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Author: Alfredo Casuso

Un momento para los patriotas

Un momento para los patriotas

— por David Eugene Perry

Cuando era niño, daba recorridos por el Capitolio del Estado de Virginia en Richmond. Me sentaba frente al televisor con mi grabadora de casetes y registraba el audio de los Bicentennial Minutes de Walter Cronkite en 1976. Mi madre y mi abuela alimentaron mi curiosidad y mis ansias de conocimiento llevándome a tantos sitios de la Revolución Americana, la Guerra Civil y la historia indígena en el estado que terminé con ampollas en los pies y una estantería repleta de libros y direcciones de conservadores de museos. De niño, fui un patriota precoz.

Mi primera carta al editor fue en defensa de la entrevista de Betty Ford en 60 Minutes, en agosto de 1975, en la que hablaba abiertamente sobre temas como el sexo prematrimonial, el consumo de marihuana, el derecho al aborto y su propia batalla contra el cáncer de mama. Llamé “mentes superficiales” a quienes se oponían a su franqueza. El editor del Richmond Times-Dispatch llamó a mi madre (quien no sabía que yo había enviado algo al periódico) para preguntarle: “¿Está segura de que esto lo escribió un niño de 13 años?”

— “Sí.”

Soy lo que en el Sur llaman un Yella’ Dog Democrat: alguien que votaría por un perro amarillo antes que por un republicano. Y sin embargo, aunque nunca obtuvieron mi voto, Ronald Reagan, Bush padre y Bush hijo se ganaron mi respeto por la manera en que representaron a los Estados Unidos en la escena internacional, aunque eso me llevó a escribir muchos artículos de opinión y a participar en muchas marchas de protesta contra sus políticas.

Siempre me he considerado primero un estadounidense y, en segundo lugar, un demócrata.

— Hasta hoy.

Fui objeto de burlas despiadadas en la escuela primaria — “Fairy Perry” — así que sé reconocer a un matón cuando lo veo. Ver a Donald Trump transformar sistemáticamente — y con gran éxito — la política exterior de EE.UU. en un ejercicio de extorsión, negligencia e información falsa me ha convertido, antes que nada, en un ciudadano del mundo, oponiéndome con horror y repulsión al carácter y la crueldad del 47.º presidente de los Estados Unidos y sus secuaces. No es un republicano. Es un mafioso en busca de una corte medieval y una corona. La corte, ya la tiene. La corona: aún no.

¿Hay mérito en algunas de las políticas de Donald Trump? Posiblemente. ¿Hay mérito en desmantelar en menos de 100 días el orden mundial por el que lucharon mi padre, mi tío y mi hermano? No. Para citar a Patrick Henry: “Dios Todopoderoso, no lo permitas.”

Soy ciudadano del mundo. Soy ciudadano de EE.UU. Soy demócrata.

Soy miembro de la Resistencia.

Exhorto a todos los estadounidenses a marcar dos fechas: el 3 de noviembre de 2026 y el 7 de noviembre de 2028.

Hasta entonces, debemos seguir adelante y asegurarnos de poder votar con seguridad en esas fechas. Lamentablemente, en este caso, el consejo de FDR no aplica. Hay mucho, muchísimo más que temer que solo el miedo mismo.

David Eugene Perry nació y creció en Richmond, Virginia. Se graduó de St. Paul’s Parochial y del Benedictine Military Institute. Ahora vive en California con su esposo. Trabaja a nivel internacional y ha visitado más de 70 países.

A Time for Patriots

A Time for Patriots
by David Eugene Perry

When I was a boy, I would give tours of the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond. I sat in front of the TV with my cassette player and recorded the audio to Walter Cronkite’s “Bicentennial Minutes” in 1976. My mother and grandmother fed my wide eyes and horizons by traipsing through enough Revolutionary and Civil War and Native American sites in the Commonwealth to generate blisters and a bookshelf groaning with books and curators’ addresses. As a child, I was a precocious patriot.

My first letter to the editor was in defense of Betty Ford’s 60 Minutes interview in August 1975 in which she candidly discussed topics such as premarital sex, marijuana use, abortion rights, and her own breast cancer battle. I called those who opposed her openness as “shallow minded.” The editor of the Richmond Times Dispatch called my mother (who didn’t know I had submitted something to the paper) to inquire: “Are you sure a 13 year old wrote this?”

