We Speak Music
Ike Avelli Guests On TriVersity Talk With Host Wendy Stuart 7 PM ET Wednesday, May 13th, 2026
Wendy Stuart will be hosting TriVersity Talk! this Wednesday at 7 PM ET with featured guest Ike Avelli.
TriVersity Talk! is a weekly web series with featured guests discussing their lives, activism and pressing issues in the LGBTQ Community. With TriVersity Talk!, the goal is to laugh and learn.
TriVersity Talk! Is part of TriVersity’s ICARE Initiative. ICARE stands for Increasing Community Awareness through Relevant Education. ICARE Programs are generously funded by The Greater Pike Community.
Ike Avelli is a powerhouse comedian, writer, and producer whose high-octane career has transformed him into a definitive staple of the LGBTQ+ comedy circuit. Since his 2009 debut—stepping in as a last-minute replacement at a holiday event—Avelli has leveraged his sharp wit and theatrical flair to become one of the most sought-after creators in the industry.
Known for a “deliciously dirty” and flamboyant style, Avelli has written and produced over 17 original stage productions, including critically acclaimed plays and parody musicals. His crown jewel,“50 Shades of Gay,” premiered in 2015 and has since evolved into a global phenomenon. From the boards of Atlantic City and San Diego to the high seas with Royal Caribbean, the production has consistently played to sold-out audiences, earning the title of “the performance of the summer” by The Huffington Post.
Avelli’s comedic DNA is a vibrant homage to his idols, including Joan Rivers, Sandra Bernhard, and Mario Cantone. This influence is evident in his current 2025-2026 tour, a neon-soaked, feather-boa-clad celebration of 1980s pop culture that showcases his signature high-energy storytelling.
Beyond the stage, Avelli is an accomplished author and media personality:
- Literary Success: His 2017 diary, A Year In The Life Of Ike Avelli…And It Ain’t Pretty, peaked in the Top 20 of Amazon’s New Releases.
- Podcasting: He serves as the co-host of the hit podcast Loose Lips, which recently earned a nomination at the 19th Annual People’s Choice Podcast Awards.
- Award-Winning Talent: A multi-year recipient of the Get Out Magazine LGBTQ Comedian of the Year award (2014, 2023) and the Providence Fringe Award (2018). His most recent production, “50 Shades of Gay: A Christmas Cabaret,” earned a prestigious Broadway World Award nomination in 2025.
While his stage presence is unapologetically bold, Avelli’s off-stage commitment to advocacy is equally impactful. He remains a dedicated supporter of the community, lending his talents to benefit organizations such as The Trevor Project, The Ali Forney Center, and LIFEbeat.
Combining camp, class, and incomparable comedic timing, Ike Avelli continues to prove why he is the reigning “mastermind of creativity” in modern variety entertainment.
Watch TriVersity Talk! Live on Wednesday at 7 PM ET on Youtube here:
https://www.youtube.com/@TriVersityCenter
The official website for the TriVersity Center may be found at https://www.triversitycenter.org
Swiss artist Fanny Alexandra returns with “Black Pearl Summer”, a new single that finds her exploring a more open side of her alternative sound. Released via Now Listen, the track combines coastal imagery with a story about growing through grief, pressure and the experiences that can shape a person over time.
Alexandra notes that the song is relatively summery by her own standards. She has said that her music is usually darker and that she has never been particularly drawn to the typical idea of summer, preferring cold air, jackets and rugged coastlines. That gives the release a clear sense of personality from the outset.
The song centres on Alexandra’s reflections on being 19 and spending years focused on survival rather than fully living. Those experiences are presented through the image of a black pearl, which becomes a way of considering how something worthwhile can emerge from a challenging period.
What makes the track particularly effective is the balance between its subject matter and its musical approach. The production gives the song room to breathe, while Alexandra keeps the focus firmly on the story she is telling. It means the track can be enjoyed as a seasonal release while still offering more to discover in the lyrics.
There is also a clear sense of change in the way Alexandra approaches her younger self. The song is not about returning to that period or trying to erase it. Instead, it considers what can be learned from experiences that once felt overwhelming.
“Black Pearl Summer” therefore offers newcomers a useful introduction to Alexandra’s work. It shows an artist comfortable writing about serious subjects, while also demonstrating a lighter musical side that may not be as familiar to listeners who know her darker material.
It is an interesting glimpse of what Alexandra can do when she lets a little more light into the picture.
-
We Speak Music1 week agoADRIANNA Gets Two Very Different Lives From ‘Power Back’
-
We Speak Music1 week agoB BWOY BILLO AND MÖ THA TRUTH BRING EMOTION, BARS AND BROTHERHOOD TO GHANA’S RAP FUTURE
-
We Speak Business5 days agoFunl Raises $2.5 Million at a $10 Million Post-Money Valuation to Transform How Creators Bring Events to Life
-
We Speak Hip-Hop6 days agoGhost Da Lyrical returns with Taylor Made Ghost