Leeds Pride
Event date: August 02, 2009 12:00
Leeds City centre, Millenium square plus other venues, see below for details
LEEDS Pride 4 - Ready To Go!!!
August 2nd is Leeds Gay Pride day and the only thing fluttering more than the rainbow flag flying from Leeds Civic Hall will be the hearts of the thousands of people expected at this year’s event. A constellation of talent is lined up for the main stage from 12 noon on Millennium Square when the 4th Leeds Gay Pride is officially opened by the Lord Mayor – Cllr Judith Elliot.
This year’s main stage is sponsored by Real Radio and hosted by their breakfast show co-presenter Gayle Lofthouse and weekend breakfast presenter Guy Harris. Headlining the event is former Ordinary Boy Preston and Eurovision’s Jade Ewan.
Preston, who made it to the final four in 2007’s Big Brother and had four top ten hits with The Ordinary Boys, is now launching a solo career with his first Album "Whatever Forever". The debut single "Dressed to Kill" is released on August 23rd.
After successfully representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest, Jade Ewan is releasing her debut single "My Man" in September. A number of songwriters, including Gary Barlow, have been confirmed as contributing songs to her upcoming album.
Joining Jade and Preston in the 3 hour extravaganza will be the finalist of this year’s Mr Gay UK contest and a whole host of entertainment including the brilliant 'Yeah Yous' and 'Frankmusik.'
The Yeah Yous recently charted with their single '15 Minutes' and are destined for greatness, while Frankmusik is playlisted on many radio stations and appeared live at T4 On The Beach. Both bands are a fantastic addition to the bill and promise to make this the best Leeds LGBT Pride ever!
Also appearing on the main stage are:
Tit’s Teeth and Tantrums, Kira, Bridge Factor Winner, Kiara Elles, Viaduct Showgirls,
Ricky Glass, The Ruby & Mindy Show, Laura Steel, Mr Gay UK Finalists and Bears Aloud
The fun doesn’t stop just because the main stage closes, it’s just beginning as the centrepiece of Leeds Gay Pride - a massive parade through the city centre - takes to the street. Expect to join thousands of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people’s friends, families and allies as the rainbow parade take to the street and makes its way to Lower Briggate and the Calls where the crowds will be met with even more entertainment in one of the country’s best and friendliest Gay scenes. As you would expect from a city as rich in diversity as Leeds there’s loads going on in the specially pedestrianised area from top, live acts, DJ and lasers shows to fine art, a fun fair and food from around the world.
Xibit will be featuring Pride favourites, Jesus and The Felch Monkeys and hot-footing from the main stage, The Kiara Elles
Blayds Bar is the venue to see Bears Aloud - the phenomena that has taken Yorkshire by storm.
Up the road at The Viaduct, the resident Showgirls Anna, Carla and Roxy will be swinging their bits and will be joined by boa of local and national talent. Fibre and Queens Court are jointly hosting their infamous Pride courtyard party, Meat in the Street, with 4 of the country’s top DJ’s keeping the throngs happy throughout the day and night.
Keeping on the theme of 4 of the UK’s top Gay nights will be going head to head as Club Mission presents 4 play. Expect the best of each, including the Back Door Disco shot boys, Homo Dancers and the city's best drag talent from Blasphemy and the Viaduct.
The crew at the New Penny are coming over all Dorothy with their wicked rainbow party.Whilst next door in the ever popular Bridge, Jonny and Marky Mark will be banging disco classics and cheesy pop way into the early hours.
And don’t forget to get your official Leeds Pride T-shirt exclusive to Nice n Naughty on Lower Briggate.
With over 12,000 people expected to attend, Leeds Pride is the largest mass participation Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) event in Yorkshire and the fastest growing event of its kind in the country. Tom Doyle, chair of the planning group explained, ‘We have always had ambitious plans for Leeds Pride but our priority has been to ensure that the event is safe and sustainable and we want to thank Leeds City Council especially the City Centre Events Team for all their hard work help and expertise’.
One of the new developments for Leeds Pride this year is the Jongleurs Comedy Club Pride event on Saturday the 1st August, with the doors opening at 2.30pm for three hours of comedy followed by an after show party at Bar Risa, to get everyone in the mood for the big day on Sunday. The Jongleurs line up will include; Mandy Knight, Mark Walker and Jason Wood. Jongleurs are donating 33% of the ticket value to Leeds Pride so with only 300 tickets at £15.00 per person available book now to avoid any pre Pride disappointment, contact Jongleurs on 0844 844 0044 or online at www.jongleurs.com, and start your Pride weekend with a smile.
For those of you with a sportier bent, a group of folk are having a School Sports day and Picnic on Aug 1st. Actually, you don’t need to be sporty or bent to join in the fun, everyone is welcome. It’s all about having fun with games such as sack, 3 legged, egg & spoon races throughout the afternoon followed by a game of rounders. Oh and the tug of war. Bring your own Picnic The fun starts at 1 pm and goes on till 5pm Meet up at Hyde Park next to the skate park Just of Woodhouse Lane.
The whole Pride team are excited about this years event and looking 4ward to seeing you all there. Remember Leeds Pride costs a lot of money to put on, so if you can afford it, we suggest that you donate £3.00 toward staging this event. There will volunteers collecting money throughout the day.
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