If, by some fluke, you missed the first season of Gay City News’ podcast “Thank You for Coming Out,” created and hosted by Dubbs Weinblatt, you might set some time aside in the next couple of weeks to binge-listen to all 21 episodes.
Why now?
Because Season Two is on its way!
And the new season will launch with a can’t-miss January 25 party where the first episode will be produced live, with guest Shakina, best known for her work as Lola on Hulu’s “Difficult People” and who can now be seen in the “Musicale Finale” of Amazon’s “Transparent,” which she helped write and produce with Jill and Faith Soloway.
In 2014, Shakina garnered international attention by crowdfunding her gender confirmation with a “KickStartHer” campaign. Two years later, she performed a “Rebel Tour” of North Carolina to protest that state’s infamous anti-trans “bathroom bill,” HB2.
Shakina’s honors include the Lilly Award for Working Miracles presented to women working in theater, the TRU (Theater Resources Unlimited) Humanitarian Award, and a listing on the Out 100. She is a two-time Drama League fellow.
Other highlights of the evening at Caveat on the Lower East Side will be Jody Shelton performing the theme song he wrote for the podcast, as well as songs by past podcast guests Vicci Martinez (“The Voice,” “Orange is the New Black”) and Emily Tarver (“Orange is the New Black”).
My bet is that the evening will also include some surprises, but Dubbs is holding that info tight to the vest for the moment.
“Thank You for Coming Out” is a weekly podcast, based on Dubbs’ live improv show, that pairs them with lesbian, gay, trans, bi, non-binary, and other members of the community to discuss their coming out stories. The first season included conversations with Lauren Patten (“Jagged Little Pill,” “Fun Home”), Geoffrey Kidwell (“Waitress”), Isabelle McCalla (“The Prom”), and Sarah Steele (“The Good Fight”), among many others.
The Season Two launch party begins at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 25 at Caveat, 21A Clinton Street, between Houston and Stanton Streets. Tickets are $15 in advance at tinyurl.com/qk2pglw; $20 at the door.
A portion of proceeds will benefit New Alternatives, which serves LGBTQ and HIV-positive homeless youth.
Follow the podcast at @thankyouforcomingout! Learn more about Shakina at Shakina.nyc or on social media at @shakeenz.
