Just out., June 03, 2005, Page 28, Image 28

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by Jaymee R. Cuti and Jim Radosta
Pride Northwest will celebrate the diversity and strength of the sexual
minorities community during Portland Pride 2005 on June 18 and 19.
This year’s theme is “Everyday People.” Here are highlights from the
festival schedule.
UJak Up
Winston native Benjamin Ruppert
(2:25 p.m. June 18) is thrilled to play for the
first time at Portland Pride.
At 18, he represents the many talented
young people who he feels are often written off
because of their tender years.
“I want people to realize that young people
can have talent, because there’s a lot of age dis­
crimination in the industry,” says Ruppert, who
recorded his first album at 17. “Someone my
age can have talent and make it.”
Ruppert, who is gay, describes his style as
progressive cabaret, meaning there’s a definite
rock tinge in his classically trained voice and
piano pounding.
“It always ends up sounding like something
from a Broadway production," he says. “Expect
a lot of whaling and banging on the piano.”
To Ruppert, Pride means “being confident
enough about my sexuality that I could flaunt
it, but not having to flaunt it because I am
confident.”
The eclectic female-led trio Demimonde
Slumber Party (3:40 p.m. June 18) blends pop,
punk and ’60s garage rock interspersed with
haunting ballads.
DSP comes out of the 1990s San Francisco
scene but is now based in Eugene. Singer/gui-
tarist Melissa Lubofsky, drummer Kim Lindquist
and bassist Tim Romain combine powerful
vocals and harmonies, earning them compar­
isons to the Pretenders, X and Television.
For more information visit
www.dspband .com.
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The Retros (6 p.m. June 18) are coming out
for Pride to entertain the audience with up­
tempo dance beats from the ’80s MTV era.
This hetero band considers itself an ally to
queers and open minds, revering Pride as a time '
to celebrate.
“We all are behind it 100 percent. It’s a very
great tribute to open-mindedness and unre­
stricted beliefs, and it’s a fun event,” singer
Kevin Linderman says.
This is the Seattle band’s first Pride gig,
though it has played frequently in Portland for
the past five years.
The Retros are expecting to get the crowd
dancing. They raise energy not only through
their popular ’80s covers but also with their cos­
tumes.
“We don’t wear T-shirts and jeans,” says
Linderman. “We’re decked out in matching
outfits that are pretty elaborate with bright
colors.”
Don’t be shy about participating in the
show. Linderman promises you already know
the words.
“We always get the crowd singing because so
many people know the songs,” he says.
For more information visit
www.theretros.com.
Molli Paige’s personality is split. She sees
herself as Judy Garland by day and Melissa
Etheridge by night.
For Paige’s day job, she performs late, great
hits at retirement homes.
“1 think I have two personalities going on,”
she says of her range from Doris Day to Bonnie
Raitt. “That’s a whole different atmosphere
when you’re singing to 70- to 90-year-olds, and
then I come out at Pride fest and do a rockin’
show.”
The Molli Paige Band (7:30 p.m. June 18)
will perform sounds reminiscent of Sarah
McLachlan and Rob Thomas.
“That’s who we’ve been compared to, and 1
think it’s accurate. When I listen to their writ­
ing style, I think there are similarities and
there’s power behind the vocals, but I can tone
it down as well,” says Paige, who sings and
writes songs.
The band will debut a song at Pride that
Paige was inspired to write during the passage
of Measure 36.
As a lesbian, Paige says she is grateful that
her straight bandmates are open and accepting
of the queer community. “They’re all very open
and open to my relationship that I’m in. It’s an