Jason Wiest, owner/operator of Club Sway, reports that over $8,000 was raised at last Friday’s benefit for the victims and families affected by the mass shooting at Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub. Little Rock City Director Kathy Webb delivered opening remarks, Rep. Warwick Sabin and Jessica DeLoach Sabin were in attendance, and an “information bar” featured members of Young Democrats of Arkansas, Pulaski County Democrats, Central Arkansas Pride, and the Stonewall Democratic Caucus of Arkansas.
Arkansans for Equality displayed 49 rainbow flags outside the club in memoriam of the 49 killed in the shooting and songwriter John Willis premiered an original tribute piece, “Pulse (Won’t Keep Us Down).”
Other performers included Arkansas Symphony Orchestra musicians Katherine Williamson and Geoffrey Robson; Sarah Stricklin; Micah Qualls; Gio Antipolo; Donnie Lee Strickland; AC; burlesque artist Darla Beauregard; and drag artists Lil Bit Uh Hunny, Chanel Heffington, Symone, Lady Boi, Rhiannon Cortez, REPROBABE, Amelia Cortez Andrews, Envy Hart, Lisa Frank Cortez, Irma Gerd, Jess Kitten, Kassandra Kardashian, Lola B. Fierce and Gianna Colucci.