Full spectrum of life at Limerick Pride

THE Limerick Pride 2012 Festival kicks off this weekend and the calendar of events promises a wide mix of cultural, education, awareness and entertainment events.

Rainbow flags are flying high and proud on the approach bridges to the city. The flags have become a unique symbol of the festival, which has moved from a weekend festival to a nine-day event, which has earned its place on the Limerick and Shannon Region festival calendar.
Kicking off this Saturday, the festival will open with an art exhibition from Maite Logia. The exhibition will be her debut show and catalogues her life in New York City during the early 1990s.
The show features gay men, lesbians, transvestites and all the colourful characters that were part of her experience. All over 18s are invited to this opening event that will start at 7pm in Red Ribbon Project, Cecil Street and will run throughout the week of Pride. It will be opened by Limerick Person of the Year Richard Lynch who will also be serving as Limerick Pride’s first official grand marshall of the annual Pride Parade, which will be held on Saturday, September 8, leaving City Hall at 1.30pm.
Later on, the opening evening at The Bailey on Patrick Street Cirque hosts the Pride Launch Party with a free night to launch Pride in true circus style. The crew from Limerick Cupcakes will be on hand with some amazing Pride cupcakes and cocktails, which will be handed to those arriving.
On Sunday, the first Limerick Pride Sports day will take place in the People’s Park from 1pm. Sport has become an integral part of the festival as the Limerick Pride committee are behind a bid to host the 2018 Gay Games in Limerick City. Securing this event would see over 10,000 athletes visit the Shannon Region.
Later on Sunday afternoon in the nearby Limerick City Gallery of Art, you can make your very own flag at a Pride Flag Making Workshop. This is followed by a screening of the last ever Alternative Miss Ireland which took place earlier this year. Watch Mini Melange take the title from 6pm in the Loft at the Locke. The opening weekend draws to a close with a jazz and cocktail party in O’Connell’s on Little Ellen Street. The music on the night will be provided by members of the upcoming Limerick Jazz Festival, which will burst onto the festival scene in late September.
As the fight for marriage equality continues, there will be an open discussion on civil partnership/civil marriage in the Absolute Hotel from 8pm on Monday.
On Thursday, September 6 at Bentley’s Bar, O’Connell Street, Mr and Ms Gay Limerick 2012 will be crowned. It’s not too late to enter and if you are interested in taking part, then email press@limerickpride.ie for more details and an application form.
The winners will go on to represent Limerick at their respective national finals later this year.
On next Friday, the 90s’ club night will kick off from 10.30pm in Scott’s Bar on the South Circular Road and it promises to be a cheesy night full of great pop music and some amazing performances including a very special secret guest.
X Factor Star Johnny Robinson takes to stage of Dolan’s Warehouse on Saturday, September 8 for the Pride Climax Party, which will be the perfect follow-up to the annual Pride parade.
Speaking about the festival, chairperson Billie said, “My personal goal over the last two years has been to ensure that in the creation of our Pride festival is an empowering and exciting experience to be a part of. It was my aim to ensure that Pride committee members were uplifted and celebrated within the team in order to create an uplifting celebration for others to join in with.”
In a message from President Michael D Higgins, the importance of Pride festivals was highlighted, “It provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase the rich and vibrant diversity of Irish society and its success can be accredited in no small way to the organisers who have worked tirelessly on its behalf”.
Lots of other events are taking place and for a full list of events check out www.limerickpride.ie.