken - Expandable graphic by Ashes

Fans Set DVRs for The Talk, DDD

Clay To Appear on Drop Dead Diva

Throughout the Clay Aiken Cyberspace, fans are marking calendars, setting recording devices, and making plans to participate in person or via cell stream next weekend's 2011 Outfest Festival.

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing, and protecting lesbian, gay, and transgender (LGBT) media, is in the midst of an outstanding July 7-17 lineup for 2011.

In addition to the 163 films (67 features and 96 shorts) from 25 countries, Outfest is hosting more than a dozen panels and special events at seven venues throughout the Los Angeles area, including Hollywood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and downtown LA.

Clickable CA graphic by Fountaindawg, photos by toni7babe

The outstanding cast of actors starring in this year's movies include Kathleen Turner, Jason Ritter, Emily Deschanel and Richard Chamberlain ("The Perfect Family"), Dolly Parton ("The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and "Hollywood to Dollywood"), Margaret Cho ("Cho Dependent" and "Drop Dead Dive"), Julia Ormond, Cheyenne Jackson and Illeana Douglas ("The Green"), John Waters, Jennifer Coolidge, Heather Matarazzo and Leslie Jordan ("Mangus!"), Esai Morales and Judy Reyes ("Gun Hill Road").

Also Clay Aiken and Lance Bass ("Drop Dead Diva"), Chloe Sevigny ("All Flowers in Time"); and documentary subjects Carol Channing ("Carol Channing: Larger Than Life"), Chely Wright ("Wish Me Away"), Patty Schemel and Courtney Love ("Hit So Hard"), Chaz Bono ("Becoming Chaz"), and Bruce LaBruce ("The Advocate for Fagdom").

"This year's line-up is one of the strongest in Outfest history and we're excited to be showcasing work that is both exploring and expanding the possibilities of LGBT themes and challenging our audiences through their storytelling," said Director of Programming Kim Yutani. [SNIP]

Margaret Cho, Lance Bass, Clay Aiken, series creator Josh Berman and director Jamie Babbit will take part in a panel of Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva."

The discussion follows a sneak preview of an upcoming episode inspired by the headline-making true story of Mississippi teen Constance McMillan who was denied access to her high school prom because she wanted to attend with her girlfriend.

Read more about the events at Outfest 2011.

Expandable July Retro graphic by Fountaindawg

Mark Your Outfest Calendar

Sunday, July 17 (2:30 - 4 pm PT): Drop Dead Diva Screening/Panel Post Reception - HBTV Designers Lounge @ the Directors Guild of America Theater Complex (DGA). All ticket holders and badge holders. Featuring Margaret Cho, Clay Aiken, and Lance Bishop.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with series creator/executive producer Josh Berman, director/co-executive producer Jamie Babbit, star Margaret Cho, guest stars Lance Bass and Clay Aiken, and Adam Waters (GSA Advisor of the Year). Moderator will be Ari Karpel.

Monday, July 18, 2 pm ET: Clay will be on The Talk (CBS) to promote his appearance on DDD.

Sunday, July 24, 9 pm ET: Drop Dead Diva episode co-starring Clay will air at on Lifetime at 9 pm ET Sunday, July 24.

This summer, Lifetime's popular dramedy/fantasy series is back for its third season and we have a sneak peek at a special episode.

Inspired by the headline-making true story of Mississippi teen Constance McMillan who was denied access to her high school prom because she wanted to attend with her girlfriend, the episode guest stars Wanda Sykes, Amanda Bearse, Clay Aiken, Lance Bass and Constance herself in a cameo.

Expandable graphic by Fountaindawg, photos by Cotton

Scriptwriter Excited About Episode

Scriptwriter Sarah McLaughlin has posted an entry in the TVscriptdoctor's blog, My episode is premiering at OUTFEST!

My episode of DDD is premiering at outfest this sunday, 17th of July. It’s going to be awesome. They’ll show the episode, then there will be a Q&A with the director, showrunner and some members of the cast and guest cast… Including Clay Aiken!

Clay will be participating with Margaret Cho, Lance Bass, Josh Berman, and Jamie Babbit on a panel about the Lifetime’s show. The panel discussion will follow a preview of an upcoming episode of the show.

