Name: OutPro Celebration
Start: 2023-03-23T16:00:00-04:00
End: 2023-03-23T18:00:00-04:00
Location: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

This event has passed.

Create Great Connections: OutPro Celebration

The Art of Being Out

Join us for the first OutPro event of the year to celebrate The Art of Being Out. 🎨

What to expect:
• Coming out stories from OutPro Council members
• Art and poetry from local LGBTQIA+ artists featured throughout the venue
• Live music and performances
• Hors d’oeuvres and beverages
• New connections in a safe, inclusive, and fun atmosphere

OutPro promotes a welcoming culture for LGBTQIA+ individuals in the West Michigan business community and offers opportunities for education and networking with an emphasis on policy impact, assisting businesses, and creating a more inclusive and welcoming work environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend OutPro events. You do not need to identify as LGBTQIA+ to participate.

Thursday, March 23
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The Rutledge
120 Ionia Ave SW Suite 101

Members: $50 / Non-Members: $75

Online registration is now closed.

Walk-in registration will be available at the door.

Featured Performers

Emily Reed (She/Her) and Isaac Aoki (He/Him), Grand Rapids Ballet

Emily Reed (she/her) & Isaac Aoki (he/him) are company dancers with the Grand Rapids Ballet. They will be performing the world premiere of “departure//reflection” choreographed by fellow company artist Adriana Wagenveld (she/her). “departure//reflection” is a piece that will be featured in the upcoming Jumpstart 2023 show, where company dancers explore their creative energies, stepping into the role of choreographer, building experimental programs for other dancers.

Jocelyn Barnes aka Goldie (She/They)

Jocelyn aka Goldie (She/They), is cute as heck and she grew up in West Michigan. She grooves within the intersections of being a black, queer, fat, HSP (look it up!), angel who’s working on herself. Her main goal in life is to give out as much love as she wants to receive, be a good ancestor, and spread joy.

Jocelyn is performing a spoken word piece at the event.

Victoria Olson (She/Her), Principal Bassoon, Grand Rapids Symphony

Victoria Olson was appointed Principal Bassoon with the Grand Rapids Symphony in 2017. She has performed with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, and Peninsula Music Festival, among others. Victoria also serves as the bassoon instructor at Grand Valley State University and Aquinas College and has held appointments on faculty at Interlochen Arts Academy’s Summer Institute.

Victoria will be playing a movement from “Flirtations (for 1 sassy salamander)” by Zoe Cutler (b 1996) who is a queer composer.

Kaira Williams (She/Her), Comedian & Author

Kaira Williams is a comedian, author, and one of those old people on TikTok. Her comedy recounts the absurdities of being a childless, single 30-something in the Midwest, and she can name five things about you just by looking at your shoes. Kaira was voted one of the Top 3 Favorite Comedians in West Michigan by readers of Revue Magazine in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and is pretty sure it’s her fault that category was eliminated in 2020.

Kaira will be performing a short improv/stand-up piece at the event.