Comedienne kicks off pride weekend in Northampton

Out For Reel will co-present Kate Clinton, the nationally renowned lesbian comedian, political commentator, and author of three books, on Friday, May 6, at 8 p.m. at First Churches, 129 Main Street, Northampton. The show will be ASL interpreted. After the show the V.I.P. reception, "Date With Kate," will be held at the Hotel Northampton. The catered after-party dance will be held at Page's Loft Ballroom at the Clarion Hotel in Northampton. Clinton, now in her mid-sixties, is celebrating her 30th anniversary of performing lesbian and gay and political comedy. "The Glee Party Tour", Clinton's 2011 show, is described by Clinton as "a rolling Restore-to-Sanity rally." "Noho Pride and Kate are both celebrating 30th anniversaries. It's a fun coincidence and a perfect match," said Bear White, director of Noho Pride. "Having a national celebrity like Kate Clinton come to town to perform her new show and to be one our Grand Marshals is a fantastic way to celebrate Noho Pride's 30th Anniversary," said White. "Kate makes us laugh because she talks about issues and experiences we can all relate to and she makes these issues hysterically funny. From relationship dynamics to maddening politicians to middle aged memory challenges, Kate offers insights that just make you laugh out loud - really, really hard," said Jaime Michaels, executive producer and director for Out! For Reel. Kate Clinton is a well sought after commentator has appeared on the Rachel Maddow Show, Joy Behar Show, Good Morning America, Nightline, Entertainment Tonight, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, The L Word, and numerous news and talk shows on Comedy Central, Lifetime, LOGO, Oxygen, MSNBC, CNN, and C-Span. "The Smithsonian should be checking out Kate — she is truly a national treasure," Michaels said. Tony Kusner, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Angels in America, describes Clinton's new show in this way: "What's so funny about being middle-aged, or the agonies and traumas of childhood? What's funny about the Pope? Kate Clinton will tell you! Is it possible to be incredibly funny and at the same time political visionary? Kate Clinton will show you that it's more than possible — by being both! Sieze any opportunity that comes your way to hear Kate Clinton." "Kate Clinton has held the mirror that reflects every single issue that has faced us for (over) 25 years. We've laughed with her, we've cried with her, and we've been changed by her," said Kate Kendell, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Tickets for Kate Clinton and the Celebrate Your Pride After Party are now on sale online at www.OutForReel.org. For more information about Noho Pride and the weekend activities, visit www. NohoPride.org . For more information about Out! For Reel, visit www.OutForReel.org. —Text and photos courtesy of Out! For Reel