I’m so excited to be a part of this incredible opportunity and have been honored to have been a part of this episode. Hope to see you all there!

Tune into the latest news at the DDD site on Lifetime where you can also stream or view previous episodes.

You can also follow DDD at Facebook and Twitter. For further updates, see the left sidebar of Clay Aiken News & Articles at the Ideal Idol and the current Clay Aiken News Network blog.

Clickable map of LA detours.

Those attending Outfest should be aware of altered traffic conditions on July 16-17. According to CA fan Ann Stephens, on these days of Outtfest Weekend, Caltrans will close 10 miles of freeway from the 10 to the 101 in LA, taking in the Valley to the Westside. Attendees should program GPS devices according to map and info provided by ABC7.

July is going to be fun. Have an awesome two weeks, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Sings 'Home' Run at Broadway Benefit

Clay Aiken performs 'Home' at Broadway Backwards 6.
View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.
Download mp3 audio by deborah760 here.

Broadway Backwards 6

Singer Returns 'Home' for Benefit

Clay Aiken returned home to the Broadway stage with a powerful performance of the song by the same name from The Wiz in the annual Broadway Backwards concert at the Longacre Theatre Monday night.

The yearly show, which features male singers performing songs traditionally sung by women and women singing tunes written for men, benefits both Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center (the Center).

Creator Robert Bartley directed and choreographed the sixth edition of Broadway Backwards. Chris Haberl was music director. The recap on the BC/EFA site proclaims that Broadway Backwards 6 raised a record-breaking $281,243. This is the paragraph about Clay's performance:

Clay Aiken, who appeared on Broadway in Spamalot, brought the house to tears with his heart-felt yearning for "Home" from The Wiz.

For more details, see the recap by Andrew Gans at Playbill, including a photo gallery. View Getty Images here.

Clay at BB6 after party.
Double clickable photo by Joseph Marzullo (WENN)

CA Fans Describe Performance

Fortunately, there were lots of Clay Aiken fans in attendance; and they have shared their experiences on various message boards.

According to dancermom, Clay was introduced just before the final group number. Included in the intro were the story of an LGBT teenager who recently committed suicide and the urgent need to stem the rash of teen deaths.

dancermom: I was in tears, and then they introduced Clay, saying the song was dedicated to all LGBT Youth.

Applause was polite when Clay was introduced. Then he sang. Quiet at first, but the song 'Home' built. It was amazing and beautiful.

When he was done, the applause was deafening. He gave a quick bow. The applause continued with a huge crescendo. Someone in the wings must have pushed Clay back on stage because came out about five feet and bowed again.

Double click to expand BB6 graphic by LovesClaysVoice.

ncwannabe: The female host told of the story of the young woman who tragically took her own life, and introduced Clay and the song, stating that it was in tribute to her.

Clay walked out in that commanding way that he enters a stage, calmly adjusted the height of the mic stand, listened to the introductory music, and then proceeded to envelop that song into his very being, only to release it again to utterly infuse itself into every molecule within the theatre.

Starting out quiet and gentle, with an earnestness that drew in the listener to the point one was leaning forward, hanging on every word. He slowly unleashed the constraints until, suddenly, you were pushed back in your seat by the power and the emotion flowing forth from his voice, his hands, and his entire being.

Then, in those last moments prior to the final “home,” in a motion so reminiscent of his triumphant "Bridge Over Troubled Water," he glanced to the side and slightly down, as if to gather up all the life force within him, and nailed that last note with all the conviction he could muster, with a look in those eyes that was pure steel.

nanjeanne: Clay was extraordinary. It was a very special moment they gave to Clay since the song was dedicated to a young girl who committed suicide. And he was simply "Clay Aiken" like everybody knew who he was.

The applause after he sang was very strong. Lots of people were turning to each other after he sang, nodding and clapping.

asolo: It was a very special night. A very special night. Men yelled "Bravo!"

copincalif: For all those kids bullied, all those LGBT youth who wonder how they are going to make it through another day, Clay Aiken is a testament to titanium.

Clay singing 'Home' at BB6.
Click to enlarge photo by Peter James Zielinski.

