Final touches have been made for this year’s Leeds Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Pride (LGBT) Festival Sunday Aug 7th.
In 6 short years Leeds Pride has grown to be one of the largest and certainly the most colourful events in the City bringing 23,000 people to Leeds’ streets and an estimated £1.5 million into the city’s economy.
Tom Doyle, Leeds Pride Chair said, ‘Pride is a celebration of the diversity of Leeds LGBT communities and a statement of solidarity with and by our families, friend and allies; it’s a great day out for everyone.
The Glitz and Glamour theme of Leeds Pride 2011 not only promises to exceed the 23,000 revellers of last year but to be even more of a spectacle! The fun kicks off at 12 noon with the opening of the Real Radio Main Stage on Millennium Square. Headlining the main-stage is a rainbow of talent including top 10 chart sensation and the hottest girl band around, ‘ Parade’, not to be outdone on the eye candy stakes the boys have upped the ante with the gorgeous boys from Eli Prime. Joining them are some of the country’s most amazing divas; Novena, Tameka and queen of the Yorkshire Gay scene, Kira.
As the Leeds Town Hall clock strikes 3pm the centrepiece of Leeds Pride – the Parade, takes to the street. Expect glitz and glam, outrageous costumes, and everyday day folk showing their love for each other and support for the LGB&T community. This year will see the Lord Mayor of Leeds joining the parade helping to carry the huge rainbow flag – the symbol of LGBT Pride.
The Pride Parade makes its way through the city centre to the pedestrianised Call Lane and Lower Briggate part of town, where the party of parties is waiting for the huge crowds. Top DJs, including DJ Maximoss, DJ Simon Goulding, DJ Nicki Myers, DJ PJ DJ Linsey Barron, and DJ Mark Holliday.
Over 20 bars, a funfair, market stalls and more international cabaret acts than you can shake a feather boa at on the 3 outdoor stages: Blayds Bar, The Viaduct Showbar and Lower Briggate Pride stages, acts include;
Georgie Boy –Boy George Tribute,
Cherry Pops – Drag Idol winner 2010,
The Viaduct Showgirls – Stars of the Award winning Viaduct Showbar,
Miss Sordid – Cabaret from the Bridge Bar’s resident DJ & Host
Dame Shirley Bassey Experience –The UK’s top Shirley Bassey tribute
Bears Aloud – Hot pawing it from their Blayds Bar den, its the original big bears in frocks!
Miss Orry – The sensational Queens Court’s Miss Orry
Cheryl Hole – Cabaret from Leeds’s very own Cheryl Hole!
The entire showcase section is hosted by the international Peggy Wessex!
It doesn’t end there, expect a high octane mix of high energy and cheese from the oldest LGBT venue in Leeds, the New Penny, whilst next door at the Bridge, dance yourself dizzy with camp chart tunes.
Queens Court, Fibre and Mission present ‘Meat in the Street’, the biggest and best courtyard party of the year. For those of you with an endless supply of energy and Monday off work Homo and the Back Door Disco are hosting the official after Pride party keeping the revellers up until 4am.
For more details about Leeds Pride including a parade pack visit www.leedspride.com like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @LeedsPride
