Brighton Pride, one of the most popular Pride festivals in the UK, is upon us and 2013 promises to be a year of firsts for this flamboyant, fabulous and extravagant spectacle…
Brighton, both a picturesque seaside town and a melting pot of radical culture, has always had a thriving arts scene and Pride 2013 began by adding a season of successful gala shows at the Brighton fringe to the list of Pride events, meaning that Brighton Pride now has a presence in this prestigious, internationally recognized festival.
One of the major new aspects added to Brighton Pride this year is the Arts & Film festival (running to 4th August), an LGBT lifestyle-based event that will include a flagship art and photography exhibition at the famous Jubilee library, featuring a number of prints donated to Pride by the Keith Haring foundation.
And the famous LGBT Parade is going to be spectacular to say the least, as this year the theme will be ‘Gay Icons’. You can expect the beguiling to the mesmerising, the shimmering to the awe-inspiring, as these colourful creations and floats bring vibe and sensation to the streets, and packed, happy crowds.
Then the main day event itself is ‘Icons on the Park’ at Preston Park where the main stage has been reinstated and a star-studded line-up of top artists has already been confirmed. As the theme is ‘Gay Icons’, the organisers are asking you to come join them to together celebrate those individuals that the LGBT community have for many reasons and over many years held up as their icons, from Marlene Dietrich to Freddie Mercury, and even the odd Patsy Stone, we’re sure!
As the Brighton Pride team say themselves: ‘From the flamboyant to the serious, all icons to the LGBT community tell us something about ourselves, our struggles, our values, our achievements and our hopes and dreams.’
IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WHEEL…
It all begins at 11am, by the Brighton Wheel on Madeira Drive. This is where the flamboyant march, that attracts over 100,000 gay marchers, begins. A whole host of companies and organisations take part, most in sparkling outfits. The theme this year is ‘Gay Icons’ so expect some fabulousness. It takes about two hours and ends in Preston Park where the main partying event takes place.
MAIN STAGE
On the main stage, MKS (formerly the original Sugababes) headline, while Ms Dynamite and Stooshe also perform, and Paloma Faith spins a DJ set. These are just some of the stars joining the party, alongside other class acts like Scarletts Roses, Glambassadors, Angie Brown and a speech from gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. The running order is as follows, although times have not been confirmed as we go to press:
Scarletts Roses
Antix
Osaro
Stacey Jackson
Class A
Lindy Layton
Glambassadors
Clubtown Freaks
Hazell Dean
The Mend
Club Divas Section: Funmilayo, Angie Brown, Krysten Cummings
Ms Dynamite
Peter Tatchell
Alison Moyet
Stooshe
MKS
Paloma Faith
WILDFRUIT DANCE TENT
Wild Fruit have a long and proud history with Pride, so expect an exceptional line-up of international DJs, alongside some of Brighton’s best home-grown deck-spinning talent, amazing lighting and sound systems, Wild Fruit’s sexy production dancers, special Pas and live performances throughout the day.
12noon Lil Alex
2pm Kate Wildblood
3pm Mark Doyle
4pm Seamus Haji
5pm The Freemasons
6pm Steve Pitron
7pm Dulcie Danger/Maze & Masters
WOMEN’S PERFORMANCE TENT
Most gay men appreciate a genuinely classy female singer, and over in the Women’s Performance Tent they’ve got plenty to go round, including headliner X Factor finalist Lucy Spraggan closing for them at 7.30pm.
BEAR’S/MEN’S ZONE
Pride’s Bear Zone features a themed DJ stage for plenty of alfresco dancing, a Bears’ bar, food stalls, a hog roast (yes, a genuine hog roast!), Bears’ picnic area and a Bears in the Woods area, plus lots of Grrr surprises! Don’t miss London legends Micky Galiano, Severino, Paul Coals and Hifi Sean.
LEGENDS CABARET TENT
Lola Lasagne is the hostess with the mostess of the Legends Cabaret Tent this year. She told QX: “Once again I’m very proud to be at the helm of the Cabaret Tent, sponsored by Legends Hotel. Brighton Pride’s theme is ‘Icons on the Park’ and I’ve gathered some of the cabaret scene’s very own icons for your entertainment. There’ll be a strong mix of humour and powerhouse vocals on display providing something for everyone!”
