Wealthy Street Theatre to host LGBT Film Series

“Queeries,” a monthly lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangender film series is set to launch at the Wealthy Street Theatre on March 19th at 8 p.m.

The series premiere (‘Hedwig & the Angry Inch’) will feature live music in the lobby; renowned Grand Rapids photographer Terry Johnston will take “glam” photos of costumed attendees, to raise money for the series.

Wealthy Street Director Erin Wilson said a wig will be available for photos that Johnston can snap before the movie starts, and email immediately – a “social media shoot” that can be Tweeted or sent to Facebook in real time from the lobby.

The film series will feature several independent, as well as mainstream LGBT-focused films. The first five have already been chosen and will be screened as follows:

“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” — March 19th
“Hannah Free” — April 23rd
“Brokeback Mountain” — May 28th
“Fagbug” — June 25th
“But I’m a Cheerleader — July 23rd

In addition to great movies, the theatre plans to make each screening a platform for socializing, networking, music, drinks (for Wealthy Street members), available information from community partners, refreshments, and more!

“Queeries will be open to all, informative, fun and fast-moving,” said Speak Equal founder Brooke Murphy. “It’s going to be a great time for everyone.” (Speak Equal is a “Queeries” sponsor and partner.)

Each movie will be briefly introduced by community leaders and speakers. The premiere (March 19, 2010) title, “Hedwig & The Angry Inch” will be introduced by Tommy Allen (G-Sync, Rapid Growth Media), Colette Seguin Beighley (Exec. Director, GVSU LGBT Resource Center) and Jena Lewis, trans-educator/activist.

The June (National Pride Month) edition of “Queeries” will feature “Fag Bug” director Erin Davies in a Q&A, as she drives from New York to Wealthy Theatre with the Volkswagen featured in her documentary. It will be parked out front the entire day, still featuring the hateful vandalism that inspired the movie.

Queeries partners include: Grand Valley State University LGBT Resource Center, The Network, Speak Equal, GR Community Media Center, Wealthy Theatre, Kent County HIV/AIDS, Ameriprise Financial and Rumors Nightclub. The series is made possible through a generous grant from the Arcus Foundation.