Tag: Los Angeles live music

Meet the Leadership of GFBLA Marching

Post author By Deb Williams
Post date March 13, 2025

Drum Major Leonard Dootson (He/Him) is a Southern California native and a proud member of GFBLA since 1990. With a B.S. in Nursing, he currently works as a Registered Nurse Clinical Educator.

Leonard’s musical journey began in elementary school with the clarinet, followed by the French horn in high school. After a decade-long hiatus from music, he rejoined GFBLA as a trumpet player.

A passionate fan of the marching arts, Leonard is honored to serve as the Drum Major and is excited about this year’s marching season, fueled by the energy surrounding the band’s growth. He believes the marching band plays a vital role in promoting visibility, equality, and social justice.

Outside of music, Leonard enjoys camping, sailing, and restoring classic VWs, along with playing trumpet, piano, and recorder.

Drum Captain Omar Saldivar (he/him) has been with GFBLA for a few weeks and is excited to perform in parades and Pride events. Speaking of our great community, Omar mentioned, “All of the other members are very welcoming and friendly, there is a sense of community among them.”

🌸🌼Come check us out at the Spring Fling!🌼🌸

Tags drumline, gay freedom band of los angeles, gay marching, gay pep band, gfbla, GFBLA Community, la pride, live music, los angeles, Los Angeles live music, Los Angeles Music, Marching Band, pep band, queer community, queer marching, queer pep band

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Spring Fling

Post author By Deb Williams
Post date March 10, 2025

Consider this your official prom-posal to our Spring Fling! Enjoy our marching band and color guard’s premier performance outside the Heart of Los Angeles in Lafayette Park.

Details below!

Free Entry

Time: March 16th, 12pm-1pm

Location: 615 La Fayette Park Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90057

What to bring: lawn chair, picnic blanket, snacks

Parking: free street parking, metered parking

Tags color guard, gay freedom band of los angeles, gfbla, GFBLA Community, live music, los angeles, Los Angeles live music, Los Angeles Music, Marching Band, queer community, queer marching

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Member Spotlight: Shelby Heaster

Post author By Deb Williams
Post date February 25, 2025

It’s Member Spotlight time with Shelby!

Get to know her a bit below! 💕🥳

“I’m Shelby (she/hers) and I’ve been playing the flute since the 5th grade (minus a break during the pandemic)! I grew up in Wyoming and attended the University of Wyoming. I moved to California after graduating in 2022, then to Los Angeles for work in June 2023.

I joined GFBLA in September 2023 because I was looking for a community band to call home! This is such a welcoming, friendly group and we have a lot of fun—I love that we don’t take ourselves too seriously, and we can still put forward a professional performance.

Having grown up where I did, it’s nice to finally be part of a community that’s so open and proud about their identities and love of music—it makes me proud about mine!”

🩷💜💙

Are you looking for a fun, inclusive community of folks who love music as much as you do!? Visit us here to learn more and sign up!

Tags Concert Band, gay freedom band of los angeles, gfbla, GFBLA Community, live music, los angeles, Los Angeles live music, Los Angeles Music, queer community

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Member Spotlight: Demi Tupua

Post author By Deb Williams
Post date October 17, 2024

We freakin ❤️ our New Members so much and Demi is one of the coolest!

Read all about him below! 📖📣

“I’m Demi (he/him), a San Francisco native and an Angeleno since 2001. I joined GFBLA in May 2024 and am so excited to be part of this fun and talented group of musicians! I first picked up the clarinet in 5th grade, tenor sax in high school, and I continued to play in my university orchestra and jazz band.

After college, sadly my horns collected dust in the closet for 30 years, until a few months ago when I attended a GFBLA concert band rehearsal for the first time. I was instantly struck by how warm and welcoming everyone was.

Since then, I’ve joined GFBLA’s jazz and marching bands. It’s been such a blast performing at various concerts and marching in the local pride parades. I’m so happy to be part of this wonderful crew, celebrating the diversity and talent of L.A.’s LGBTQ+ community!”

Do you (yes, you!) want to be a part of this awesome band!? Reach out to us on our contact page and we’ll welcome ya with open arms!

Tags gay band, gay band los angeles, gay freedom band of los angeles, gfbla, GFBLA Community, live music, Los Angeles live music, Los Angeles Music, queer community, queer music

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Fallin’ For Jazz

Post author By Deb Williams
Post date October 9, 2024

This Autumn, the GFBLA Jazz Band will present Fallin’ For Jazz at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Whether you tap your feet to the beat, enjoy your favorite beverage, or just want to cut a rug, join us November 14th at 7:00PM!

The Big Band will take center stage, featuring jazz standards from masters like Harold Arlen, Josef Zawinul, and Dizzy Gillespie. We’ll feature a soloist or two, play some popular songs, and you won’t want to miss the vocal stylings of Allison Tan. There’s a great lineup of tunes guaranteed to make you want to get up and dance!

That’s not all! The saxophone section will entertain you with their syncopated stylings. Plus you’ll hear from a jazz combo that will delight you. Their versatility performing music from a range of styles and periods emphasizes improvisation and the talents of the players.

It’s sure to be a Jammin’ evening! Tickets available here or at the door.

The Mayflower Club is located at 11110 Victory Boulevard, in North Hollywood, CA 91606. All ages are welcome. There is a full bar available on site!

We can’t wait to see you on November 14th at 7PM at the Mayflower Club!

Tags gay freedom band of los angeles, gfbla, GFBLA Community, Jazz Band, live jazz, live music, Los Angeles live music, Los Angeles Music, mayflower club, north hollywood music