Event Review // Pride's Got Talent Press Launch 2018
This year’s press launch for Pride’s Got Talent 2018 kicked off with some superb support from DIVA Magazine, Jack The Lad Magazine and Amazon Music. The event celebrated the beginning of the Pride In London festivities this summer, with performances from previous contestants and a Q & A with the some of the judges at the stylish, Century Club in Soho, London. We received the warmest of welcomes from Pride’s Got Talent, Executive Producer, Ian Massa-Harris-McFeely (@ianthesinger), who is not only an incredible opera singer with some pretty flash credentials, but is also a brilliant SFX and Prosthetics Makeup Artist.
Photography by Dave Nash // Ian Massa-Harris and friends
The event was hosted by the magnificently gracious and quick-witted, Michael Twaits (@michaeltwaits), giving us several moments throughout the night to relish his sassy nature and impeccably femme style. If we had to pick a favourite of the night, it would most certainly have to be his duet with the winner of Pride’s Got Talent Cabaret 2017, Keith Ramsay (@the_ivory_urchin), with their version of “Happy Days Are Here Again” by Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland, highlighting the importance of cabaret in the LGBT+ community.
Photography by Dave Nash // Michael Twaits and Keith Ramsay
Natalie Gray (@natalie_ladband) kicked off the night with pizazz and girl power, followed by a performance by Jack Feureisen, winner of 2016’s competition, who rocked our socks with his notoriously gorgeous voice (and eyes); and finally winner of PGT’s Cabaret 2017, Keith Ramsay. Then began the Q&A; Jack, Keith and the first ever winner of Pride’s got Talent (2014), the feisty and talented Dorian Reland (@withdoryan) sat down with Mzz Kimberley and Michael Twaits to answer some questions. It was extremely inspiring and moving to hear each contestants story of post Pride's Got Talent life and watch the reunion of all these talented artists unfold.
Photography by Dave Nash // Jack Feureisen, Michael Twaits, Dolly Trolley, Keith Ramsay, Toby Grant, Natalie Gray and Dorian Reland
To close off the event, Pride’s Got Talent “Runner Up” act from 2017 edition Dolly Trolley (@dollytrolleydrag) gave a spectacular drag performance. After the show was over, Ian found a corner for me to have a relaxed chat with Natalie Gray, Eleni C (@elenicmusic), and Keith Ramsay (@keithicism), where we discussed about why we love music, the training required every day to be on top of your game and keeping up in the live music scene in the UK. Natalie has performed several times at the Clapham Grand and venues all over London; Eleni C can be spotted performing around the Camden area mostly, but loves exploring London; and Keith moved here from Edinburgh few years ago to pursue his dream, winning Pride’s Got Talent Cabaret 2017 and now is a regular in The Phoenix Artist Club in Charing Cross, the melting pot of the best Cabaret artists in the London scene.
Spending time with these 3 marvellous individuals, was truly inspiring, as it is not an easy task for artists and particularly young people, to resist the temptation of going out late, drinking, drugs and avoiding the importance of self-care these days. And there they were, drinking hot water and lemon, taking time off work and committing to sharing their art and coming together. Pride in London and the Pride’s Got Talent competition, has not only become engrained in London culture, but has also created a safe space for artists to perform, develop and connect.
Photography by Dave Nash // Mzz Kimberley