Bear Pride is back for 2013 – bigger, butcher, bolder and more beary than ever before! Promoter Mark Ames gives QX the bear essentials for a week of activity…
Tell us about Bear Pride and the ethos behind the event…
To embrace the ethos of the ‘bear community’. These were mainly manifested in its friendly attitude and sense of community and to highlight aspects of ‘bear culture’ that were being overlooked by mainstream Pride events. Men over 40 and overweight that did not fit into the long held stereotype of the body beautiful or hairless twink were cast to the side and there were very little options on the scene for them. XXL was catering on a weekly basis, but we wanted to put it out there that the bear community had a voice and it should be heard.
“This year is a bumper year for stars!”
What was the first event like?
Bear Pride was set up 10 years ago and it was fun – we tried to be as eclectic as possible to make it a contrast to the usual XXL nights. This worked and it gave a focus on a yearly event, and it has only grown since then.
Describe the typical Bear Pride bear…
There’s nothing typical about them! Each bear is an individual who will stand up and be counted – yet their attitude brings them together as a perfect group of guys who enjoy life. All hard working men, who embrace the masculinity of their manhood, who are there to defend each other and stand up for what is morally right.
Do you have any favourite memories from the years you’ve been running Bear Pride?
Madonna turning up in a gimp outfit and getting accidentally lost in the dark room!?
Haha! We did hear she loves the fuzz! And finally, what can we expect from the big Bear Pride event this year?
Oh, there’s a big surprise – we will be announcing something very, very BIG that weekend – keep your eyes pealed for that! But a week of the Kinsey Sicks performing ‘America’s Next Top Bachelor Housewife Celebrity Hoarder Makeover Star Gone Wild’ performed back-to-back with Miss Peppermint and Sherry Vine’s performance of ‘Rock Bottom, Two Live Singing Glamazons on one Stage’, all I can say is hold onto your seats as it’s going to be a bumpy ride – those bitches are fierce! And then with the Freemasons and Cahill are booked for the ultimate closing party for XXL Fusion on the Sunday, this year is a bumper year for stars!
• XXL Bear Pride is on Saturday 25th May at Pulse (1 Invicta Plaza, South Bank, SE1 9UF). Sunday Fusion is on Sunday 26th May at Pulse, with DJs Freemasons and Cahill, featuring a special performance from the Kinsey Sicks, Peppermint and Sherry Vine in the Fluff Bar
• The Kinsey Sicks, Peppermint and Sherry Vine perform their full shows at Pulse from Monday 20th – Friday 24th May, 7.30pm.
