Atlanta Pride confirms first set of 2009 festival details
August 8th, 2009
Plans shaping up for Pride lead-up and Pride Weekend events
The Atlanta Pride Committee is proud to announce the first set of confirmed events and entertainers for the Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2009 festival, as well as lead-up events with our community partners, and a hint at plans in the works. We’re gaining momentum as we busily plan a slew of activities. Here’s the breakdown so far, with regular updates promised through festival time.
LEAD-UP EVENTS
Papi’s Countdown to Pride: Join us at Las Margaritas, on one Sunday each month to raise money and build excitement toward Pride 2009. The next one is Aug. 16, where you can win Pet Shop Boys tickets (see below). From 6 p.m. – midnight that night and on Sept. 20 and Oct. 25, eat up, catch a live DJ, and party with drink and tapas specials. 10% of sales during the events benefits Atlanta Pride.
Free Pet Shop Boys Tickets: Atlanta Pride teams with Bud Light and four local venues to offer four chances to win free tickets to the Pet Shop Boys concert on Sept. 12 at Chastain Amphitheatre. Just walk in the door for a chance to win at one of these four popular hangouts on these dates: Sunday, Aug. 16 at Las Margaritas as part of Papi’s Countdown to Pride (see above); Wednesday, Aug. 19 at the Heretic; Sunday, Aug. 30 at Woofs; Thursday, Sept. 10 at Mixx. No purchase necessary at any of the four ticket giveaways, but increase your chances with each Bud Light purchase.
Stride Into Pride: Join us for a weekly bar crawl each Wednesday leading up to the festival. Pride joins six nightspot partners – one for each color of the Rainbow Flag – each Wednesday Sept. 23 – Oct. 28. The dates and venues are confirmed: Sept. 23, Woofs (red); Sept. 30, Mixx (orange); Oct. 7, Belissima (yellow); Oct. 14, Heretic (green); Oct. 21, Blake’s (blue); Oct. 28, Jungle (purple). Visit atlantapride.org for updates.
PRIDE WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT
The full performance roster and schedule will be determined by Sept. 1, but we can now confirm the following acts set so far:
Goddess & She, Eric Himan & The Adams, Halcyon, Josh Zuckerman
Many more, including a headline entertainer, are in final stages of negotiation. Atlanta Pride will announce as the deals are sealed.
The annual Starlight Cabaret will close the festival on Sunday, Nov. 1
PRIDE WEEKEND EVENTS. Confirmed venues, schedules so far for our staple events:
Official Pride Kickoff Party. October 30, 6:30–10:30 p.m. at the Georgia Aquarium. Explore the aquarium with special after-hours viewings, rainbow water wall for photo opps, cash bars for 21+, and DJ sensation Martin Fry. Tickets are $17 advance, $20 door, and a portion benefits Atlanta Pride. Buy today at www.georgiaaquarium.org/atlantapride.
Pride Commitment Ceremony. Oct. 31, 6:30 p.m. at the Piedmont Park Pavilion. This year’s ceremony is sponsored by Macy’s, which will provide a gift for each registered couple. Registration opens at www.atlantapride.org soon.
Dyke March. Oct. 31, 6 p.m. step-off from the Charles Allen gate in Piedmont Park.
Human Rights Exhibit now includes YouthPride art installation. All day Oct. 31-Nov. 1, along the Piedmont Park North-to-South bridge. LGBT history, including Stonewall’s 40th anniversary, will be presented alongside art works by YouthPride members, who translated their coming out stories onto recycled doors as part of Art RAVE, funded by the United Way. Each piece unveils a colorful epiphany of struggle, pain and triumph.
Annual Atlanta Pride Parade. Nov. 1, 1 p.m. step-off from MARTA Civic Center Station, ending at Piedmont Park’s Charles Allen gate. This year includes the first-ever Miss Atlanta Pride and two Grand Marshals (nominations open thru Aug. 27, http://atlantapride.org/pride_festival). Parade registration open at our applications center, http://atlantapride.org/festival/applications
YouthPride Entertainment Block. Nov. 1 on Pride’s second stage. Time to be determined.
COMING UP. Stay tuned for details on:
Full entertainment schedule, Interfaith Service, Health Clinic, Pet Adoption Day, Trans March, and much, much more!
DON’T FORGET
Hotel Discounts: Exclusive Pride Weekend discounts at the W Midtown, Hotel Indigo and Hyatt Regency Atlanta-Peachtree Street: http://atlantapride.org/pride_festival/visitor_information/
Volunteer Sign-up: http://atlantapride.org/volunteer
Parade & Market Sign-up: http://atlantapride.org/applications
Friend of Pride donations: http://atlantapride.org/donate
