<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div class="MsoNormal"><b>CONTACT: ANN
M. GYNN, COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR TOM
PIKE, CULTURE MANAGER <o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#17365D"> </span></b><a href="mailto:agynn@GG9CLE.com"><b>agynn@GG9CLE.com </b></a><span
class="MsoHyperlink"><b> </b></span><a href="mailto:tpike@GG9CLE.com"><b>tpike@GG9CLE.com</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> 216.479.6469 | 216.235.4566
(cell) 216.403.7777<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><b> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>DATE</b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">RAISE YOUR HAND: Perform for the world
at 2014 Gay Games<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><i>Musicians, artists and other
talent invited to apply<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">CLEVELAND+AKRON, Ohio – Performers are invited to apply to
perform during the world’s largest sporting event that is open to all—the 2014
Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation, August 9-16, 2014.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Organizers seek musicians, comedians, DJs and other talented
entertainers to be part of the Opening Ceremony, Festival Village, Closing Ceremony
and other events planned throughout Northeast Ohio during the Gay Games. Performers
from Northeast Ohio, as well as from across the United States and around the
world, are encouraged to apply.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">An estimated 10,000 participants and another 20,000 visitors
are expected to join in the celebration of sport and culture from throughout
the United States and more than 50 countries.<o:p></o:p></div><div><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin">Entertainers will have the
opportunity to perform in front of thousands of attendees at venues including
Quicken Loans Arena (Opening Ceremony), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and
Museum (Closing Ceremony), Mall C (a public park hosting Festival Village) and
Lock 3 in Akron. Applications, requirements and details are available online at
</span><a href="http://www.gg9cle.com/participate/raise-your-hand" target="_blank" title="http://www.gg9cle.com/participate/raise-your-hand
Ctrl+click or tap to follow link"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin">http://www.gg9cle.com/participate/raise-your-hand</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Performer applications are due January 31, 2014.
Entertainers who are selected will be contacted by April 1, 2014, to finalize
details of where and when they will perform. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Thomas Nobbe,
Executive Director Gay Games 9 Quote:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">“We are eager to share with the world the great talent that
Northeast Ohio offers. Local entertainers—plus select performers from around
the world—will have their chance to shine in front of thousands of visitors and
help make this one of the most thrilling Gay Games weeks in the event’s
history.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b> </b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>About the Gay Games<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The Gay Games is an international sporting and cultural event held every
four years under the founding principles of Participation, Inclusion and
Personal Best™. Launched in 1982, the Games invite participation from
everybody, regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender, religion,
nationality, ethnic origin, political beliefs, athletic or artistic ability,
age, physical challenge or health status. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The Games are intended to bring a global community together in
friendship, to experience participation, to elevate consciousness and
self-esteem, and to achieve a form of cultural and intellectual synergy. The
Gay Games is open to anyone 18 years or older. About 10 percent of participants
are from outside the LGBT community. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The 2014 Gay Games
presented by the Cleveland Foundation will be August 9-16, 2014, in venues
around Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, in the United States. More than 35 sports and
culture events will be held, with more than 10,000 people from more than 60
countries expected to participate. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">For more
information, connect with the 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland
Foundation:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:
1.15pt;tab-stops:right 6.5in"><a href="http://www.gg9cle.com/"><b>GG9CLE.com</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://twitter.com/GG9Cleveland"><b>@GG9Cleveland</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/gaygamescleveland"><b>Facebook.com/GayGamesCleveland</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:
1.15pt;tab-stops:right 6.5in"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b> </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>About the Cleveland
Foundation<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Cleveland
Foundation is the world’s first community foundation and one of the largest
today, with assets of $1.86 billion and 2012 grants of $91 million. Through the
generosity of donors, the foundation improves the lives of Greater Clevelanders
by building community endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking and
providing leadership on vital issues.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">As part of its
centennial year in 2014, the Cleveland Foundation is proud to be the first
presenting sponsor in Gay Games history. The foundation’s support of the Games
continues its long-standing commitment to social justice and inclusion. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">For more
information on the Cleveland Foundation:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><a href="http://www.clevelandfoundation.org/">ClevelandFoundation.org</a> <b> | </b><a href="http://www.twitter.com/CleveFoundation">@CleveFoundation</a> <b> | </b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ClevelandFoundation">Facebook.com/ClevelandFoundation</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:
1.15pt;tab-stops:right 6.5in"><b> </b></div><div>
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