Community News
Erie Gay Men's Chorus forms
Warm up those voices! The first rehearsal of the Erie Gay Men's Chorus is set for 8 - 9:30 PM on Monday, February 20 at the Rehearsal Hall of Memorial Auditorium on the Edinboro University main campus. The Spring Concert is planned for Monday, May 15 at 8 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate. You don't need to be ready for American Idol, Broadway, or the Met _ just a willingness to sing and have a good time. The group is open to all gay men, bisexual men, transgender men, and gay-friendly straight men. Men of all ages are welcome! So, if you over 18 or in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, or 100s, come on out to the first rehearsal. The director is Justin Turpin, 24, who graduated with a music education degree from Edinboro University this December. Justin plans to pursue a graduate degree in conducting and has conducted various bands and choruses in the area. For more information, please contact Dr. Daniel Burdick at (814) 602.0252 or dburdick@edinboro.edu.
—from Dan Burdick
Erie County HRC is back with new director
The Erie County Human Relations Commission is back in operation.
On January 17, the commission's new director, Joseph Aguglia, was introduced at the Erie County Courthouse. Mark DiVecchio, newly-elected County Executive, introduced Aguglia.
Since the HRC was closed down under the Schenker administration nearly three years ago, discrimination complaints have been sent to offices in Pittsburgh. Aguglia said that the HRC will once again be handling discrimination cases locally. He also stated that he will seek to bring back to Erie those unresolved cases presently being handled in Pittsburgh.
"We want to make people aware they don't have to call the Pittsburgh office, " he said. "They can call the Erie office."
The Human Relations Commission will now be located at the Renaissance Center, 1001 State Street, Room 322. The Telephone number is 451-7065,
The commission investigates and enforces the county's antidiscrimination ordinance. That ordinance prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, and sexual orientation, related to employment, housing, and public accommodations.
—Information from Erie Times-News
Fall Pride Planning Committee
We had about 14 people attend the January meeting for Fall Pride and set up a number of subcommittees. We have tentatively secured Perry Square for Saturday, September 30. We will need a lot of support to cover the costs and labor of putting on this event.
Please note that the planning committee for the Fall Pride Weekend meets the 3rd Sunday of each month at 2 PM at Panera's in the Yorktown Plaza, 2501 W 12th St, Erie PA. The next meeting will be Sunday, February 12 at 2 PM.
If you would like to be on the email list for the planning committee, you can sign up at https://www.eriegaynews.com/mailman/listinfo/event_eriegaynews.com. You may also contact Dan Burdick at (814) 602-0252 or eriegaypride@yahoo.com or Michael Mahler at (814) 456-9833 or info@eriegaynews.com.
—by Mike Mahler
Lambda Car Club new local chapter
Allegheny Region, Lambda Car Club International (LCCI): LCCI is the largest gay antique car club in the world with regions throughout the US and Canada. The Allegheny Region serves western PA and eastern Ohio and holds a variety of social and antique car-related activities throughout the year. Membership is open to any GLBT person interested in antique cars/trucks/vehicles and their preservation. You do not have to own an antique vehicle to be a member. For information, contact Bob at (814)456-9643, email LCCIallegheny@yahoo.com or visit the LCCI web site at www.lambdacarclub.com.
—from Bob
Moonsense Schedule:
In February we will be running awesome hearty dinner specials
Every Saturday Night
02/04 Matt Texter and Bob Bearfield Blues: Folk & Country meets modern pop hits acoustic and totally mellow.
02/11 Kev Rowe: Lead Guitarist of "Big Leg Emma" Acoustic Vocalist, very talented.
02/18 Eden Light: Spiritual Folk...If you like God, you'll like them.
02/25 Brown Eyed Susan's: Traveled all over the country, sounds like "Blonde"
Mondays:
Carrie Sample Every Monday 5:30 - 6:30 February 6, 13, 20, 27. First and third Monday of the Month
02/6 & 02/20 7-9 Spa Night. Facials, Nails...and Psychics
Tuesdays: 5:30-6:30 Acoustic Guitar 7, 14, 21, 28
Wednesdays: 5:30-6:30 Jazz Jazz Jazz 1, 8, 15, 22
Thursdays: Karaoke 7-10 PM 3, 10, 17, 24
Fridays: open mic 8-11 6, 13, 20, 27
Moonsense is at 5442 Peach St, Erie, PA. www.moonsense.net/
—Submitted by Jo Hyatt
Armed robber caught
Andrew Flores, Jr., the man who robbed three women at gunpoint at the Trance Dance Club on December 4, was caught on January 5.
One of the victims reportedly was sitting at the Zone Dance Club on January 5, when a familiar-looking man became friendly and started talking to her. She recognized him as the man who had committed the armed robbery against her and her two companions.
The woman, who prefers to remain anonymous, continued to speak with the man while employees at the Zone called the Erie police. The woman was still talking to Flores when police Patrolmen Chuck Fuhrman and Michael Suchy arrived at the club.
Flores was charged with carrying a gun without a license, robbery, criminal attempt at robbery, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, simple assault, terroristic threats, and possessing an instrument of crime.
Police are also looking for a possible connection to an armed robbery outside Trance Dance Club that took place in October.
—information from Erie Times-News
Tret Fure returns
Tret Fure, singer-songwriter, returns to Erie April 23 for a Sunday afternoon performance at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 7180 Perry Highway. Concert begins at 4 PM. Tickets are available at the church, at Aromas Coffeehouse, 2174 West 8th Street in Erie, and on line at www.tomboygirl.com."
Tickets for Tret Fure's concert are $15.
—by Kate Hentz
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