The North Coast Freedom Band (NCFB), a LGBT+ marching band, formed in 1988. At the time of its founding, the North Coast Freedom Band was “Ohio’s first and only lesbian and gay marching, jazz, and orchestral ensemble.” The NCFB’s primary purpose was to “promote the spirit and harmony within the lesbian-gay community, and to act as musical ambassadors to the masses.” As a “full member of Lesbian and Gay Bands of America (LGBA),” the North Coast Freedom Band performed nationally at LGBA and pride events nationwide. The NCFB regularly performed at local LGBT+ community events in Cleveland, including the first official Cleveland Pride held in 1989. The North Coast Freedom Band held practices at the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland’s 1418 West 29th Street location between 1988-1992.
Additional information coming soon.
Resources
- “Come Out and Play!” Gay People’s Chronicle. October 1989. Page 16.
- D’Amore, Lisa. “Support the Band.” Gay People’s Chronicle. April 1990. Page 3.
- Laycock, Robert. “Center is No Longer Band’s Agent.” Gay People’s Chronicle. February 1990. Page 3.
- “Lesbian/Gay Pride 89: An Out of the Closet Experience.” Just Sayin’ Now.
- “North Coast Freedom Band.” Gay People’s Chronicle. May 1989. Page 13.
- Schneck, Ken. LGBTQ Cleveland. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2018. Page 59.
- Wertheim, Aubrey. “Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center.” Gay People’s Chronicle. December 18, 1992.