CLEVELAND ( 22 APRIL 2014 ) — The Gay Games Opening Ceremony now has even more sparkle with today's announcement that stars Lance Bass, Broadway actress Andrea McArdle and the Pointer Sisters will join the spectacular event taking place August 9 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
"I'm very excited to have such a great lineup of artists joining our cast of more than 400 performers," says Opening Ceremony Producer Patrick Roberge. "The Opening Ceremony will be a grand celebration that will set the tone for a fantastic Games."
Singer, dancer, actor, producer and radio host Lance Bass will draw on his many talents as a celebrity guest in the 2.5-hour spectacular. Bass has transcended from his formative 'N Sync roots into a versatile entertainer and high-profile advocate in the gay community. He's competed on "Dancing with the Stars," written the New York Times bestseller Out of Sync and earned the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Role award. Now, Bass spends every weekday hosting "Dirty Pop with Lance Bass" on OutQ on Sirius XM.
Andrea McArdle portrayed the original Annie on Broadway, receiving a Tony nomination for her work. Since then, she has performed in dozens of well-known musicals, including "Evita," "Cabaret," "Gypsy," "Grease" and "Les Miserables." Appearing in cooperation with Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, McArdle will join the Gay Games Chorus in a celebration of music from Broadway.
They've helped close the Olympics, now the Pointer Sisters will help open the Gay Games. The legendary Ruth and Anita, joined by Ruth's granddaughter, Sadako, will take the stage to wrap up the Opening Ceremony with unbelievable energy. "With such great hits like, 'Jump' and 'I'm So Excited,' these singers will leave participants and spectators truly excited for all of Games Week," said Michelle DeLozier, co-chair of the Culture Committee overseeing the Opening Ceremony.
Opening Ceremony Co-Chair Bill Guentzler said, "The Opening Ceremony will be an experience like none other. We're thrilled to have such great celebrity talent joining us to celebrate the thousands of athletes and artists participating in the Games."
Fellow Co-Chair John Garofalo concurred. "This certainly is a can't-be-missed event—not just for Games participants but for thousands of Cleveland+Akron residents who want to be part of history and have a great time."
TICKETS
Spectator tickets ( $20 to $75 ) may be purchased through the link at GG9CLE.com/plan-my-visit/tickets.
Gay Games participants who march in the Opening Ceremony do not need tickets. To register ( you are not required to compete in a sport ), go to GG9CLE.com/registration. The fee includes access to the exclusive pre-Opening Ceremony party and Parade of Athletes, commemorative participant medal, access to public and GG9-provided transportation Games Week, Official Gay Games Program and admission to the Closing Ceremony. 1220 W. Sixth St. ¢ Suite 203 ¢ Cleveland ¢ Ohio ¢ 44113 www.2014GayGames.com
About Opening Ceremony Production Company
PRP is an award-winning show and content producer with more than 25 years of experience presenting high-profile international events, including the 100th Grey Cup, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games and the Opening Ceremony of the 122nd Session of the International Olympic Committee.
About the Gay Games
The Gay Games is an international sporting and cultural event held every four years under the founding principles of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Bestâ„¢. Launched in 1982, the Games invite participation from everybody, regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political beliefs, athletic or artistic ability, age, physical challenge or health status.
The Games are intended to bring a global community together in friendship to experience participation, to elevate consciousness and self-esteem, and to achieve a form of cultural and intellectual synergy. The Gay Games is open to anyone 18 years or older. About 10 percent of participants are from outside the LGBT community.
The 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation will be August 9-16, 2014, in venues around Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, in the United States. More than 35 sports and culture events will be held, with 20,000 to 30,000 people from more than 40 countries expected to participate.
About the Cleveland Foundation
The Cleveland Foundation is the world's first community foundation and one of the largest today, with assets of $1.86 billion and 2012 grants of $91 million. Through the generosity of donors, the foundation improves the lives of Greater Clevelanders by building community endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking and providing leadership on vital issues.
As part of its centennial year in 2014, the Cleveland Foundation is proud to be the first presenting sponsor in Gay Games history. The foundation's support of the Games continues its long-standing commitment to social justice and inclusion.
For more information on the Cleveland Foundation see ClevelandFoundation.org @CleveFoundation | Facebook.com/ClevelandFoundation .
