SOMEWHERE UNDER THE RAINBOW…
LIVERPOOL’S FIRST EVER LGB&T PRIDE ANNOUNCES GLITTERING MAIN STAGE LINE UP
‘Roll Up, Roll Up’ boys and girls! The Ring Mistress of the Rainbow Circus’ is cracking her whip and the acts are flocking in! A glittering line up of local and national stars has been announced to play the Main Stage at the first ever official Liverpool Pride festival, which takes place in and around Liverpool’s Dale St on Saturday 7th August.
Headlining the day are Gay Icon and Coronation St star Adam Rickitt, who will perform his brand new single as well as an updated version of his 1999 hit ‘Breathe Again’, and Club Diva Rozalla, who will perform her club land smash ‘Everybody’s Free’ in addition to some of her other hits including ‘Are You Ready To Fly’ and ‘I Love Music’. Also sure to wow the crowds is Happy Mondays and X-Factor star Rowetta, who will be joined by the Liverpool based AJ Productions dance troupe to perform a number of classic tunes in the way that only this soul diva can.
Rowetta said ‘I can’t wait to perform at the first ever Liverpool Pride. I have loved singing at all the Prides over the years, and always wanted Liverpool to have their own. I love Liverpool and can’t wait to sing, celebrate and party with everyone.’
Liverpool’s Britain’s Got Talent stars, MD Productions, kick start the main stage action with their anti-bullying dance number “They don’t really know about us”. Other local acts taking part include Tyler Menser who will sing the Michael Jackson classic ‘Man in the Mirror,’ before local songstress Chelcee Grimes (currently working with Lady GaGa and Beyoncé’s producers ) and Mark Thompson (who has worked with Tinchy Stryder) perform some of their own pop tunes. The city’s own vogue supremacists House of Suarez bring a spectacular 12 minute taste of what can be expected at the ‘JUSTICE’ Vogue Ball, to be held in October.
Artistic Director, Darren Suarez said; ‘House of Suarez is ecstatic to be part of Liverpool Pride’s celebrations. House of Suarez has performed nationally in prides across the country, it’s so great that we can finally perform at our own city’s pride festival.
Adding a touch of sparkle to the main stage is Liverpool drag artiste Doreen Kum Kwik (aka Darren Edge) who, in honour of Liverpool Pride, has set up her own Glee Club with Hope and Harmony choir and the Singing Hands choir for deaf people. She’ll be belting out some of your all time favourite camp tunes.
Other highlighted performers include one of the UK’s biggest ‘all gay’ bands, Cubstars, and singer Nikki Belle, who will be along to rock out her two club-land Number 1 hit singles, ‘Teardrops’ and ‘Sex Shooter’. Juice FM and Garlands DJ’s Dave Wheelan and Anton Powers will also be on hand throughout the day to keep Pride-goers entertained with some of their infamous DJ sets. Revellers can also expect to see the one and only Lady Cyan pop up throughout the day as one of the compares, cracking the whip and keeping all of the acts in tow.
Towards the end of the day, we strike up the Batala and Republic of Swing Samba Bands to play us into the balloon release vigil. The Vigil will take place from 7.30pm with Gerry Potter reciting his beautiful and moving poem “We Travel” before Natasha Hamilton, accompanied by Liverpool’s drag artistes, sings the Atomic Kitten hit ‘Whole Again’. A rainbow sea of balloons will be released from the stage to commemorate those who have fought for equality and in honour of friends of Liverpool’s LGB&T community.
Councillor Louise Baldock, Liverpool’s Assistant Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “Liverpool’s Pride Festival will be a vibrant celebration of our city’s great diversity. It will bring together people of all ages and backgrounds to promote real respect and appreciation of difference.”
Plenty of exciting acts are lined up to play on the Cabaret and Acoustic stages, to be unveiled shortly. The first ever Liverpool Pride festival is sure to be one to be remembered! Make sure you’re there to be a part of it!
About Liverpool Pride
Liverpool Pride 2010 is the first official Liverpool Pride festival by and for the Liverpool lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) communities. It is a two day event with a one day festival on the 7 August 2010 and a ‘Chilled Out Sunday’ on 8 August with cultural and sports events spread throughout the city.
Before choosing a date, organisers took a number of factors into consideration; such as other pride events, the Liverpool event calendar and key dates for the LGB&T community. LGB&T members of the community were consulted on a potential date. The consensus was that people wanted festival date to mean something important and asked that it reflect the anniversary of Michael Causer’s death, 2 August 2010.
Liverpool Pride is funded through contributions made from our delivery partners as well through advertising and sponsorship. We also receive a significant amount of ‘in-kind’ support from organisations and volunteers.
Liverpool Pride does not make a profit; all funds raised go to the delivery of the festival. Any surplus we make will be put towards the development of the next festival. We are also looking at how we can help support charities that share our values.
About Citysafe – Key Delivery partner of Liverpool Pride 2010
Citysafe is the Community Safety Partnership for Liverpool. Partners include Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Health, Merseytravel, National Probation Service Merseyside, the universities, local businesses, community organisations and many others all working together to build safer communities. It also looks towards building more prosperous, cleaner, safer, stronger and sustainable communities in which every citizen will have a right to live in confidence without fear for personal safety or for the safety of others.
John Bridge | Communications Manager
Bill Elms Associates | Marketing and PR for Live Entertainment and Ticketed Events
Tel: 0151 245 0136 | Mob: 077924 63135| Email: john@billelms.com
Postal Address: 1st Floor, 15 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BQ.
Visit our brand new website click www.billelms.com.
