SATURDAY and SUNDAY 7/8 August in Liverpool City Centre
A glittering line up of local and national stars has been announced to play the Main Stage at the first ever official Liverpool Pride festival, which takes place in and around Liverpool’s Dale St
Headlining the day are Gay Icon and Coronation St star Adam Rickitt, who will perform his brand new single as well as an updated version of his 1999 hit ‘Breathe Again’, and Club Diva Rozalla, who will perform her club land smash ‘Everybody’s Free’ in addition to some of her other hits including ‘Are You Ready To Fly’ and ‘I Love Music’. Also sure to wow the crowds is Happy Mondays and X-Factor star Rowetta, who will be joined by the Liverpool based AJ Productions dance troupe to perform a number of classic tunes in the way that only this soul diva can.
Rowetta said ‘I can’t wait to perform at the first ever Liverpool Pride. I have loved singing at all the Prides over the years, and always wanted Liverpool to have their own. I love Liverpool and can’t wait to sing, celebrate and party with everyone.’
Liverpool’s Britain’s Got Talent stars, MD Productions, kick start the main stage action with their anti-bullying dance number “They don’t really know about us”. Other local acts taking part include Tyler Menser who will sing the Michael Jackson classic ‘Man in the Mirror,’ before local songstress Chelcee Grimes (currently working with Lady GaGa and Beyoncé’s producers ) and Mark Thompson (who has worked with Tinchy Stryder) perform some of their own pop tunes. The city’s own vogue supremacists House of Suarez bring a spectacular 12 minute taste of what can be expected at the ‘JUSTICE’ Vogue Ball, to be held in October.
Artistic Director, Darren Suarez said; ‘House of Suarez is ecstatic to be part of Liverpool Pride’s celebrations. House of Suarez has performed nationally in prides across the country, it’s so great that we can finally perform at our own city’s pride festival.
Adding a touch of sparkle to the main stage is Liverpool drag artiste Doreen Kum Kwik (aka Darren Edge) who, in honour of Liverpool Pride, has set up her own Glee Club with Hope and Harmony choir and the Singing Hands choir for deaf people. She’ll be belting out some of your all time favourite camp tunes.
Other highlighted performers include one of the UK’s biggest ‘all gay’ bands, Cubstars, and singer Nikki Belle, who will be along to rock out her two club-land Number 1 hit singles, ‘Teardrops’ and ‘Sex Shooter’. Juice FM and Garlands DJ’s Dave Wheelan and Anton Powers will also be on hand throughout the day to keep Pride-goers entertained with some of their infamous DJ sets. Revellers can also expect to see the one and only Lady Cyan pop up throughout the day as one of the compares, cracking the whip and keeping all of the acts in tow.
Towards the end of the day, we strike up the Batala and Republic of Swing Samba Bands to play us into the balloon release vigil. The Vigil will take place from 7.30pm with Gerry Potter reciting his beautiful and moving poem “We Travel” before Natasha Hamilton, accompanied by Liverpool’s drag artistes, sings the Atomic Kitten hit ‘Whole Again’. A rainbow sea of balloons will be released from the stage to commemorate those who have fought for equality and in honour of friends of Liverpool’s LGB&T community.
Plenty of exciting acts are lined up to play on the Cabaret and Acoustic stages, to be unveiled shortly. The first ever Liverpool Pride festival is sure to be one to be remembered! Make sure you’re there to be a part of it!