Tag: queer community

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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Fallin’ For Jazz Wrap Up

Post author By Deb Williams
Post date November 20, 2024

Jazz Band says, “Step aside, Pharrell, okayyyy”💁🏽💁🏾‍♀️💁🏼‍♂️

Of course we jest, but for real, how fun was our show at The Mayflower Club (@themayflowerclub) last Thursday!? The room was vibrant and the audience raved about the energy, the songs, and the solos!

Thanks so much if you came out and better yet, if you donated to the band while you were there! We❤️ya!

If you can’t get enough jazz, the band will perform at our holiday concert, Winter Wonderband!

Now we’re not promising anything, but you will hear a Christmas fave (hint:🥜 )

Click here for tix. See ya then!

Tags big band, birdland, gay freedom band of los angeles, gfbla, GFBLA Community, Jazz Band, live jazz, live music, los angeles, Los Angeles Music, pharrell williams, queer community, queer music

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The Ol’ Song and Dance Wrap Up

Post author By Deb Williams
Post date November 20, 2024

Almost a month ago we were able to return to the legendary The Huntington Library for our latest Concert Band performance “The Ol’ Song and Dance”. Such a special evening of music showcasing songs that make you wanna dance and dances that make you wanna sing. Thanks so much to Candace Hansen (@candohando), our amazing emcee, for bringing history and fun to the night as well!

Thank you to to our photographyer Stevo Rood (@aroodphoto) for these awesome shots!

And congrats to our Brass Quintet who had their debut performance that night as well. Stay tuned for more Chamber Ensemble performances in the coming year!

Next performance is Winter Wonderband on 12/8 at Immanuel Presbyterian Church.

Tickets available here – see ya then!

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

News

Sponsor a Piece!

Post author By Deb Williams
Post date November 19, 2024

⏰ Hurry, sponsorships close November 24th! ⏰

Pick a piece 🎶 (from the jazz or concert band) to sponsor and see your message projected before our audience while we perform on December 8!

🎄Visit our donation page here🎄

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

News

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!