Newcastle Pride will host the second out n' proud and glamorous Newcastle Pride Festival from August 22-26 August.
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The Festival aims to create an opportunity for the LGBTQI community to come together, foster pride and celebrate diversity in the region, enhance the visibility of the LGBTQI community and facilitate a positive change in mainstream attitudes towards LGBTQI people.
The festival program includes the following fabulous events:
- Saturday, August 17: Wallsend West Newcastle ARFC (The Swans) will celebrate its Pride Round with Wyong Lakes AFC. The Pride Round is about celebrating diversity and inclusion in sport and the fight against discrimination and homophobia. From 12pm. Bill Elliott Oval, Maryland.
- Thursday, August 22: Rainbow Families Storytime. All families are invited to join this special drag song and dance story time with Timberlina, Newcastle's all-star Drag Queen. Newcastle Library 10am-11am.
- Thursday, August 22 to Monday, August 26: Serving in Silence exhibition opening and forum. The exhibition showcases the history of LGBTIQ+ military service in Australia since World War II via photographs, objects, documents and life stories. Local History Lounge, Newcastle Library (Official opening Thursday August 22, 5.30pm-7pm).
- Friday August 23: Twisted Cabaret: Festival launch event. A night of twisted camp carry-on in one of Newcastle's most unique and prestigious venues, Newcastle City Hall, 7pm-11.55pm, showcasing a tantalising queer smorgasboard of camp burlesque, edgy performance art and elevated drag.
- Saturday, August 24: Pride Fair Day: A free rainbow-coloured family-friendly Fair which will include kids' circus classes and free performances by Circus Avalon, loads of retail stalls, a cavalcade of community stalls, a veritable smorgasboard of food vendors, the sea of hearts installation. The "Doggywood" pouch parade and amazing non-stop entertainment on ANZ centre-stage, all happening at Newcastle Foreshore Park 11am-6pm.
- Saturday evening, August 24: Two dance parties under one roof, move from room to room to find your groove! Cambridge Hotel, from 8pm.
- In the cavernous auditorium, a slick and progressive celebration of club culture with infectious mixes at the Heaven and Hell Dance Party featuring DJ Victoria Anthony | DJ Mason Andrews| DJ Kate Monroe and entertainment by Diva's and Sheila's.
- In the front bar it's time to pop in your shoulder pads and don your fluro for the 80' s flashback dance, Return to Pipers. A retro 80's Dance party featuring original DJ's and drag shows from the Pipers era (Iconic Gay venue in Newcastle in the 1980's). Cambridge Hotel in Newcastle.
- Sunday August 25: Brunch 'n' Beats - Eat, drink, and recover with Pride. Spend the morning sucking down a "hair of the dog" Bloody Mary. Enjoy a delicious brunch or a strong aromatic coffee while relaxing to the chillout beats by the amazing DJ Victoria Anthony in the intimate and quirky café space LGBTIQ+ friendly Ka-fey café in the Hunter Street Mall, 10am-1pm.
- Sunday August 25: Short 'n' Curlies Matinee. Short Australian and International Queer films hosted by Newcastle's own comical celebrity movie reviewers David and Margaret. This event with be sponsored by ACON and curated by QueerScreen (Sydney). Newcastle Museum 3pm-5pm.
- Sunday evening, August 25: Timberlina's Drag Off 2019. A camp and fabulous drag competition that will run every Sunday in August with three heats, one king or queen from each heat will make it to the grand final. The winner will take home the crown of Timberlina's Drag Off 2019. The Exchange Hotel, Hamilton 6.30pm.
"The Festival is going to be fun and creative and push the envelope of Newcastle's cultural landscape," event coordinator Ivan Skaines said.
"Our aim is to showcase to locals and visitors that Newcastle is a city of diversity, culture and beauty. Newcastle Pride has already secured several on-going and new Sponsors and other support for the Festival, contributing both cash and in-kind contributions."
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.newcastlepride.com.au.