“Yes.”

I’m what is referred to in The South as a “Yella’ Dog Democrat”: someone who’d vote for a yellow dog before voting for a Republican. And yet, although they didn’t earn my vote, Ronald Reagan, Bush I & II earned my respect for the way in which they represented the United States of America on the international stage, albeit with many more opeds and protest marches along the way against their policies.

I have always been first an American; secondly a Democrat.  — until today.

I was mercilessly teased during grade school — “Fairy Perry” — so I know a bully when I see one. Watching Donald Trump systematically — and to great effect — turn U.S. foreign policy into a bully’s exercise of extortion, malfeasance and misinformation — has made me firstly a citizen of the world in opposition and sickening horror to the demeanor and meanness of the 47th President of the United States and his minions. He is not a Republican. He’s mafioso in search of a Medieval court and crown. The court, he has. The crown: not yet.

Is there merit in some of Donald Trump’s policies? Likely. Is there merit in single handedly dismantling in less than 100 days the world order for which my father, uncle and brother fought? No. To quote Patrick Henry: “Forbid it Almighty God.”

I am a citizen of the world. I am a US Citizen. I am a Democrat. 

I am a member of The Resistance. 

I urge all Americans to mark two dates: November 3, 2026 and November 7, 2028.

Until then, we need to keep on keeping on to make sure we can safely cast a vote on those dates. Sadly, in this instance, FDR’s advice does not serve. There is much, much more to fear than fear itself.

David Eugene Perry was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia: a graduate of St. Paul’s Parochial and Benedictine Military Institute. He now lives in California with his husband. Working internationally, he has visited more than 70 countries.

David Perry’s LinerLore Aboard “Koningsdam

Ahoy! Author and maritime historian David Eugene Perry will be lecturing onboard Holland America’s splendid Koningsdam, March 5 – 22: Papeete, French Polynesia to San Diego.

Titanic: Legend and Legacy:Without a doubt, the most famous ship – and shipwreck – in the world, RMS Titanic has lived longer in memory and ongoing fascination than her all-too-brief maiden voyage. Learn of the 1898 book that “predicted” her story (and loss), and take a tour through the dozens of movies, and hundreds of books that continue to bring this classic sea tale to new generations.

Paddlewheels, Steam & Speed — The Birth of Oceanic Travel:For millennia, humans have sought to bridge the “Old World” to the “New” over the “Western Ocean”. From St. Brendan to SS Great Britain from sail to steam, former ship office and award winning author David Eugene Perry chronicles the story of TransOceanic travel including the birth of the great Holland America line.

Ocean Olympians — Ships of State, Immigration & Sometimes War:From 1900 – 1914, millions of Europeans crossed the Atlantic: immigrants, business people and tourists. The competition among the ship owners of the US, Britain, France, Germany, Holland and others was intense, and changed the world leading up to World War I.

The Golden Age of Liners — Blue Riband Royalty: The Holland America greats, Queens Mary and Elizabeth, Rex, Normandie, Breman & Europa and SS United States. These fastest and most glamourous of liners defined an age, and a way of life, between the Wars, and after. A crowd pleasing “must sea” talk of the Sea!

From Crossing to Cruising — A New Golden Age at Sea: In the late 1950s, air-travel became “the only way to cross” the Atlantic. What to do with aging, elegant ships meant for passenger comfort but not competitive with jets? The answer: “Getting there is half the fun.” Learn how “crossing” gave way to “pleasure cruising” including Holland America’s significant contributions.

LinerLore — Classic Tales of the Sea and Famous Ship Stories: Nothing is more evocative than “Tales of the Sea.” Learn about the Italian beauties Michelangelo & Raffaello, FDR’s presidential yacht Potomac, the only ship that ever sailed in two centuries, two millennia, and in two days – at the same time – plus more fascinating ship stories.

By Wave and Wing — Pacific Passenger Travel: From the great ships of Canadian Pacific, to Japan’s glamourous NYK liners, and finally by air during the brief glory age of the Pan Am Clippers, passage on (and over) the Pacific has inspired countless writers and wanderers to exotic climes. Also, we look into one of the Pacific’s most enduring mysteries: Amelia Earhart’s last flight.

