Jennifer Hudson,
star of the upcoming film version of the
musical Dreamgirls, will perform at this
year's unofficial Gay Days at Disneyland on October 7,
organizers announced Friday. The three-day event in
Anaheim, Calif., runs October 6-8; Hudson
will appear at the Kingdom Dance Party at the House of
Blues in the theme park's Downtown Disney area.
"We are thrilled
to have Jennifer on board, as she has ties to Disney,"
organizers told Advocate.com, referring to Hudson's stint on
the Disney Cruise Line, where she's performed shows. Out DJ
Kimberly S. returns to spin at the Kingdom party.
Hudson,
an American Idol finalist, reportedly
beat out American Idol winner Fantasia to win
the choice role of Effie, one of the three titular
Dreamgirls in the film, which is being adapted and directed
by Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters, Kinsey).
Beyonce plays Deena Jones, the lead--a
character loosely based on Diana Ross--but in
the film Hudson will sing the show's standout number,
"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," sung by Jennifer
Holliday in the original Broadway production. Holliday
earned both a Tony and a Grammy for her performance.
The ninth annual
Gays Days at Disneyland begins with a welcome party
called Wonderland on October 6 at Ralph Brennan's Jazz
Kitchen, also in Downtown Disney. That event will
benefit the Trevor Project, a nonprofit that provides
the nation's only 24-hour hotline for LGBT teens. Drag
diva Momma will host Wonderland, with special appearances by
Honey Labrador and Will Wikle (Big Brother,
Logo's Round Trip Ticket).
Gay Days
attendees, who typically wear red shirts to be visible among
other park guests, will visit the Disneyland theme park on
Saturday, October 7, and the California Adventure
theme park on Sunday, October 8. Both gatherings in
the parks, which are privately organized and not
endorsed by the Disney company, include scheduled rendezvous
times for specific groups, such as gay youth
(sponsored by the Trevor Project), gay families,
women, singles, and gay male "bears." Organizers also
sponsor a scavenger hunt and group photos each day. For
more information or to buy tickets to the parties, go to gaydaysanaheim.com.
