PRIDE 2016: Parade, parties and politics

PRIDE 2016: Parade, parties and politics

2016 sees the return of the colourful Auckland Pride Festival to the city of sails from 5 – 21 February. Pride Parade returns to Ponsonby Road on Saturday 20 February with a new twist – a change in direction, now going North to South. Again Pride is gearing up to stage the biggest parade, throw the best parties, and showcase a fine selection of literature, film and visual arts in a huge celebration of the LGBTIQ community.

The theme for the 2016 Auckland Pride Parade is Stories, Myths & Legends, celebrating narratives and storytelling in all its forms, sharing contemporary experiences, tales, legends and historic milestones.

The Pride Parade, which takes place on Ponsonby Road on Saturday 20 February 2016, is the liveliest, most colourful, uplifting and empowering spectacle of the festival. Newly appointed Auckland Pride Parade Producer, Nick Davion is originally from Brighton in the UK. He has a background in theatre and has worked in various roles in corporate and major events.

“I understand the potential of the Pride Parade/Festival from my home town where an estimated 200,000 celebrated 25 years of Pride in 2015. Auckland Pride is still young, but has enormous potential and I am working to make sure it represents the whole community and is uniquely Auckland, says Davion.”

Kicking off at a new time of 6pm, the parade takes place in the middle of a “Pride Day” with activities happening before the advance of the parade and a free gathering after the parade for all participants! In addition to the new time, this year, there is an exciting new change with the direction of the parade going from Three Lamps, making its way to the end point in Western Park. Heading North to South gives float participants a designated place to gather, experience and enjoy the party of the year from 7pm to 10pm in Western Park. This timing and swap allows floats who want to make the most of darkness time to shine bright in the green surrounds of Western Park.

Ta’i Paitai returns as the Auckland Pride Festival Curator and again brings his wealth of experience in both the arts and community sectors to the festival programme. One of the signature events in the festival this year is the black tie launch event – the Auckland Pride Gala on Friday 5 February at the Maidment Theatre. The Gala offers a teaser of what is to come in the programme and a great party to kick off all things Pride.

Other exciting events coming to the festival include:

• The outrageous all male cabaret show direct from Brisbane, BRIEFS: The Second Coming which is set to take over the ASB Theatre stage and has been described as an Aussie Cirque du Soleil meets Ru Paul’s Drag Race.
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• ARTSPACE delivers a fantastic visual arts programme specifically curated for Pride with Fiona Clark’s exhibition marking the 30th anniversary of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill in New Zealand. Her photographic works track the vitality of the Karangahape Rd area as a site of provocation, radicalism and inclusive, diverse communities.
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• The Auckland Philhamonia Orchestra are also coming on board offering experiential packages.
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• Same Same but Different Writers Festival features the country’s top LGBITQ storytellers including: broadcaster Alison Mau, actor and playwright Victor Rodger, novelist Witi Ihimaera, novelist Stevan Eldred Grigg, memoirist, dancer and choreographer Douglas Wright and many more to be announced.
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• And both the Basement and Q Theatre's will play host to more stunning works throughout Pride Festival, which will be a definite highlight.

In 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the Homosexual Law Reform Act in New Zealand, a momentous milestone for the Rainbow community. The Pride Festival is reflecting this historic change in attitudes and policy within its programme, including a new Annual Human Rights Forum, has been developed which will provide an innovative platform for LGBTIQ peoples in Aotearoa an opportunity to be empowered, to voice submissions and to be a part of a movement that is committed to making meaningful difference.

SIGNATURE EVENTS:

The Auckland Pride Gala
Friday 5 February, 8pm
*NEW VENUE* Maidment
Bookings: www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz

Staircase Revival
Saturday 6th February
Galatos

Same Same, But Different Writers Festival
12 – 14 February
AUT

LYC Big Gay Out
Sunday 14 February from midday
Coyle Park, Pt. Chevalier
FREE

Auckland Pride Parade 2016
Saturday 20 February
*NEW START TIME* 6:00
*NEW DIRECTION* Ponsonby Road
FREE

Auckland Pride Festival 2016 runs from Friday 5 February – Sunday 21 February 2016.

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