Twin Cities Pride

featuring

VILLAGE PEOPLE

CeCe PENISTON

with local entertainers

DJ Shiek, Ellis and Electric Avenue

Twin Cities Pride is proud to present the Village People with special guest CeCe Peniston at this year's Pride in Concert on Saturday evening, June 26 in Loring Park.

Tickets $10

Age Restricted

Beer will be served in the entire concert area Saturday Night! For this reason, the Loring Stage area will be open only to those 18 and up from 5:30pm on Saturday until the end of the evening. You must be 18 to party, 21 to drink!

VILLAGE PEOPLE

1977-2010
Their 33RD Year!

The one-of-a-kind Village People is synonymous with dance music. These six talented men combine energetic choreography with outrageous fun and lots of bumping and grinding, singing and dancing, provide great entertainment for all!

Celebrating over 30 years as the world’s disco icons, Village People in just the last 3 years alone performed a full schedule of fairs, festivals, universities and casinos throughout the United States as well as Canada, Brazil, France, South Africa, Finland, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Romania and Poland. They were seen on Fox’s Wendy Williams Shows, NBC’s “Singing Bee” with Joey Fatone and in the new American Express TV commercial with Ellen Degeneres and Beyonce. And in September 2008, Village People finally received a “Star” on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — between Betty Grable and Liberace! Village People are on the Internet, Facebook and answer questions from fans all the time!

“They helped define a Pop era, and they are still here!”
— Billboard

THE FIRST DECADE

Producer/Composer Jacques Morali, with partner Henri Belolo, found Felipe dancing in his Indian costume in a crowd in NY’s Greenwich Village. Felipe’s special visual attraction brought the idea to mind to put together a group of Village icons from a variety of American social groups.

Soon after, Morali and Belolo saw Victor Willis in Broadway’s The Wiz and Victor brought along Alex Briley to play a G.I. With partner Henri Belolo, Morali held auditions for 3 more performers and Village People was formed.

In addition to Alexander Briley, David Hodo, Glenn Hughes, Jeff Olson, Felipe Rose and Ray Simpson, from 1977 through 1985, short term Village People included Miles Jaye, Randy Jones, Mark Lee, Ray Stephens and Victor Willis.

Madonna and Joan Rivers are among the artists who have appeared as opening acts for Village People in Las Vegas, Madison Square Garden, Japan’s Budokan, Sydney’s Horden Pavillion and Hollywood’s Greek Theatre. VP’s co-star with Michael Jackson in LA’s Pavilion.

Village People star in their own 1980 major feature film Can’t Stop the Music co-starring Steve Guttenberg, Bruce Jenner, Valerie Perrine, Paul Sand, June Havoc, Tammy Grimes and directed by Nancy Walker. It remains a popular cult film around the world.

“Fabulous! Village People took the crowd by storm, singing live and performing brilliantly!”  
— London Evening Standard

Visit us at: www.OfficialVillagePeople.com

Village People appear on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine (twice) and are featured in Guiness Book of Hits, Time, Playboy, Playgirl, GQ, US, People, Paris Match, World Book Encyclopedia, Dick Clark’s 25 Years of Rock and Roll & hundreds more. Television appearances include, The Love Boat, Bob Hope Show, 20/20 (twice) American Bandstand, Solid Gold, Soul Train, Midnight Special and dozens more in 20 countries.

“Village people have mainstream acceptance! The crowd lapped it up, singing along!”
— Disney World’s New Year’s Eve Show; Orlando Sentinel

THE SECOND DECADE

After a short break from the rigors of touring in 1986, during which some of the members explored individual careers, Village People regrouped under the banner of Sixuvus Ltd. (“six-of-us”) - (following an agreement with Can’t Stop Productions, owner of Village People name and trademark). Finally their own bosses, and with the help of a new management team, Village People has built an amazing success story of live performances worldwide, new young audiences, television and video appearances, and industry respect.

Of the originating and long-term members, Ray, David, Felipe, Jeff and Alex continued on adding Eric after the loss of Glenn. Village People wrote and now perform in their show a new classic entitles Trash Disco, a tribute to the many artists and dance hits which are now a memorable part of the disco era. They recorded in 1990 on CBS Records-Australia the top-ten hit Living in the Wildlife and in 1996 sang with the German Soccer Team on the BMG Records-Germany the number one hit Far Away in America.

