Max Vernon’s The View UpStairs: A benefit concert for Orlando
The past few days have been so saturated with horrific news stories that most of us can only sit and scroll through Facebook with a blank stare. We had barely wrapped our heads around the PULSE shooting and now we’re faced with two more murders, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, this time at the hands of police officers. The question arises, how do we prioritize tragedy?
The good news is that no one is asking you to chose only one cause, only for you do something. And there is something you can do. There is still something to celebrate. There are still those among us striving to create in the wake of such destruction. Max Vernon is one of these people. The self-identified “composer/lyricist, faggot w many bedazzled blazers, and GAYLETTER subscriber,” is producing a one-night only concert of his musical, The View UpStairs, to raise money for Equality Florida.
The View UpStairs was inspired by the UpStairs Lounge Fire, an arson attack on the New Orleans gay bar in 1973 that resulted in the deaths of 32 people. Until the events at PULSE, the UpStairs Lounge Fire was the deadliest attack on a gay club in U.S. history. “With this concert we will honor the memories of those affected by PULSE and UpStairs, use music to combat homophobia and hatred, celebrate the power of community, and raise money for Equality Florida.” Equality Florida provides financial support directly to survivors and families of the victims of the Orlando tragedy.
Even if this event wasn’t for a worthy and meaningful cause, it would stand on its own as a night not to be missed. Max has assembled “a mini-army of fierce award-winning Broadway/TV performers,” including: Glee’s Alex Newell, Two-time Tony nominated Robin de Jesus (La Cage Aux Folles, In the Heights), Tony nominated Tony Sheldon (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), Gideon Glick, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Frenchie Davis, and many more. Let’s show our siblings in Orlando that we haven’t forgotten about them and don’t plan to anytime soon. Get your tickets by clicking on the link below.
If you can’t make the concert, consider donating directly to Equality Florida here.
