PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 4th annual Pride Concert will go on as planned, despite losing a $25,000 federal grant from the National Endowment for the Arts that was allocated for the event.
Ryan Fluer, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts, said his organization stands strong alongside the LGBTQ community.
“Our vision here at Ensemble Arts in Philly is to be a place that is welcoming and open to all Philadelphians,” he said. “But it doesn’t matter. We know what we lean into being an organization that is authentic and inclusive.”
His team is determined to make the free concert happen regardless of the loss by actively fundraising for the concert that is now sold out. Fluer noted a recent gift will match all donations made through June 30 up to $100,000.
“It just makes us even prouder to be able to celebrate Philly’s LGBtQ community,” he said.
The concert will be broadcast live in the plaza at the Kimmel Center and include festivities like a DJ dance party and drag showcase.
“We’ll be having a dance party with DJ Da BooBoo and a drag showcase,” Fluer said.
The concert, conducted by Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, will be hosted by Martha Graham Cracker and feature Freddie Ballentine and more.
Pre-concert plaza activities begin at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4.