After a couple of rocky years, financial suspicion and general handbags-at-dawn fisticuffs, Brighton Pride is finally back in the hands of people who know what they are doing. With a new non-profit community interest company at the helm of this world class event, Chris Jepson caught up with two of the captains, Paul Kemp and Dulcie Danger, to hear about their plans, hopes, desires and surprises.
PAUL: As with every other festival in the country, Brighton Pride has had to move dates so this year will be happening over the weekend of 1st and 2nd of September.
The spectacular main parade, complete with motorised floats, starts at 11am on Saturday 1st at the Brighton Wheel, (the newest addition to the historic Madiera Drive) on the sea front, under the theme ‘United Colours of Pride’.
With a political message of celebrating colour and diversity, but recognising inequalities and discrimination against LGBT communities around the world, we are looking forward to some vibrant and colourful floats to send our message of love and support across the globe.
After the cavalcade of up to 60 entries winds it’s way through the heart of the city and past all the top attractions, the parade finishes up at Preston Park where the party will already be in full flow.
As always, Preston Park is going to be a riot of entertainment with about a dozen different areas for fun starting at 12 noon.
As well as the usual market stalls to satisfy those retail therapy addicts amongst us, there will be a huge fun fair, some great community and charity stalls, the Revenge VIP Lounge to escape the melee, a disabled access tent, the Paul Wilde Line Dancing Tent by The Cactus Club, so popular in past years, a Women’s Performance Tent, the Calabash tent with special guests NYC Downlow direct from Lovebox and more than 8 bars.
After the debacle of previous years we wanted to guarantee that money went to charity this year so are giving £1 from every ticket sale to the Rainbow Fund, and as previous years have sold more than 30,000 tickets, the popularity of this brilliant event should ensure a healthy donation to their coffers for grants to LGBT community groups and charities.
In a bid for total transparency, the money raised is being handed over to the Rainbow Fund as it is raised and a cheque for over £5,000 has already been presented.
DULCIE: There’s a very special Girls On Top 3,000 capacity tent for you pop lovers with special guest X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, and the return of the legendary Wild Fruit Big Top dance tent with a line up of top international talent like Fatboy Slim, the Freemasons, Mark Doyle of Fierce Angel, Steve Pitron and myself to entertain the crowds.
And never forgetting that Gay Pride started with drag queens in New York 43 years ago, we are thrilled to welcome the fabulous Lola Lasagne back to host the Legends Cabaret Tent with a dragtastic performance from the irrepressible D.E. Experience and loads more top cabaret stars (full line up in a future QX).
Expect some big name PA’s and surprises in all the tents throughout the day. Indeed there really is something to suit everybody on Preston Park for 2012 with areas and tents to suit all ages and tastes. The whole site this year is well planned with 100% disabled access and 9 separate entrances.
• Brighton Pride takes place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd September. Advanced tickets are £12.50 (early bird and VIP have already sold out) and will be more on the day. Visit www.pridebrighton.org now to find out more.
