Pride day

Bristol Pride Day is the culmination of not just Pride Week, but a year of planning, fundraising, very long hours and very hard work by the Bristol Pride core team and their army of volunteers.

Pride Day always begins with the Pride Parade, one of the most colurful events in the Bristol calendar. The parade starts in Queen Square at 11am and snakes its way around the centre to Castle Park where Pride Day 2015 starts at noon on Saturday July 11.  Entrance to Pride Day is free of charge though donations are welcome as all monies raised pay for Pride Week and Pride Day.

The main stage is where music fans can see rock and pop stars old and new from Bristol, the UK and beyond. This is always busy so get there early if you want to get down the front for your favourite band or artist. 

This year’s evening headliner on the main stage is Heather Small, front-woman of Mercury and Brit award winning dancemeisters M People, expect to hear tracks from her solo album Proud as well as some bangerz from the M People back catalogue.

The afternoon headliners for Pride Day 2015 have sold more than 15 million records, had three number ones in the 80s and won the Eurovision Song Contest. Yep, we’re not going to skirt the issue any longer, Bristol Pride has booked the one and only Bucks Fizz. 

Tracks by electro pioneers Ladytron have been a fixture in not just indie but also LGBT indie, clubs since their inception. Singer and songwriter from the band Marnie will be performing solo material and Ladytron tracks with her touring bandat her first ever solo show in Bristol. 

Also on the main stage Disco diva Kym Mazelle, best known for her hits such as Wait, Love Strain and Missing You  (with Soul II Soul) will be bringing Hi NRG, house, soul and dance-pop to the party. Something no Pride would be complete without. 

Other artists booked for the main stage include La Voix and the Va Va Voom Boys, Amelia Lily, US singer songwriter Justin Utley,  house diva Tina Cousins, Irish popstar and Eurovision entrant Ryan Dolan, synth mistress NINA, and LGBT dance music star in waiting Twisted Rio. 

The main stage may be the focal point for Pride Day however there is plenty more happening in Castle Park. For glamour, glitz and a healthy dose of risque humour the Cabaret Stage features some of the finest drag artists in Bristol and beyond. In 2014 there were at least fifteen drag artists gracing the Cabaret stage, which did beg the question ‘What is the collective noun for a group of drag artists?’ A diva, a fierce, who knows?

The heart of Pride Day can be found in the Community Tent and market area and the Family Area. The Community Tent is packed with stalls from numerous groups and organisations LGBT and non-LGBT. The Family Area has always been an integral part of Pride Day in Bristol. Families will find events, activities including kite making workshops with the Bristol Flyers and Bristol Kite Festival, face painters, balloon artists and a bouncy castle for two- to 16-year-olds. 

As is the case with all Bristol Pride events Pride Day is open to anyone who wants to attend and show their support for, and solidarity with, Bristol’s thriving LGBT community, whilse having a damn good time to boot.

www.pridebristol.co.uk