Rainbow flags will be flying high at the weekend as Liverpool stages its first official Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender [LGB&T] Pride Festival.
There is a full line-up of acts on Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th August and details have been issued of the time and place that each act is on stage (see below).
On Saturday 7th August, for one day only, the city will transform into a Rainbow Circus with a massive FREE celebration taking place around Liverpool’s gay quarter.
Following a march around the city centre, the Dale Street area will be closed off all day for the glittering Pride street party, with three exciting stage line ups featuring cabaret, acoustic and headliner performances.
The line up includes big names such as Robin S, Adam Rickitt, Natasha Hamilton, Rozalla, Rowetta, Cocabelle, Connie Lush, Ian McNabb, Lady Sian, MD Productions and House of Suarez in addition to a wealth of local, unsigned and up and coming talent.
Aside from all of the action on stage, a wide range of live entertainment will illuminate the city’s gay quarter throughout the day.
The 20,000 expected visitors can enjoy a fantastic selection of market and refreshment stalls, which will all embrace the rainbow circus theme, before a dramatic balloon release and big finish featuring Queen of Pride Carol Jiani supported by the drag queens of Liverpool, who have helped to run and keep Liverpool’s gay scene together since it began.
Marie Causer, mother of Michael Causer said "It's fantastic that Liverpool Pride is happening. This gives LGBT people the chance to stand up and stand proud, to say that 'We are no different, we're not going anywhere, so people need to learn to live and let live'. There's no room for hatred in this city, so I hope everyone, gay or straight will come together to show their support."
The fun doesn’t stop at sunset... far from it! As day turns to night, Liverpool’s thriving gay scene gears into action with a large number of venues holding exciting Pride events especially for the night including official after parties at Sakura, with Robin S whilst Chew Disco takes over Puzzle Bar, Stanley St and massive club nights are to take place in Garlands and Gbar with a fabulous DJ line up are set to take revellers well into the early hours.
Councillor Wendy Simon, cabinet member for culture and tourism said: "This is a landmark event in the history of Liverpool’s gay community and will be a highly welcome addition to the city’s cultural calendar.
"Liverpool will be awash with colour this weekend thanks to Liverpool Pride giving everyone the chance to party and a sample of fantastic International and home gown art and culture, for free."
The 8th August is "Chill-out Sunday" featuring Liverpool’s first ‘Pride Sports’ event at Lifestyles Wavertree.
The day will also feature a wealth of arts activities including talks, exhibitions and cinema, taking place at the city’s cultural venues such as Tate Liverpool, The Bluecoat, FACT, The Walker Art Gallery and the Maritime Museum.
Now, for the first time and in celebration of a finding by the Entomologist, Sidney W Dunkle (1991), “80% of male dragonflies have been observed mating with other males”. we can reveal that Bug World, Albert Dock is offering 2 for 1 entry to those quoting Liverpool Pride across the weekend. A fabulous opportunity to see Rosie Webster in her new Liverpool home!
Sheena Ramsey, Chief Executive at Knowsley Council said: "Liverpool Pride is a great way to celebrate, recognise and respect the diversity of our residents, as well as providing a range of activities for everyone to enjoy. I’m really pleased that this successful event is taking place in Merseyside for the first time.”
Before 2010, Liverpool was the largest city in the country that hasn’t had its own official pride festival. At the launch of the LGB&T Network the public voted for a pride festival to engage, empower and involve the LGB&T communities within the city and this was fully endorsed by Liverpool City Council in January 2009. Liverpool Pride 2010 will celebrate the diverse community of one of Europe’s leading cultural cities.
Well boys and girls, only 5 more sleeps to go until Liverpool’s first ever official LGB & T Pride event takes place! This event is the culmination of months of preparation and hard work from the festival organisers. We hope that you all have a wonderful and memorable Liverpool Pride.
See www.liverpoolpride.co.uk for more information
*
Liverpool Pride Main Stage
Location – Dale St
Sat 7th August 2010
1pm – Dave Whelan
2pm – Natasha Hamilton
2.13pm – MD Productions
2.30pm – Tyler Menser
2.40 pm – Darren Edge
Singing Hands Choir
Hope and Harmony Choir
3pm – Rowetta
AJ Dance Productions
3.20pm – Cubstars
3.35pm – Chelcee Grimes
3.45pm – MD Productions
4.00pm – Beauty
4.20pm – Rozalla
4.40pm – Gemma Oshea
4.50pm – Almost Pink
5.10pm – Jay Evans
5.15pm – Craig Pendezgast
5.20pm – Darren Suarez and The House of Suarez Dance Group
5.55pm – Adam Rickitt, with special guest Robin S
5.50pm – Nicki Belle
AJ Dance Productions Liverpool
6.10pm – Liverpool Carnival Sampa Band
Republic of Samba
6.20pm – Gary Potter
6.25pm – Balloon Release
6.35pm – Carol Jiani
6.50pm – Liverpool Drag Artists Finale
6.55pm – DJ Dave Booth
7.30pm – DJ Ian Longo
8pm – Finish
Liverpool Pride Cabaret Stage
Location – Exchange Flags
Sat 7 August 2010
1.30pm – Billy Hui
2pm – Steve Macfarlane
2.20pm – Danny Hilton
2.45pm – Gerry Potter
2.55pm – Lady Sian
3.10pm – Belinda Scandal
3.45pm – Valentino King
4.10pm – Liverpool LGBT Choir
4.29pm – The Great Zoltar
4.45pm – Detox Cute and The Beauty Junkies
5.15pm – Lavinia
5.30pm – Sh-Bang
5.55pm – Millie Dollar Blue Martini Burlesque Show
6.05pm – Alan Cross
6.25pm – Josephene
7pm – Ian Roughley
7.15pm – Little Miss Marti
7.35pm – Emma Dears
7.50pm – Steve Macfarlane
8pm – Finish
Liverpool Pride Acoustic Stage
Location – North John Street
Sat 7 August 2010
2pm - Peaches
2.25pm - Stealing Sheep
2.50pm – Connie Lush
3.15pm - Benjamin Stead
3.40pm - Lonesome Georginas
--
Liverpool Pride – Chill Out Sunday Line Up
Sunday 8th August
Pride Sports’ takes place at Lifestyles, Wavertree from midday – 5pm (registration from 11am). Hosted by the Merseyside Marauders Football Club, this active afternoon will celebrate LGB&T community sports with participants able to take part in a number of sporting pursuits and tournaments including Water Polo, Rounders and Tug of War. The highlight of the day will no doubt be the 5-A-Side football tournament. Why not get a team together or come along alone or with friends and meet new people? Those who enter will be in with a chance of winning the ultimate accolade- the first ever Liverpool Pride Sports 5-A-Side Champions! It costs just £5 per person to take part, which is payable on the day. (Over 18s only).