“Still as sexy as ever, audiences warmed to their enthusiasm, strong versatile vocals and choreography!"”
— The News, Australia

Their hits have been heard on dozens of recent major motion pictures including Up Periscope, Wayne’s World II, Adams Family Values and In and Out. They have performed in recent years on the Jay Leno Show, the Rosie O’Donnell Show, Oprah and Married with Children.  Broadway’s biggest hit, The Producers, includes a send-up of Village People. They were also featured this year in advertisements for “Trivial Pursuit’s 20th Anniversary Edition (they are also featured as a question).

They were half-time entertainment for Australia’s Rugby Grand Finals, seen by more people than the Super Bowl. Their music is played during the seventh inning stretch at dozens of baseball stadiums and they often entertain sports fans with live performances following basketball, soccer and hockey fans as well.

“Exuberant — A Wildly Entertaining Performance!"
— New York Daily News

THE THIRD DECADE means more TV shows, more worldwide touring, more interviews and more fans. The group has played all 50 states and countless nations with endless possibilities for the fourth decade!

Biggest Hit Records: YMCA, Macho Man, In The Navy, Can’t Stop the Music, Go West, San Francisco/Hollywood. YMCA is to date their best selling single, amassing sales of over 12 million units worldwide (3 million in the US). Their catalog of combined LP’s and singles has topped 100 million in worldwide sales. (1987 Dance Music Report).

VILLAGE PEOPLE BIOS

ALEXANDER BRILEY is the original “Military Rep/G.I.” of the world famous recording and performing musical group VILLAGE PEOPLE. He has been a member of the group since 1977.

In addition to his work with Village People, Mr. Briley was featured off-Broadway in 2 significant shows and has sung with jazz flautist Bobby Humphrey. He now resides in Westchester County, New York.

DAVID HODO is the original “Construction Worker” of the world famous recording and performing musical group VILLAGE PEOPLE. He has been a member of the group since 1977.

Prior to his work with Village People, Mr. Hodo was featured in more than 4 major Broadway and off-Broadway shows and has danced with the Sacramento Civic Ballet. He now resides in New York City.

RAYMOND SIMPSON is the lead singer and “Cop” of the world famous recording and performing musical group VILLAGE PEOPLE. He first joined the group in 1979.

Prior to his work with Village People, Mr. Simpson released a solo recording album entitled “Tiger Love” and was featured backup singer for another world-famous singing group, Ashford and Simpson. He is the proud father, with wife Leslie, of his daughter Alayna. He now resides in New Jersey.

FELIPE ROSE is the original “Indian” and co-founder of the world famous recording and performing musical group VILLAGE PEOPLE. He has been a member of the group since 1977.

In addition to his work with Village People, Mr. Rose was featured in musical shows including West Side Story and in concert with Tito Puente. At the 2003 Native American Music Awards Mr. Rose received the Award for “Best Historical Record” for his song “Trail of Tears.” He is active in American Indian affairs.  He now resides in New Jersey.

JEFF OLSON is the “Cowboy” of the world famous recording and performing musical group VILLAGE PEOPLE. He first joined the group in 1980.

In addition to his work with Village People, Mr. Olson was a co-star in the film “L. A. Crackdown” and was the lead singer and percussionist for the band “Step Child”. He also worked as a European fashion model.  He now resides in Connecticut.

ERIC ANZALONE is the “Biker” of the world famous recording and performing musical group VILLAGE PEOPLE. He first joined the group in 1995.

In addition to his work with Village People, Mr. Anzalone was one of the world-famous Mutant Ninja Turtles. He also performed with other bands and on stage across the United States and Europe. He is a proud father of daughter Samantha. He now resides in New Jersey.

CeCe PENISTON

CeCe began her recording career with A&M Records. Her debut album, Finally, achieved U.S. RIAA GOLD certification. The album's first single, "Finally" was a #1 Billboard hit and went multi-platinum worldwide. In addition to being featured on more than thirty compilation albums, CeCe thrust passed the one-hit wonder mark and continued to achieve Billboard Top Ten status with singles like: "We Got A Love Thang", "Keep On Walkin", I'm Not Over You" and her hit single released in 2001 "Lifetime To Love" which skyrocketed to #2 on the Billboard charts. All of her other singles released have achieved Top 40 status including: "Inside That I Cried", "Crazy Love", "I'm In The Mood", "Hit By Love", "Movin' On", "Before I Lay (You Drive Me Crazy)" with MCA recording artist JoJo of KC & JoJo, "I Know That He Loves Me Too" and "Nobody Else".

