July 8, 2021
Atlanta is embracing the theme of “One Love” for the world’s first LGBTQ+ EDM music festival of the same name in September.
It’s expected that thousands of men and women will descend upon the city’s Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood to celebrate this groundbreaking charitable event. With the talents of 25 world-class DJs, GAYDM “One Love” promises a night of adrenaline and excitement.
“It will be an 11-hour festival with live performances, celebrities and non-stop music,” said local nightlife producer Chris Coleman. “Pride parties have always been a catalyst to bring the LGBTQ+ community together and GAYDM ‘One Love’ will merge our tribes into one unified voice for one night to affect change,” Coleman says.
He and co-producer Michael Morrison are partnering with GAGA (Gay Georgia) and Lost-n-Found Youth on GAYDM “One Love” and its “party with a purpose” initiative.
“EDM speaks to every race, nationality, gender, and sexuality around the globe,” Coleman adds. “It heightens our senses, quickens our pulse, and drives us to the pinnacle of excitement with a myriad of sub-genres like techno, electro, dubstep, synthwave, lo-fi, and more.”
Arguably, the LGBTQ+ community is often credited with starting the EDM genre. Coleman cites queer artists from the 70s as trailblazers; people such as the legendary Larry Levan and his friend Frankie Knuckles are respected pioneers.
“Much of the music that we enjoy today at dance clubs is the legacy of LGBTQ+ artists,” Coleman continues. “One of the goals of GAYDM “One Love” is to let the truth of the music pour out from the closet door and into the heart of the public. It’s a chance for everyone that loves dance music to celebrate its origins.”
The Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood will feature three stages at GAYDM “One Love”: a main “headliner” stage with two satellite stages on either side. All attendees will be free to venture in and out of all three staging areas.
LGBTQ+ DJs including Danny Tenaglia, Pagano, Ralphi Rosario, Boris, Citizen Jane, Samantha Ronson, Dave Aude, Alex Lo (pictured above), Marti Frieson, Alex Ramos, Oscar Velazquez, Hector Fonseca, Tommy Love, DJ Tatiana, Binomio, Enrico Meloni, and Marco da Silva will perform.
The host hotel for GAYDM “One Love” is the Marriott Marquis Hotel at 265 Peachtree Center Avenue in downtown Atlanta. Five miles from the Cellairis Amphitheatre, the 52-story hotel with amazing views of downtown Atlanta is offering GAYDM “One Love” event-goers a special rate of $159 a night for all rooms booked before Friday, August 13, 2021.
“We hope to bring all five letters of our alphabet together to unify our voice to affect real social change,” Coleman says in a statement. “Please have fun at this party! Your presence makes a statement. I thank you all for coming out!”
GAYDM “One Love” will take place Saturday, September 11 at Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood (2002 Lakewood Ave. SE Atlanta, GA 30315). General admission lawn, regular admission seats and pit standing room only are on sale now and can be purchased online here through Live Nation.
For additional information visit Facebook, Instagram, Twitter + www.gdmfest.com.
