Pride Goes Live!

Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pride Goes Live!

With programmes on the street and the website now live Auckland Pride Festival is delighted to announce its full 2015 programme offering up an exceptional and diverse programme of dance, theatre, visual arts, music, community events and the most fabulous of fabulous parties for a three-week celebration of LGBTIQ culture from 6 February – 1 March 2015.

With 80 events confirmed and featuring over 300 participants the 3rd annual Auckland Pride Festival has extended its season to three weeks in 2015 to accommodate a multitude of LGBTIQ talent in one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Following the official opening dawn ceremony at Okahu Bay on Waitangi Day the festival roars into glorious life on February 7 with the glamourous opening event that is the Pride Festival Gala. Hosted by renowned actors Hori Ahipene (Outrageous Fortune) and Waimhi Hotere (The Mooncake and the Kumara), this black tie gala event offers a sneak peek at some of the best acts the 2015 festival has on offer.

This year the festival programme boasts a strong visual arts element which includes international live performance art from Fancy Violence (Brazil) and Nilbar Gures(Turkey), performing an experimental exhibition ‘On The Moment Of Change’ at Artspace. The Michael Lett Gallery also presents a major exhibition - Implicated And Immunewhich features works from renowned artists Billy Apple, Jacqueline Fraser, Giovanni Intra and Douglas Wright, alongside a collection of talented emerging practitioners. Studio One, Allpress Gallery along with Garnet Station and St Kevins Arcade also play host to exhibitions and discussions that reflect the artistic heartbeat of the LGBTIQ community.

For the thespian within, there are six theatre, cabaret and spoken word shows to devour, including Away From Home (17-21 February) an award winning one man show direct from the UK, about the still prevalent taboo of being gay in the world of sport; Victor Rodger’s brand new premiere Girl On A Corner (9-14 February) with Amanaki Prescott, newcomer award winner at the Auckland theatre awards; and the Legacy Project: Year 2 (10-13 February) a series of short works that explores what it means to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans today, led by artistic director Bruce Brown.

The Auckland Live Box Cafe in Aotea Square frocks up for after work, late night fun transforming into XOX Pride Bar, with a full nightly line-up of DJ’s, Divas, Songbirds and Drag Queens to add to the festival party atmosphere.

Other festival highlights include LYC Big Gay Out (Sunday 8 February), WOOF! The Auckland Pride Dog Show (Sunday 15 February), The Aroha Project Film Festival by Mika Haka Foundation (Monday 23 January), Auckland Pride Parade 2014 (Saturday 21 February), and the party to end all parties - PROUD (Saturday 28 February).

Added to these are a fine stable of local and international artists and acts all set to deliver Auckland city a rich experience that reflects a burgeoning LGBTIQ community.

PRIDE PROGRAMME AVAILABLE NOW

Auckland Pride Festival 2015 runs from Friday 6 February – Sunday 1 March 2015.

© Scoop Media