Tate Liverpool - 2 FOR 1 OFFER for the Picasso: Peace + Freedom exhibition Pre-book your ticket to attend Tate Liverpool’s major summer exhibition Picasso: Peace + Freedom before 5pm Monday 2nd August and get two for one entry during the weekend of Liverpool Pride. To book, pick up a pride brochure for the exclusive special offer code and call 0151 702 7400, or call in to the Tate Liverpool foyer desk.
Tate Liverpool also presents Language as Sculpture Drop in to Tate Liverpool during Liverpool Pride and enjoy a free tour of their new collection display co-curated by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. The display features art¬works from the Tate collection which explore the numerous ways in which artists have engaged with language through their art. Talks regarding this exhibition will run at 1.30pm and 2.30pm.
In celebration of Liverpool Pride and a finding by the Entomologist, Sidney W Dunkle (1991) who noted that “80% of male dragonflies have been observed mating with other males”, The BugWorld Experience, at Liverpool’s Albert Dock are offering half price admission for anyone who says the word ‘PRIDE’ to our front of house till staff. Bug World is a one-of-a-kind bug-zoo, which will awaken visitors to the weird and wonderful world of insects. Not only can you see an array of unusual and exotic creatures; you can also try eating them or even get your hands on some of them… if you dare.
The Walker Art Gallery, William Brown Street presents a free talk surrounding the David Hockney Polaroids, Pools and Painting exhibition. This FREE curator-led talk takes place from 1pm – 1.30pm and focuses on the highly popular Peter Getting Out of Nick’s Pool, a portrait of Hockney’s lover of five years, Peter Schlesinger. The talk will examine how the painting was constructed around the artist’s memory, the influ¬ence of Polaroid photog¬raphy and the Californian dream in the context of Hockney’s early career. Collect a ticket from the Walker welcome desk or call 0151 478 4697 to book.
Take in an exhibition tour of ‘Arabicity: Such A Near East’ at 2pm at the bluecoat. Six contemporary Arab artists explore cultural heritage through painting, photography, video and installation. Their representations of self and personal iconography include Chant Avedissian’s enchanting paintings of popular icons, from princ¬es to pop stars, whilst photographer Raeda Saadeh questions gender and identity by posing in famous paintings or staging witty tableaux. Free
Swedish Film Maker Marcus Lindeen brings his 2009 film, Regretters to Picturehouse@ FACT at 3pm. Mikael and Or¬lando, well into their 60s, meet for the first time to talk about their lives and, the one defining regret they both share, their sexual reassignment. This event will be followed by a special discussion with the filmmaker Marcus Lindeen. Regretters is part of the film programme for the exhibition, Persistence of Vision. (Swedish with English subtitles) Tickets £5 (£4 FACT mem¬bers & concessions) Book online at www.picturehouses.co.uk or by phone 0871 902 5737
Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock is thrilled to announce the extension of the Hello Sailor! exhibition especially for Liverpool Pride. Hello Sailor! Is a free exhibition looking at life on board passenger and merchant ships from the 1950s to 1980s, when being at sea was one of the few places gay men could be themselves. Gay culture has long been a feature of seafaring life for centuries, but it is still largely a hidden one even today. Hello Sailor! reveals this hidden history for the first time.
Rounding the day off at Picturehouse @ FACT from 7pm, Clapperboard presents Frank Clarke and a screening of The Fruit Machine with special guests, in association with Picturehouse @ FACT, Homotopia and Outsiders. Directed by Philip Saville & written by acclaimed Liverpool writer Frank Clarke (Letter to Brezhnev).Fruit Machine is the story of Eddie, who runs away from home and visits the gay disco ‘Fruit Machine’ with his friend Michael, where he witnesses a murder. They escape, but now the killers after them. Tickets are £10 and include a complimentary after show drink at 3345 Parr Street Book online at www.picturehouses.co.uk or by phone 0871 902 5737
4.05 - Ogo
4.30pm - Jennifer John
4.55pm - Will Maitland
5.20pm - Jo Bywater & The Cool Waves
5.45pm - Nix Nugent
6.10pm - Hannah Trigwell
6.35pm - Cocabelle
7pm - Ian McNabb
7.25pm - Sense of Sound
8pm - Finish
.JPG)
.JPG)
Jim, Liverpool around 1 year, 6 months ago