Preview of this weekend’s Liverpool Pride Festival 2010

Aug 5 2010 by Jo Henwood, Flintshire Chronicle

Liverpool is hosting its first ever Pride festival this weekend for the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The event will kick off with a Pride march on Saturday, leaving St George’s Plateau at 12.30pm and taking in Queen’s Square Bus Station (Roe and Hood Street), Whitechapel, Lord Street and Castle Street.

From 1.30-8pm enjoy a glittering street party on Dale Street with music, dance, cabaret and performances on the main acoustic and cabaret stages.

As part of the 2010 Year of Health & Wellbeing, Age Concern Liverpool and Liverpool Pride have organised a feast of activities including alternative therapies, relaxation, food and drink, music and dancing.

A community market will have more than 30 stalls including arts and crafts, Pride goodies, LGBT organisations and public services.

The main stage line-up includes club dance diva Rozalla and former soap star Adam Rickitt, who returns to the UK to perform his new single.

Headline act on the acoustic stage is Liverpool legend Ian McNabb performing songs from his dozen albums including his latest hit Great Things, which was released in April this year.

Another highlight for festival goers is blues singer Connie Lush.

Fresh from performing at Glastonbury, Cocabelle will also take to the stage with a stunning vocal and visual set while BBC One stars Sense of Sound choir, directed by Perri Alleyne-Hughes, will blow you away with their contemporary a cappella numbers. Soul singer and artistic director of the choir, Jennifer John, will also showcase her talent in a live solo set.

The fun doesn’t stop at sunset as a large number of venues are hosting Pride events especially for the night.

Liverpool Council leader Joe Anderson said: “The Pride Festival is gearing up to be an amazing event which will attract people from far and wide to Liverpool, promoting tolerance and providing an economic boost to the city.”

Former Frankie Goes To Hollywood front man Holly Johnson said: “I wish you all a safe and happy Liverpool Pride, free from hostility and full of joy!

“Let’s not forget that without the gay flair of Brian Epstein, The Beatles may never have reached a global audience and put Liverpool on the musical map forever.”

The Liverpool Pride Acoustic Stage has been organised in association with Rebel Soul, a new social enterprise with the primary objective of encouraging, nurturing and championing unsigned bands and artists.

For more information visit www.liverpoolpride.co.uk.