'Home' from 'The Wiz'

When I think of home I think of a place where there's love overflowing
I wish I was home
I wish I was back there with the things I been knowing
Wind that makes the tall trees bend into leaning
Suddenly the snowflakes that fall have a meaning
Sprinklin' the scene, makes it all clean
Maybe there's a chance for me to go back there
Now that I have some direction
It would sure be nice to be back home
Where there's love and affection
And just maybe I can convince time to slow up
Giving me enough time in my life to grow up
Time be my friend, let me start again
Suddenly my world has changed it's face
But I still know where I'm going

I have had my mind spun around in space
And yet I've watched it growing
If you're list'ning God
Please don't make it hard to know
If we should believe in the things that we see
Tell us, should we run away
Should we try and stay
Or would it be better just to let things be?
Living here, in this brand new world
Might be a fantasy
But it taught me to love
So it's real, real to me
And I've learned
That we must look inside our hearts
To find a world full of love
Like yours
Like me
Like home.

Hopefully, others will share their Broadway Backwards 6 reflections in the comments. Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!


Signature by Linda

Clay Aiken Campaigns for Rights

HRC video of Clay Aiken courtesy of Pam's House Blend.

'It's About Damn Time'

Singer Speaks at 2010 HRC Gala

Clay Aiken's speech at the Human Rights Campaign Carolinas Gala in Raleigh Saturday was eloquent, passionate, and even sprinkled with his trademark humor as he outlined the long, arduous path preceding major civil rights milestones, most often achieved after "it was about damn time."

This was not a pop concert appearance, but several of the singer's supporters attended the event and a cellcert was beamed to fans around the globe.

For sure, the title of the speech is the line Clay reiterated throughout about the personal and civil rights segments: "It's About Damn Time."

To me, one of the most moving lines occurred when he discussed a person's decision to come out: "I know that the power of truth and living honestly is very liberating."

The video of Clay's speech is from Pam Spaulding's blog, Pam's House Blend. A North Carolinian, Pam provided a running commentary of the HRC gala in her House Blend blog. The other keynote speaker was actress-producer Meredith Baxter, whose speech is also cued on the opening player.

Sendspace downloads of Clay's speech are available in video and audio formats.

Clay and Pam Spaulding at HRC Gala.


Clay addresses HRC Carolinas meet. (Photo by Cotton)


Meredith Baxter poses with Pam Spaulding.

Achievements of the organization's Equality Award honorees -- Greensboro's Guilford Green Foundation, Mary Elizabeth Lennon of Charlotte, and David Parker of Colfax -- are published here.

Speech Outlines Civil Rights Milestones

Clay's speech was not long. These are among the highlights:

We've seen throughout our nation's history that all the major civil rights movements, major milestones in our country have come after a lot of waiting and a lot of hard, long-fought work.

Thankfully, while many of us have been waiting, you at the HRC have been fighting to ensure that LGBT Americans have the same rights that straight Americans take for granted.

As HRC's name implies, our battle is about something much larger than the LGBT community. It's about that most American of notions that all men and women are created equal. (That is, with the exception of my son, who is brilliant.)

The belief which this nation was founded on is the cornerstone of our movement; and, as I said, it has been the cornerstone of every major civil rights movement in our nation's history.

• In 1920 when the 19th amendment was passed which gave every American woman the right to vote, it was about damn time.
  


• In 1954, Brown vs. Board of Education desegregated our schools. It was about damn time.
  


• In 1964 when the Civil Rights Acts was passed banning discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, it was about damn time.
  


• And last year when the Matthew Shepard and James Berg, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was passed, it was most certainly about damn time.

The LGBT community has seen and obtained unprecedented visibility and legitimacy in America. We have a great deal more work to do to ensure that LGBT individuals and families have the same rights and same freedoms that straight Americans have.

I know that my son's world will be a better one because no one no matter how hard they try, they are not going to stop our progress.

And like those civil rights movements that came before, our message is the message of fairness, of righteousness, of decency. Our message is the message of the future. Our time is now, and it is about damn time.

Cotton, who generated the feed so fans could listen to the speech as it occurred, added this observation:

At the HRC Gala last night, I saw a room filled with people who were full of love. It was a very hopeful evening of celebrating progress and fighting for what everyone wants - the right to live and love equally. I'm so so honored to have been there.

Below are clickables of Cotton's podium photo and a collage of her HRC pictures by Fountaindawg:

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro