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Dana International to appear at Gay Games opening ceremonies
May 15, 1998
Eurovision song contest winner Dana International of Israel will sing at the Opening Ceremonies of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998 on 1 August in the Amsterdam Arena. The transsexual singer will perform her winning song 'Diva' and also her hit 'Power'. At a press conference in Jerusalem she told the international press that she said 'yes' to the invitation, because she feels the gay and lesbian community is her family.
European newspapers were jam-packed this week with details of Dana's life history, including the sex-change operation, the controversy she arouses in Israeli society, even the story of the court injunction that almost prevented her from participating in the contest.
The Opening Ceremonies will furthermore feature Cheer San Francisco, the group of high-energy performers whose routine draws on popular dance culture and acrobatics, and Dutch Musical star Mathilde Santing, who will also take part in the swimming competition during Gay Games. During the next weeks more surprising international stars will be announced for the event.
Highlight of the Opening Ceremony will be the traditional entrance of the participants. Athletes and artists from 62 countries will march in alphabetical order per country into the Amsterdam Arena. Team New York, host of Gay Games IV, is invited to hand over the flag to Team Amsterdam on the central stage. Jan-Eric Hulsman is the young and talented director, and the award winning production company IDTV is the producer of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Both ceremonies will attract an expected 50,000 visitors.
by Nellie Voss and Paul van Yperen, Gay Games press release
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