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Leeds Gay Pride, on August 3rd, promises to attract even more revellers than last year's estimated 12,000 people and it's not just the attendance record that the team hopes to smash but also a world record!
Organisers have set their hopes as high as their hemlines with a world record attempt on the number of drag queens dancing in a chorus line at any one time.
Drag queen Anna Glypta, the self-styled ‘gobbiest queen on the scene’ roared: ‘The present record is held by a group in Oregon USA, so we are going to yank that prize from those yanks and bring it home to Yorkshire. You never know, this could be the beginning of a transatlantic bouffant battle.’
And from midday until 2pm Millennium Square will play host to the main stage, boasting the best of local and national talent entertaining the crowds as they prepare for the massive city centre parade.
Paul Mattison from the organising committee said: ‘The parade has fast become the centrepiece of Leeds Pride. It’s a great opportunity for everyone to come together and show their support for our communities. This year we’re expecting more floats, more people and more striking costumes with people coming as their favourite hero or heroine.’
If you'd like to volunteer as a steward for the Leeds Pride parade contact Mark on 0113 2444 209.
Following the parade it's the turn of the city's venues to take over the reins, entertaining the crowds until the early hours! There is an artists' market, a community market area, funfair, and youth focus area to name but a few of the attractions.'
For those of you looking for something to do before the Sunday, Saturday 2nd sees the Pride Picnic and Sports Day at Hyde Park from 1pm, hosted by the Yorkshire Terriers lgb football team.
Ali from the Terriers said: ‘The day is all about fun, with egg and spoon and sack races and the like, think more Saint Trinians than track-and-field. There's also going to be some five-a-side football matches, so if you want to enter a team, the more the merrier - or just turn up on your own and we'll slot you in somewhere.'
And to launch Leeds Pride, the all-time classic musical The Wizard of Oz is getting a one-off special screening on Wednesday July 30th.
Jon Bishop from the Leeds Pride team told us: ‘It's going to be Oz as you have never experienced it before! The screening will be a sing-a-long and dress-up. We want as many Dorothys, Scarecrows, Tin Men and Cowardly Lions as possible - and there's bound to be a Wicked Witch or two! Dress up as any thing from Oz and there are great prizes for the best dressed and we are planning a special live performance before the film!'
Wendy Cooke from The Hyde Park Picture House said: ‘We are honoured to be hosting the official launch event for this years' Leeds Pride, we just want this to be the start of a fantastic Pride weekend.'
It's on Wednesday July 30th at The Hyde Park Picture House. Doors open at 8.00pm and show starts at 8.20pm. Tickets are on sale now at the venue or visit www.hydeparkpicturehouse.co.uk.
You can also purchase tickets at Clonezone's Leeds store. And award-winning Leeds bar Religion will be hosting the after-party.
And on Pride day itself, Clone Zone will be holding its own panto, with Jon Bishop as the Principal Boy (or rather a boy of very little principle), Danny Cher Bailey as the Evil Villain (no change there then!) and Daisy Dupont will be appearing as the pantomime dame, with a guest appearance by Lee Johnson as the Head Henchman, who will be on hand to keep an eye on all the fun – including raffles, tombola and fancy dress competition.
Web: www.leedspride.com
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