Limerick Pride Festival
For the first time ever the city is throwing a fabulous party to celebrate all that is gay in Limerick. The festival will coincide with World Pride Week and is actually a pretty large affair!
The lineup includes Gay Cinema, Gay Arts (Music, Theatrical & Visual Art), and even a Pride Parade along O’Connell Street. The festival is a citywide event in venues across the city – The Belltable, Bar 3, Dolans, Perys Hotel and on the streets.
As well as all that the organisers have pulled together some hell of a party, daily breakfasts, garden party, bbq, disco, “pride party” and even a spot of Bingo. There will also be street entertainment after the parade and have organised a free historic tour of Limerick for anyone interested.
For those who dont really understand the point behind such a festival, it is for all gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual people but not exclusively. These events are generally open to every one in the city, to come out and show support for the community.
The lineup is more impressive then what City Hall can mustar for St. Patrick (which is slightly worrying), but this is a first for the city and a sign of how diverse the city has become. Pride Parades go through most cities in the western world (including Dublin, and i think Galway) and from my experience abroad is a much talked about and very popular celebration for the entire city.
Anyways, here is the line up for Limerick Pride Festival 2007, August 27th to September 2nd:
MONDAY, AUGUST 27
PRIDE BREAKFAST
Bubblicious @ Bar 3, 9am
Continues every day at 9am until August 2.
GARDEN PARTY EXHIBITION
Belltable Arts Centre, 6pm
On display daily until August 2.
LAUNCH OF GARDEN PARTY
Belltable Arts Centre, 10pm
DISCO
Bubblicious @ Bar 3, 10pm
Continues every night until August 2.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
Belltable Theatre, 8pm, €6
Cult movie musical adapted from John Cameron Mitchell’s off Broadway hit.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29
GOLDFISH MEMORY
Belltable Theatre, 8pm, €6
A light-hearted look at the dangers and delights of dating, gay and straight, in contemporary Dublin.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30
SHORTBUS
Belltable Theatre, 8pm, €6
Various New York City characters navigate the comic/tragic intersections between love and lust.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31
WHITE & BLACK MASQUERADE BALL
Best Western Pery’s Hotel Ballroom, 8pm, €50
Including a formal sit down three-course meal with top class entertainment.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
12PM PRIDE PARADE
Limerick City Centre, gathering at the Town Hall 11am for a 12am kick-off.
Dress up in your finest and show Limerick the joy of gay!
PRIDE FESTIVAL
Post-parade arts, street theatre, music, magic, pool competition, until 8pm.
4 POOFS AND A PIANO
Belltable Arts Centre, 8pm, €20/18, Early bird €15
Fresh from BBC1’s The Jonathon Ross Show (BBC1) the whimsical foursome show off their vocal dexterity and shiny attitude to life.
CLUB WILDE PRIDE PARTY
Bubblicious @ Club3, 10pm, €5
Queer comedy and disco.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
HISTORIC CITY WALK
Starts at St Mary’s Cathedral, 11.30am
Everything you ever wanted to know about Limerick.
GARDEN PARTY & AUCTION
At a private location in Murroe, Co Limerick, 1pm, €65
A fine ensemble of jazz, food, wine, and fun with special guests Nell McCafferty and Gloria and art auction in aid of Rainbow Support Services.
BBQ
Bubblicious @ Bar 3, 1pm
CAMP BINGO
Bubblicious @ Bar 3, 3pm