The full line-up of acts for the Cabaret Tent is as follows:
2.00: Lola Lasagne
2.15: Tanya Hyde/Baga Chipz as Pop Tarts
2.30: Tammy Twinkle
2.45: Lucinda Lashes
3.05: Winner of Prides Got Talent
3.10: Drag with No Name
3.30: Davina Sparkle
3.50: Lady Imelda
4.10: James Bedford
4.25: Miss Jason & Maisie Trollette
4.50: Trashville Tennessee
5.10: Jennie Castell
5.25: Lola Lasagne
5.35: Rose Garden
5.55: La Voix
6.15: CK
6.35: Sandra
6.55: Dave Lynn
7.15: Eva LaDiva
7.35 :CLOSE
MORE, MORE, MORE…
… There’ll also be a fun fair, Calabash Tent, food stalls and don’t forget our favourite, the Line-Dancing Tent (Sugababes who?)
TRAVEL
The easiest way to travel to Brighton Pride is by train. Get off at Preston Park for the shortest walk to the park event area as Brighton’s main station is a slightly longer stroll away, although much better if you want to arrive earlier for the Parade.
Park & Ride facilities for 650 cars are provided in a convenient location close to Preston Park at Mill Road and will be well signposted. Turn right off the main roundabout at the A23 London Road and A27 as you enter Brighton. The parking charge is great value at £10 inclusive of your journey to Preston Park or The Steine (close to the start of the Parade at Madeira Drive) on the Big Lemon Pride Shuttle Bus. This exclusive, express service only stops at key Pride destinations: Park & Ride, Pride Camp Site
Preston Park (Pride Festival), The Steine (St James’s Street, Gay Village), Brighton Station.
The return journey on the Big Lemon Shuttle is just £2.50 per person. For further information please visit www.brighton-pride.org
CAMP FUN
Fancy taking your Brighton Pride experience into a true British festival one? Camp it up at the official Brighton Pride campsite operated by Tangerine Fields on Mill Road. Visit the www.brighton-pride.org for further information about how to really camp it up at this year’s event.
The Brighton Pride Dance-Off
What dance music clubs to shake your tushie at during Brighton Pride weekend…
03/09/13: OFFICIAL POST-PRIDE PARTY
It’s set to be the biggest after-party in Brighton; the three rooms of Shooshh take on a London-to-Brighton flavour, with our favourite London DJs providing the tunes. In the ‘Icons of House’ Main Room are Steve Pitron, Guy Williams and Fat Tony, plus guests. Bears in the backroom with DJ’s Severino and Micky Galliano. The Urban Room is hosted by WORK! with Big John, Jeffrey Hinton and Patrick Lilley.
And it’s all hosted by Chrissy Darling and Dolly Rocket. Shooshh features a large seafront terrace four bars, three dance floors and swishy V.I.P area is also available for the glitterati with bookable tables.
Shooshh, 214 Kings Road Arches, Brighton, BN1 1NB. 10pm-6am. Tickets from wildfruit.co.uk
04/09/2013: SUNDAY SUNDAE – ‘PRIDE REUNION’
It’s the afternoon Pride reunion for those who need something to do on Sunday, or are still going from Saturday. Where else can you flirt and dance in the sunshine to a DJ line-up that includes Guy Williams, Fat Tony, Pete Hayward, Sunday Sundae original disco daddy Richard Jones plus the regal wonders that are Kate Wildblood and Queen Josephine.
Audio, 10 Marine Parade, Brighton, BN2 1TL. 3pm–late. £5 before 6pm.
04/09/2013: WILDFRUIT ‘OFFICIAL CLOSING PARTY’
It’s back to the glamorous surroundings of Shooshe for the closing party of what will no doubt be an amazing Brighton Pride. The three rooms will be played by DJs Dulcie Danger, Lil Alex, Richard Jones, Becky Perry, Lady Lola, Missy B and very special gust to be announced, as the Pride happy party goers get together for the big finale.
Shooshh, 214 Kings Road Arches, Brighton, BN1 1NB. 10pm-6am. Tickets from wildfruit.co.uk