CeCe continued to travel non-stop promoting her sophomore album release "Thought Ya Knew", and third release "Movin' On" and simultaneously touring to sold-out venues domestically and internationally in the Philippines, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Korea, Australia, South Africa and Italy. CeCe has made nine music videos, contributed her voice to numerous motion picture soundtracks, graciously allowed the Oprah Show to utilize two of her hits on request, performed live for the NBA, WNBA, and NFL. She also loaned her hit single "Finally" to the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia and made numerous guest appearances on: Regis & Kathy Lee, Rosie O'Donnell, Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall, BET with Donnie Simpson, Ricki Lake, MTV, ShowTime At The Apollo, and VH1.

CeCe has successfully toured with Grace Jones, Peabo Bryson, Tasha Scott & Tony Terry. CeCe has also lent her talents to the theatre, in plays like "The Wiz", "Treat Her Like A Lady" and "When A Woman's Fed Up". She has also been requested personally by former President Bill Clinton to perform at both of his Presidential Inauguration Ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and performed at the Vatican for Pope John Paul. CeCe made history when she was the first female artist to perform in South Africa following the end of apartheid. Most recently, CeCe lent her voice to a character in an upcoming animated movie as well as the soundtrack.

In the midst of such overwhelming success, CeCe has also been bestowed numerous awards including: Billboard Best New Artist & Best New Song of The Year, ASCAP Song of The Year & Pop Songwriter of The Year & Most Performed Song of The Year, Annual Winter Music Conference's Best New Dance Artist & Best Dance Artist Solo & Best 12" Dance Record, BMI Urban Award of Achievement. CeCe also has been a member of ASCAP since 1991 and has been successfully running her own production and publishing companies for many years.

CeCe makes time for a true passion in her life too, her charitable work. CeCe founded the CeCe Peniston Foundation in 1997 and has helped to raise funding for many other organizations involving particularly HIV, women and children in need, and hunger and equality. After the 9-1-1 tragedy Michael Jackson requested her presence for his "United We Stand" concert to benefit the families of 9-1-1. She has blazed a track on jazz artist, Jeff Larbes's album and two Phoenix Merry Christmas Arizona albums, with proceeds going to Multiple Sclerosis. She had been requested to perform for U.S. troops on the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1993 and has continued each year since to travel to entertain the U.S. troops overseas.

CeCe Peniston has just begun to make her mark on the world. She has established herself as one of the paramount artists of the nineties and of the new century.

DJ Shiek

Lindsay Earney is one of Minneapolis’ most profound and respected DJ’s in the electronic music scene. Combining elements of deep, influential house with retro electro and modern banging beats, Earney has found most of her adult love and life behind two turntables and mixer. After 90’s mainstream dance music such as Ace of Base lead to the discovery of DJs like Kaskade, Lindsay’s roots dug further into music with a beat.

Earney, dubbed "Heroin Shiek" by long-time friend and current collaborator Michael Elm (Caliber), grew up in rural Minnesota and started going to local bars and clubs in her area, which primarily spun hip-hop. Every so often, a dance track could be heard over the crowd, which made the entire night worth while for the young house-junkie.

Lindsay got her first taste of handling vinyl when she attended a family reunion and became acquainted with her distant cousin, 23-year old Matt Earney. Though only a hobbyist of turntables himself, Matt was able to give Lindsay the foundation skills she needed to turn her love into something real.

Ellis

Ellis is a rising star in the independent music scene. With music that is described as “joyful, unpretentious modern folk”, Ellis continues to build attention at venues and festivals throughout the country with heart-felt songs that reflect her sincere graciousness, vibrant nature, and contagious sense of humor. You’ll quickly be drawn in by her warmth and real-life journeys as reflected in her songs.

A native of Texas, Ellis moved to Minneapolis at the age of 16, where she quickly built a local following that blossomed into a nationwide presence, with extensive touring and six albums released in the last twelve years. In addition to selling 40,000 copies of her CDs independently, Ellis has accrued a wealth of accomplishments including national songwriting honors and performances at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Sisters Folk Festival, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and the Rocky Mountain Folk Festival.

BREAK THE SPELL

Break The Spell is Ellis’ sixth full-length recording, selected by Performing Songwriter Magazine as a Top 12 DIY Pick (June 2008 issue) and voted Best Female Singer/Songwriter Album in the 2009 Just Plain Folks Awards. Produced by Ben Wisch (Marc Cohn, Patty Larkin), it is an 11-track collection of soulful songs.

Fans and music critics alike describe Ellis’ music as a journey of self-discovery & awakening. Break The Spell embodies this sentiment, featuring lyrics rich with meaning and arrangements that skillfully support Ellis’ hopeful message. Her songs explore the wonder of being alive, the power and complexity of loss and the opportunity we have to re-invent ourselves.