TRANS Formative - Songs That Propel Us

Voice teacher and producer, Barbara Maier Gustern and Downtown producer/performer Eric L. Schmalenberger present: "TRANS Formative - Songs That Propel Us:" A Benefit for New York Voices, Joe's Pub's artist commissioning program, and the Ali Forney Center. Two extravaganzas featuring stars of the downtown scene will play at Joe's Pub at The Public, 425 Lafayette Street, on March 24 and April 28. Show times are at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be reserved online at joespub.com or by phone at: (212) 539-8778. There is a current list of performers below.

Maier Gustern, who teaches a significant number of entertainers in the LGBT community, says, " Joe's Pub New York Voices Artist Commissioning Program
and the important Ali Forney Center, in their very different ways, support and encourage people to be who they really are and to nurture each other. Youth
who are struggling with identity need role models who've stepped out to claim their true selves. I thought it was the right time to throw a great party to say
thank you to these organizations that foster those values."

New York Voices is the artist commissioning program of Joe's Pub at The Public. The program supports the creation of new works from critically-acclaimed
musicians and performers. As part of The Public's long history of supporting some of the country's most celebrated artists, New York Voices also includes a
development workshop with The Theater's artistic staff.

Supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York Voices provides each artist with rehearsal space, time and financial backing. Artists commissioned by the program include Abigail Washburn, Bridget Everett, Noche Flamenca, Toshi Reagon, Lady Rizo, Allen Toussaint, Angelique Kidjo and Ethan Lipton, whose 2011 premiere "No Place To Go" went on to win an Obie.

The Ali Forney Center is the largest and most comprehensive program in the nation dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

Through a variety of services, the center sees over 1,000 homeless LGBTQ youth each year, offering essentials of food and sustenance, extensive physical and mental health services, career and educational counseling and life skills mentoring. 99% of youth in the center's Transitional Housing Program are employed and 77% are enrolled in higher education.

Where does the diminutive, 70-something year old Barbara Maier Gustern fit into all this? Her association with Joe's Pub goes back many years, and includes
her work as vocal coach in the Joe's Pub production of Ethan Lipton's No Place To Go, as well as Joe's Pub and Broadway productions of Passing Strange.

The lineup for TRANS Formative is growing, and already includes legendary Performance Artists, Penny Arcade and John Kelly.

March 24: Tammy Faye Starlite will MC cast in alphabetical order:
Justin Vivian Bond, Michael Cavadias, Angela DiCarlo, Earl Dax, Eisa Davis, Miguel Guterriez, Nicolas Gorham, Mia Hisaishi, Soozee Hwang and the Relastics, Carol Lipnik, Amber Martin, Nancy Magarill, Carlos Ponton, Chris Rael, Laddy Rizzo, Eric Schmalenberger, Sofia Tosello and Tangallo, Sonda Weigl, Pinky Weitzmand with Not Waving But Drowning, and Our Lady J and Geo Wyeth, Heather Litteer.

April 28:
Penny Arcade, Louisa Bradshaw, Machine Dazzle Flower, Heather Greene, Kathleen Hanna and the Julie Ruin, Benjamin Ickies, John Kelly, Julie Atlas Muz, Miss Guy, Taylor Mac, Sofia Rei, Rob Roth, David Sloane, Vlada Tomova, Natti Vogel.

Proceeds benefit New York Voices, Joe's Pub's artist commissioning program, and the Ali Forney Center.

"TRANS Formative - Songs That Propel Us: A Benefit for New York Voices," Joe's Pub's artist commissioning program, and the Ali Forney Center. Two extravaganzas featuring stars of the downtown scene will play at Joe's Pub at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street, on March 24 and April 28. Show times are at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30.00 and can be reserved online at http://tinyurl.com/lzwgvsq or by phone at: (212) 539-8778.