Idina Menzel Pride & Event Recap!

Last Sunday, I got to see Idina Menzel perform at Capital Pride in Washington DC! General admission concert pits – especially outdoors – are absolutely not my thing but it’s Idina and I knew she’d be performing new music, so of course I had to take a little road trip and see her! I loved seeing her perform her new music with choreography and dancers (!) and it really looked like she was having a blast on stage. The crowd was so incredibly loud and supportive and there’s really nothing like the feeling of tens of thousands of people singing along to her biggest hits. I really had an amazing time and I’m so glad I made the trip! You can see some of my videos on Instagram.

Set List: Dramatic, Beast, Paradise, My Love For Life, Defying Gravity, Let It Go, No Day But Today, MOVE

Idina then made her way to NYC to perform on Live with Kelly and Mark (watch her ‘Dramatic’ performance here and her interview here), do some Zoom interviews to promote her concerts (playlist here), and attend a Tribeca Storyteller’s Session With Billy Porter. Deadline summarized that event, so you can read more here. Photos from that event are also in the gallery:

Finally, Idina performed at a Pride event in Providence, RI where she introduced another DRAMA QUEEN track called ‘Royalty’! Here are some gorgeous photos from that show:

Next up: Pride events in St. Petersburg, FL, St. Louis, MO and London, England (Pride in London, and G-A-Y)!

Idina Menzel Releases ‘Dramatic’

Idina Menzel Releases ‘Dramatic’

 
Idina Menzel has released a second track called “Dramatic” from her upcoming album, Drama Queen!

“‘Dramatic’ is one of my favorite songs off the album that I wrote with Jake Shears from Scissor Sisters and Jim Elliot. The song is about embracing all the different sides of who we are.” – Idina Menzel

As a reminder, ‘Drama Queen’ will be released on August 18 but you can pre-save/pre-order it now! You can also pre-order SIGNED vinyls or CDs along with other ‘Drama Queen’ merch at Idina’s official store! The vinyl on her site comes in an exclusive hot pink while Barnes & Noble is exclusively offering a sky blue edition.

Lyrics:

Continue reading “Idina Menzel Releases ‘Dramatic’”

Idina Menzel Performs at WeHo Pride

Idina Menzel took over WeHo Pride in West Hollywood, CA with a free performance to kick off their OutLoud Festival Friday night! Idina debuted several new songs from her upcoming album, Drama Queen, and also performed a few of her iconic songs. Drama Queen songs included “MOVE”, “Beast”, “Paradise” and “Dramatic”. Some videos are on Youtube, so I put together a Youtube playlist!

Los Angeles Blade detailed her performance:

Idina Menzel, mega-wattage star of Broadway and Disney movie fame, appeared on stage and delivered the most energetic performance of the evening with her new hit “Move,” and simply owning OutLoud.

Catching her breath and refreshing with a bottle of water, the star bantered eloquently: “Thank you for showing up for everyone who couldn’t be here, everyone that’s out there that may be scared, that may not have a voice right now, thank you for showing up.”

“Let’s let them hear our anger and our madness and our frustration,” referring indirectly to the more than 500 antigay bills that are winding their way through state legislatures around the nation.

“We’re going to party in a minute but I just want to say, we’re stuck in this friggin’ outrageous world right now with all this hypocrisy, this cruelty. And I just want to say that I love all of you,” her voice breaking.

“I hope you’ll welcome me into your community; I am an ally for you. I would do anything for you,” she said.

With that Menzel launched into a new song she dedicated to her husband, “all my queer friends, all my trans friends, all my fabulous brothers and sisters.”

Menzel, who has sold dozens of millions of records with chart topping hits like the Oscar winning anthem “Let It Go,” and Wicked’s “Defying Gravity” is serious about her allyship.

The Tony and Obie winning artist recently hosted the GLAAD Media Awards in New York and has a full dance card of Pride event appearances around the world, including Capital Pride in Washington, D.C. on June 11 and London Pride on July 11, 2023. Rumors of a surprise appearance at Pride Island in Manhattan are also circulating.

Her magic held sway over the color splashed, packed audience as she bantered back and forth, the audience taking the lead singing the soaring anthems of her most famous reprises.

“I’ve been in a lot of shows and played a lot of characters,” Menzel said, her voice breaking. “I don’t think you understand how much being here means to me.”

“I don’t think I would even know how to play those roles if it hadn’t been for you. You’ve taught me so much about how to live courageously and live an authentic life,” she declared. “That’s what those characters were all about and that’s what you do all the time for all of us. And you do it in such a beautiful way.”

Continuing, she said, “There’s just so much going on, there’s so much. And you fight through it with so much joy and love and triumph. I want to thank you for all that you do. I wouldn’t have a career,” she said with increasing joy before launching into “Defying Gravity,” letting the audience take over several times while moving the artist to tears.

Aptly, it was that electric moment when it felt as if WeHo Pride soared above the City- it was WeHo Pride’s lift off moment.

The star, who is said to have donated her time to the event, stayed longer than expected, her bond with the audience so obviously intense.

At one point organizers, apparently determined to move the show along, came on stage and reminded her of her time slot. But neither she nor the audience was having it. They demanded she continue and she did, delivering a final and unexpectedly emotional performance of “No Day But Today,” her hit from the musical “Rent.”

She closed with an upbeat new offering and the show moved on to the West Hollywood City Council.

MOVE Music Video Out Now!

MOVE Music Video Out Now!

 

Idina Menzel has released the music video for her single, MOVE, just in time for Pride! The video, which was directed by Nick Laughlin and filmed in NYC last month, features choreography, dancers and a bunch of different (and gorgeous!) looks. Idina had this to say on Twitter: “We had the greatest time shooting the #MOVE video. Thanks to all the dancers and extras, my glam squad, the director, and the crew. It was one of those perfect days! Happy Pride, everyone!! Watch above!

There have also been a few new interviews: OUT, Advocate, American Songwriter, The Jess Cagle Show

Idina Performing at Pride Events

Idina Menzel will be performing at Pride events in the coming weeks! According to Capital Pride, she will be performing music from her upcoming dance album “Drama Queen,” including her first single “Move.”

These are the concerts that have been announced so far:

June 2 Concert: WeHo Pride in West Hollywood, CA
June 11Concert: Capital Pride in Washington DC
June 16Concert: Pride in Providence, RI
June 23Concert: St. Pete Pride in St. Petersburg, FL
June 25Concert: Pride in St. Louis, MO
July 1Concert: G-A-Y & Heaven Nightclub in London, England

Some events are free while others require tickets. Idina mentioned on QVC recently that she would be performing around the world, so stay tuned for more dates. Make sure you’re following me on Twitter & Instagram because I’ll be updating the dates there as they pop up.

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