Although she's most known as a late '80s pop princess, Taylor "Tell It to My Heart" Dayne is quick to point out she continued touring through the '90s, the 2000s and on up to today.
The three-time Grammy nominee is a music industry survivor who's taken it on the road for 35 years. On Saturday, the road leads her to Baton Rouge, where she'll headline Pride Fest at the Raising Cane's River Center.
"Well, over 35 years, I've done quite a number of Prides and I've watched numbers in the double digits, maybe to the hundreds and now to the thousands. It's become such a community and, you know, an entire city," Dayne, 62, said by phone from her native New York last week. "It's been amazing for me to be a part of that and be so embraced as an artist. But yeah, it's families now, it's full on. … It'll be a great time in Baton Rouge."
Taylor Dayne
As compared to a full concert, Dayne said at events like this her time on stage is minutes, not hours.
"Usually there's a lot of dancers and this, I'll bring some dancers out. Probably about five songs, six songs. That's what we're doing," she said.
Longtime fans can be assured Dayne will sing her hits like "Love Will Lead You Back," "With Every Beat of My Heart," "Prove Your Love," "I'll Always Love You" and of course, her first Top 10 smash, "Tell It to My Heart."
From her perspective, the music industry has opened its arms to the LGBTQ+ community.
"I think in general, there's been a lot of embracing, there's been a lot of, you know, it's hard to say one community versus another, but I would just say musically, I mean, I'm aware of an artist when they're coming out, or if they choose to or not choose to, you know, such a personal question," she said. "But I don't feel there's been a wall up anymore, if you will."
A'Keria Davenport
Dayne attributes her enduring popularity with all her fans to a combination of factors.
"I work hard. I stay with it. I stay at it. I've challenged myself. And then I also feel like, you know, I'm a live artist. I perform and that's everything," she said. "I can take it on the road and I show up, and there's a connection between me and my fans and that means something to them and it certainly means something to me."
And after all these years, her followers span two, sometimes three generations.
"Just think about it: When you were young and your parents exposed you or your friends, or your sisters or your brothers, it's the same thing here," Dayne elaborated. "I meet children that are named after me all the time. It just depends on the records you have out. You know, this last year I did a 35-year anniversary re-release of 'Tell It to My Heart' and I did it with (the DJ/musician/brother trio) Cash Cash. A whole new audience heard that (and it) went No. 1. So, yeah. The demographics are definitely broad."
Dayne's new EP titled "Capital Sessions" is full of covers and one original song, "Paper Planes."
With new music and new collaborations in her bag of tricks, the road is still a vital ingredient to enduring success, Dayne says. After her current U.S. tour ends, she'll embark on one through Canada with longtime friend and collaborator Paula Abdul.
Rosé
"I have such a gratitude about my fans at this point. There's such a wonderful synergy when you're on stage and you know why you're there and the audience is with you," she explained. "It's an amazing feeling. … I love what I do and I love my fans and I love it very much."
The day's details
The family-friendly Baton Rouge Pride Fest, presented by AHF and Unique Physique, runs from noon to 7 p.m. with organizers promising a day of "entertainment, education and empowerment for all."
In addition to Dayne, "RuPaul's Drag Race" stars A'Keria Davenport and Rosé are scheduled to perform. There also will be performances by the Baton Rouge Symphony, Opera Louisiane and local drag queens.
Visitors can also look for a Resource Fair and Queerative Market, as well as activities for kids, including Drag Queen Story Time.
"Pride Fest is not just a celebration, but a testament to the strength and unity of our community," Pride Fest Director Bobbi Wisekal said in a news release. "We are thrilled to bring together such an amazing lineup of performers and activities embodying the spirit of inclusion and support. This year's festival promises to be our most memorable one yet."
For more info and updates, go to www.brpride.org and follow @brpride on Facebook and Instagram.
A contingent from St. Barnabas Episcopal Church joins in last year's Acadiana Pride parade.
Pride Acadiana 2024
Pride Acadiana is back for its fourth year and the parade, queens, music, vendors and more takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in downtown Lafayette.
The Health and Wellness expo is also returning at Safe Havynn Education Center, 209 Rue Jefferson.
Kicking the day off at 9 a.m. will be the one-mile parade.
Before the big day, Brandi Ortiz Comeaux, executive director of event presenter Acadiana Queer Collective, answered a quick Q-and-A.
What is Acadiana Queer Collective all about?
Acadiana Queer Collective grew from a community need to provide opportunities for queer people of Acadiana to show up for one another and promote the positive visibility of queer people throughout the community. We hope to connect and support the Acadiana LGBTQ+ community so that all queer people feel included and valued.
How many previous Pride Days have you had?
The Collective's first Pride Acadiana was a small Black party in 2021 and the event has grown.
Do you always have a parade? What can visitors expect to see in parade?
Our first parade was the kickoff to Pride Acadiana 2022 and is a beautiful and diverse display of affirming churches and community organizations.
Another group carrying a rainbow flag prepares to parade along Johnston Street last year for Acadiana Pride 2023.
What are the main activities of the day?
The parade kicks the whole event off at 9 a.m., and the main stage brings entertainment from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. We shut down the 200-400 blocks of Jefferson Street and you can find vendors, churches, organizations and more under tents, and you definitely don't want to miss the Health and Wellness Expo at Safe Havynn from 10 a.m. to noon, allowing attendees to connect with affirming providers in our area.
Any tips for first-timers to the event?
Hydrate before, hydrate during and hydrate after. It's hot out there in June.
Is there a rain-out date?
It's rain or shine!
Pride Acadiana Film Showcase
7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday
Acadiana Center For The Arts, 101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette
7 short films for those 18 and older
$30