Outfest Los Angeles will have it’s opening night gala tonight, July 12, with a special screening of Studio 54 documentary at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles. There will be a VIP Pre-Party at 6:30pm, followed by the screening at 8pm.
Outfest is hosting the legendary LGBTQ VIP Pre-Party. See and be seen inside the legendary Orpheum Theatre. There will be a presentation of the 2018 Outfest Achievement Award, honoring Angela Robinson, followed by the Opening Night movie. Outfest is also reimagining Studio 54 in the outside patio. Shannon Swindle, James Beard semifinalist Pastry Chef at Tom Collichio’s Craft, are being joined by friends from the top restaurants for this catered affair. Beer is being provided by Angel City Brewery, wine from Barefoot wines and Finlandia vodka is providing cocktails. There will also be some dancing in true 54 fashion.
Studio 54 was the epicenter of popular culture and disco. Brooklyn-born college pals Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager took a former opera house and CBS studio (where What’s My Line? and Captain Kangaroo filmed), in what was at the time one of New York City’s sketchiest neighborhoods, and turned it into a dance palace known all over the world. Extroverted gay Rubell and introverted straight Schrager (the latter giving his most extensive interview to date about Studio 54) were a powerful team. But the swirl of sex, drugs, celebrity, and tax evasion brought this phenomenon to an end, as did the advent of Ronald Reagan, the AIDS crisis, and the “Disco Sucks” backlash.
For a complete listing of Outfest Los Angeles, visit: https://www.outfest.org/