Empower Young Writers at the 2025 Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival

Media Contact: David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

“The Play’s the Thing”
Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival Returns for 2025
www.psypf.org

Submission Deadline: March 31

Mentorship with Hollywood Veteran Jack Kenny and Scholarships Await
Festival Takes Place June 8 at Palm Springs Cultural Center

25 February 2025 – Palm Springs, CA : The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.” Shakespeare’s immortal line from Hamlet reminds us of the power of storytelling to shape hearts, minds, and society. For the seventh year, the Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival (PSYPF) returns to celebrate that power by cultivating the next generation of playwrights. With a submission deadline of March 31, 2025, young writers across Riverside County have the chance for professional mentorship, scholarship opportunities, and the thrill of seeing their words come alive on stage.

“We believe that stories shape our world—and every year, PSYPF proves that young voices have some of the most compelling stories to tell,” said David Youse, Founder and Executive Director of the Festival.  “This is about more than scripts. It’s about empowering young playwrights to believe in their potential, to hear their words spoken aloud, and to see the impact of their creative vision. The March 31 submission deadline is a golden opportunity for aspiring writers to take that first step.”

Hollywood Expertise Meets Local Talent:
Returning this year as a mentor is Jack Kenny, a name synonymous with storytelling across stage and screen. With a distinguished career that includes creating NBC’s The Book of Daniel and FOX’s Titus, running the hit Syfy series Warehouse 13, and writing for fan-favorites like Marvel’s Jessica Jones and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Kenny brings a wealth of experience from Hollywood’s frontlines.

“The theatre is where it all began for me. Plays demand the truth—raw, unfiltered, and immediate,” said Kenny, after many years in Hollywood, now a full time Palm Springs resident.  “The young playwrights who submit to PSYPF aren’t just writing stories; they’re writing their future. Mentoring them is an honor, and watching their voices emerge is always inspiring. The March 31 deadline isn’t just a date—it’s a doorway. I hope many walk through it.”

Kenny’s extensive Broadway and Off-Broadway acting experience, including performances in Fiddler on the Roof and The Normal Heart, combined with his Juilliard training and decades of television writing and directing, provides festival participants with mentorship that bridges every dimension of the theatrical arts.

Festival Details & Impact:
The 2025 Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival will take place at 12pm on Sunday, June 8 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center (2300 E. Baristo Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262). General admission is $10, with students admitted free. Tickets are available at:
brownpapertickets.com/event/6581051.

The March 31, 2025 submission deadline is critical: plays can be submitted via psypf.org, with winners announced on April 15. Each winner will receive a $500 scholarships to further their arts education and participate in a staged reading of their work, gaining invaluable professional feedback and real-world theatrical experience.  The 2025 Festival will be hosted by Anthony Banuelos and Abigail Alldredge, winners of the 2024 competition, highlighting the program’s tradition of paying it forward.

Changing Lives, One Story at a Time:
The impact of PSYPF on young writers is profound. As Xuan Anh Ly Biggs, a 2023 winner now attending USC’s BFA program in screenwriting, shared:
“Because of PSYPF, I can now attend my dream school. The experience empowered me to pursue a career as a writer.”

For Brooklyn Rutledge, also a 2023 winner, the festival was transformative:
“I’m not exaggerating when I say that PSYPF genuinely changed my life. I wouldn’t have continued playwriting without it.”

And for Yamani Scoggins, a 2021 winner, PSYPF provided clarity and motivation: “As a young Black woman uncertain about her path, PSYPF showed me doors I didn’t know existed. It was a catalyst for my dedication to the arts.”

Sponsors and Community Support

The 2025 Premier Sponsor of PSYPF is The Cherry Lane Alternative. Leading sponsors include:

  • Rowan Kimpton Hotel, Palm Springs – Peggy Trott, General Manager
  • The Palm Springs Cultural Center
  • City of Palm Springs
  • The Riverside County Office of Education
  • Paul Reid and Tom Hartnett
  • Scott Poland and Eddie Nestlebush
  • Jason Smith and Tom Valach

“These sponsors and partners recognize the importance of nurturing young voices,” added Youse. “Their support ensures these talented young writers are given a platform—and a future.”

