OUTBEAT KICKOFF: The Nation’s First Queer Jazz Festival Opens Tonight with Dena Underwood


Dean Underwood, one of the performers at this year's OutBeat. (via the Dena Underwood Facebook page)

Dena Underwood, via the Dena Underwood Facebook page

It’s been years in the making and tonight it becomes a reality: The nation’s first queer jazz festival, OutBeat, opens, thanks to the efforts of the William Way LGBTQ Community Center. The four-day musical extravaganza takes places all throughout Philly, and features some of the nation’s most renowned jazz players, players who just happen to fall into the LGBTQ spectrum.

Tonight kicks off the festival with a reception at William Way featuring Dena Underwood. The singing pianist takes the stage for a one-night-only performance of jazz and soul classics. Underwood, who attended Temple University, highlights her love for the craft in the video below. She also talks about her OutBeat engagement and includes her Tavern at Camac and Knock schedules:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivV91vppV-s

We have the full line-up of the festival below. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the event’s website.

Thursday, September 18

Friday, September 19

Saturday, September 20

Sunday, September 21