André Pomba is known in the city of São Paulo for being the creator of the best-known alternative gay party in São Paulo: Grind, which hosts every Sunday at the club A Lôca. Now the DJ takes on a great mission: coordinating the artistic attractions of the cultural fair for the biggest gay parade in the world.
In last year's edition, many people didn't like the event's musical attractions, such as Madame Mim and Tetine. Detractors said the artists were "too alternative" and that a "middle ground" was needed. It is with the mission of pleasing the Greeks and Trojans that Pomba takes over the Feirinha.
"We are looking (for this year) for a more popular approach", warns André no. But he also says there will be "at least one group representing the alternative scene." As a solution to this drama, André thinks about using the tent scheme where "DJs from various nightclubs and new attractions will play". André believes that with this format the public's interaction and fun will be "cooler".
The subject transcends the Gay Parade and reaches politics, since, in addition to working with cultural promotion, André Pomba helped to build Geraldo Alckmin's government plan, when he ran for mayor of São Paulo in 2008. Here he makes a harsh criticism of the Lula government in relation to LGBT public policies. For the DJ, the federal government is "good in speech, but bad in practice".
What do you intend to change at the fair?
My main proposal is to exchange the second stage for a tent, taking advantage of the positive experience in the last three years of the LGBT tent on São Paulo's anniversary. In the tent we will have DJs from various nightclubs and new attractions, thus creating a cooler atmosphere for the public to dance and interact.
And what do you intend to keep?
In reality, the Fair's format is already well defined, what we want is to bring the attractions closer to the preferences of the LGBT public.
Last year Tetine and Madame Mim were the highlights of the festival and were not very popular. Will there be space for alternative groups?
Although we seek a more popular approach, we will certainly have at least one group representing the alternative scene. Especially if the tent rolls around, there will be space for performances and new artists in between DJ sets.
Does Daniel Peixoto continue to present the shows?
No. For the presentation we are scouting some drag queens.
Do you already have artists in mind to invite?
Yes, we are pre-closed with four attractions, but we cannot disclose it because we have to actually confirm the budget, check availability, work with Parada's communications department...
Will there be room for rock or will the programming seek to follow what the public wants?
This year I said that I intended to look for shows that would primarily appeal to all those in the LGBT universe, but I don't exclude that we could have some attractions more focused on pop rock.
Are drag shows and Silvetty Montilla still on the schedule?
Without a doubt, it will happen. Silvetty Montilla even said that she brought forward her return from a trip to Europe just to be here for the Fair and the Parade.
Does your presence in managing the fair extend to the Parade?
No, alongside producer Hanilton Scofield, we only take care of the fair's cultural programming.
Why did Dynamite Pub close?
It closed due to clear intolerance from the Pinheiros sub-prefecture. We were the only LGBT bar in the Cardeal Arcoverde street area, as well as the only one that had everything legal, soundproofed and did not place tables on the sidewalk. Even so, they claimed that there were many noise complaints from neighbors. What proves that this was not true is that even though we were closed for almost two years, we continued to receive fines and warnings from Psiu...
What will be the new concept of Dynamite Pub?
In reality we will be sharing the same space with the NGO Dynamite so the focus will be on alternative clubs at night and day, we will emphasize free musical education and space for new bands and artists to play (check out the project here)
Do you already have projects in mind?
The next event will be my open bar birthday party on April 10th. Also in May, promoter Hanilton Scofield's special birthday project Boys & Grls will take place. For more information, just access the website here
You intend to rent the space for private parties. Why?
As long as we don't have a defined schedule, we will be open for private parties and partnerships with other promoters, which, in fact, we already did in the Pinheiros space.
New clubs in the city, such as the Lions, have caused controversy because they are considered elitist for selecting people who can or cannot enter the houses. What do you think?
Honestly, I don't see anything wrong with it, as it's something that happens all over the world. I personally don't frequent elitist clubs and if by chance I was refused entry, I would go somewhere else where my presence would be welcome and my money would be better spent.
Facundo Guerra criticized Mônica Bergamo for the fact that A Lôca charges R$7 for a can of beer while Lions charges R$8 for a long neck. What do you have to say about this?
The vast majority of nightclubs earn from drinking, and the prices are very similar, as the entrance fee alone does not cover the costs. Lôca has many promotions, VIP and discount lists and entry costs on average R$ 15,00. If they could charge R$80,00 like the Lions, the drinks would probably be free and released.
Despite being affiliated with the PSDB, I would like you to make a quick assessment of the Lula government in relation to LGBT policies.
I believe that the Lula government's tone in general is a lot of speech, a lot of rhetoric and propaganda and few effective actions and this extends to LGBT policies. Eight years later, there is no legislation that would punish homophobia or that we could highlight as an effective benefit. However, I would like to highlight the excellent performance of the Ministry of Culture, which, through the Secretariat for Cultural Diversity, has been supporting and rewarding several initiatives in the LGBT scene throughout Brazil.
And the Serra government? How did you address these issues for you?
Without a doubt, there is no denying that Governor Serra was the one who most supported the LGBT community, since his time as mayor when he created CADS – Coordination of Sexual Diversity Affairs. We can mention several actions such as the medical outpatient clinic for transsexuals and transvestites, the state CADS and the approval of the use of social names in official documents.
Does Dilma rising in the electoral polls represent a threat to Serra?
Honestly, I don't understand why this question was asked to me. But if you ask me, I think very early election polls don't mean anything. In the last election, Kassab had 2%, Alckmin and Marta more than 30% and that was what happened. And if you take it literally, despite all the advance campaign carried out by Lula and paid for with public money, in the last DataFolha survey Serra rose and Dilma fell...