About The Palm Springs  Young Playwrights Festival:
The Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival is dedicated to promoting creative writing in the theatrical form among elementary, middle, and high school students in Riverside County, CA. By offering mentorship, scholarships, and the opportunity for public staged readings, PSYPF invests in the next generation of storytellers, ensuring that diverse and fresh perspectives continue to enrich the world of theatre.

For more information, submissions, and tickets, visit:
www.psypf.org.

Pride Celebration Concert Returns to Strathmore After Kennedy Center Disinvitation

media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

International Pride Orchestra Announces June 5 Pride Celebration Concert at Strathmore Music Center After Disinvitation from Kennedy Center Following Trump Takeover

The iconic event celebrates resilience, unity, and the power of music against hate and bigotry.

24 February 2025 — San Francisco: The International Pride Orchestra (IPO) today announced that its highly anticipated Pride Celebration Concert will take place onThursday, June 5 at the renowned Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda, Maryland following its disinvitation from Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center. This decision comes after recent actions by President Trump, who, after taking control of the Kennedy Center, vowed to reshape programming in line with his administration’s agenda.

“We were heartbroken when we learned that our concert would no longer be welcome at the Kennedy Center,” said Michael Roest, Founding Artistic Director of IPO. “The Kennedy Center has long been a symbol of artistic excellence, inclusivity, and freedom of expression. However, we are profoundly grateful to the Strathmore Music Center for opening their doors to us. Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation’s capital.”

After weeks of standard negotiations and having been invited to be a featured part of WorldPride and Capital Pride Alliance events, on Wednesday, February 12, Roest and his team received a curt email from the Kennedy Center: “We are not in a position at this time to advance a contract.” The disinvitation followed President Donald Trump’s announced intention to take over the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on the previous Friday, February 7. This move was part of his broader agenda to reshape the center’s cultural direction, including ending performances he perceived of as promoting DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) or as quoted verbatim from Trump’s Truth Social feed: “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.” In the intervening weeks, Trump has replaced the previous board and installed a new one that promptly named him as chair.

“Sadly, to read something like this from the present President of the United States is not surprising, but is in itself profoundly unamerican and therefore disheartening. His actions further embolden us in our purpose.” said International Pride Orchestra board member and conductor Christine Brandes

“Music has always been a powerful force against hate and bigotry,” Roest continued. “In times of challenge, it reminds us of our shared humanity. The LGBTQ+ community has always shown resilience in the face of discrimination, and this concert will be a vibrant expression of that enduring spirit. We are honored to bring our music to the Strathmore Music Center and to stand together against intolerance.”

The Strathmore Music Center, known for its commitment to diversity and artistic freedom, quickly stepped in to offer IPO a new home for its landmark event. The Pride Celebration Concert will now serve not only as a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride, but as a testament to the enduring power of music to unite communities in the face of adversity.

The Pride Celebration Concert at Strathmore promises an unforgettable evening of music, featuring a diverse repertoire that reflects the richness of the LGBTQ+ experience. Attendees can expect performances that inspire, uplift, and affirm the importance of unity and pride.

Dressed to express in everything from full military uniform to couture drag, this San Francisco-based organization brings together 80 queer and ally musicians hailing from more than 32 states across the U.S. and beyond. This diverse group includes professional and community musicians, music educators, U.S. military band members, and members of queer ensembles nationwide. They come together annually to both celebrate community and raise funds for LGBTQ+ causes.

“We aim to create a powerful and positive representation of the queer community through music,” said Roest, sharing the vision for IPO. “We want to show the world who we are, celebrate our queer identities, and amplify the work of organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community.”

Peaches Christ, the San Francisco-based drag performer and filmmaker, will serve as the concert’s host, a role the popular artist has twice undertaken for IPO. Peaches has performed with major orchestras such as the San Francisco Symphony and at prestigious venues including London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Roest will share the podium with distinguished conductors, including DC-based Bonnie Alger and Robert Moody, who serves as the Music Director for the Memphis Symphony, the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and Arizona MusicFest. A full schedule of the concert’s repertoire and guest artists will be forthcoming in the coming days.

Formed in 2023, the International Pride Orchestra aims to unite LGBTQ+ musicians worldwide and support LGBTQ+ causes. Each year, a different host city is chosen to host an IPO Pride Celebration Concert, fostering new partnerships and continuing to build a global network of queer musicians.

For more information, please visit internationalprideorchestra.org or strathmore.org.